It may be sports, but it’s not a game – not for great managers.
University of the Cumberlands’ bachelor’s degree program in fitness and sport management takes you beyond sports, teaching you the fundamentals of fitness, health, and business and teaches you how to help people feel their best. From maintaining physical health and exercise, to making smart financial decisions, to marketing sports teams, this program prepares you for the business side of the fitness world. The knowledge you learn from this program will equip you to pursue careers in coaching, personal training, nutrition, fitness, sports, health and wellness, and more. By the time you graduate, not only will you know how to keep yourself in peak health, but you will also know how to guide others into achieving the healthiest versions of themselves.
By the Numbers
Programs & Requirements
* The credit hours listed on this page only reference the specific program requirements and is not reflective of the total hours necessary to receive your degree. Cumberlands requires all students obtain a minimum of 60 hours for an associate’s degree and a total of 120 hours for a bachelor’s degree. Transfer and prior learning credits may be counted toward those totals.
To learn more about our General Education Requirements, please visit the page referenced below or explore our Academic Catalog.
Bachelor of Science in Fitness & Sport Management
Students in the Fitness and Sport Management program will learn a mix of both fitness and health information and business related information. A mix of both of this information provides an understanding of how business works in sports and wellness related careers, prepping students to be successful in their future career in the field. You can expect to take courses that go over the science of exercise, nutrition, the way the human body functions, managing sports, and general business information such as accounting, managing, and marketing.
After you graduate, you will then be eligible to take exams for certifications such as the American College of Sports Medicine, the American Council on Exercise, the National Council on Strength and Fitness, or the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Course Requirements
- ITSS 130 - Application Software
- BACC 131 - Principles of Accounting I
- BADM 136 - Microeconomics
- BADM 331 - Principles of Management
- BADM 334 - Principles of Marketing
- HESS 233 - Functional Human Anatomy and Physiology
- HESS 330 - Influences on Contemporary Issues in Health and Performance
- HESS 333 - Nutrition
- HESS 439 - Facilities Development and Management
- ESS 131 - Introduction to Health, Exercise and Sport Science
- ESS 230 - Growth and Movement Development C
- ESS 231 - Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries
- ESS 235 - Fitness and Sport Management
- ESS 330 - Kinesiology
- ESS 334 - Methods of Group Exercise
- ESS 336 - Exercise Prescription
- ESS 435 - Physiology of Exercise
- ESS 437 - Tests and Measurements
- ESS 490 - Strategies and Practices for Fitness Professionals
A Bachelor of Arts requires all the same courses as a Bachelor of Science with the addition of four classes (12 hours) in a foreign language.
Choose one foreign language sequence:
- FREN 131 Elementary French I
- FREN 132 Elementary French II
- FREN 231 Intermediate French I
- FREN 232 Intermediate French II
- SPAN 131 Elementary Spanish I
- SPAN 132 Elementary Spanish II
- SPAN 231 Intermediate Spanish I
- SPAN 232 Intermediate Spanish II
- BACC 130 - Fundamentals of Accounting
- HESS 330 - Influences on Contemporary Issues in Health and Performance
- HESS 439 - Facilities Development and Management
- HESS 492 - Risk Management for Fitness and Sport Professionals
- ESS 231 - Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries
- ESS 235 - Fitness and Sport Management
Take the Next Step
Mission & Goals
The mission of the fitness and sport management degree program is to develop ethically responsible fitness and sport practitioners who are competent and prepared to promote lifelong fitness in a variety of careers in the health and wellness.
Fitness & Sport Management Careers & Outcomes
All stats from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Coach or Scout: $38,970
Coach or Scout: $38,970
Teach athletes the skills they need to succeed in their sport or find possible recruits.
Sports & Fitness Marketing: $133,380
Sports & Fitness Marketing: $133,380
Advertising and promotion work for sports teams or fitness related businesses.
Nutritionist: $61,650
Nutritionist: $61,650
Create healthy nutrition plans for others, to help them live a healthier life.
Athletic Trainer: $48,420
Athletic Trainer: $48,420
Help athletes by preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle and bone illness or injury.
Athlete Agent/Manager: $82,530
Athlete Agent/Manager: $82,530
Represent and promote artists, performers, and athletes in dealings with current or prospective employers. May handle contract negotiation and other business matters for clients.
Sports Video Editor: $63,520
Sports Video Editor: $63,520
Edit moving images on film, video, or other media. May work with a producer or director to organize images for final production. May edit or synchronize soundtracks with images.
Common Questions
A fitness and sport management degree from the University of the Cumberlands equips you with a comprehensive understanding of exercise science, health, finance, and marketing as they relate to fitness and sports. This program goes beyond sports, teaching the fundamentals of fitness, health, and business to help you guide others in achieving their healthiest selves.
The bachelor’s degree program in fitness and sport management at the University of the Cumberlands typically takes four years to complete, requiring a total of 120 credit hours, which includes 57 credit hours specific to the program and general education requirements.
Yes, the University of the Cumberlands offers the fitness and sport management degree both on-campus and online, providing flexibility for students who may need to balance other commitments while pursuing their education.
A fitness and sport management degree from the University of the Cumberlands is a valuable investment. It prepares you for diverse careers in coaching, personal training, nutrition, fitness, sports, health and wellness, and more. With the program's strong focus on practical skills and business acumen, graduates are well-equipped for the job market.
Graduates with a fitness and sport management degree from the University of the Cumberlands can pursue careers such as personal trainers, nutritionists, athletic trainers, sports and fitness marketers, athlete agents/managers, coaches, scouts, and sports video editors. The program’s comprehensive curriculum ensures you are prepared for a variety of roles in the fitness and sports industries.
All programs at University of the Cumberlands are offered at some of the lowest rates in the nation. For more information on how affordable this program would be for you, visit our Financial Aid page.
To obtain a fitness and sport management degree from the University of the Cumberlands, you need to complete 120 credit hours, including 57 credit hours specific to the program. You can apply for the program online or on-campus, and you may also be able to transfer prior learning credits to help fulfill some of the requirements.
Yes, a degree in fitness and sport management from the University of the Cumberlands prepares you for a career in coaching. The program teaches you how to maintain physical health, make smart financial decisions, and market sports teams, all of which are essential skills for a successful coaching career.
Faculty Experts in Fitness & Sport Management
Learn more about the fitness & sport management professors you'll interact with.

Julia Chaney

Dr. Elizabeth Christopher
Dr. Elizabeth Christopher
Contact Information

Heather Killian
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