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Master of Arts in Faith-Based Recreation Management, Community Sports Wellness

Academic unitHBIU College of Business and EconomicsTotal credits60Estimated duration2 years

Program Overview

Official program overview

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

M.A. in Faith-Based Recreation Management, Community Sports Wellness

Total program length

60 graduate semester credit hours

Normal completion time

Two academic years of full-time study

Advanced Faith-Based Recreation Management, Community Sports Wellness core

27 credit hours

Research, assessment, and program evaluation

12 credit hours

Professional application and field experience

12 credit hours

Graduate capstone requirement

9 credit hours

The Master of Arts in Faith-Based Recreation Management, Community Sports Wellness is a rigorous graduate program designed to equip leaders with the administrative and programmatic expertise required to foster community health through sports and recreation. Students examine the intersections of organizational management, wellness theory, and ethical stewardship within the context of non-profit and community-oriented sectors. The curriculum emphasizes the application of servant leadership principles to physical wellness programming, ensuring graduates are prepared to develop sustainable initiatives that promote community engagement and holistic development. By integrating strategic administrative planning with a focus on ethical community practice, this program prepares professionals to address the multifaceted challenges of recreation management. Students engage with advanced theories of sports management, financial oversight, and program development, gaining the analytical skills necessary to lead organizations effectively. Through reflective practice and academic inquiry, the program ensures students understand the profound impact that well-managed recreational services have on societal flourishing.

The 60-credit master's program provides advanced preparation in faith-based recreation management, community sports wellness theory, human behavior, ethics, assessment awareness, research, program evaluation, crisis response, leadership, referral, and faith-based recreation management, community sports wellness-support services.

The graduate capstone may include: An applied research study; A community needs assessment; A faith-based recreation management, community sports wellness-support program; A professional training manual; A program-development and evaluation project; Another faculty-approved scholarly project.

The program is designed for completion within two academic years by students maintaining the University's prescribed full-time course load. Part-time students may require additional time.

Florida establishes a minimum of 24 semester credits beyond the bachelor's degree for a master's program. The University's 60-credit requirement is an institutional academic standard that exceeds that minimum.

Program Facts

Program facts

Degree abbreviation
M.A. in Faith-Based Recreation Management, Community Sports Wellness
Total program length
60 graduate semester credit hours
Normal completion time
Two academic years of full-time study
Academic unit
HBIU College of Business and Economics
Total credits
60
Duration
2 years

