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. 

Anchor: Stats
Anchor: Programs & Requirements
Programs & Requirements

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

General Education Requirements

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

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
Anchor: Mission & Goals

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.

 Meet requirements for professional positions or graduate school in related fields.
 Effectively communicate, work in groups, and problem-solve.
 Administrate and organize procedures involved in management, facilitation, and intervention.
 Enact a healthy lifestyle and promote healthy living to others.
 Evaluate others’ fitness levels through a knowledgeable, responsible, and compassionate lens.
Anchor: Career Outcomes

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. 

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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.

Anchor: Faculty

Faculty Experts in Fitness & Sport Management

Learn more about the fitness & sport management professors you'll interact with.

Julia Chaney

Julia Chaney

Adjunct Professor
Health, Exercise and Sport Science

Julia Chaney

Contact Information

julia.chaney [at] ucumberlands.edu
Dr. Elizabeth Christopher

Dr. Elizabeth Christopher

Associate Professor
Health, Exercise and Sport Science

Dr. Elizabeth Christopher

Contact Information

liz.christopher [at] ucumberlands.edu
Luecker Building, RM 213
Heather Killian

Heather Killian

Adjunct Professor
Health, Exercise and Sport Science

Heather Killian

Contact Information

heather.killian [at] ucumberlands.edu
Luecker Building

Request Information

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