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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
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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 2025-2026 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.
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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
Summer 2025
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is July 15, 2025
Fall 2025
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is November 15, 2025
Spring 2026
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is April 15, 2026
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
Submit official transcripts from the institutions you attended that indicate one of the following:
- High school completion (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
- GED/HSED completion
- College transcript or Madison College experience 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
- Credits completed at Madison College are evaluated and do not require a transcript
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. Transfer courses must be completed with a C or better. Work closely with your Madison College program advisor to ensure courses are eligible to transfer.The terms of the B.S in Human Services Leadership agreement are limited to students who complete selective A.A.S degrees and are admitted to the Human Services Leadership at UW-Oshkosh. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higherThe terms of the B.S in Leadership & Org Studies agreement are limited to students who complete selective A.A.S or A.A.A. degrees and are admitted to the Organizational Studies emphasis at UW-Oshkosh. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higherThis program-to-program articulation agreement between UW-Whitewater and Madison College allows students to receive guaranteed admission and be awarded at least 57 credits toward the Human Performance major, and the following minors if they meet the criteria outlined below: • Recreation and Leisure Studies • Strength and Conditioning • Sport Management • Health Promotion UW-W will admit students who: • Have applied to UW-W and submitted all appropriate documents and earned an applied associate degree in Fitness, Recreation & Wellness Management from Madison College with cumulative grade point average of 2.25 or better (on a 4.0 scale), including coursework from other institutions (if appropriate), and according to UW-W repeat policy. • Have applied to and are successfully admitted into UW-W (all UW-W application deadlines apply) beginning Fall 2024 and any subsequent terms. Students must declare the Human Performance Major, Recreation and Leisure Studies, Strength and Conditioning, Sport Management, or Health Promotion Minor at time of admission/upon transfer to UW-W. Students that transfer under this agreement with a minimum of 60 credits will be considered to have Junior standing at UW-W.Wisconsin Private Schools
Students who complete the Recreation Management program will be credited for all work completed. Only courses passed with a grade of a C or better will be considered for transfer.Students with an AA, AS or AAS are Advanced Core. Advanced Core requires students to have earned at least 60 credits. Students transferring prior to completion or with less than 60 credits are standard core and credits are evaluated course by course.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.Completion of an A.A.S. Degree at Madison College after 2015, and meeting admission requirements for the Rader School of Business (RSOB) at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) can earn a B.B.A degree in Technical Sales at MSOE.Bachelor of Science in Business Management and LeadershipOut-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.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.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 Madison College graduates with an AA, AS, or AAS. Madison College graduates will have junior standing at Franklin University and may transfer up to 94 additional credits 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
2022 2023 2024 Number of Program Graduates 6 7 3 Number of Surveys Sent 6 7 3 Number of Surveys Returned 4 7 1 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 4 7 1 Percent Available for Employment 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Available for Employment
2022 2023 2024 Graduates Employed 4 7 1 Percent of Graduates Employed 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Employed in Related Occupation 3 6 0 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 75.0% 85.7% 0.0% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 1 1 1 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 25.0% 14.3% 100.0% Employed - No Response 0 0 0 Percent Employed - No Response 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Seeking Employment 0 0 0 Percent Seeking Employment 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2022 2023 2024 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 3.8 3.4 3 Number of Satisfaction Responses 4 7 1 Very Satisfied (4) 3 4 0 Percent Very Satisfied 75.0% 57.1% 0.0% Satisfied (3) 1 2 1 Percent Satisfied 25.0% 28.6% 100.0% Unsatisfied (2) 0 1 0 Percent Unsatisfied 0.0% 14.3% 0.0% Very Unsatisfied (1) Percent Very Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2022 2023 2024 Number of Primary Reason Responses 4 7 1 Preparation for Getting a Job Percent Preparation for Getting a Job Career Change Percent Career Change Improvement of Existing Skills Percent Improvement of Existing Skills Preparation for Further Education Percent Preparation for Further Education Personal Interest Percent Personal Interest Other Percent Other 25.0% 0.0% 0.0% When Employment was Obtained
2022 2023 2024 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 4 7 1 Before Enrollment 1 0 1 Percent Before Enrollment 25.0% 0.0% 100.0% While Attending the College 3 3 0 Percent While Attending the College 75.0% 42.9% 0.0% After Training at the College 0 4 0 Percent After Training at the College 0.0% 57.1% 0.0% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2022 2023 2024 Number of Employment Location Responses 4 7 1 In College District 4 7 1 Percent In College District 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% In Wisconsin, Not in District 0 0 0 Percent of In Wisconsin 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Outside of Wisconsin 0 0 0 Percent Outside Wisconsin 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Employer Location Unknown 0 0 0 Percent Location Unknown 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Salary Trend 2022 2023 2024 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 2 1 Average Monthly Wage $3,268 $3,440 Average Hourly Wage $19.00 $20.00 Average Work Hours per Week 45.0 40.0 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count 1 4 Average Hourly Wage $19.55 $17.75 Average Work Hours per Week 25.0 29.0
