Associate in Sports and Recreation Management
Being an athlete isn’t the only way to have a successful career in sports—there are a variety of positions in the sports and recreation industry running the organizations and programs that make up this exciting industry. From managing sports facilities and fitness clubs to equipment merchandising and sports marketing, there are a wide selection of positions within the sports and recreation industry that require knowledgeable and skilled management professionals.
As a student in the Ivy Bridge’s Associate of Business Administration and Sports and Recreation Management program you’ll receive a general college education with a strong emphasis in the areas of sports and recreation management. That means you’ll take courses in the Knowledge Skills Core such as English composition and mathematics as well as specialized sophomore-level courses focused on the sports and recreation industry. Your courses will cover topics such as sports writing, recreation and sport program administration, and legal issues in sports and recreation that will give you the academic background you need to pursue a variety of sports and recreation management positions and career paths.
Learn more about Ivy Bridge’s sports and recreation management program: Request more information or talk to a friendly advisor now at 855-413-4752.
Explore the program:
Core Classes
Major Requirements
Curriculum Map
Possible Career Paths
Knowledge Skills Core
As a student in the Associate of Business Administration with a major emphasis in Sports and Recreation Management program, you will take courses in the Knowledge Skills Core. This collection of 24 credit hours includes courses in oral communication, writing composition, mathematics, and computer information systems that provide the academic foundation you need to be successful in any career or academic program.
| Course Number | Course Title | Credit Hour |
|---|---|---|
| ACC 201 | Survey of Accounting | 3 |
| COM 241 | Introduction to Mass Communication | 3 |
| CIS 101 or 111 | Foundations of Information Technology and PC Applications or Information Systems and Applications | 3 |
| ECO 221 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| ENG 141 | Expository and Research Writing | 3 |
| ENG 142 | Introduction to Literature and Criticism | 3 |
| MAT 174 or MAT 181 | Finite Mathematics or College Algebra (MAT 181 strongly recommended) | 3 |
| One Social Science Elective: | SCS, ECO, MGT, POL, PSY, SOC (SCS 110 recommended) | 3 |
ACC 201 - Survey of Accounting (3 hours)
An introduction to the fundamentals of accounting from the user’s perspective. The primary emphasis is the relationship between cash flow and accrual based income measurement. Includes financial reporting requirements and standards..
Prerequisite: MAT 173 or above
COM 241 - Introduction to Mass Communication
(3 hours)
A survey course examining the various media (i.e., newspaper, radio, television, film, etc.) comprising the mass media in contemporary American society. Emphasis is given to the history, structure, and potential effects of each medium.
CIS 101 - Foundations of Information Technology and PC Applications (3 hours)
This course is a survey of fundamental functions of a computer, Internet, file management, and an introduction to the Microsoft Office Suite. This course does not count for credit toward graduation..
CIS 111 - Information Systems and Application
(3 hours)
This course is designed for students who have used MS Word regularly and have an understanding of MS Windows. Topics covered include responsible use of information technology; hardware concepts; the use, development, and maintenance of spreadsheets (Excel); the creation of electronic presentations (PowerPoint); and an introduction to databases (Access). This is a hands-on skills and a conceptual course. Participants will be required to demonstrate software proficiency in the lab, as well as, through objective written tests.
ECO 221 - Principles of Macroeconomics (3 hours)
A study of macroeconomics (the “whole” economy), concepts and principles, plus current issues in macroeconomics. Required for business and economics majors.
Prerequisite: MAT 173 or above
ENG 141 - Expository and Research Writing (3 hours)
This is a course in written communication. Emphasis is placed on development, structure, and writing of abstracts, summaries, and critiques. Literary devices such as pro/con, cause/effect, comparison/contrast, persuasion/argumentation essays and research/synthesis skills are used through a research paper.
ENG 142 - Introduction to Literature and Criticism (w) (3 hours)
This course presents drama, short stories, novel, poetry and critical essays from literary critical perspectives. Through reading, discussion, and critical writing, students become familiar with representative genres in literature as well as authentic critical approaches. This is a writing intensive course.
Prerequisite: ENG 141 or concurrent
MAT 174 - Finite Mathematics (3 hours)
This course applies mathematical techniques to solve real-world problems and involves the study of topics including linear models, systems of equations, financial math, logic, probability, and statistics.
Prerequisite: MAT 173 (“C” or better) or placement
MAT 181 - College Algebra (3 hours)
The course topics include functions and graphs, polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, matrices, sequences, and counting principles with probability.
Prerequisite: MAT 173 (“C” or better) or placement
Major Requirements
As a student in the Associate of Business Administration with a major emphasis in Sports and Recreation Management program, you will take specialized courses healthcare administration and management topics.
| Course Number | Course Title | Credit Hour |
|---|---|---|
| COM 235 | Sports Writing for Marketing and Promotion | 3 |
| LAW 211 | Business Law I | 3 |
| LAW 260 | Legal Issues in Sports and Recreation | 3 |
| MGT 201 | Management of Organizations | 3 |
| MKT 151 | Introductory Marketing | 3 |
| SOC 280 | Sports in American Society | 3 |
| SRM 160 | Introduction to Sports and Recreation Management | 3 |
| SRM 260 | Lifetime Fitness and Wellness Program | 3 |
| SRM 291 | Recreation and Sport Program Administration | 3 |
| NAT 150 | Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| One Social Science Elective: | ECO, POL, PSY, MGT, or SOC (SOC 101 recommended) | 3 |
| Two Open Electives: | At the 100/200 level (ENG 140 recommended) | 6 |
COM 235 - Sport Writing for Marketing and Promotions (3 hours)
This course is designed to assist students in understanding the importance of writing in reaching mass audiences; to understand dealing with the media; and to learn types of writing common to the sports field. In addition, the course will distinguish between entry level and management level roles in sports marketing and review basic principles of public relations as they relate to the sports industry. Students will gain exposure to writing, preparing, and/or editing sport news releases, fact sheets, profiles, radio and television promos, brochures, media guides, schedule cards, fundraising proposals, and releases for community and special events. Students will learn the fundamentals of pitching stories; meeting deadlines, web layout for the Internet, conducting press conferences; and preparing for a potential crisis.
