Sports Coaching and Physical Education
Program Overview
University of West Florida - Sports Coaching and Physical Education Program
The University of West Florida offers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Sports Coaching and Physical Education, providing students with a comprehensive education in teaching, coaching, and the health and fitness industry.
Program Overview
The B.S. in Sports Coaching and Physical Education prepares students for positions in teaching, coaching, the health and fitness industry, and recreation services, as well as for graduate study. The program is designed to provide students with a foundation of health, coaching, and pedagogical knowledge to pursue careers in sport coaching.
Specializations
The program offers two specializations:
- Physical Education Teacher Education
- Sports Performance and Coaching
Physical Education Teacher Education Specialization
This specialization is designed for students interested in becoming certified Physical Education teachers in grades K-12. The program is approved by the Florida Department of Education and accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Admission Requirements
Students seeking admission to the B.S. in Physical Education Teacher Education must have a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or greater in all previously attempted college work and have passing scores on the General Knowledge test of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam.
Program Requirements
In addition to the University's general requirements, students must meet the following requirements:
- Grade of "C-" or higher in all major-related courses
- 2.50 or greater cumulative GPA
- Passing scores on the Professional Education Test, General Knowledge Exam, and the Physical Education Subject Area test of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam
- CPR/First Aid/AED Red Cross certificate
- Approval by the Physical Education Teacher Education Program Committee
Sports Performance and Coaching Specialization
This specialization prepares students with a foundation of health, coaching, and pedagogical knowledge to pursue careers in sport coaching. Employment settings include high school and collegiate sport coaching, community and recreational athletics, physical activity and sport enhancement programs, public and private fitness-related organizations, and corporate wellness settings.
Program Requirements
In addition to the University's general requirements, students must meet the following requirements:
- Grade of "C-" or higher in all major courses
- 2.00 GPA in the major
- Recommendations of academic advisor prior to registration for internship
General Education Requirements
Students must complete the following General Education courses:
Communication
- ENC 1101: English Composition I (Core)
- ENC 1102: English Composition II (Breadth)
- Communication Elective Options:
- CRW 2001: Introduction to Creative Writing
- MMC 2000: Principles of Mass Communication
- SPC 2608: Public Speaking
Humanities
- Choose one course from the Humanities Core and one additional course from either the Humanities Core or the Humanities Breadth
- Humanities Core Options:
- ARH 1000: Art Appreciation
- HUM 2020: Introduction to Humanities
- HUM 2020H: Honors Introduction to Humanities
- LIT 2000: Introduction to Literature
- MUL 2010: Music Appreciation
- PHI 2010: Introduction to Philosophy
- THE 2000: Theatre Appreciation
- Humanities Breadth Options:
- AML 2010: American Literature I
- AML 2020: American Literature II
- AMS 2010: Civil Discourse and the American Political Order
- ARH 2050: Western Survey I: Prehistory to the Medieval Period
- ARH 2051: Western Survey II: Renaissance to Contemporary
- ART 1015C: Exploring Artistic Vision
- ENL 2010: History of English Literature I
- ENL 2020: History of English Literature II
- LIT 2030: Introduction to Poetry
- MUH 2004: The Music Experience - Concerts
- PHI 2103: Critical Thinking
- PHI 2603: Ethics in Contemporary Society
- REL 1300: World Religions
- THE 2300: Survey of Dramatic Literature
Mathematics
- Choose one course from the Mathematics Core and one additional course from either the Mathematics Core or the Mathematics Breadth
- Mathematics Core Options:
- MAC 1105: College Algebra
- MAC 1105C: College Algebra with Lab
- MAC 2311: Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
- MGF 1130: Mathematical Thinking
- STA 2023: Elements of Statistics
- Mathematics Breadth Options:
- MAC 1114: Trigonometry
- MAC 1140: Precalculus Algebra
- MAC 1147: Precalculus with Trigonometry
- MAC 2233: Calculus with Business Applications
- MAC 2312: Analytic Geometry and Calculus II
- MGF 1131: Mathematics in Context
- STA 2360: Introduction to Data Science
Natural Sciences
- Choose one course from the Natural Sciences Core and one additional course from either the Natural Sciences Core or the Natural Sciences Breadth
- Natural Sciences Core Options:
- AST 1002: Descriptive Astronomy
- BSC 1005: General Biology for Non-Majors
- BSC 1085: Anatomy and Physiology I
- BSC 2010: Biology I
- CHM 1020: Concepts in Chemistry
