It is common for coaching students to pursue majors and career positions centered on teaching in a public or private school district. Many districts seek individuals who can provide a dual purpose to their operations by instructing their students in various disciplines, such as subject-specific high school courses or elementary teaching, and coaching one type of sport. Physical education majors often learn coaching skills within their course of study as requirements for graduation.
Business majors in an institute of higher education can minor in coaching to gain employment as a sports marketing representative or in sport management. The combination of sport knowledge and business gives graduates the foundation to promote national sport competitions or become employed in a sports marketing firm hired to advertise various athletic associations. Sport management may provide opportunities to become a sports agent for upcoming athletes in professional organizations or manage a sport team at the professional or semi-pro level.
Although exercise physiology is a graduate program of study, the prerequisite for some colleges may include the excelling in coursework related to coaching in addition to majoring in biology. Athletic trainers, fitness development, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and health promotion are possible positions that combine these two programs of study, according to the "Journal of Professional Exercise Physiology." The overlapping of these programs may also lead to a wider array of professional employment positions.
Those thinking of psychology as a major program of study may benefit from taking athletic coaching courses as a minor to later become a sport psychologist. These professional individuals often travel with both professional and semi-pro teams to prepare them psychologically for competition as well as training current coaches on the most effective tactics and procedures for teamwork and cohesiveness. The combination of sport education and psychology classes prepare graduates for a career but a graduate degree is commonly required by many employers.