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Graduate Certificate in
Sport, Fitness, & Recreation Management

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PROGRAM DETAILS

Next ArrowFORMAT
Fully Online
Next ArrowTOTAL CREDITS 12
Next ArrowCREDENTIALS Certificate
Next Arrow COST PER CREDIT $753.00
NEXT APPLICATION DATE:
December 13, 2024

About this Program


Increase your leadership skills in the athletic field. Our program will teach you leadership principles including but not limited to: legal issues, policy & governance, and historical foundations of athletics.

This graduate certificate is ideal for individuals currently in or aspiring for positions such as:

Athletic Director
Physical Educator
Fitness Professional
Coach
Potential Master's Student
Parks and Recreation
Campus Recreation

Designed For

This program is well suited for those looking to advance their career in managerial roles within the sports and recreation industry. They are passionate about enhancing organizational efficiency, promoting health and wellness, and shaping the future of sports and fitness management.

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Graduate Certificate in Sport, Fitness, & Recreation Management

Offered by the College of Education

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Learn more about the Sport, Fitness, & Recreation Management online program.

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What You’ll Learn


  1. Sport Business Operations: Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental aspects of managing sports organizations and facilities. This includes topics such as event planning, budgeting, marketing strategies, and legal considerations specific to the sports and recreation industry.
  2. Leadership and Communication Skills: The program emphasizes the development of strong leadership and communication skills crucial for effective management in the sports and fitness sector. Students will learn how to lead teams, motivate athletes, and communicate with diverse stakeholders, including athletes, coaches, sponsors, and fans.
  3. Recreation Program Development: Students will delve into the creation and management of recreational programs that cater to various demographics and interests. This involves learning about program design, participant engagement, risk management, and ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for participants in recreational activities.
  4. Sports Marketing and Promotion: Participants will explore the dynamic world of sports marketing, discovering techniques to promote events, athletes, and sports organizations. This includes studying branding, sponsorship, digital marketing, and fan engagement strategies to enhance the visibility and success of sports and fitness ventures.

Course Examples

  • KHP 686 Sport Manager’s Lab
  • KHP 687 Practicum in Sport

GOT QUESTIONS?

Schedule time to meet with a representative from UK Online to discuss your online learning options.

How to Apply

Admissions Criteria

  • Must have obtained a baccalaureate degree, prior to the start of the admission term, from a fully accredited U.S. institution of higher learning or from a recognized foreign institution. See Graduate School admissions for specifics. 
  • An overall grade point average of 2.75 on undergraduate work and 3.00 on all graduate work, if applicable.
  • International applicants whose native language is not English must submit either a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score. See Graduate School admissions for specifics.

Application Requirements

  • Personal statement, minimum 1 page
  • Three letters of recommendation (Only an email address is required. Our system will ask them to upload their letter.)
  • Official transcripts
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Program Contact

Rasheed Flowers
Director of Graduate Certificate

Deadlines

Fall 2025

Application Due Date:
07/25/2025
Start Date:
08/25/2025

Spring 2025

Application Due Date:
12/13/2024
Start Date:
01/13/2025

Summer 2025

Application Due Date:
04/19/2025
Start Date:
05/19/2025

Why UK Online

Once you become a student, you will have access to a wide variety of academic support services to maximize your success. 

One tuition rate Icon Pay the same online tuition rate, no matter where you live.
Flexible schedule Icon Fit learning into your busy schedule with no prescribed class times.
Be Supported Icon Access supporting services and success coaches to help you succeed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Admissions

The only degree needed to enroll in a graduate certificate program is a bachelor's degree.

Yes, graduate certificates can be  taken by themselves. Our graduate certificate programs are designed to allow students to gain very specific skills and knowledge in a shorter amount of time than our degree programs in similar areas. Certificate programs can be useful to your career by itself, or when coupled with a degree-bearing program. This choice is completely up to the student.

Please view the Admission Criteria section, located under "How to Apply" on this page.

Tuition

The tuition rate for this program is listed at the top of this page. If you still have questions, please reach out to the program representative.

Yes! For graduate students who enroll full-time (9+ credit hours) exclusively in a distance education program, will receive a capped tuition rate. To see the current term’s capped tuition rate, please visit https://www.uky.edu/studentaccount/tuition and look for “Graduate Students Enrolled Exclusively in Distance Education Courses -- full-time.” This is the per semester rate you will pay when enrolled for 9 or more credit hours. Please note, this rate only applies to programs using the standard graduate tuition rate. 

For our fully-online programs, it does not matter what state you live in. The rate is the same no matter where you live.

Online Learning

No, all classes are asynchronous. This means that students complete the course requirements according to the syllabus and deadlines, but they have flexibility within their own schedule to complete coursework at times that work best for their schedule. We recommend students log in everyday to ensure they are staying on top of communication and assignments.

It's important to know how to approach learning in an online program. Online classes are not harder nor easier than in-person classes, but they are different due to their asynchronous modality. This means students should expect to:

Develop a routine: Login to your online class routinely (we recommend at least once daily) to receive updates and contribute meaningfully to any ongoing discussions.

Be good time managers: Determine when you have time to work on coursework throughout the week so you don't fall behind or put off assignments until the last minute.

Communicate: If you are having any trouble, message your peers and/or your instructor right away to ask for help or clarification. Never be afraid to reach out to your instructors or Student Affairs if you need assistance--we have many resources to help you, but we need to know your situation to act accordingly on your behalf.

If you need additional support in navigating the online classroom, Canvas (our learning management system) has a number of helpful tools, including a module for new students that walks through everything you need to know about navigating information in your online class.

No, there is no on-campus requirement.

Ready to Take Your Next Step?

Our team is here to help you with the next stage of your journey. Reach out to us today!

Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure

Where you live matters when completing distance education activities. If you will live outside of Kentucky while completing your program, please check the Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure page to confirm that the program can be offered in your state or country, and if relevant, that it meets professional licensure requirements in your state. Please note: Admission and enrollment in a fully-online program can NOT lead to the issuance of a J-1 or F-1 student visa.

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University of Kentucky has been approved to participate in State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.

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