Do you follow the world of sports? Are you interested in event planning and organization? Have you ever wanted to help others maintain their physical health? If so, you should consider sports and fitness administration as a college major! Sports and fitness administration students utilize legal and business theory in order to run programs, sports teams, fitness facilities and health clubs.
Education
According to the College Board, sports and fitness administration majors usually lead to a bachelor’s degree. Taking classes like statistics, psychology and AP Biology in high school will help prepare you for the college program. Typical college courses for the major include history of sports, anatomy and physiology, and sports law.
What to know before you apply
Before you choose a college, find out whether you will be able to major or minor in sports and fitness management. You might have to major in another program while concentrating on the sports/fitness component, depending on the school’s curriculum. Also, make sure there are sporting venues on campus so you can get hands-on practice coordinating events. Finally, research the professor-to-student ratio. This major tends to be rather popular, and you need to find a college that will give you individual attention.
Colleges offering related fields of study
• Erskine College: Due West, S.C.
• Indiana Tech: Fort Wayne, Ind.
• Lubbock Christian University: Lubbock, Texas
• SUNY Oswego: Oswego, N.Y.
Salary
A degree in sports and fitness administration will prepare you for careers in coaching and scouting, in recreation and fitness, and in adult education. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, professional coaches and scouts earned a yearly average of $36,340 in 2011, while recreation and fitness workers earned $36,150. Adult fitness educators earned an annual average of $51,350 in 2011.
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