COURSE CURRICULUM

The three-year Bachelor of Arts Community Studies (BACS) in Sport and Physical Activity Leadership at Cape Breton University is designed to develop leadership, coaching, and management skills in sport, recreation, and physical activity within a community-focused framework. In the first year, students take introductory SPAL courses along with core community studies and general arts electives, focusing on foundational concepts such as physical literacy, principles of sport and recreation, and the role of physical activity in health and society. In the second year, students move into core areas including sport and recreation programming, sport psychology, leadership in physical activity settings, coaching fundamentals, health and wellness, and outdoor leadership, building both theoretical understanding and practical skills. In the third year, the curriculum becomes more advanced and applied, with courses in sport management, athletic injury prevention and care, program planning and evaluation, sport sociology, and experiential learning opportunities such as internships or community-based placements. Across all three years, students develop strong abilities in leadership, teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking. The BACS structure also allows interdisciplinary electives, preparing graduates for careers in sport management, coaching, recreation services, fitness leadership, outdoor education, and community sport development.