Dordt to Offer Iowa High School Coaching Authorization

Dordt University is launching a new Iowa Coaching Authorization course starting on January 14, 2021. This course is required for anyone who wants to coach a high school sport in Iowa but is not a teacher.

“The coaching authorization is an avenue for individuals to coach at their local high school or middle school who have not received a coaching endorsement,” says Nathan Bacon, head baseball coach and course instructor. “This course meets all the criteria laid out by the state of Iowa.”

This course provides a flexible opportunity for certification for those looking to serve in a coaching role. It is a 55-hour course that students can complete at their own pace throughout the term. The course is offered online, expanding the reach beyond Northwest Iowa to coaches from central and eastern Iowa.

“We have put together a program that will help prepare coaches to handle many of the challenges that they will face during their time on the court or field,” says Bacon. “This program also provides tools that will enable coaches to have kingdom impact once they have completed the course and are out on the field with their athletes.”

Course topics include basics of athletic training, ethical and legal issues pertaining to athletics, sports psychology, human growth and development, and injury prevention and treatment.

“Dordt has a strong history in coaching excellence,” says Joe Bakker, director of online education. “We have been training excellent teacher-coaches in our Master of Education: Sport Leadership program, and we are eager to expand that training to individuals seeking coaching authorization in Iowa.”

Those interested in learning more or signing up for the course can visit dordt.edu/iowa-coaching-authorization.

As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Dordt, located in Sioux Center, Iowa, is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by The Wall Street Journal, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.