Sport and Recreation - Higher Certificate

Program Overview

This two-year Higher Certificate in Sport and Recreation prepares students for careers in sports, leisure, and business. The program features industry-specific accreditations, such as REPS Ireland and RLSS Pool Lifeguard Qualification, and provides a strong foundation in coaching, administration, accounting, and facility management. Graduates are highly employable in a variety of fields, including sports development, fitness promotion, and sports industry management.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This two-year, full-time Higher Certificate in Sport and Recreation aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for successful careers in a wide range of sports, leisure, and business-related roles. The program adopts an applied learning approach, incorporating external industry-specific accreditations such as:

• Register of Exercise Professionals (REPS) Ireland – Fitness Instruction & Group Fitness: This accreditation enables students to be registered as exercise professionals, a requirement for many employers.
REPS registration is recognized internationally.
• Royal Lifesaving Society (RLSS) Pool Lifeguard Qualification: This qualification allows students to work as pool lifeguards and is widely accepted globally.
The course is offered between January and March, with pool sessions integrated into scheduled timetable classes and theory covered during review week in February.
• Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council – First Aid Response: This accreditation provides students with essential first aid skills.
Graduates of this program are expected to be eligible for employment in areas such as:
• Sport and recreation development/administration
• Sports coaching
• Health and fitness promotion
• General business

Outline:

Year 1

• Semester 1
• Learning and Development for Higher Education (Credits: 5):
This module supports learners in their transition to higher education by developing essential skills and strategies for success at third level.
• Sports Studies (Credits: 10): This module explores the contribution of physical activity and sport to individual, community, and societal well-being.
It focuses on management principles and practices in a dynamic and sustainable service environment.
• Sports Administration (Credits: 5): This module examines the organization and administration of sport in Ireland, exploring structures, programs, and grants for both recreational and elite athletes.
• Accounting Fundamentals for the Sport Sector (Credits: 5): This module introduces learners to the fundamentals of business math, bookkeeping, and accounting in the context of sport.
Students develop skills and knowledge in effective teaching/coaching methods, coaching principles, communication, and management in coaching scenarios.
• Sport Psychology (Credits: 5): This module introduces psychological principles associated with sport and explains how psychological methods can be used to predict and measure behavior.
• Financial Accounting for the Sport Sector (Credits: 5): This module builds on the competencies gained in Semester 1 and further develops learners' understanding and preparation of final accounts for different business formats.
• Anatomy and Physiology (Credits: 10): This module introduces the basic anatomy and physiology of the human body, focusing on physiological changes during exercise and the underlying mechanisms.

Year 2

• Semester 1
• Strength and Conditioning (Credits: 5):
This module explores ways to enhance performance in sport, examining strength, speed, and power exercises. Students actively participate in the module, undertaking swimming sessions and having the option to pursue external lifeguarding qualifications.
• Lifestyle Development (Credits: 5): This module provides an understanding of healthy lifestyles and the skills to assist individuals in changing or maintaining their lifestyle.
Students develop practical skills in developing and producing healthy meals and snacks.
• Financial Statements & Analysis (Credits: 5): This module builds on the accounting modules from Year 1, further developing learners' skills in producing, understanding, and interpreting financial statements for organizations in the sports sector.
• Facility Management (Credits: 5): This module examines the operational elements required for managing a modern leisure/sports facility, exploring issues such as safety, customer service, accessibility, sustainability, and quality management.
• Human Resource Management and Training (Credits: 5): This module provides comprehensive knowledge of human resource management best practices, evaluating the structure and scope of HR and reviewing current trends in the Irish and international labor market, with a focus on the sports and leisure industry.
• Digital Skills & Citizenship (Credits: 5): This module introduces the concept of digital citizenship, exploring learners' digital identities and creating reputable online presences using web authoring tools.
• Cost Accounting for the Sport Sector (Credits: 5): This module builds on learners' prior accounting experience, introducing and developing an understanding of cost accounting for the sport sector.
• Exercise and Fitness (Credits: 10): This module examines, develops, and delivers gym programs and group fitness classes suitable for a range of clients.
• Sport Industry Placement (Credits: 5): This module facilitates students in becoming reflective learners, interpreting their learning and skills development through their professional placement.
It prepares students for their placement and facilitates their learning during the placement experience.

Careers:

Graduates of the Higher Certificate in Sport and Recreation are highly employable across a wide range of industries, both in Ireland and abroad. Recent graduates have secured employment in roles such as:

• Sports Coaching
• Sports Development
• Gym Instruction
• Health and Fitness Promotion

Other:

The program offers the opportunity for students to progress to the third year of the Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Sport Management (with International Placement) upon successful completion of the Higher Certificate.