Fitness and Sports Coaching

So I am currently a freshman at Syracuse University. I am studying Health and Exercise Science and I want to become a fitness coach at a facility such as CATZ or Elite S/C...something along those lines.

So firstly, am I looking at landing one of these jobs with a bachelor's degree, or would a master's degree be required? I think that a master's degree is more on the clinical/research sides of things rather than on the field training.

Also, I have a small public school that can offer a Sports and Wellness degree, which they claim to be a path that can bring me to becoming a fitness coach. The school is obviously cheaper than Syracuse, but not as prestigious and maybe not the same education level. However, I would be saving A LOT of money, I would get the chance to compete in NCAA sports again, because D1 just isn't for me haha...and I would be with my friends and be more comfortable. Should I consider transferring? Do employers really care where I got my degree from?

Thank you guys for the help!
 
Yes and No. Many places do care where it is from, but can over look that if you have a great background. I went to a smaller university but it is actually one of the academically challenging in the state in the Kines. Department. A&P is required unlike most other places. Big or small, companies know the top academic uni's.
A good thing to do is to start studing for a certification of some sort. Resume would look really good with a 4 year degree and a cert or two. I would also look at maybe trying to get a part time job at a local gym or at the university gym to show experience in that field.
 
I think you'd have a better chance of breaking into the fitness/sports coaching if you stayed at a bigger uni and worked towards becoming part of the training staff for one of the varsity or travel club teams. If Syracuse has an athletic training program, that's typically your best bet at getting direct experience, and helping you get your foot in the door. You should also look into a professional training certification. NSCA CSCS is a highly respected cert among the strength and conditioning field, but there are others that are also held in high regard.
 
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