Studies & Degrees in Martial Arts
Martial arts are codified systems of combat and self-defence. Judo, karate, taekwondo, aikido and kung fu come from East Asia, but most regions have their own traditions: capoeira in Brazil, sambo in Russia, krav maga in Israel. Today they are practised as sport, as self-defence, as physical training and as a discipline with its own history and ethics.
Studying martial arts can mean two different things. Most people train in a club or dojo and progress through the belt grades awarded by the federation of their discipline. A smaller number take formal education to work as an instructor or coach, or study the history, philosophy and cultures behind the disciplines within a sports science or cultural studies programme.
Qualifications and levels
Belt grades (kyu and dan) are awarded by clubs and federations. They measure technical level; they are not academic qualifications. Formal qualifications for teaching and coaching depend on the country.
In Spain, official coaching qualifications belong to the sports education system (enseñanzas deportivas). According to the Ministry of Education, these studies prepare students for professional activity in a specific sport and are organised in two levels, grado medio and grado superior. For judo and self-defence the official qualifications are:
- Técnico Deportivo en Judo y Defensa Personal (grado medio). It has two cycles: an initial cycle of 670 hours and a final cycle of 870 hours. Entry to the initial cycle requires the compulsory secondary education certificate (ESO) or an equivalent, plus a first dan black belt in judo. Entry to the final cycle requires the initial cycle and a second dan black belt.
- Técnico Deportivo Superior en Judo y Defensa Personal (grado superior). It lasts 775 hours. Entry requires the Bachiller certificate or an equivalent, the Técnico Deportivo qualification and a third dan black belt in judo.
The initial cycle prepares students to teach beginners; the final cycle covers basic training and technical improvement; the higher qualification covers planning and directing training for performance and competition. For other disciplines, such as karate or taekwondo, ask the national federation which coaching qualifications exist and what recognition they have.
At university level, martial arts usually appear as a subject or specialisation inside a sports science degree, not as a degree of their own. Degrees named after martial arts are rare.
Where to study it
SpainExchange lists two active schools under this subject: the University of Bridgeport, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in the United States, and Horizons University, in Paris, France. Programme offers change, so check each school's current list of programmes and ask whether a martial arts course is running before you apply.
Students who want to train in the country where a discipline began often combine a language course or a university exchange with practice at a local club. In that case, ask the club which federation it belongs to and whether the grades it awards are recognised in your home country.
Careers
The Spanish ministry lists these occupations for holders of the judo qualification: judo and self-defence teacher, judo and self-defence coach, technical director of a judo sports school, and technical director in self-defence training centres. Other graduates work in gyms, schools, security training or sports management.
In the United States, martial arts instructors fall within broader occupational groups. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of coaches and scouts to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, and employment of fitness trainers and instructors to grow 7 percent in the same period. It notes that part-time work is common for coaches and that most fitness instructors hold a certification for their type of training.
Frequently asked questions
Can you get a university degree in martial arts?
Degrees named after martial arts are rare. More often the subject is part of a sports science degree or is taught through official coaching qualifications, such as Spain's Técnico Deportivo en Judo y Defensa Personal.
Is a black belt a professional qualification?
No. A black belt is a technical grade awarded by a club or federation. In Spain it is an entry requirement for the official judo coaching qualifications: first dan for the initial cycle, second dan for the final cycle and third dan for the higher qualification.
How long does it take to qualify as a judo coach in Spain?
The grado medio has an initial cycle of 670 hours and a final cycle of 870 hours. The grado superior adds 775 hours.