Sport, Recreation and Wellness Management Major

Champion faith and fitness as a Christ-centered leader in athletic training and recreation management.

As a Sport, Recreation and Wellness Management major, you will learn how to train athletes to reach their full fitness potential, manage a recreation program, or share the love of Christ through sports ministry. Join a community of learners training for service as administrative professionals in the following areas:

intercollegiate and interscholastic sports
sport/fitness clubs
sports/athletics equipment merchandising
public, private and commercial recreation programs
intramural and recreational sports

Degree Snapshot

Undergraduate - Bachelor's

Degree Types: BS

Areas of Focus: Equestrian, Health Promotion/Fitness, Recreation, Athletic Administration and Sports Management, Sports Ministry

Program Credits: 124

Explore Courses & Degree Requirements Careers Meet the Faculty

What will I learn?

Houghton student athlete lifting weights in fitness center.

Through Houghton’s degree in Sport, Recreation and Wellness Management you will:

Specialize your degree through a minor in Equestrian, Athletic Administration, Recreation, Health Promotions and Fitness, or Sports Ministry.
Receive holistic training through classes in Communication, Business, and Psychology that will prepare you to maximize your opportunities.
Get paid as a personal trainer, strength and conditioning coach, and/or nutritionist through Get Fit Allegany.
Gain valuable field experience through an internship and/or practicum that is focused on your passions and interests.

Why study Sport, Recreation and Wellness Management at Houghton?

Hands-on in Every Class

What you study in your classes prepares you for the field immediately. Depending on your area of focus, you’ll learn how to build a camp program from the ground up, research customer recreation needs or jump into a leadership role through our Highlander Wilderness Adventure program. You can even travel to or study abroad in places like Ethiopia, Costa Rica or the Czech Republic and put your knowledge to work.

Learn about Highlander Wilderness Adventure

Travel Abroad

You'll have the opportunity to travel or study aboard like Houghton's Women's Volleyball. They recently traveled to Nicaragua in partnership with Ignite International, an organization that seeks to unite people through sport. Students helped teach English at a school, participated in a volleyball clinic and served meals to the elderly. Explore other locations like Ethiopia, Costa Rica or the Czech Republic and put your knowledge to work.

Explore off-campus studies

Graduate with Certifications

Choose to be certified in multiple areas through recognized leaders in the industry. Many of the certifications are integrated into the coursework. Certifications may require additional training and certification exams.

Learn more about available certifications

Houghton student with arms extended getting ready to ride zipline on Epic Adventure ropes course.

Adventure Awaits

Houghton's scenic 1,300 acre campus in the Genesee Valley is surrounded by rolling hills, northern hardwood forests, and the Genesee River. You'll enjoy access to numerous area resources, including:

Courses & Degree Requirements

Popular Courses

SRWM 229 Outdoor Leadership Training

This experiential learning course covers soft and hard skills used in most adventure education programs. Explore leadership in the setting of outdoor adventure programming. You'll learn facilitation techniques, initiative activities, ropes course work, and backcountry wilderness skills.

SRWM 275 Methods and Administration of Sports Ministry

In this course you'll examine various communication, evangelism and discipleship methods for sport audiences. You'll evaluate sports ministry strategies within local church, parachurch, missions and educational settings. You will also develop your own sports ministry program for use within one of these settings.

SRWM 306 Principles of Coaching and Sport Management

In this course you'll learn the principles and techniques of coaching. Learn the systems used in coaching and the development of a coaching system. You will study program development, finance, public relations and legal liability. In addition, you'll learn how to implement various theories, philosophy and systems of management in an athletic department.

Degree Options

BS - 124 credits

61-68 credits
Required Courses

52-59 credits
Elective courses + general education

Degree Requirements

Areas of Focus

Equestrian Studies

You will gain broad base knowledge in classical horsemanship encompassing theory and philosophy, riding, the teaching of riding and care of the horse. Cultivate Christ-like character, enabling you to become an effective scholar-servants.

Equestrian Studies

Health Promotion/Fitness

Become a health coach, fitness instructor and/or personal trainer in the health, wellness and fitness industries. You can also pursue a Personal Training Certification through the National Council on Strength and Fitness.

Health Promotion/Fitness Minor

Recreation

Prepare to lead in the areas of private, public and/or nonprofit recreation, camp programming, natural resource management and adventure education. You'll learn to plan, develop, implement and evaluate recreational programs.

Recreation Minor

Athletic Administration and Sports Management

Develop the organizational planning, decision-making and execution skills needed for professional leadership roles within the sports industry. This includes collegiate and high school athletics, event and facilities management, sports marketing and more.

Athletics Administration & Sports Management Minor

Sports Ministry

Prepare to lead a ministry program in a variety of settings, from cross-cultural missions and church plants, to recreation/adventure sports, fitness/exercise programs and coaching or camping.

Sports Ministry Minor

Certifications Available

Certified Riding Instructors

Certified Horsemanship Association

Certified Strength Coach

National Council on Strength and Fitness

CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer

American Red Cross

Equine Facilities Manager

Certified Horsemanship Association

First Aid-Responding to Emergencies

American Red Cross

Personal Training

National Council on Strength and Fitness

Sports Nutrition Specialist

National Council on Strength & Fitness

Swiftwater Rescue Training

American Canoe Association

Wilderness First Aid

SOLO (Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities)

What can I do with a degree in sport, recreation and wellness management?

Career Opportunities

Students earning a BS degree in Sport, Recreation and Wellness Management from Houghton University are prepared for careers as:

Athletic Trainers

Fitness Trainers and Instructors

Physical Therapy Assistants

Recreation Workers

Sports Coaches or Sports Ministry

Requires further education.

14%

Career growth for Athletic Trainers.

From 2022 to 2032 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Houghton athlete and sport, recreation and wellness management major Natalie Rivera in uniform holding volleyball.

Sports Enthusiast and Mentor

Bronx native, Natalie Rivera ’25, loves playing sports and wanted to study in a place where she could play basketball and prepare for a career in coaching and athletic management. Her experience competing on two Highlander Athletic NCAA DIII teams and studying athletic administration prepared her for her summer internship with Made Hoops in NYC, where she organized and coordinated a basketball tournament for youth. She is excited to continue building relationships and mentoring young people through sports after graduation and give back to her community, wherever in the world God leads.

View Alumni Success and Career Outcomes