HPE offering new credit certificate in Sports Coaching and Athletic Performance

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (Feb. 10, 2014) — The University of Alabama in Huntsville's (UAH) Department of Health and Physical Education (HPE) is offering a credit certificate in Sports Coaching and Athletic Performance, and all classes will run regularly each semester.

"HPE has realized for several years that the field of sports coaching and athletic performance is continuing to grow and hold strong as a viable career option," said David Kyle, senior associate director of HPE. "We have been working on this specific program for about two years, but it always takes time for things to fall into place."

Kyle said all of the courses in the certificate program will be awarded UAH credit. "This is a 20-hour university certificate that will appear on student academic transcripts, and therefore valuable when seeking employment."

Core courses for the certificate are Principles of Coaching, and Management of Sports and Physical Education. Both courses are upper level and provide the educational background for a career in the sports coaching field. Students will also obtain coaching certification with the Alabama High School Athletic Association (a requirement of all coaches). The certification also places students on the national coaches registry, and will make transferring credentials to another state much easier.

"Specific academic programs in coaching are rare — especially in Alabama," said Kyle. "The UAH program raises the standard and makes us an educational leader for students entering the coaching profession. Our students will be a step ahead of other college graduates," said Kyle.

For more information about the new credit certificate in sports program, please contact David.Kyle@uah.edu.

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