Sport Coaching
Qualifications
Introduction
Studying Sport Coaching prepares you for a career in sport coaching and related fields. The Bachelor of Sport Coaching degree is a unique blend of practical application and theory that immerses you into the sociology, science, theory and practice of sport and sport coaching. Using an athlete-centred approach, students are trained to provide opportunities for learning in the sport context. The programme provides a link between theory and practice, whereby students have supervised coaching practice with clubs and schools in the community.
Some Sport Coaching courses are open to students from other degrees.
Entry requirements
Selection for entry is competitive and places are limited. A separate Application for Programme Entry (APE) to the College of Education is required.
Selection is based on academic ability, interest and involvement in sport coaching, community involvement, communication skills and other personal qualities. Most candidates will be interviewed. Applicants under 20 must have University Entrance. Applicants over 20 must provide evidence of recent, successful tertiary study.
The selection process includes a police check.
Students for whom English is an additional language must provide evidence of their English language ability as follows:
- IELTS (Academic) 7.0, with no individual score below 7.0; or
- At least two years of successful study in a New Zealand secondary school, with at least eight Level 2 NCEA credits in English (four reading and four writing).
We strongly recommend that you apply for programme entry as early as possible (applications open in June). Applications close four weeks prior to the commencement of the programme in February, or when places are filled (whichever comes first).
Apply for programme entry
Download an Application for Programme Entry (PDF, 321KB) or phone the Contact Centre on 0800 VARSITY (827 748). This includes the Application to Enrol. If your application is approved you will receive an offer of place letter.
100-level courses
Sport Coaching courses are grouped into three main strands: pedagogy (the theory and application of coaching and learning), sport and exercise sciences, and sociology of sport. Content includes:
- Principles of Coaching and Learning
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Social History of Sport
- Sociology of Sport
- Biomechanics
- Athlete-centred Coaching Principles
- Exercise Science for Aerobic and Anaerobic Sports
- Critical and Bicultural Perspectives of Sport
- Practicums and Internship
- Leadership.
For information on the required courses for the degree see the Bachelor of Sport Coaching page.
200-level and beyond
Further study
Graduates can seek postgraduate opportunities in sport and education-related areas of study, and are also eligible to apply for a fourth year of study in order to teach physical education in secondary schools.
Career opportunities
The BSpC provides students with opportunities in many areas of sport and, in particular, the opportunity to develop a career at the forefront of the changing sport coaching field. It also allows students to develop skills which can be useful in roles beyond coaching such as coaching coordinators for clubs, community groups and sporting federations; work in regional and national sporting organisations in various roles; sport development officers for community groups; sport coordinators in schools; sport trainers; mental skills trainers; exercise scientists; recreation officers; and community educators.
For further career information, please go to www.canterbury.ac.nz/careers
Contact
College of Education
Telephone: +64 3 343 9606
Email: education@canterbury.ac.nz