Program Description

Official program description

Learning Outcomes

Student learning outcomes

  • Analyze contemporary trends and organizational models in community recreation and sports wellness.
  • Evaluate financial and operational strategies to ensure the long-term sustainability of non-profit recreational programs.
  • Design comprehensive community wellness initiatives that reflect principles of servant leadership and ethical stewardship.
  • Integrate advanced management theory with practical applications to improve community sports service delivery.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in research methods through the development of an evidence-based thesis or capstone project.
  • Communicate organizational goals and wellness philosophies effectively to diverse community stakeholders.
  • Course Outline
  • Semester 1 — Year 1
  • Code
  • Title
  • Credits
  • Prerequisites
  • MGT501
  • Principles of Non-Profit Management
  • 4
  • None
  • REC505
  • Foundations of Recreation and Wellness
  • 4
  • None
  • BUS510
  • Ethical Leadership and Stewardship
  • 4
  • None
  • RES520
  • Research Methods for Social Services
  • 4
  • None
  • MGT501 — Principles of Non-Profit Management: This course explores the unique organizational structures and governance challenges within the non-profit sector. Students analyze leadership strategies necessary for effective operation and public service. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • REC505 — Foundations of Recreation and Wellness: An introduction to the historical and theoretical development of recreational programming in community settings. The course emphasizes holistic wellness and the management of physical activity resources. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • BUS510 — Ethical Leadership and Stewardship: Examines the principles of servant leadership and the responsible stewardship of human and financial resources. Students engage with frameworks for ethical decision-making in high-pressure environments. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • RES520 — Research Methods for Social Services: Focuses on qualitative and quantitative research techniques for analyzing social and health-related community needs. Students learn to interpret data to inform strategic decision-making. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • Semester 2 — Year 1
  • Code
  • Title
  • Credits
  • Prerequisites
  • MGT530
  • Financial Oversight and Sustainability
  • 4
  • MGT501
  • REC540
  • Community Sports Program Design
  • 4
  • REC505
  • BUS550
  • Organizational Behavior in Non-profits
  • 4
  • None
  • PSY560
  • Psychology of Community Wellness
  • 4
  • None
  • MGT530 — Financial Oversight and Sustainability: Studies the essential financial management skills required to maintain long-term viability in recreational ministries and non-profits. Topics include budgeting, grant writing, and resource allocation. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • REC540 — Community Sports Program Design: Focuses on the lifecycle of sports and recreation programs, from identification of need through implementation and evaluation. Emphasis is placed on creating accessible, inclusive, and community-focused activity models. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • BUS550 — Organizational Behavior in Non-profits: Explores the dynamics of personnel management and team building within service-oriented environments. Students analyze how to foster healthy, collaborative, and mission-driven organizational cultures. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • PSY560 — Psychology of Community Wellness: Analyzes the psychological factors impacting community health and the motivational foundations of participation in recreation. Students identify strategies to promote mental and social well-being through communal activities. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • Semester 3 — Year 2
  • Code
  • Title
  • Credits
  • Prerequisites
  • REC610
  • Facility Management and Risk Mitigation
  • 4
  • REC505
  • MGT620
  • Strategic Planning and Partnerships
  • 4
  • MGT501
  • COM630
  • Community Engagement and Marketing
  • 4
  • None
  • MGT640
  • Professional Ethics and Organizational Identity
  • 4
  • None
  • REC610 — Facility Management and Risk Mitigation: Provides instruction on the operation, maintenance, and safety compliance of recreational facilities. Students evaluate risk management protocols to ensure the safety and security of community members. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • MGT620 — Strategic Planning and Partnerships: Investigates the development of long-term organizational strategies and the cultivation of external partnerships. Students learn to align organizational goals with community needs and stakeholder interests. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • COM630 — Community Engagement and Marketing: Focuses on communication strategies and outreach techniques to engage diverse populations in recreational services. Students develop branding and marketing plans that prioritize service and organizational values. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • MGT640 — Professional Ethics and Organizational Identity: This course examines the integration of professional standards, personal values, and organizational culture within social service sectors. Students analyze ethical frameworks to guide decision-making and professional development. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • Semester 4 — Year 2
  • Code
  • Title
  • Credits
  • Prerequisites
  • CAP690
  • Capstone: Integrative Project
  • 4
  • All Core Courses
  • BUS660
  • Advocacy and Public Policy
  • 2
  • None
  • MGT670
  • Advanced Leadership Seminar
  • 2
  • MGT501
  • REC680
  • Special Topics in Community Wellness
  • 2
  • REC505
  • CAP690 — Capstone: Integrative Project: This final project requires students to design and defend a comprehensive recreational program proposal that reflects professional management skills and institutional values. It serves as the culmination of the program. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • BUS660 — Advocacy and Public Policy: Examines the influence of public policy and legislation on community recreation and sports services. Students learn how to effectively advocate for programs that address social inequities. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • MGT670 — Advanced Leadership Seminar: A seminar-style course addressing the complexities of senior-level management within non-profit organizations. Participants engage in peer-to-peer critique of management problems and systemic challenges. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • REC680 — Special Topics in Community Wellness: Explores emerging topics and niche challenges in the recreation management field. Focus is placed on future-proofing programs in a changing societal landscape. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Admission Requirements

Admission and entry requirements

Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0. Prospective students are expected to submit a statement of intent outlining their commitment to community service and ethical leadership, alongside three professional or academic letters of recommendation, demonstrating academic potential and alignment with the values of HBI University. Thesis or Capstone Project The Capstone Project serves as the final academic experience, requiring students to synthesize their learning by developing an original proposal for a community-based recreation or wellness initiative. This project mandates that students demonstrate both academic rigor and a deep commitment to ethical decision-making, stewardship of organizational resources, and the application of servant leadership within a real-world setting. Students are expected to produce a formal written report and a professional presentation that documents their research, methodology, and the potential impact of their project on the community. The project must explicitly connect professional management strategies with a biblical framework of service and character development, reflecting the student's ability to integrate academic competence with a personal commitment to ethical integrity. This culmination is worth 4 credit hours and is evaluated on the basis of its technical feasibility, scholarly depth, and alignment with the mission of faith-informed service.

