What can I do with a certificate/degree in athletic coaching?

This program is designed for students who are interested in a career in coaching young people and offers two overlapping courses of study. The certificate program is a 21-22 unit curriculum that prepares students for entry-level employment as a youth or high school coach. The associate degree program is a 60 unit curriculum that prepares students to  transfer to a four-year school and continue their training for a career as a teacher-coach at the high school or college level. The college and the physical education department offer a large library of information about transfer schools.

The demand for coaches remains high. Labor market data for Contra Costa County supplied by the Employment Development Department (EDD) indicates nearly a 20 percent increase in coaching jobs through 2006. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a 32 percent increase in these positions throughout the state.

According to the BLS, coaches salaries in California vary, with the top percentiles earning in excess of $75,000 per year.

When are classes offered?

Most courses are taught in the mornings and evenings at DVC's new exercise science education facility at the Pleasant Hill campus.

How long will it take to earn a certificate or an associate degree?

Generally, students take one year to complete the certificate program and two years to earn an A.S. degree.