Associate of Arts in Faith-Based Recreation Management (Specialization in Community Sports, Wellness)

Degree abbreviation

A.A. in Faith-Based Recreation Management

Total program length

60 semester credit hours

Normal completion time

Two academic years

General education

18 credit hours

Professional application courses

9 credit hours

Capstone requirement

3 credit hours

Academic unit

HBIU College of Business and Economics

Total credits

60

Duration

2 years

• Analyze the principles of stewardship and ethical decision-making in the context of organizational management.
• Apply recreational management theories to the development and coordination of community wellness and sports programs.
• Design comprehensive program evaluations to measure the impact of recreational activities on community participation.
• Communicate professional objectives clearly to diverse stakeholders within both nonprofit and community environments.
• Integrate servant leadership practices into team-based management and administrative operational workflows.
• Demonstrate competence in logistical planning, facility scheduling, and resource allocation within a recreational framework.
• Course Outline
• Semester 1 — Year 1
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• ENG101
• Academic Writing and Communication
• 4
• None
• BUS105
• Introduction to Business Management
• 3
• None
• BUS110
• Principles of Organizational Resource Management
• 4
• None
• REC101
• Foundations of Recreational Programming
• 3
• None
• ENG101 — Academic Writing and Communication: This course focuses on advanced writing techniques, rhetorical analysis, and professional communication strategies suitable for organizational settings. Students engage in recursive writing processes to produce clear, persuasive documents. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS105 — Introduction to Business Management: Students examine the foundational principles of management, including organizational behavior, resource management, and strategic planning. The course explores how these principles drive efficiency and ethical conduct in various sectors. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS110 — Principles of Organizational Resource Management: This course examines the systematic allocation, maintenance, and sustainable use of organizational assets within community recreation settings. Students evaluate strategies for fiscal responsibility and long-term viability of nonprofit infrastructure. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• REC101 — Foundations of Recreational Programming: An introduction to the history, philosophy, and administration of community-based recreational programs. Students learn to assess community needs and develop accessible programming. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• Semester 2 — Year 1
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• PSY120
• Social Psychology of Community
• 3
• None
• MAT201
• Data Analysis for Management
• 4
• ENG101
• BUS210
• Ethics in Organizational Leadership
• 3
• BUS105
• REC205
• Sports and Wellness Administration
• 4
• REC101
• PSY120 — Social Psychology of Community: This course examines how social environments, interpersonal dynamics, and group structures influence individual behavior in community settings. It emphasizes the importance of empathy and collaboration. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MAT201 — Data Analysis for Management: Students learn to interpret organizational data to support informed decision-making and resource allocation. The course focuses on practical application in nonprofit budgeting and program performance evaluation. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS210 — Ethics in Organizational Leadership: This course explores ethical frameworks and the role of integrity in leadership, focusing on servant leadership models and accountability. Students apply ethical principles to real-world management dilemmas. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• REC205 — Sports and Wellness Administration: An exploration of the logistics involved in managing sports leagues, wellness classes, and recreational facilities. Students study facility safety, risk management, and scheduling. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• Semester 3 — Year 2
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• COM220
• Public Relations for Nonprofits
• 3
• ENG101
• REC215
• Community Health and Wellness Planning
• 4
• REC205
• MGT225
• Operations and Logistics Management
• 3
• BUS105
• SOC230
• Service Learning in Urban Contexts
• 3
• None
• COM220 — Public Relations for Nonprofits: This course focuses on communication strategies, stakeholder management, and promotional techniques that foster community engagement. Students develop outreach campaigns that align with organizational values. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• REC215 — Community Health and Wellness Planning: Students study the design and implementation of wellness programs tailored to diverse demographic groups. The course emphasizes accessible, holistic, and community-centered interventions. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT225 — Operations and Logistics Management: A comprehensive study of operational efficiency, supply chain basics for small organizations, and logistical coordination for events. Students focus on optimizing resource utilization. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• SOC230 — Service Learning in Urban Contexts: This course explores the sociological dimensions of service and community development within urban environments. Students apply theory to practical service projects within a designated community. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• Semester 4 — Year 2
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• CAP299
• Capstone Project in Recreation Management
• 3
• All Core Courses
• BUS240
• Nonprofit Fundraising and Sustainability
• 3
• BUS105
• REC250
• Advanced Event Planning and Safety
• 3
• REC205
• MIN260
• Servant Leadership in Practice
• 3
• BUS210
• CAP299 — Capstone Project in Recreation Management: The culminating project where students integrate their learned management and recreation skills to design a complete program initiative. Students present a formal proposal demonstrating professional competence and faith-informed ethical decision-making. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS240 — Nonprofit Fundraising and Sustainability: Students investigate strategies for sustainable nonprofit funding, grant identification, and donor relationship management. The course emphasizes financial transparency and stewardship. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• REC250 — Advanced Event Planning and Safety: An in-depth study of large-scale event logistics, risk mitigation, and liability management in community settings. Students create detailed security and safety protocols. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MIN260 — Servant Leadership in Practice: Students analyze the characteristics of servant leadership and apply them to real-world management scenarios. The course bridges leadership theory with practical organizational culture development. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Applicants must provide official documentation of a high school diploma or state-recognized equivalent (GED). Prospective students are evaluated based on their academic record, with a recommended minimum high school cumulative GPA of 2.0. Admissions committees prioritize candidates who demonstrate a commitment to service, ethical leadership, and the mission of HBI University, as evidenced through personal statements and professional or volunteer references. Culminating Project The Capstone Project serves as the final academic demonstration of the student’s integration of professional management theory, practical recreational application, and the institution’s core values of stewardship and servant leadership. Students are required to design a comprehensive management plan for a hypothetical or real-world community wellness initiative, ensuring that all logistical, financial, and programmatic elements are robustly addressed. This three-credit-hour endeavor requires the student to document the lifecycle of a project, from initial conceptualization and resource allocation to execution strategies and ethical performance monitoring. The project requires students to articulate how their design reflects a commitment to biblical stewardship by maximizing community benefit while practicing fiscal and operational integrity. Through the final deliverable, students demonstrate their ability to apply advanced organizational concepts in a manner that reflects both academic rigor and a mature, faith-informed perspective, highlighting their readiness to serve as agents of transformation within their chosen professional environments.

