Looking to improve the health and wellbeing of yourself, your community, and your world? We’ll provide you with the knowledge and support you need to help others achieve their health and fitness goals.
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Fitness, Recreation, and Wellness Management
Program Number: 101094
Your Degree:
Associate Degree
Area of Study:
Culinary, Hospitality and Fitness
Delivery Method:
Some Online/Some In Person
Estimated Time to Complete:
60 Credits | Finish degree in 2 years
financial aid icon Financial Aid Available
transfer icon Program Transfers
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What You'll Pay
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.

Estimated Program Cost

$10,753.06

Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid and scholarships help you pay for your education.
  • 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 
  • Curriculum and Experience

    Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2024-2025 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 Semester
    Second Semester
    Third Semester
    Choose one of the following:
    10-109-299
    3 credits
    10-109-196
    3 credits
    10-109-197
    3 credits
    Fourth Semester
    10-109-176
    3 credits
    10-801-196
    3 credits
    10-809-103
    3 credits
    10-809-199
    3 credits
  • 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

    Spring 2025

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is April 15, 2025

    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.

    apply for admission

    Get Started!

    Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Fitness, Recreation, and Wellness Management career.

    It's Free to Apply

  • 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.
    • Graduate Summary

      Graduate Report Summary Overview

      202020212022
      Number of Program Graduates10116
      Number of Surveys Sent10116
      Number of Surveys Returned774
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment644
      Percent Available for Employment85.70%57.10%100.00%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market14.30%42.90%0.00%
      Available for Employment

      202020212022
      Graduates Employed644
      Percent of Graduates Employed100.00%100.00%100.00%
      Employed in Related Occupation333
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation50.00%75.00%75.00%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation311
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation50.00%25.00%25.00%
      Employed - No Response000
      Percent Employed - No Response0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Seeking Employment000
      Percent Seeking Employment0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      202020212022
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.73.43.8
      Number of Satisfaction Responses774
      Very Satisfied (4)533
      Percent Very Satisfied71.40%42.90%75.00%
      Satisfied (3)241
      Percent Satisfied28.60%57.10%25.00%
      Unsatisfied (2)000
      Percent Unsatisfied0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Very Unsatisfed (1)000
      Percent Very Unsatisfied0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      202020212022
      Number of Primary Reason Responses774
      Preparation for Getting a Job410
      Percent Preparation for Getting a Job57.10%14.30%0.00%
      Career Change140
      Percent Career Change14.30%57.10%0.00%
      Improvement of Existing Skills101
      Percent Improvement of Existing Skills14.30%0.00%25.00%
      Preparation for Further Education111
      Percent Preparation for Further Education14.30%14.30%25.00%
      Personal Interest011
      Percent Personal Interest0.00%14.30%25.00%
      Other001
      Percent Other0.00%0.00%25.00%
      When Employment was Obtained

      202020212022
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses644
      Before Enrollment011
      Percent Before Enrollment0.00%25.00%25.00%
      While Attending the College303
      Percent While Attending the College50.00%0.00%75.00%
      After Training at the College330
      Percent After Training at the College50.00%75.00%0.00%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      202020212022
      Number of Employment Location Responses644
      In College District644
      Percent In College District100.00%100.00%100.00%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District000
      Percent of In Wisconsin0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Outside of Wisconsin000
      Percent Outside Wisconsin0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Employer Location Unknown000
      Percent Location Unknown0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend202020212022
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count212
      Average Monthly Wage$2,408$3,308$3,268
      Average Hourly Wage$14.00$19.23$19.00
      Average Work Hours per Week414545
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count121
      Average Hourly Wage$15.50$18.50$19.55
      Average Work Hours per Week203025
    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2022
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      City of MiddletonYouth Center AssistantMiddleton
      MSCR CaresOutdoor Recreation Instructor
      Orange Shoe Personal FitnessPersonal TrainerSun 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

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