Montpellier School of Sports Science
Skills for sports, education, and health

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the STAPS departments are among those with the highest employment rates. In fact, more than 95% of STAPS Master’s alumni had found a job within 30 months of graduation.

When it was first established, the STAPS program was primarily designed to train 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 program 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 Inclusion 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 advisor)
  • 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
  • Fitness trainer at a club, training center, or 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 education sector (Local Physical and Sports Education Specialist, Local Physical and Sports Education Instructor, Local Physical and Sports Education 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 Manager
  • Merchandising Manager
  • Operations Manager
  • Area Manager
  • Communications Officer, etc.

Career Opportunities After a Professional 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 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 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 and re-education, 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 health promotion and disease prevention, as well as physical activity programs, 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 are prepared for managerial roles in physical activity and health promotion within the fields of gerontology and geriatrics. With a background in education, they focus on designing and coordinating intervention programs, planning and teaching physical activities, and evaluating and determining the effects of physical activity and health education practices.

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 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 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 local or quasi-local government agencies (CDT, CRT, SEM, host regions, joint associations, “Pays,” etc.) or private organizations (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

Useful links