- CHM 2045: General Chemistry I
- ESC 2000: Introduction to Earth Science
- EVR 2001: Introduction to Environmental Science
- EVR 2001H: Honors Introduction to Environmental Science
- GLY 2010: Physical Geology
- PHY 1020: Conceptual Physics
- PHY 2048: Calculus-Based Physics I
- PHY 2048C: Calculus-Based Physics I Studio
- PHY 2053: Algebra-Based Physics I
- Natural Sciences Breadth Options:
- ANT 2511: Biological Anthropology
- AST 2037: Life in the Universe
- BOT 2010: General Botany
- BSC 1050: Fundamentals of Ecology
- BSC 1086: Anatomy and Physiology II
- BSC 2011: Biology II
- BSC 2311: Introduction to Oceanography and Marine Biology
- CGS 2020: Introduction to Machine Learning
- CHM 2046: General Chemistry II
- MCB 1000: Fundamentals of Microbiology
- PHC 2082: Informatics and Your Health
- PHY 2049: Calculus-Based Physics II
- PHY 2054: Algebra-Based Physics II
Social Sciences
- Choose one course from the Social Sciences Core and one additional course from either the Social Sciences Core or the Social Sciences Breadth
- Social Sciences Core Options:
- AMH 2010: United States to 1877
- AMH 2020: United States Since 1877
- ANT 2000: Introduction to Anthropology
- ECO 2013: Principles of Economics Macro
- POS 2041: American Politics
- PSY 2012: General Psychology
- Social Sciences Breadth Options:
- ANT 2100: Introduction to Archaeology
- CCJ 2002: Survey of Crime and Justice
- CIS 2530: Introduction to Cybersecurity
- COM 2023: Death and Communication
- CPO 2002: Comparative Politics
- DEP 2004: Human Development Across the Lifespan
- EUH 1000: Western Perspectives I
- EUH 1001: Western Perspectives II
- FIN 2104: Personal Finance
- GEA 2000: Nations and Regions of the World
- GEB 1011: Introduction to Business
- HIS 2050: Explore History
- HSC 2100: Personal, Family and Community Health
- INR 2002: International Politics
- PLA 2013: Survey of American Law
- PLA 2013H: Honors Survey of American Law
- SPM 2010: Sport in Global Society
- SYG 2000: Introduction to Sociology
Civic Literacy Requirement
The 2017 Florida Legislature amended Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, to require students initially entering a State University System (SUS) and/or Florida College System (FCS) institution in 2018 and thereafter to demonstrate competency in civic literacy by passing an assessment or taking AMH 2020 United States Since 1877 or POS 2041 American Politics.
Mathematics Pathway
Students are advised to complete the following courses to fulfill the mathematics pathway that aligns with the mathematics skills needed for success in their program and their career goals:
- MAC 1105: College Algebra
- STA 2023: Elements of Statistics
Common Prerequisites
State-mandated common prerequisites must be completed prior to graduation, but are not required for admission to the program:
- BSC 1085: Anatomy and Physiology I
- BSC 1086: Anatomy and Physiology II
- EDF 1005: Introduction to Education
- PET 2001: Introduction to Sport Performance Studies
- PEO 2510: Theory and Practice of Coaching Soccer
Major Requirements
The major requires 31 hours of coursework, including:
- ATR 2000: Basic Care and Prevention Principles of Athletic Training
- APK 3110: Exercise Physiology
- APK 3110L: Exercise Physiology Laboratory
- PET 3123: Historical Foundations of Sport and Fitness
- HLP 3300: Organization and Administration of Professional Programs
- PET 3344C: Athletic Coaching Methods
- PET 4434: Youth Sport Pedagogy
- PET 4820: Adolescent Sport Pedagogy
- PET 4948: Physical Education and Coaching Field Experience with PK - 12
- PET 3640: Adapted Physical Education and Sport
- PET 4801: Sport Skill Acquisition and Motor Development
Major-Related Requirements
The major-related requirements include 24 hours of coursework, including:
- EDF 3234: Applied Foundations of Education
- EDG 4323: Methods of K-12 Literacy Instruction
- TSL 4080: ESOL Principles and Practices
- EEX 3070: Teaching Students with Exceptionalities in Various Environments
- PET 4744: Student Teaching in Physical Education
Electives for Graduation
Students must complete sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to satisfy at least 60 semester hours in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level to meet this elective requirement.
Athletic Sport Coaching Minor
The 16-hour Minor in Athletic Sport Coaching is offered by the Department of Movement Sciences and Health. The minor is designed for those students interested in the practical, methodological, and psychological aspects of coaching athletic sports. This minor is available to all students. No directed study may be taken to fulfill the requirements for the minor. Completion of this minor may allow students to be eligible for FLDOE certification in Athletic Sport Coaching.
Required Courses
- ATR 2000: Basic Care and Prevention Principles of Athletic Training
- HLP 3300: Organization and Administration of Professional Programs
- PET 3344C: Athletic Coaching Methods
- PET 4765: Theory and Practice of Coaching
- PET 4820: Adolescent Sport Pedagogy
- PEO 2510: Theory and Practice of Coaching Soccer