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Servicemembers to Sports – Get In the Game with Certificate Programs

Many people follow a professional sports team, and you may be surprised to hear there are many opportunities to land a rewarding career in the pro sports industry. While some jobs in the industry require a degree, including becoming an agent, sports psychologist, athletic director, or team executive, don’t let that stop you from scoring your dream job. 

There are plenty of options available. Below, we’ll look at some of these and how to get applicable certificates at a school or through different organizations. And it’s a good time to do so, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the sports and entertainment industry is expected to experience above-average growth over the next 10 years, at a rate of 13 percent.

Why Choose Employment in the Sports Industry

As a veteran or transitioning service member, your experience and skill sets are highly compatible with many jobs in the sports industry. These include adhering to a chain of command, maintaining a fitness routine, possessing a security clearance, and leveraging those hard-fought training sessions into Credit for Prior Learning. Many schools and organizations have recognized the connection and are building opportunities for service members and veterans to gain the credentials they need to succeed. 

Careers for Veterans in Professional Sports

Sports Management

Working in sports management can leverage the logistics expertise you gained from military service. Whether it’s booking events, organizing equipment, or selecting vendors, your time in the military has equipped you with much of what is necessary to excel in similar civilian roles.

If a job in sports management intrigues you, there is a wide array of certificates that can give you a boost in landing that first job. It’s essential to note that many, but not all, are eligible for the GI Bill, although the amount covered can vary.

Sports/Event Coordinator

An event management certificate will give you the fundamentals in selecting vendors, scheduling, and compliance. 

• University of Florida (UF) – Certificate in the Sports Event Management program. This 12-credit course has one mandatory 3-credit class and nine electives. The flexibility of this curriculum allows for the exploration of various types of employment in sports, including social and ethical issues, facility design, and revenue generation. To earn the certificate, you must complete all 12 credits, which you can take online. There are no specific admission requirements listed; however, an application is required. They also have a Veterans Success Center where you can access academic and transition support.
• University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine)– Esports Management Certificate. If you’re an avid gamer and curious about how to make a career out of it, this digital certificate may be right for you.  This is a short 3-6 month self-paced, 12-credit class that provides the fundamentals in marketing, brand management, event planning, legal considerations, and fan engagement. You will need to apply for a “Declaration of Candidacy,” which essentially means you are ready to get started.

There are no specific requirements for admission, and they have a Veterans’ Service Center where you can get help with your benefits, as well as a separate orientation for their military learners.

• University of Miami – Professional Certificate in Sports Management. Through its Division of Continuing Education, Miami offers a certificate online in 8-12 weeks. The course suits those interested in player contracts, game-day operations, and ticketing. It’s asynchronous, so you can take it whenever and wherever it’s most convenient. Miami has a Veterans Resource Center that offers grants to eligible veterans and their dependents. They waive application fees and offer Tuition Assistance (TA) for some programs. 

Sports Analysis and Data Science

If you’re a math or tech whiz, a job in sports analytics might be a great fit. In these jobs, you will look at large data sets, everything from athlete performance to ticket sales and fan engagement. Examining and maximizing the data collection can drive efforts to reduce injuries, enhance scouting efforts, and grow concession sales. Data evaluation and analysis are relevant to everyone, from front office staff to venue managers, medical staff, and even coaches. 

• University of Missouri – Graduate Certificate in Sports Analysis. If you enjoy statistics, you may excel in this coursework. To apply for this one, you’ll need a degree and transcripts from a regionally accredited school (approximately 85% of schools are regionally accredited). They also require 2 letters of recommendation, a statement detailing your professional goals, and a resume. This program is entirely online and spans over 2 semesters, offered during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. The curriculum includes Methods in Sports Analysis, making it suitable for those interested in exploring careers in sports and performance analysis, technology, or gaming.
• Nichols College – Certificate in Sports Analysis. This certificate is only open to students at Nichols. Still, you can earn it regardless of your major, and six of the 12 required credits can be integrated into any undergraduate degree plan. They emphasize the courses’ practical application of data mining, computer programming, and statistical analysis, which are relevant to employment in reviewing performance metrics, data-driven broadcasting, and even fantasy league strategies.  Their support for military learners includes the Office of Veteran & Military Services (OVMS), a Veterans Committee, the SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society, Veterans Lounge, and the Student Veterans Club.
• Wilmington University – Certificate in Sport Analytics. This course is a 15-credit, 5-hour online or in-person course with classes in Applied Statistical Models and Methods in Sports Analysis to prepare you for a job in performance technology and data analytics. All you need to apply is a high-school diploma and university transcripts (if applicable), 2 letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.  Additionally, through Wilmington’s Dual-Credit ADVANTAGE program, you can transfer the credits you earned toward a related degree program.

