Fitness, Recreation and Wellness Management Associate Degree

Program Overview

The Fitness, Recreation, and Wellness Management Associate Degree program at Madison College equips students with skills in client-centered coaching, marketing, leadership, and business development. The program includes industry certifications in personal training, health coaching, and group fitness instruction. Graduates are prepared for careers in fitness centers, recreation departments, and other related fields.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Fitness, Recreation and Wellness Management Associate Degree program at Madison College helps develop skills in:

• Client-centered Coaching
• Marketing
• Leadership
• Programming and Industry Event Planning
• Problem-solving
• Communication
• Equity & Inclusion
• Management
The program also provides business development skills to make students change-makers within the industry. Specific business skills include efficient and effective marketing, facility development, budgeting, and trend analysis to jump-start new ideas. The program collaborates with the Entrepreneurship Center at Madison College to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset for success. The program is designed to prepare students for employment in for-profit gyms and studios, public municipal recreation departments, nonprofit organizations, or small businesses. During the program, students can earn 5 nationally recognized industry certifications in:
• Personal Training
• Precision Nutrition Level 1 Coaching
• Health Coaching
• Group Fitness Instructor
• Challenge Course Facilitator
• First Aid/AED Certified

Outline:

First Semester

• Mindset for Success
• Microsoft Office for Business Applications
• Introduction to Fitness, Recreation, & Wellness
• Group Fitness & Small Group Coaching
• Exercise Science for Fitness Professionals

Second Semester

• Programming & Community Events in Fitness, Recreation, & Wellness
• Facility Management in Fitness, Recreation, & Wellness
• Health and Wellness Coaching
• Fitness, Recreation, & Wellness Internship
• Written Communication

Third Semester

• Social Media Marketing
• Leadership Strategies in Fitness, Recreation, & Wellness
• Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion in Fitness, Recreation, & Wellness
• Math with Business Applications
• Precision Nutrition Coaching (or)
• Principles of Outdoor Pursuits (or)
• Outdoor Experiential Facilitation

Fourth Semester

• Fitness, Recreation, & Wellness Practical Lab
• Personal Training
• Oral/Interpersonal Communication
• Think Critically & Creatively

Careers:

Graduates of the Fitness, Recreation, & Wellness Management program at Madison College are considered top candidates by potential employers throughout Madison. Career opportunities include:

• Personal Training
• Group Fitness
• Health Coaching
• Nutrition Coach
• Fitness Business Owner
• Sports Performance Coach
• Youth Sports Director
• Recreation Specialist/Coordinator
• Sports Coach
• Outdoor Trips Facilitator
• Instruction and Inclusive Programming
• Experiential Outdoor Education
• Collegiate Recreation and Instruction
• Industry Sales
• Fitness Equipment Training & Sales
• Master Fitness Trainer
• Active Aging Fitness Coordinator