Protected Curriculum

Complete program outline available after verification

Graduation Requirements

Graduation and completion requirements

  • Graduation requires the successful completion of 60 credit hours with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, ensuring mastery of all graduate-level competencies. Beyond academic achievement, students must demonstrate growth in spiritual maturity and ethical integrity through participation in mandatory community service hours and reflective spiritual formation seminars. The final requirement involves the successful defense of the capstone project, which confirms the student's readiness to apply their knowledge as a professional dedicated to stewardship, compassionate service, and the cultivation of healthy communities.
  • Career Opportunities
  • Director of Community Sports Programs
  • Non-profit Recreational Facility Manager
  • Community Wellness Coordinator
  • Faith-based Youth Sports Administrator
  • Director of Operations for Community Outreach Agencies
  • Strategic Consultant for Sports Ministries
  • Program Development Specialist for Municipal Parks
  • Important Notices
  • The program educates ethical professionals who demonstrate technical excellence, servant leadership, professional integrity, and a commitment to apply sound principles to advance faith-based organizations, strengthen communities, and contribute responsibly.
  • HBIU is a lawfully operating nonpublic faith-based postsecondary institution that maintains its status under section 1005.06(1)(f), Florida Statutes. The University annually affirms its compliance with the requirements applicable to faith-based institutions in Florida through Commission for Independent Education.
  • HBIU accreditation from QAHE (for quality assurance in pre-tertiary and higher education mechanisms). QAHE offers globally recognized accreditation and quality assurance for higher education, training providers, and professional institutions worldwide. Students should consider the nature and scope of this recognition in relation to their individual certification and professional goals.
  • Transfer credit is evaluated individually based on course content, credit hours, grades, institutional documentation, program requirements, and applicable university policies. Although HBIU provides academically structured programs, no institution can guarantee that another college, university, employer, licensing board, or credential-evaluation service will accept its credits or credentials. Students are encouraged to obtain advance written confirmation from the intended receiving organization.
  • The program develops academic knowledge and applied competencies for service in faith-based organizations, nonprofit institutions, community programs, and related professional environments. Some occupations associated with the subject area may be regulated by governmental or professional authorities. A degree from HBIU demonstrates completion of the University's academic requirements but does not, by itself, confer professional licensure or legal authority to perform regulated services.
  • Where a program is related to an external certification, eligibility is determined exclusively by the applicable certifying organization. Certification bodies may establish additional requirements involving education, examinations, experience, background screening, continuing education, or membership. HBIU does not guarantee certification eligibility or examination approval unless a formal written agreement expressly provides otherwise.
  • Career and occupational information is provided to help students make informed educational decisions. Employment outcomes depend on factors such as the graduate's experience, geographic location, professional qualifications, employer requirements, economic conditions, interviewing ability, and any applicable licensure or certification requirements. Completion of a program does not constitute a promise of employment, promotion, job placement, or a particular occupational title.
  • This program is delivered through online instruction. Students must have access to the technology, equipment, internet service, software, and learning resources identified in the University's technology requirements.
  • Internship or field-experience participation is subject to academic eligibility, site availability, supervisor approval, and the requirements of the participating organization. The University assists students with the placement process but cannot guarantee placement with a particular organization, supervisor, location, or schedule.
  • Students are responsible for reviewing the catalog, understanding program requirements, providing accurate information, meeting academic and financial obligations, and verifying whether the program supports their intended educational or professional goals.
  • Completion of a University program does not authorize a graduate to use a professional title that is protected or restricted by law. Graduates must use titles that accurately reflect their education, credentials, employment role, and current licensure or certification status.
  • Degree abbreviation | M.A. in Faith-Based Recreation Management, Community Sports Wellness
  • Total program length | 60 graduate semester credit hours
  • Normal completion time | Two academic years of full-time study
  • Advanced Faith-Based Recreation Management, Community Sports Wellness core | 27 credit hours
  • Research, assessment, and program evaluation | 12 credit hours
  • Professional application and field experience | 12 credit hours
  • Graduate capstone requirement | 9 credit hours
  • Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
  • MGT501 | Principles of Non-Profit Management | 4 | None
  • REC505 | Foundations of Recreation and Wellness | 4 | None
  • BUS510 | Ethical Leadership and Stewardship | 4 | None
  • RES520 | Research Methods for Social Services | 4 | None
  • Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
  • MGT530 | Financial Oversight and Sustainability | 4 | MGT501
  • REC540 | Community Sports Program Design | 4 | REC505
  • BUS550 | Organizational Behavior in Non-profits | 4 | None
  • PSY560 | Psychology of Community Wellness | 4 | None
  • Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
  • REC610 | Facility Management and Risk Mitigation | 4 | REC505
  • MGT620 | Strategic Planning and Partnerships | 4 | MGT501
  • COM630 | Community Engagement and Marketing | 4 | None
  • MGT640 | Professional Ethics and Organizational Identity | 4 | None
  • Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
  • CAP690 | Capstone: Integrative Project | 4 | All Core Courses
  • BUS660 | Advocacy and Public Policy | 2 | None
  • MGT670 | Advanced Leadership Seminar | 2 | MGT501
  • REC680 | Special Topics in Community Wellness | 2 | REC505

