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If you’d like to learn more about the Fitness, Recreation, and Wellness Management program, we’d love to talk with you.
We’re here to answer any questions and guide you through our application process step-by-step.
Send us your contact information, and we’ll help you get started right away!
Financial Aid Available
Program Transfers
Estimated Program Cost
Financial Aid
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Program Overview
Are you interested in a career in Fitness, Recreation, or Wellness? We at Madison College have certification courses, a technical diploma, and an associate degree to help you gain the skills to be successful in our industry and find your dream job!
The Fitness, Recreation and Wellness Management Associate Degree program at Madison College develops your skills, as they apply to the fitness recreation and wellness industry, in:
- Client-centered Coaching
- Marketing
- Leadership
- Programming and Industry Event Planning
- Problem-solving
- Communication
- Equity & Inclusion
- Management
Looking to improve the health and wellbeing of yourself, your community, and your world? Students enrolled in this program also receive business development skills to be change-makers within our industry. Business-specific skills include efficient and effective marketing, facility development, budgeting, and trends and topics to jump-start your next idea. This program works closely with the Entrepreneurship Center at Madison College to help students develop an entrepreneurial mindset for success.
The design of Madison College's Fitness, Recreation, & Wellness Management program allows you to work within for-profit gyms and studios, public municipal recreation departments, nonprofit organizations, or small businesses. During the program, students will have the opportunity to gain 5 Nationally recognized industry certifications including Personal Training, Precision Nutrition Level 1 Coaching, Health Coaching, Group Fitness Instructor, Challenge Course Facilitator, and First Aid/AED Certified.
Looking to transfer to a 4 year college? Many of our University partners accept transfer credits from our Fitness, Recreation, & Wellness Management program. Schedule an appointment with an advisor to discuss your transfer credit options to UW-La Crosse, UW-Whitewater, and Carroll University.
Program Details
Fitness, Recreation, & Wellness Management classes are offered at the Madison College Traux campus.
Careers
Prospective employers throughout Madison consider Madison College's Fitness, Recreation, & Wellness Management graduates top candidates. After completing the Fitness, Recreation, & Wellness Management program at Madison College, you will be able to search for employment in the following areas:
- 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
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Curriculum and Experience
Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2023-2024 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.
Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:
- Progress toward your specific requirements
- Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements
If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.
First SemesterSecond SemesterThird SemesterFourth Semester -
Admission
To Apply
Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!
International students who wish to apply for, maintain, or transfer their F-1 student visa status to Madison College are required to complete the International Admission Process.
Note: It is recommended to only apply for a semester that has already started if you are currently enrolled in classes or you have verified that classes are still available for that semester.
Application Dates
Spring 2024
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is April 15, 2024
Summer 2024
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is July 15, 2024
Fall 2024
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is November 15, 2024
Admission Requirements
All materials must be submitted by the application deadline.
1. Admission Application
The online application allows you to save your work as you complete it and ensures fast, secure delivery to our office.
2. Education Completion
Official transcripts must be sent from the institutions you attended and indicate one of the following:
- High school (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
- GED/HSED transcript
- College transcript(s) showing:
- Completion of an associate degree or higher, or
- At least 30 credits completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
- The credits must be completed at a single college and cannot be combined with other transcripts
- Any transfer credit listed on a transcript does not count toward the 30-credit minimum
All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.
Additional Notes
- Class capacity is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis.
- Course prerequisites differ from admission requirements; admission into a program does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses or success in the program. Refer to program curriculum for details.
After Acceptance
Once you are admitted into your program, review the Start of Semester Checklist to prepare for your first day of classes at Madison College.
Questions?
Contact the Enrollment Center at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Fitness, Recreation, and Wellness Management career.
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Transfer Opportunities
UW System Schools
Students must complete the 48 credits of general education requirements required by UW LaCrosse. Students should work closely with their Madison College program advisor to ensure the correct transfer courses are taken. Transfer courses must be completed with a "C" or better.The terms of the Leadership & Org Studies agreement are limited to students who complete an associates of applied science degree and are admitted to the Organizational Studies emphasis of the Leadership and Organizational Studies at UW O. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. The terms of the Human Services Leadership agreement are limited to students who have complete an associates of applied science degree and have been admitted to the Human Services Leadership degree at UW O. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.Wisconsin Private Schools