Prerequisite: ENG 141
LAW 211 - Business Law I (3 hours)
Building on a basic understanding of contract law, the student will be introduced to the Uniform Commercial Code in the areas of sale of goods, commercial paper, and secured transactions. In addition, the law of agency and topics on partnership and corporations will be considered.
Prerequisite: ENG 141
LAW 260 - Legal Issues in Sports and Recreation (3 hours)
Title IX, risk management, tort, liability, agency, contract, antitrust, constitutional, labor law and intellectual property law are examined as applicable for managers in the sport and entertainment industry. Actual court cases concerning legal issues are presented relating to sport events, special events, athletics, the hotel industry, tourist attractions, amusement parks and recreational settings.
Prerequisite: LAW 211
MGT 201 - Management of Organizations (3 hours)
This course will provide an overview of the internal workings of an organization. It will survey the functional areas such as finance, marketing, operations, information and decision support systems, and human resources. The course will also examine the nature of the managerial job. This is a writing intensive course.
Prerequisite: ENG 141
MKT 151 - Introductory Marketing (3 hours)
This course exposes the student to the vocabulary of marketing and introduces many of the major principles and theories of the discipline. The focus of the course is on marketing’s relationship to the other business functions and on marketing function management as opposed to day-to-day marketing operations.
SOC 280 - Sports in American Society (3 hours)
Survey of the influential role of the growth of sports and the sports industry in American culture. Examines the ideas of sports building character; providing for social mobility; and acting as a positive outlet for aggressive action. Considers the problems of cheating, drug usage, and the fostering of racism. The values and practices of professional and commercial sports will be compared and contrasted with those of educational and amateur athletics.
SRM 160 - Introduction to Sports and Recreation Management (3 hours)
This course will give the students a fundamental understanding of the career avenues in sport and recreation. Industry specialists present an eclectic orientation of the sport and recreation field. Academic topics include industry definitions, evolution, curriculum components, experiential learning, career and internship opportunities, applied and theoretical research, leadership, governance, and ethics.
Prerequisite: ENG 141
SRM 260 - Lifetime Fitness and Wellness (3 hours)
This course examines the development of wellness plans including nutrition and diet plans, exercise programs, health related physical fitness, healthy lifestyles and positive decision making skills. Wellness evaluation and assessment are also included.
SRM 291 - Recreation and Sport Program Administration (3 hours)
This course emphasizes the history, philosophy, scope, and value of recreation administration. Working closely with municipal park and recreation department personnel, students explore the principles and techniques for effective leadership in the organization and operation of recreational sport programming in a variety of settings. Practical experience is available in supervising recreation programs at the YMCA, community parks, college intramurals, and local school systems. This course requires a minimum of ten hours of field experience.
Prerequisite: SRM 160
SOC 101 - Principles of Sociology (3 hours)
Introduction to the basic concepts of sociological study, elements of social life, social
patterns and institutions, and the process of maintenance and change in society.
Sports and Recreation Management Curriculum Map
The Associate of Business Administration with a major emphasis in Health Care Administration curriculum map gives you an overview of the academic path we recommend most students in the health care program follow. As an Ivy Bridge student, you’ll use the curriculum map to guide your conversations with your success coach and academic advisors as you set up an academic schedule that works for you. Download a PDF of the curriculum map now>
Sports and Recreation Management Possible Career Paths
Sports and recreation is a large industry that includes many different types of organizations and programs including fitness clubs, local recreation facilities, after-school programs, sport organizations and teams, collegiate atheletics, sports marketing agencies, and more.
Career paths in sports and recreation management you may be interested in pursuing include:
Activity, Camp, or Program Management
Sports and recreation managers or directors are responsible for managing, promoting, and implementing various recreation programs and activities. Parks, hotels, community centers, camps, tourist centers, and recreation centers all need professionals to manage their programs.
Most recreation management jobs are a mix of administrative and field work. Typical duties include managing program budgets, promoting activities to the community via marketing and outreach programs, volunteer coordination, overseeing staff, and representing the facility or program in the community.
Facility Management
Facility managers promote wellness and recreation in the facilities they are a part of and are responsible for the general management and upkeep. Facility positions could include fitness clubs, local sports and recreation facilities, golf and sports clubs, ski resorts, and more. Most facility managers supervise the fitness and building areas of the facility they work in and act as the main point of contact for patrons visiting.
Typical duties include overseeing facility operations, aiding patrons, enforcing policies and procedures, and possible selling memberships or services the facility provides.
Event Planner
Athletic event planners organize and promote sporting events such as games, tournaments, or fundraising activities. Depending on the organization and events that are planned the duties could vary greatly but the day to day job is often similar to meeting or convention planners.
Typical aspects of the job include negotiating facility costs, managing event staff and outside venders who may be providing food or other services, event promotion and marketing, arranging event security and parking, and working with local communities.
Learn more about Ivy Bridge’s sports and recreation management program:
Request more information or talk to a friendly advisor now at 855-413-4752.