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities

Career Opportunities

  • Director of Community Sports Programs
  • Non-profit Recreational Facility Manager
  • Community Wellness Coordinator
  • Faith-based Youth Sports Administrator
  • Director of Operations for Community Outreach Agencies
  • Strategic Consultant for Sports Ministries
  • Program Development Specialist for Municipal Parks

Additional Official Information

Additional source information

Important Notices

  • The program educates ethical professionals who demonstrate technical excellence, servant leadership, professional integrity, and a commitment to apply sound principles to advance faith-based organizations, strengthen communities, and contribute responsibly.
  • HBIU is a lawfully operating nonpublic faith-based postsecondary institution that maintains its status under section 1005.06(1)(f), Florida Statutes. The University annually affirms its compliance with the requirements applicable to faith-based institutions in Florida through Commission for Independent Education.
  • HBIU accreditation from QAHE (for quality assurance in pre-tertiary and higher education mechanisms). QAHE offers globally recognized accreditation and quality assurance for higher education, training providers, and professional institutions worldwide. Students should consider the nature and scope of this recognition in relation to their individual certification and professional goals.
  • Transfer credit is evaluated individually based on course content, credit hours, grades, institutional documentation, program requirements, and applicable university policies. Although HBIU provides academically structured programs, no institution can guarantee that another college, university, employer, licensing board, or credential-evaluation service will accept its credits or credentials. Students are encouraged to obtain advance written confirmation from the intended receiving organization.
  • The program develops academic knowledge and applied competencies for service in faith-based organizations, nonprofit institutions, community programs, and related professional environments. Some occupations associated with the subject area may be regulated by governmental or professional authorities. A degree from HBIU demonstrates completion of the University's academic requirements but does not, by itself, confer professional licensure or legal authority to perform regulated services.
  • Where a program is related to an external certification, eligibility is determined exclusively by the applicable certifying organization. Certification bodies may establish additional requirements involving education, examinations, experience, background screening, continuing education, or membership. HBIU does not guarantee certification eligibility or examination approval unless a formal written agreement expressly provides otherwise.
  • Career and occupational information is provided to help students make informed educational decisions. Employment outcomes depend on factors such as the graduate's experience, geographic location, professional qualifications, employer requirements, economic conditions, interviewing ability, and any applicable licensure or certification requirements. Completion of a program does not constitute a promise of employment, promotion, job placement, or a particular occupational title.
  • This program is delivered through online instruction. Students must have access to the technology, equipment, internet service, software, and learning resources identified in the University's technology requirements.
  • Internship or field-experience participation is subject to academic eligibility, site availability, supervisor approval, and the requirements of the participating organization. The University assists students with the placement process but cannot guarantee placement with a particular organization, supervisor, location, or schedule.
  • Students are responsible for reviewing the catalog, understanding program requirements, providing accurate information, meeting academic and financial obligations, and verifying whether the program supports their intended educational or professional goals.
  • Completion of a University program does not authorize a graduate to use a professional title that is protected or restricted by law. Graduates must use titles that accurately reflect their education, credentials, employment role, and current licensure or certification status.
  • Degree abbreviation | M.A. in Faith-Based Recreation Management, Community Sports Wellness
  • Total program length | 60 graduate semester credit hours
  • Normal completion time | Two academic years of full-time study
  • Advanced Faith-Based Recreation Management, Community Sports Wellness core | 27 credit hours
  • Research, assessment, and program evaluation | 12 credit hours
  • Professional application and field experience | 12 credit hours
  • Graduate capstone requirement | 9 credit hours
  • Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
  • MGT501 | Principles of Non-Profit Management | 4 | None
  • REC505 | Foundations of Recreation and Wellness | 4 | None
  • BUS510 | Ethical Leadership and Stewardship | 4 | None
  • RES520 | Research Methods for Social Services | 4 | None
  • Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
  • MGT530 | Financial Oversight and Sustainability | 4 | MGT501
  • REC540 | Community Sports Program Design | 4 | REC505
  • BUS550 | Organizational Behavior in Non-profits | 4 | None
  • PSY560 | Psychology of Community Wellness | 4 | None
  • Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
  • REC610 | Facility Management and Risk Mitigation | 4 | REC505
  • MGT620 | Strategic Planning and Partnerships | 4 | MGT501
  • COM630 | Community Engagement and Marketing | 4 | None
  • MGT640 | Professional Ethics and Organizational Identity | 4 | None
  • Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
  • CAP690 | Capstone: Integrative Project | 4 | All Core Courses
  • BUS660 | Advocacy and Public Policy | 2 | None
  • MGT670 | Advanced Leadership Seminar | 2 | MGT501
  • REC680 | Special Topics in Community Wellness | 2 | REC505