Sports Marketing and Communications

If you worked in Public Affairs during your service and are interested in sports, you will find plenty of employment opportunities in sports marketing and media. Some of these include Director of Media Relations, Content Strategy, Brand Protection, Broadcasting, Community Relations, Publicist, and Military Liaison (how awesome would that be?). As a starter, you might consider joining the Hiring Our Heroes Sports Coalition and taking a look at the options below.

• Rowan University—Certificate of Undergraduate Study in Sports Media. This is a four-course, 12-credit program that focuses on establishing skills in sports communications, media, and reporting. You must be a Rowan student and have completed at least 45 credits; however, the university offers courses in Esports, Sports Leadership, and Project Management for non-matriculated students.
• Sports Industry Essentials Certificate via Yellowbrick and Columbia University. If you have a background in public affairs, Columbia offers a program that focuses on marketing, media, and innovation. The Columbia course is also 100% virtual and self-paced, and it will give you a strong foundation to get you moving toward a career in sports. They also offer a Business of Sports Online Enrichment Program through their Business School that explores franchise opportunities, trends in sports, and funding a venue. Columbia also offers peer-to-peer mentoring to assist military learners in acclimating to the higher education environment, as well as career support that includes resume assistance, networking opportunities, and job placement assistance.

Athletic Support and Performance

As a veteran, you’ve spent your fair share of time learning conditioning, strength, and endurance. These experiences, which may have been less than enjoyable at the time, may put you in an excellent position for jobs as an Assistant or Sports Performance Coach, Athletic or Personal and Player development. 

Most of these will require a degree and a specialized certificate, but not all. Notably, jobs in the private sector, such as gyms or personal training, tend to have more flexible criteria when it comes to requiring a degree. Let’s look at some schools with certificates in these areas and a commitment to serving a military learner population. 

• East Stroudsburg University (ESU) – ESU has a few different certificate options that can help you get into employment in sports performance. There is both a Sport Performance Coaching Certificate and a more advanced version. In both cases, you will learn the practical application of knowledge and the science behind the techniques and curriculum. 

• Cleveland University, Kansas City – CU’s Kansas City campus offers a Graduate Certificate in Sports Performance, comprising 8 online modules that are completed over 12 weeks. The course focuses on injury recovery strategies and techniques to maximize physical performance. It has 3 start times throughout the year to give you flexibility on when you begin. Its curriculum will equip you to serve all ages, improve movement, exercise regimens, and reduce the chance of injuries.

• Seton Hall University—Seton Hall’s Certificate in Sports and Exercise Psychology, as the name implies, focuses more on the mental components of sports performance. It consists of five courses for 15 credits, including instruction on the psychological effects of injuries and special electives. Seton Hall has a resource center for veterans and a campus-wide Task Force for Military-Affiliated Students, which includes senior administrators, faculty, alums, and veterans. The Task Force meets to discuss and design effective means to improve retention, health and wellness, and opportunities for engagement with resources both on and off campus.

Non-Academic Based. No Degree Required Programs Covering  Exam Reimbusement Only

There aren’t many relevant certificate programs outside academia that can get you started in the sports space. The VA recognizes the below and is GI Bill eligible for exams only. Remember, the VA will pay up to $2,000 per exam with no annual limit, and the amount will be deducted from your GI Bill benefits.

• National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF) – The NCSF offers various NCAA-accredited certificates. There is a Certified Personal Trainer (CPL) course you can take at your own pace using materials including videos, a digital textbook, quizzes, and instructor support. The Certified Strength Coach (CSF) focuses on providing the knowledge and skills necessary to teach sports performance and athletic development with both online and in-person exams. The Sports Nutrition Specialist (SNS) focuses on nutritional science and planning to improve athletic success. Testing for SNS can be accessed both virtually or at an exam site. There are other certificate programs available, but the VA recognizes the CPL, CSF, and SNS, and, as such, they are eligible for reimbursement. 
• American Council on Exercise (ACE) – ACE offers several certificate programs to gain credentials in personal training and group fitness instruction. Their ACE Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) is great for those interested in a more flexible work schedule and an entrepreneurial mindset. To qualify for the CPT, you must first have completed both the Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) certifications, which may also be eligible for exam reimbursement. 

You can also attain other applicable certifications through organizations such as Apple, The Digital Marketing Institute, the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE), and Avid Technology, which can prepare you for roles in sports broadcast editing, production, and social media. 

Finally, please remember to check with the VA before you pursue a certification outside of academia. While every effort has been made to verify the information above, there is no guarantee that there won’t be any modifications. To ensure your selected certificate is covered, follow the steps below. 

1. Confirm that you still have GI Bill remaining entitlement
2. Go to the VA’s Web Enabled Approval Management System (WEAMS), where you can search for coverage of exams, as well as non-degree offerings, on-the-job training opportunities, correspondence, and flight schools.
3. Search by school, location, or course type (e.g., non-degree or certification).