• Graduation from the Associate of Arts in Faith-Based Recreation Management requires the successful completion of 60 credit hours with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. In addition to academic coursework, students must complete the Capstone Project and demonstrate consistent participation in university-sponsored spiritual formation activities, including chapel attendance and community service requirements that reflect a commitment to integrated faith-based service. The program emphasizes that academic achievement is inseparable from the development of spiritual maturity and ethical integrity; therefore, students are assessed on their readiness to apply their knowledge in a professional capacity. Graduates are expected to demonstrate the character and leadership capacity necessary to uphold the mission-driven standards of faith-based and nonprofit organizations, ensuring that they transition from their studies into roles that reflect both competence and dedication to serving others.
• Career Opportunities
• Community Center Program Director
• Sports League Administrator
• Youth Wellness Coordinator
• Nonprofit Recreation Manager
• Facility Operations Specialist
• Church-based Athletic Coordinator
• 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 | A.A. in Faith-Based Recreation Management
• Total program length | 60 semester credit hours
• Normal completion time | Two academic years
• General education | 18 credit hours
• Faith-Based Recreation Management core | 30 credit hours
• Professional application courses | 9 credit hours
• Capstone requirement | 3 credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• ENG101 | Academic Writing and Communication | 4 | None
• BUS105 | Introduction to Business Management | 3 | None
• BUS110 | Principles of Organizational Resource Management | 4 | None
• REC101 | Foundations of Recreational Programming | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PSY120 | Social Psychology of Community | 3 | None
• MAT201 | Data Analysis for Management | 4 | ENG101
• BUS210 | Ethics in Organizational Leadership | 3 | BUS105
• REC205 | Sports and Wellness Administration | 4 | REC101
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• COM220 | Public Relations for Nonprofits | 3 | ENG101
• REC215 | Community Health and Wellness Planning | 4 | REC205
• MGT225 | Operations and Logistics Management | 3 | BUS105
• SOC230 | Service Learning in Urban Contexts | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP299 | Capstone Project in Recreation Management | 3 | All Core Courses
• BUS240 | Nonprofit Fundraising and Sustainability | 3 | BUS105
• REC250 | Advanced Event Planning and Safety | 3 | REC205
• MIN260 | Servant Leadership in Practice | 3 | BUS210