Recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary

SOC Code: 25-1193
Also known as:
Adjunct Instructor, Adjunct Professor, Aquatic Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor
Median Annual Salary
$75,890
+2.4% growth (2024-2034)
1K
Openings/Year
15K
Current Jobs

What Recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary Do

Teach courses pertaining to recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, including exercise physiology and facilities management. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

💰 Salary

$75,890
Median annual wage (2024)

📈 Job Growth

+2.4%
As fast as average

🎓 Education

Doctoral or professional degree
Typical entry-level requirement

🚀 Annual Openings

1K
Projected average per year

Employment Projections (2024-2034)

Current Employment (2024)

15,400

Projected Employment (2034)

15,700

Top Skills Required

Speaking
Instructing
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Writing

Daily Tasks & Responsibilities

  • Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
  • Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
  • Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
  • Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
  • Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as anatomy, therapeutic recreation, and conditioning theory.
  • Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
  • Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
  • Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
  • Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
  • Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.

Technology & Tools

Facebook Google Docs Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Project Microsoft Word

📚 Entry-Level Education

Doctoral or professional degree
Most common requirement

🎯 Recommended Education

Doctoral Degree
O*NET recommended level

Degree Programs for Recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary

These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary:

Sport and Fitness Administration/Management

17,472 degrees awarded • 655 colleges offer this program

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General

12,633 degrees awarded • 387 colleges offer this program

Physical Education Teaching and Coaching

6,964 degrees awarded • 439 colleges offer this program

Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies

2,155 degrees awarded • 113 colleges offer this program

Sports Studies

607 degrees awarded • 47 colleges offer this program

Best Colleges for Becoming a Recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary

Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary.

# College Location Related Degrees Repit Grade
1 University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI 226 A+
2 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC 382 A
3 University of Florida Gainesville, FL 367 A
4 The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX 195 A
5 University of Georgia Athens, GA 156 A
6 William & Mary Williamsburg, VA 122 A
7 San Diego State University San Diego, CA 420 B+
8 California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA 411 B+
9 Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH 327 B+
10 Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, TX 305 B+
11 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL 302 B+
12 California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA 169 B+
13 The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, TN 165 B+
14 University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, MA 164 B+
15 Georgetown University Washington, DC 139 B+
16 University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN 132 B+
17 University of Miami Coral Gables, FL 132 B+
18 North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC 115 B+
19 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL 108 B+
20 University of Connecticut Storrs, CT 100 B+

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary make?
The median annual salary for recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary is $75,890.
What education do recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary need?
Most recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary positions require a doctoral or professional degree. Common degree programs include Sport and Fitness Administration/Management, Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General, Physical Education Teaching and Coaching.
Is becoming a recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary a good career choice?
Recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary is projected to see +2.4% job growth from 2024 to 2034, which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 1,100 job openings expected annually, there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary?
Top colleges for aspiring recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary include University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Florida, The University of Texas at Austin, University of Georgia. These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary?
Recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary may also be known as: Adjunct Instructor, Adjunct Professor, Aquatic Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Athletic Instructor, College Faculty Member, College Professor, Education Programs Professional, Exercise Instructor, Exercise Science Instructor, Exercise Science Professor, Exercise Teacher, Fitness and Wellness Instructor, Fitness Instructor, Fitness Studies Teacher, Gymnasium Teacher, Health and Human Performance Professor, Health and Physical Education Instructor (HPE Instructor), Health and Physical Education Professor (HPE Professor). These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.