Sports and Fitness Management Bachelor's Degree

Your Game Plan Starts Here

Embrace your passion for sports and fitness. Promote healthy lifestyles and personal wellness. Coach players to athletic success.

Michigan Tech’s Bachelor of Science in Sports and Fitness Management lets you determine the direction of your degree based on your professional interests. Whether your goal is to work one-on-one with people to maintain a healthy lifestyle and achieve personal wellness goals, to manage fitness programs or facilities, to coach athletes, or to promote sporting events or teams, we will help you create a winning career.

A Scientific Spin on a Practical Degree

In our sports and fitness management bachelor's degree program, there is no need to choose between business and science. You will gain a strong grounding in both the business of sports/fitness and the science of human movement, physiology, and more. As a sports and fitness management major, you will complete coursework spanning topics in:

  • Kinesiology
  • Accounting
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Mathematics

Plus, your sports and fitness management degree from Michigan Tech will prepare you for graduate programs like a Master of Business Administration or a sports- or fitness-oriented master’s degree, such as a Master of Sport Leadership.

  • 10
    maximum number of students in advanced-level major courses
  • 250
    hours of internships completed per student
  • 100%
    internship placement rate

Tomorrow Needs Sports and Fitness Management Champions

The sports and fitness industry is experiencing significant growth that is expected to continue in the coming years. People are seeking more ways to stay fit and maintain good health, leading to increased participation in sports, gym memberships, and fitness technology. Increased participation in competitive sports and sports tourism is fueling growth in sports infrastructure and facilities, event management, coaching, and other professional opportunities aimed at managing and supporting sports teams and organizations. A degree in sports and fitness management from Michigan Tech builds your career with a strong foundation in both the business of sports/fitness and the science of human movement, physiology, and more. Be ready for what tomorrow needs.

Sports and entertainment is expected to see 13% job growth, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is faster than the average for all occupations in the next decade.

Be Career Ready

Career Opportunities for Sports and Fitness Management Majors

Sports and fitness management graduates can go directly into the workforce upon graduation (additional certification may be required). Some of the careers open to you with a BS in Sports and Fitness Management include:

  • Athletic Director
  • Athletic Operations Assistant
  • Coach
  • College Recreation/Intramural Sports Director
  • Event Coordinator/Manager/Planner
  • Facilities Manager
  • Fitness Center Director
  • Fitness Programmer
  • Membership Sales Personal Trainer Assistant
  • Personal Trainer
  • Recreation Specialist
  • Sports and Fitness Administrator
  • Sports Agent
  • Sports Development Officer
  • Sports Facility Manager
  • Sports Information Director
  • Sports Manager/Coordinator
  • Sports Marketing Assistant/Coordinator
  • Strength and Conditioning Coach
  • Wellness Director

Companies Hiring Michigan Tech Sports and Fitness Management Majors

Some of the places Michigan Tech sports and fitness management graduates have ended up include:

  • Arizona Coyotes
  • Aspirus
  • CrossFit 24
  • Detroit Red Wings
  • Detroit Tigers
  • Lake Superior State University
  • Los Angeles Kings
  • Michigan Technological University
  • OneTeam Partners
  • Texas A&M University
  • University of Wisconsin Athletics
  • University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Athletics

Ready to take the next step?

Learn more about studying sports and fitness management at Michigan's flagship technological university.

"It was great having the athletic department faculty and staff teaching classes. They had industry knowledge. Hearing about their experiences in the real world was really applicable."

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Study Sports and Fitness Management at a Technological University

As a student you will build knowledge and a foundation for a career across a variety of disciplines. You’ll have access to leading-edge science, business technology, and facilities in kinesiology, biology, accounting, marketing, and more. You’ll learn from knowledgeable professionals who have worked in the very careers you hope to pursue in sports and fitness management.

  • Get personalized attention: With a student-to-faculty ratio of 5:1, our smaller department ensures your academic advisors and professors know you and understand your interests and needs. 
  • Learn from experienced practitioners: You will take courses from professionals currently working in the field (for example, athletic director, media marketing director).
  • Engage in research: Become involved in a research project under the direction of a faculty member. Whether you are planning to go to graduate school or pursue a graduate health career, one of the factors that gives our undergraduate students an edge is the opportunity to engage in research and gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art instrumentation.
  • Jump-start your career: Working one-on-one with your advisor, understand how to develop your career path, from student internships to post-graduation employment. Develop a network of professional contacts and presentation/interview skills at industry conferences and events. Our undergraduates also complete an internship before their senior year—and it’s another reason why our graduates' placement rate into physical therapy and medical school exceeds 90 percent.

Undergraduate Majors in Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology

Not sure which major is the right fit? No problem.
Just declare the General Sciences and Arts major, give yourself time, and decide when you arrive on campus. To learn more speak to an academic advisor.

Undergraduate Minors and Certificates

Want a future career in medicine? A minor in Pre-Health prepares you for graduate school. Want to find out how everyone's health is interdependent? A minor in Public Health is available for our students across many disciplines. Want to become a coach? Gain practical coaching experience through our coaching fundamentals minor or coaching certificate. You can declare a major anytime, but it is recommended you begin your minor studies as early as possible in your academic career. To learn more, speak to an academic advisor.

Student Learning Goals

When you complete our Bachelor of Science in Sports and Fitness Management degree program, you can expect to achieve the following:

  • Fundamental knowledge of the science and disciplines that comprise the field: biology, exercise science, health, sports and exercise psychology, and business.
  • Cultural awareness of differences and a sensitivity to varying cultural beliefs, learning styles, cultural backgrounds, and diverse physical, emotional, and personal goals and needs.
  • Demonstrated ability to apply critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Well-developed writing skills and oral and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Familiarity with the rules of scientific writing, plagiarism, citation, and literature review.
  • Fundamental knowledge of a variety of technologies and an appreciation for civic engagement in the local community.

Tomorrow Needs You

Supercharge your sports and fitness management skills to meet the demands of an increasingly active society at a flagship public research university powered by science, technology, engineering, and math. Graduate with the theoretical knowledge and practical experience needed to solve real-world problems and succeed in academia, research, and the sports and fitness management landscape.

"I am grateful to be starting my career in college athletic business administration and I look forward to continuing to learn in my role and grow."Jamie Dompier '18, BS Sports and Fitness Management