Sport and Recreation Management degree

students smiling at a teacher

Hit the books – then hit your career out of the park.

Prepare for an exciting career in the multi-billion-dollar sport and recreation industry. With this versatile degree, you’ll combine your passion for sport and recreation with in-depth management skills that are transferable no matter where you land after graduation. 
 
Take field trips to professional sport facilities, work with industry leaders, and learn teamwork with hands-on assignments. Between co-op and lots of real-world learning opportunities, you’ll build your professional network and expand your career potential in no time.  
 
Graduate with a well-rounded business background you can refine and build, whether you work in professional sport, in municipal recreation with children and youth, or even when launching your own startup.

What courses will you take in Sport and Recreation Management?

First-year courses

September to December

January to April

  • REC 215 – Marketing Recreation, Sport, and Events
  • BET 100 – Foundations of Entrepreneurial Practice
  • Three electives

This is a sample schedule. Courses or when a course is offered may change depending on availability.

After first year

About half of the classes you’ll take will be Recreation and Leisure Studies courses. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo.

View all the courses required for your degree.

Sample upper-year courses

REC 213 – The Business of Professional Sport
REC 313 – Amateur Sport from Playground to Podium
REC 319 – Event Planning and Design
REC 413 – Innovative Solutions in Recreation and Sport Business

Customize your degree

You can add additional areas of interest and expertise by including one or more of these areas of focus within the program.

  • Event Management
  • Tourism

You can also include one of the minors available to all Waterloo students. Popular choices include Legal Studies, Human Resources Management, and Entrepreneurship.

Remote video URL

Faculty:
Faculty of Health

Degree:
Bachelor of Arts in Sport and Recreation Management

Available as a co-op program?
Yes

Available as a regular program?
Yes

Available as a minor?
No

Sports + recreation + business. Along with courses focused on organizing and managing recreation and sport programs and events, you'll gain valuable business skills in marketing, communications, finance, and human resources that apply to any industry.

Real-world experience. From industry case studies and projects to field trips and experiential learning, you’ll have lots to add to your resume by the time you graduate.

Co-op = relevant paid work experience

Waterloo's co-op program, the largest in North America, is an amazing way to explore potential careers, learn to interview for jobs, graduate with up to two years of valuable experience — and make money!

Learn about Katie's co-op experiences in Sport and Recreation Management.

Sample co-op job titles

  • Recreation program assistant
  • Promotions and events coordinator
  • Tournament operations assistant
  • Marketing outreach and events associate
  • Outdoor education assistant
  • Athletics and recreation sport marketing
  • Community recreation facilitator
  • Sports management coordinator

Co-op work-study sequence

Starting in second year, you'll normally alternate between school and work every four months, integrating your classroom learning with real-world experience. You can return to the same employer for a couple of work terms to gain greater knowledge and responsibility or work for different employers to get a broad range of experience.

Year September to December (Fall) January to April (Winter) May to August (Spring)
First Study Study Off
Second Study Co-op Study
Third Co-op Study Co-op
Fourth Study Co-op Study
Fifth Co-op Study -

Your first work term will be halfway through second year (January to April 2027).

Learn more about co-op →

What careers can you pursue with a Sport and Recreation Management degree?

With such a huge range of skills, our graduates pursue careers in a variety of areas related to sports, recreation, and business. This includes marketing and communications, game operations, event management, facilities management, human resources, and more.

Graduates work for sports and entertainment companies, professional sports teams, non-profit organizations, community organizations, and large for-profit companies.

Sample graduates

  • President of Hockey Operations and General Manager — Edmonton Oil Kings
  • Communications Manager — Pretty River Sports Entertainment
  • Coordinator, Game Operations — Maple Leaf Sports Entertainment
  • Defensive, Special Teams Quality Control Coach — Hamilton Tiger-Cats Football Club
  • Recreation Facilitator — Revera
  • Club Support Coordinator — Kin Canada
  • Membership Director — YMCA

Graduate stories

Learn about what some graduates are doing with their degree.

Learn more about the future of careers in business.

Read profiles and view videos about the path Recreation graduates took to pursue their career.

Tuition fees for programs in the Faculty of Health

First-year tuition

Type of fees Tuition (8 months of school)
Domestic (Ontario residents) $9,000
Domestic (Out of province students) $9,000
International (visa students) $50,000
     
  • Estimated amounts listed include incidental fees. Fees based on 2024-25 tuition rates.
  • Visit our financing page to learn about scholarships, estimate your total expenses, and see how co-op can help pay for your education.

Common questions about the program

Why do I apply for Recreation and Leisure Studies to study Sport and Recreation Management?

Recreation and Leisure Studies is the entry program - or gateway - to three distinct majors: Recreation, Leadership, and Health; Sport and Recreation Management; and Therapeutic Recreation. You'll apply to Recreation and Leisure Studies and pick Sport and Recreation Management as your major on your application. Once you confirm your Offer of Admission, we'll enroll you in Sport and Recreation Management.

Though each of the majors has a different focus, specialized courses, and unique identity, you'll be a part of the greater Recreation and Leisure Studies community and get to know students outside your major too!

What’s the difference between this program and sport management or sport administration programs at other universities?

There are always subtle differences between similar programs at different universities. At Waterloo, you'll learn how to apply business skills in community and professional settings, and you'll learn about the broader recreation industry, opening doors to additional career options. Plus you'll have the advantage of exploring careers and gain relevant work experience through North America's largest co-op program or the EDGE certificate program for students not in co-op.

Is this program available online?

No. While you may be able to take some courses online, most courses required for the degree are available through in-person classes only.

How long does it take to complete this program?

  • It takes four years to complete this program as a full-time student through the regular system of study in which you’ll take courses between September and April each year and have your summers off.
  • You can also choose the co-op system of study where you’ll alternate between full-time studies and full-time jobs relating to your program. A co-op program takes five years to complete — and you’ll graduate with nearly two years of paid work experience.
  • You can complete over a longer period as a part-time program.

Admission requirements

Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including

  • Any Grade 12 U English (minimum final grade of 70% is required)

Admission average: Low 80s (co-op and regular)

Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements for Recreation and Leisure Studies (RLS). You'll apply to RLS for the Sport and Recreation Management major.

How to apply

Apply to Recreation and Leisure Studies and choose Sport and Recreation Management as your major.

Offers of admission

If you're admitted to the program, your Offer of Admission will be to Recreation and Leisure Studies. Once you accept your offer, you’ll be enrolled in Sport and Recreation Management and start that major in September.

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Connect with us

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Questions about courses, programs, requirements, or careers?

Please contact Vivienne Hang, our Faculty of Health recruitment co-ordinator who can answer any questions you have.

You can also learn more about Sport and Recreation Management by viewing our digital program brochure.