Montpellier University Department of Sports Science
Skills for sports, education, and health

Career opportunities

Graduates from the STAPS departments have some of the highest employment rates. In fact, more than 95% of STAPS Master’s alumni found a job within 30 months of graduating.

When it was first established, the STAPS program was primarily designed to prepare students for careers as physical education teachers. In the 2000s, the number of teaching positions was reduced by 70%. STAPS departments were then forced to diversify their career paths by creating new specializations. Today, competitive exams for teaching positions are taken by only a small minority of students enrolled in STAPS departments.

Graduates of the UFR STAPS are prepared for a wide range of careers in sports, physical activity, and movement.

Career opportunities after earning a bachelor's degree in Sports Science

Specialization in Adapted Physical Activity and Health

  • Instructor of adapted physical education for individuals with disabilities, physical limitations, and reduced independence
  • Coordinator of intervention, prevention, and integration programs through adapted physical activity
  • Coach for Adapted Physical and Sports Activities

Specialization: Education and Motor Skills

Admission to the professions for which the Bachelor’s degree in “Education and Motor Skills” prepares students often requires passing competitive entrance exams.

  • Teaching staff of the Ministry of National Education: Physical Education Teaching Certificate (CAPEPS), Elementary School Teaching Certificate, Agrégation in Physical Education, City of Paris Teacher
  • Staff of the Ministry of Youth and Sports: physical education teachers (for the position of sports activities coordinator)
  • Local Government Employees: APSA Advisor and Coordinator
  • Jobs in the fields of public education (such as school counselor), sports coaching, and physical education for educational purposes, etc.

Specialization in Sports Training

  • Coach at a club or training center
  • Physical trainer at a club, a training center, or a sports service company
  • Sports manager, sports technical manager, sports technician, etc.
  • It is also possible to take various competitive exams for positions in the local physical education and sports sector (Local Physical Education and Sports Operator, Local Physical Education and Sports Instructor, Local Physical Education and Sports Advisor), as well as the competitive exam for physical education teaching positions administered by the Ministry of Youth and Sports

Specialization in Sports Management

  • Community Development Officer
  • Project Manager
  • Head of Development
  • Department Manager, Product Manager
  • Sponsorship Coordinator
  • Merchandising Manager
  • Operations Manager
  • Area Manager
  • Communications Officer, etc.

Career opportunities after earning a vocational bachelor's degree

Professional Bachelor's Degree in Recreation, Management, and Organization of Physical and Sports Activities: Aquatic Activities

  • General Manager or Assistant General Manager (Technical or Sales) of recreational, sports, health, and fitness aquatic facilities
  • Local Government Executive (with specific preparation for competitive exams)
  • Instructor and instructor trainer (BEESAN – BEES Swimming, Level 2)
  • Technical sales specialist working with local governments or companies that sell or manufacture equipment or facilities for water sports

Career Opportunities After Earning a Master's Degree in Sports Science

Master's in Sports Science and Adapted Physical Activity for Health

Adapted Physical Activity Rehabilitation Program (RAPA)

Upon completion of this program, graduates typically hold management positions in organizations focused on prevention, integration, rehabilitation, recovery, reintegration, or auditing and consulting.

Prevention, Health Education, and Physical Activity Program (PESAP)

Upon completion of this program, graduates typically hold management positions in the fields of health promotion and disease prevention, as well as physical activity, within local governments, organizations dedicated to the integration of youth or adults, health networks, schools, and after-school programs, among others.

Health Management through Physical Activity for Older Adults (GESAPPA) Course

Graduates of the Master’s program are prepared for managerial roles in physical activity and health promotion within the fields of gerontology and geriatrics. As trained educators, they focus on designing and coordinating intervention programs, planning and teaching physical activities, and evaluating and determining the effects of motor skills training and health education.

Science, Technology, and Movement (STM) Track

  • Jobs in higher education, research institutions, and research laboratories
  • Executive in the research and development departments of private-sector companies

Master's in Sports Science and Performance Optimization (STAPS-EOPS)

Physical Training Science and Technology Track (STEP)

  • Fitness trainer for professional sports teams, fitness centers, and companies
  • Designer and coordinator of physical conditioning programs for training or retraining in the private sector
  • Technical staff of (inter)national federations
  • Head of Sports Services for Local and Regional Governments

Science and Technology of Psychological Preparation and Coaching Program (PsyCoach)

This program trains future specialists in mental preparation and coaching for athletes, teams, coaches, and sports organizations. Graduates may work in sports organizations (clubs, federations), private practice, associations, local governments, and other similar settings.

Science, Technology, and Movement (STM) Track

  • Jobs in higher education, research institutions, and research laboratories
  • Executive in the research and development departments of private-sector companies

Master's in Sports Science and Sports Management (STAPS-MS)

Sports Tourism Management (MTS) Program

  • Project manager or development manager at regional or quasi-regional organizations (CDT, CRT, SEM, host regions, joint associations, “Pays,” etc.) or private entities (tour operators, integrated organizations, etc.)
  • Tourism Development Officer
  • Entrepreneur in the sports tourism industry
  • Manager or department head at companies in the tourism and sports and recreation sectors

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