Professional Tennis Management, Graduate Certificate

Offered through: College of Graduate Studies

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) is the National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport of tennis within the United States, and was appointed as such by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). The USTA trains players, organizes and stages competitions, and promotes the growth of the sport of tennis within the United States.

The USTA has set an objective to increase the quantity and quality of tennis coaching professionals throughout the United States. The USTA formalized a partnership with Bridgewater State University in 2017, with the goal of working together to oversee the education of career-driven and well-rounded tennis coaching professionals.

The USTA-endorsed, Professional Tennis Management (PTM) Graduate Certificate is a 12-month, 16-credit, cohort-based, low-residency program designed to support the training and preparation of tennis professionals for careers within the tennis industry. All certificate program courses are offered online, with the exception of a required 10-day, on-campus residency during the summer. A 3-credit (minimum) internship experience in the tennis industry is a requirement* of this program.

*With permission of the graduate coordinator, a student demonstrating evidence of current or prior experience as a tennis professional may opt to complete an approved elective course in lieu of the internship experience.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the below criteria in order to be admitted into the Graduate Certificate Program by the College of Graduate Studies and the College of Education and Health Sciences:

Completed Graduate Certificate application (apply online http://www.bridgew.edu/admissions/graduate/apply)
A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
Official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate work
A 2.8 overall GPA based on four years’ work for the undergraduate degree
Current resumé, including evidence of tennis experience, coaching background, participation, recognitions and awards, and/or other related experience
Two letters of recommendation; one must be from a current or former tennis trainer, tennis coach, or other tennis professional, and must address the applicant’s playing ability (current or in the past), and potential for future success as a tennis professional
Evidence of current or past certification through PTR or USPTA (recommended)

Admission decisions to the Graduate Certificate Program are made on a rolling basis.

Program of Study

Successful completion of the following courses, including participation in a mandatory 10-day, on-campus summer residency, is required to earn the Professional Tennis Management Graduate Certificate.

Required courses (16 credits)

PHED 538 - Introduction to Professional Tennis Management
PHED 548 - Teaching Beginning Tennis: Tactics and Skill Fundamentals
PHED 558 - Teaching Advanced Tennis: Tactics and Skill Fundamentals
PHED 568 - Foundations of Effective Sport Coaching
PHED 578 - Organization and Administration for Professional Tennis Managers
PHED 595 - Internship in Physical Education *
*With permission of the graduate coordinator, a student demonstrating evidence of current or prior experience as a tennis professional may opt to complete an approved elective course in lieu of the internship experience (PHED 595).

Academic Catalog

Professional Tennis Management, Graduate Certificate

Admission Requirements

Program of Study

Required courses (16 credits)

Total minimum credits: 16