Montpellier School of Sports Science and Physical Education (UFR STAPS)
Skills for Sports, Education, and Health

Employment Placement

Graduates of the STAPS departments are among those with the highest employment rates. In fact, more than 95% of STAPS master’s program 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 percent. As a result, STAPS departments had to diversify their career paths by creating new specializations. Today, competitive exams to become a teacher 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 related to 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 Social Reintegration Programs Through Adapted Physical Activity
  • Adapted Physical Education and Sports Coach

Specialization in Education and Motor Skills

Admission to the professions for which the “Education and Motor Skills” bachelor’s degree 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
  • Ministry of Youth and Sports Staff: Physical Education Teachers (for the position of sports activities counselor)
  • Local Government Employees: APSA Advisor and Coordinator
  • Jobs in the National Education system (Principal Education Advisor, etc.), sports instruction, and teaching physical education and sports for educational purposes, etc.

Specialization in Sports Training

  • Coach at a club or training center
  • Strength and conditioning coach 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 and sports activities sector (Local Physical and Sports Activities Operator, Local Physical and Sports Activities Instructor, Local Physical and Sports Activities Advisor), as well as the competitive exam for physical education teachers 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 Specialist, etc.

Career Opportunities After Earning a Professional Bachelor's Degree

Professional Bachelor's Degree in Planning, 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 civil service 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 Degree in STAPS-APAS (Adapted Physical Activity for Health)

Adapted Physical Activities Rehabilitation Program (RAPA)

Upon completion of this program, graduates typically hold management positions in organizations focused on prevention, integration, rehabilitation and re-education, 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 field of prevention and the promotion of health and 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) Program

Graduates of the master’s program pursue careers as APA managers in the fields of gerontology and geriatrics. Trained as educators, they focus on designing and coordinating intervention projects, planning and teaching physical activities, and evaluating and determining the effects of motor activities and health education.

Science, Technology, and Movement (STM) Track

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

Master's in STAPS-EOPS (Training and Optimization of Athletic Performance)

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 rehabilitation 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 at sports organizations (clubs, federations), in private practice, for associations, local governments, and other similar settings.

Science, Technology, and Movement (STM) Track

  • Employment 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)

MTS (Sports Tourism Management) Program

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

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