20 Best Online Master’s in Fitness and Personal Training

Sports coaches, personal trainers, and physical education teachers are among the most in-demand professionals in the job market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates a 13% growth in training jobs from 2018 to 2028. Businesses, schools, and community programs need advanced practitioners to help clients achieve their goals. The best master’s programs in fitness and personal training combine theoretical lessons with practical experiences to produce experts in the latest techniques. As seen in the list below, degree programs in this field cover disciplines like exercise science, physical education, and kinesiology. How Do I Apply for a Master’s in Fitness and Personal Training? The top master’s programs in fitness and personal training use similar application processes to find promising candidates. Every program requires applicants to submit resumes, university transcripts, and two to three letters of recommendation. Graduate schools use these materials to determine applicants’ readiness for the rigors of their programs. The transcripts help schools maintain minimum GPA requirements, which range from 2.5 to 3.0 for the schools on our list. Physical education programs often require applicants to be current teachers or hold to undergraduate degrees in the field prior to admission. Applicants are asked to submit statements of purpose to show how their goals will be met by a graduate degree. Unlike other graduate programs, most fitness-related degrees do not require Graduate Record Examinations scores. How Much Can I Earn with a Master’s in Fitness and Personal Training? A master’s degree opens a broad spectrum of possibilities in the fitness and personal training worlds. The BLS found an average salary of $39,820 for fitness trainers in May 2018,7 with athletic trainers ($47, 510) and exercise physiologists ($49,270) earning better salaries. Sports managers and agents received median salaries of $64,940 in 2017, showing potential earnings for several programs on our list. Professionals with advanced degrees in fitness and personal training hold specialized skills that can leave these salaries in the rearview mirror after a few years of experience. In 2019, the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association found the global fitness industry growing 8.7% from the previous year, with nearly $100 billion in revenues. Completing a master’s degree from a top program can help a fitness professional be part of this global growth. We do the research so you don’t have to! That’s right, we get the hard work out of the way. We know that you have educational goals that you’re itching to pursue, but you may not know where to start. We’ve crafted a unique and proven ranking methodology that sets us apart. Our ranking score is based on the following three aspects: 40% Potential salary after graduation 30% Individual program accreditation 30% Overall affordability Want to learn more about how we gather that information? Please feel free to visit our dedicated methodology page for a step-by-step breakdown. We’re an open book! If you’re interested in fitness and personal training, be sure to check our list of the 20 best online master’s in fitness and personal training! 1University Of FloridaLocationGainesville, FloridaAverage Net Price$11,313More Information The University of Florida combines great value with a national reputation to reach the top of our list. Money placed the Gainesville-based university at No. 21 on its list of the Best Colleges For Your Money 2019. Athletics programs have spread the Gator name across the country with national championships in seven sports over the past 10 years. The online Master of Science in Sport Management allows students anywhere in the world to become a Gator alumnus. The College of Health and Human Performance asks MS applicants to show minimum GPAs of at least 3.0 on undergraduate work. The statement of purpose is an important element of the application, due to the program’s selectivity. Prospective students must also submit two copies of official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and current resumes. A 36-credit degree path starts with courses in research methods and evaluation procedures. Five required courses allow the development of advanced skills like sports marketing, finance, and sociology. The remaining credits are spread across electives spanning from advanced sports law to sports mass media. MS candidates can add optional internships or practical experiences to bring their lessons to life.