To work as a coach or scout, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• have a bachelor's degree.

Education after high school

Most coaches and scouts have a bachelor's degree. However, the education and training required to coach depends on your employer. The sport you coach or teach and your level of responsibility also determine the training you need. Some entry-level jobs only require experience in the sport. Some coaching and scouting jobs require a great deal of education and experience. Coaches often must be certified according to the school district's policies.

College and professional coaches usually have a bachelor's degree, and some have a master's degree. In addition, most have many years of experience playing and then coaching their sport. Most have worked their way up through the coaching ranks.

Many colleges and universities offer degree programs in exercise science, nutrition and fitness, physical education, or sports medicine. Some universities also offer degree programs in sports marketing.

Work experience

You can begin by helping to coach a children's team. Many opportunities for volunteering exist in children's leagues.

No matter which sport you wish to coach or scout for, nothing is better preparation than expertise in the sport. Most coaches and scouts first played the sport. Being able to show someone the right moves and explain the reason for them is valuable. Knowing what skills are needed for a sport helps the scout find the best athlete.

On-the-job training

Most entry-level jobs for coaches are as assistant coaches. Coaches start in lower-level leagues or smaller schools. As they gain knowledge and experience, they often move up in level or school size. It usually takes several years as an assistant and a winning record before you can apply for head coaching jobs.

Scouts often begin their career as assistant coaches. In these positions, coaches learn to evaluate athletes' skills.