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Certified Hockey Professional

Please note that the Certified Hockey Professional program is currently not accepting new applicants.

The Business of Hockey Institute (BHI) was launched in early 2015 with the goal of improving the economic viability of professional and amateur hockey through education, research, consulting, and advocacy. As part of its educational mandate, BHI created the Certified Hockey Professional (CHP) designation to identify individuals with the expertise and experience to excel on the business side of the hockey.

Objectives of the maintenance

  • Identify and recognize the executives and managers whose efforts make it possible for others to play and watch the most exciting sport on the planet.
  • Encourage talented executives and managers to pursue a career in the hockey business.
  • Create a pool of draft-ready managerial talent to staff hockey-related organizations.
  • Improve the economic viability of professional and amateur hockey.

Earning your CHP

The CHP is awarded to BHI members in good standing who have:

  • completed a university-level business degree (or the equivalent)
  • completed the CHP Professional Education Program (PrEP)
  • have a minimum of 3 years of full-time management experience, with at least 2 of those years in hockey-related organizations (e.g., franchises, leagues, agencies).

Those who hold the CHP must demonstrate on an annual basis that they are maintaining their professional currency through continuing education and attendance at industry events.

If you are interested in earning both the CHP and a Master of Business Administration, you should consider the online MBA in Hockey Management.

Program information

The CHP Professional Education Program (PrEP) consists of 6 senior-level MBA courses focused on business-related aspects of hockey:

  • The Business of Hockey
  • Marketing Hockey Strategically
  • Integrated Marketing Communications for Hockey
  • Game Day Management and Marketing
  • Hockey Operations
  • Applied Hockey Franchise Management

These online courses were developed with input from executives representing both professional and amateur hockey (e.g., NHL, AHL, WHL, Hockey Canada) and all functional areas of the hockey business (e.g., marketing, finance, operations).

All applications for the CHP PrEP are assessed by BHI.

Structure and curriculum

The CHP PrEP integrates theory and practice by focusing on real business problems. The curriculum concentrates on the management areas critical to organizational performance and requires you to connect the program to your experience in your own organization or an organization with which you are familiar.

The courses are paced, with scheduled start and end dates and assignment deadlines within each course. Courses are also asynchronous, so you never have to be online at a particular time.

All courses are 8 weeks long and you should plan to spend 20–25 hours per week on your studies.

Before beginning the CHP courses, you must complete a 1-week orientation to ensure you are prepared for the online learning environment and set up for success.

To be accepted into the CHP education program, you must have an understanding of the core concepts in each of the functional areas of management, which may be demonstrated through one, or a combination, of the following:

  • an undergraduate degree in business or management from an accredited institution
  • successful completion of business courses in each of the functional areas of management from an accredited institution
  • 10 years of management experience in business

Your application package must include:

  1. A detailed resumé.
  2. University transcripts and/or proof of professional designation, if applicable.
  3. Three references attesting to your management experience and readiness for graduate studies.
  4. A brief essay outlining your expectations from the program.
  5. A completed online application form.
  6. The $207 AU application fee (non-refundable).

Tuition fees include e-Textbooks and our learning environment software, but do not include Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint are required), Internet charges, GST, and some travel and accommodation costs associated with the in-residence elective.

View graduate tuition and fees

Single courses

If you are interested in the CHP, but not ready to enrol in the full program, you can take an individual course. Students registering in single courses will be considered visiting students.

You can take up to 3 CHP courses as a visiting student. Admission priority will be assessed as follows:

  1. Those with experience working in a hockey-related industry.
  2. Individuals with strong hockey backgrounds.
  3. Those who can demonstrate that the course will assist them in pursuing a career in hockey.

To register in a single CHP course, you must submit:

  1. A completed application form, including the $207 application fee (non-refundable).
  2. A resumé and/or transcripts demonstrating sufficient business knowledge for participation in the course(s) being applied for.
  3. A brief essay or cover letter which clearly states why you wish to complete one or more of the CHP courses.

Once your application package has been received, you may be contacted by BHI for a phone interview as part of the admission decision.

Your resumé must clearly show management experience and experience in hockey and hockey-related organizations.

To assess your managerial experience and your potential for graduate level studies, a brief (500 word) essay/cover letter is also required. Please respond to the following 3 questions:

  • Why do you want to take Certified Hockey Professional (CHP) courses?
  • How will the CHP courses enhance your career?
  • What do you expect these courses to offer you in terms of personal development, career development, and learning?

Before starting any CHP courses, you must take a 1-week orientation to ensure you are prepared for the online learning environment and set-up for success.

  • CHP Orientation

There are 5 single courses that are available to take within the CHP program:

  • The Business of Hockey
  • Marketing Hockey Strategically
  • Integrated Marketing Communications for Hockey
  • Game Day Management & Marketing
  • Hockey Operations

Tuition fees include e-Textbooks and our learning environment software, but do not include Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint are required), Internet charges, or Graduate Student Association fees.

Application and admission
$207 AU application fee (non-refundable)

CHP course fee
$3,167 per course, due upon registration

Transfer credit

If you want to enrol in the online MBA in Hockey Management or CHP after completing courses as a visiting student, your course credit will transfer. You must meet the program entry criteria and apply for admission within a reasonable time frame.

Honorary CHPs

Each year, BHI awards an honorary CHP to an individual who epitomizes the qualities, capabilities, and accomplishments desired by existing and future CHPs. These individuals have made impressive off-ice contributions to their organizations that have earned them the respect of their peers in other hockey-related organizations.

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