Students who complete the Recreation Management program will be credited for all work completed. Transfer credit may also be granted for general education credit pending evaluation of coursework. Only courses passed with a grade of a "C" or better will be considered for transfer. Students may transfer a total of 64 credits. Students interested in this transfer opportunity should work with their Recreation Management program advisor.A student who completes an associate of arts, associate of science or associates of applied science is considered part of the ‘advanced core‘. The Advanced Core requires students to have earned at least 64 credits of transfer. If students transfer prior to completion or with less than 64 credits they will be considered part of the standard core and credits will be evaluated on a course by course basis.Students will be granted admission to a bachelors degree program upon completion of an approved transfer program at Madison College. Students must have earned a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater while at Madison College. Regardless of the number of credits transferred students must complete at least 25% of their baccalaureate degree credits at Herzing University University.Student who earn an Associate Degree from Madison College can transfer a minimum of 60 credits and a maximum of 72 credits to Lakeland College to be applied to the requirements of the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences degree.Any Madison College student who has successfully completed an associate degree in applied science after 2015, and meets admission requirements for the Rader School of Business (RSOB) at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) can earn a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Technical Sales at MSOE by successfully completing the AAS to BBA Technical Sales Transfer Track in the Business Administration program. --- In particular, any Madison College student who successfully completes all technical courses and general education courses in their AAS program with a grade of C or better (not C-) in each course; successfully completes all other specified courses, as defined in this transfer agreement, with a grade of C or better (not C-) in each course; and meets the MSOE admission requirements for transfer students into the BBA Program at MSOE, minimum 2.75/4.0 cumulative GPA from the last regionally accredited school will be admitted into the AAS to BBA Technical Sales Transfer Track in the Bachelor of Business Administration program at MSOE.Students who complete the recreation management program can transfer up to 62 credits toward the Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Leadership offered through the College of Adult and Graduate Studies.Out-of-State Schools
Students who complete any associate degree at Madison Area Technical College will have no additional general education core curriculum requirements to meet but must satisfy the Kirkpatrick Signature Series requirement. This applies to students who are pursuing a bachelors of arts, bachelors of science or bachelors of fine arts at Bellevue University.Per the agreement, students must complete the associates of arts, associates of science or associates of applied science with an overall GPA of a 2.0 prior to transferring. Articulation agreement is for students who graduate from appropriate program and wish to pursue one of the following degrees at Capella: Bachelor of Science in Business specializations, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Bachelor of Science in Public Safety specializations, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (must hold a valid RN license) and Bachelor of Science in Psychology.Students graduating with an associate degree from MATC with a 2.0 GPA or higher are guaranteed admissions into CSU-Global and can transfer up to 64 semester credits from MATC to be applied toward earning a Bachelor’s Degree at CSU-Global.Franklin University will guarantee acceptance of all Madison College graduates with an Associate in Arts, Associate in Science or Associate of Applied Science. Madison College graduates will have junior standing at Franklin University and may transfer additional credits (up to a maximum of 94) toward their baccalaureate degree. -
Career Outcomes
After completing the Fitness, Recreation, & Wellness Management program at Madison College, you will be able to:
- Relate foundations of play, recreation and leisure to stages of the human lifespan.
- Facilitate recreational activities to meet the needs of a variety of populations.
- Adhere to safety rules and regulations governing parks, recreation and fitness.
- Integrate leadership techniques to enhance recreational experiences for individuals and groups.
- Align recreational procedures to management, marketing and finance goals.
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Graduate Summary
Graduate Report Summary Overview
2020 2021 2022 Number of Program Graduates 10 11 6 Number of Surveys Sent 10 11 6 Number of Surveys Returned 7 7 4 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 6 4 4 Percent Available for Employment 85.70% 57.10% 100.00% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 14.30% 42.90% 0.00% Available for Employment
2020 2021 2022 Graduates Employed 6 4 4 Percent of Graduates Employed 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% Employed in Related Occupation 3 3 3 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 50.00% 75.00% 75.00% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 3 1 1 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 50.00% 25.00% 25.00% Employed - No Response 0 0 0 Percent Employed - No Response 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Seeking Employment 0 0 0 Percent Seeking Employment 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2020 2021 2022 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 3.7 3.4 3.8 Number of Satisfaction Responses 7 7 4 Very Satisfied (4) 5 3 3 Percent Very Satisfied 71.40% 42.90% 75.00% Satisfied (3) 2 4 1 Percent Satisfied 28.60% 57.10% 25.00% Unsatisfied (2) 0 0 0 Percent Unsatisfied 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Very Unsatisfed (1) 0 0 0 Percent Very Unsatisfied 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2020 2021 2022 Number of Primary Reason Responses 7 7 4 Preparation for Getting a Job 4 1 0 Percent Preparation for Getting a Job 57.10% 14.30% 0.00% Career Change 1 4 0 Percent Career Change 14.30% 57.10% 0.00% Improvement of Existing Skills 1 0 1 Percent Improvement of Existing Skills 14.30% 0.00% 25.00% Preparation for Further Education 1 1 1 Percent Preparation for Further Education 14.30% 14.30% 25.00% Personal Interest 0 1 1 Percent Personal Interest 0.00% 14.30% 25.00% Other 0 0 1 Percent Other 0.00% 0.00% 25.00% When Employment was Obtained
2020 2021 2022 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 6 4 4 Before Enrollment 0 1 1 Percent Before Enrollment 0.00% 25.00% 25.00% While Attending the College 3 0 3 Percent While Attending the College 50.00% 0.00% 75.00% After Training at the College 3 3 0 Percent After Training at the College 50.00% 75.00% 0.00% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2020 2021 2022 Number of Employment Location Responses 6 4 4 In College District 6 4 4 Percent In College District 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% In Wisconsin, Not in District 0 0 0 Percent of In Wisconsin 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Outside of Wisconsin 0 0 0 Percent Outside Wisconsin 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Employer Location Unknown 0 0 0 Percent Location Unknown 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Salary Trend 2020 2021 2022 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 2 1 2 Average Monthly Wage $2,408 $3,308 $3,268 Average Hourly Wage $14.00 $19.23 $19.00 Average Work Hours per Week 41 45 45 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count 1 2 1 Average Hourly Wage $15.50 $18.50 $19.55 Average Work Hours per Week 20 30 25 -
Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2022 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions City of Middleton Youth Center Assistant Middleton MSCR Cares Outdoor Recreation Instructor Orange Shoe Personal Fitness Personal Trainer Sun Prairie * - Only cities outside of Madison will display.
** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.
*** - If you have a position to post, please contact Career and Employment Services at jobpostings@madisoncollege.edu
