Sports and Fitness Administration Degrees for Military and Veterans
What is a Sports and Fitness Administration Degree?
If you’re passionate about health, fitness, and competitive sports and want to turn that passion into a living, getting a sports and fitness degree will allow you to do so.Programs vary from school to school, but typically, topics such as sports marketing, event planning, facility management, athletic training, sports law, and the business of sports and fitness are part of the curriculum of any Sports and Fitness Administration program.
A Sports and Fitness Administration degree gives students the tools to succeed in this lucrative but competitive field.
What can you do with a Sports and Fitness Administration Degree?
Students who attain this degree can pursue a variety of careers in healthcare, recreational or corporate fitness and athletics. While competitive, a degree will give graduates the extra boost they need to land a job.With a Sports and Fitness Administration Degree, applicants can succeed as athletic directors, fitness managers, facility coordinators, marketing specialists or manage injury prevention and skill development in competitive sports. Graduates can also sell or market sports and fitness products or services.
Is a Sports and Fitness Administration Degree Hard?
Like any major, Sports and Fitness Administration can be challenging. Its curriculum blends elements of business management principles with industry-specific topics.Coursework in Sports and Fitness Administration may be easier for enthusiastic students about the industry, but they may find courses outside of it more difficult.
These classes are often required nonetheless and may be in science (biology and chemistry), math (algebra, statistics, and geometry), accounting, public speaking, or sociology.
Is a Sports and Fitness Administration worth it?
There are many careers in athletics and fitness that keep the industry running, from sports marketing and public relations to event planning and coaching.Financial professionals are also needed in the sports and fitness industry, as well as those with business acumen who can oversee the management of facilities and negotiate with vendors. Education and media are two additional industries in which graduates with this degree can successfully pursue careers.
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Associate's Degree in Sports and Fitness Administration
Students can attain an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science in Sports and Fitness Administration. This two-year degree trains them to work in entry-level positions in college, amateur, professional, and corporate settings, typically as assistants.Jobs you can obtain with an Associate’s Degree in Sports and Fitness Administration include:
- Sports Facility Assistant- This individual assists managers in the day-to-day operation of sports facilities, such as stadiums, arenas or recreational centers. Average annual salary: $52,230.
- Sports Marketing Assistant - Marketing support in this role may include social media management, event promotion, and market research. Average annual salary: $59,348.
- Fitness Center Manager Assistant- A person working as an assistant at a fitness center or health club may work in member services, club maintenance or assist in marketing and promotion. Average annual salary: $78,431.
A Bachelor’s Degree in Sports and Fitness Administration
A Bachelor's Degree in Sports and Fitness Administration may be a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science. While it doesn’t affect the knowledge or roles a student can obtain, it does affect the type of classes students can take. B.A. Degrees are more liberal arts-based, while B.S. Degrees are more science-based.Jobs you can obtain with a Bachelor’s in Sports and Fitness Administration include:
- Fitness Center Manager- A person working as fitness center manager oversees the daily operation of gyms and health clubs. Average annual salary: $93089.
- Event Coordinator- This individual manages all events in the sports and fitness industry, including races, tournaments, competitions and charity events. Average annual salary: $79,788.
- Sports Administrator- A sports administrator manages the business of sports teams, athletic departments, or sports organizations. Average annual salary: $49732.
A Master’s Degree in Sports and Fitness Administration
A Sports and Fitness Administration Master’s program will typically include courses in business and marketing management, finance, law and leadership and allows students to find higher-level and higher-paying jobs in their chosen field.Jobs open to those with a Master’s Degree in Sports and Fitness Administration include:
- Sports Marketing Director- This person leads marketing teams and initiatives for brands, companies, and leagues and by developing strategies ad campaigns, negotiating sponsorships and partnerships to reach consumers, and analyzing market trends and behaviors. Average annual salary: $143,804.
- Sports Facility Operations Manager- This person manages the daily operation of sports facilities, including stadiums, arenas or recreational centers. Average annual salary: $77,276.
- Athletic Department Head- An athletic department head works at college or university, overseeing all aspects of its athletic programs. Average annual salary: $128,165.
A Doctorate Degree in Sports and Fitness Administration
Students with a Doctorate in Sports and Fitness Administration will take more focused sports leadership, marketing, risk management, and high school and college athletic administration courses. Before proposing and writing a thesis, they’ll complete courses in sports management and research methodologies.Jobs open to those with a Doctorate Degree in Sports and Fitness Administration include:
- University Professor/Researcher- Individuals in this role will research and publish articles and teach at undergraduate and graduate levels. Average annual salary: $106,184.
- Executive Leadership Roles- Individuals holding a Doctorate in Sports and Fitness Administration can be chief executive officers, presidents, or executive directors to sports and fitness companies or related organizations. Average annual salary: $152,612.
Select VA-Approved Colleges with Sports and Fitness Administration Degree Programs
Ready to start your Degree in Sports and Fitness Administration? Some partner schools have paid for promotional consideration.Troy University- Troy University offers a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports and Fitness Administration. It has GI Bill-approved programs, offers credit for military experience, awards credit for CLEP and DSST exams, and is approved for Tuition Assistance. Troy University is a MyCAA-approved school and a participant in the Yellow Ribbon program.
Stetson University-Deland offers a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports and Fitness Administration. It has GI Bill-approved programs and is a Yellow Ribbon school. Stetson is also approved for Tuition Assistance and is a MyCAA-approved school.
East Tennessee State University- East Tennessee State University offers a Bachelor’s Degree program in Sports and Fitness Administration. East Tennessee State University has GI Bill approved programs, offers credit for military experience, awards credit for the CLEP exam, and is approved for Tuition Assistance. East Tennessee State University is a Yellow Ribbon school and MyCAA-approved school.
Viterbo University- Viterbo University offers Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Sports and Fitness Administration. It has GI Bill approved programs, offers credit for military experience, is approved for Tuition Assistance, and awards credit for CLEP and DSST exams. Viterbo University is a MyCAA-approved school and a participant in the Yellow Ribbon program.
*Average annual salaries adapted and calculated from sources including Salary.com and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates. For more information, click here.