Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Sports Management \u2013 Four Year Duration\nBachelor\u2019s programs in sports management prepare students for a variety of roles in the business of sport. Some schools offer specialization options, such as sports marketing, sports administration, athlete management and representation, and player development. \n
Here is a snapshot of the core curriculum of a typical sports management bachelor\u2019s program:
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\n- Contemporary Sports Management \u2013 a look at the range of career opportunities that exist in professional sport, collegiate athletics, sport events, community sport, non-profit management, facility operations, public and community relations, and sports marketing, sales, and promotion
\n- Facility and Venue Management \u2013 how to plan and manage successful facilities and venues that shape the experience of fans and participants; topic covered include operations, policy, financing, crowd control, risk management, customer service, and budgeting
\n- Research Methods in Sports \u2013 the importance of research and critical thinking in sports management functions; students apply research methods in sports management settings, through the development of research techniques, information gathering, proposal writing, and analysis of results for decision making
\n- Sports Law \u2013 examination of pertinent legal issues in sport, including contracts, personal and product liability, risk management, discrimination, and human resources; a review of policy development and governing bodies such as the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) and the US Olympic Committee
\n- Sports Marketing \u2013 overview of how to effectively market facilities, programs, and events; subjects include strategic sports marketing, consumer behavior, market segmentation and selection, the marketing mix (product, price, place, promotion), and the implementation and control of sports marketing activities
\n- Sports Sales and Promotion \u2013 best practices for ticket sales, sponsorships, sales training, sales management, promotion, branding, advertising, public and community relations, and the use of technology and social media to create deeper consumer relationships
\n- Internship in Sports Management \u2013 real world experience and application of knowledge, skills, and abilities in a professional interest area
\n- Sports Finance \u2013 exploration of the financial and economic issues within sports management; analysis of financial and economic policies, concepts, and theories and their application in professional, intercollegiate, community, and commercial sport industries
\n- Event Management \u2013 application of the principles of organizational leadership and management as they relate to event planning in sports management; students administer and manage a professional event using skills developed in the curriculum
\n- Sports Leadership and Ethics \u2013 students produce a project on a contemporary issue in the sports management industry, demonstrating ethical leadership principles and critical thinking and decision-making skills
\n- Public Speaking \u2013 the structure and effective delivery of ideas, use of language, supporting evidence, reasoning and emotional appeals, diction, pronunciation, and nonverbal communication
\n- Principles of Accounting \u2013 overview of the fundamental concepts of financial and managerial accounting; how to prepare, read, and use corporate financial reports for making decisions concerning investing and lending, budgeting, and cost control
\n- Business Communications \u2013 oral and written communication principles; methods for organizing ideas, formatting information, understanding audience needs, and developing a professional communication style; practice in writing business reports, letters, e-mail messages, and memoranda; individual and group oral presentations
\n- Sports Information \u2013 focus on the writing and organizational skills essential for journalistic / media and public relations functions related to collegiate, professional, and Olympic sports coverage
\n- Principles of Management and Organizational Behavior \u2013 the central role of management in the effective productions of goods and services; topics include strategic and operational planning, job design, organizational structure, human behavior, leadership and ethics, motivation and rewards, communication, and teams and teamwork
\n
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Master\u2019s Degree / Master of Business Administration in Sports Management \u2013 Two Year Duration
\nMaster\u2019s programs in sports management typically provide extensive industry networking, internship, and \u2013 in some cases \u2013 employment opportunities across a wide variety of sports. The graduate level curriculum develops skills in areas including digital sports media, sports analytics, business intelligence, sports entrepreneurship and innovation, global sports management, sports marketing, athlete activism and social justice, finance, sponsorship sales and activation, negotiations, facility and event management, sports law and ethics, and intercollegiate athletics.
\n
Many schools offer specializations and both a thesis and non-thesis track. Graduates are prepared for leadership roles in the sport industry. Some schools also run joint programs leading to a sports management and law degree.
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Sample Core Courses
\n- Foundations of Sports Management
\n- Leadership in Sports
\n- Sports Accounting and Finance
\n- Sports Law and Ethics
\n
Sample Sports Marketing Courses
\n- Sports Marketing
\n- Sports Media
\n- Sports Sponsorship and Sales
\n- Sports Business Communications and Public Relations
\n- Digital Sports Media and Marketing
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Sample Sports Analytics Courses
\n- Fundamentals of Sports Analytics
\n- Sports Revenue Strategies and Analytics
\n- Business Intelligence in Sports
\n- Applied Business Intelligence in Sports
\n- Baseball Analytics
\n- Soccer Analytics
\n- Basketball Analytics
\n
Sample Sports Projects Courses
\n- Internship in Sports Management
\n- Sports Management Independent Study
\n- Supervised Research Projects
\n
Sample Global Focus Courses
\n- International Sports Management
\n- International Comparative Sports
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Sample Sports Elective Courses
\n- Football Business Management: The Inner Workings of the NFL
\n- Negotiation and Dispute Resolution in Sports
\n- The Business of Professional Sports Leagues and Franchises
\n- Athlete Activism and Social Justice in Sports
\n- Sports General Management
\n- Sports Facilities and Events Management
\n- Intercollegiate Athletics Administration
\n- Emerging and Niche Sports Leagues
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Doctoral Degree in Sports Management \u2013 Four to Five Year Duration
\nThe objective of doctoral degree programs in sports management is to ground students in critical knowledge, research tools, and teaching experience. Doctoral candidates must pass both a qualifying and comprehensive examination as well as research, write, and defend a dissertation. Graduates most often go on to careers as sports management professors or senior executives.
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Possible areas of focus include:
\n- Sports Marketing
\n- Sport Consumer Behavior
\n- Sport Organizational Theory and Behavior
\n- Sports Finance
\n- Sports Economics
\n- Sport Leadership
\n- Sociology of Sport
\n- Legal and Policy Issues in Sport
\n- Sports Media and Culture
", "display_order": 2, "created_at": "2019-10-01T11:36:11.074992-07:00", "updated_at": "2022-06-15T17:04:30.113117-07:00"}, {"degree_id": 1017, "page": 1, "title": "Degrees Similar to Sports Management", "summary_markdown": "**[Broadcast Journalism](/degrees/broadcast-journalism-degree/)** \r\nStudents of broadcast journalism learn how to report, produce, and deliver the news for television, radio, and other broadcast media. Their studies typically include communication theory, electronic media production, mass communications law, and media and society. \r\n\r\n**[Business Administration](/degrees/business-administration-degree/)** \r\nBusiness administration is about overseeing a business\u2019s finances, staffing, and contract negotiations. Degree programs in the field, therefore, teach students how to plan, organize, and direct all the activities of an organization. \r\n\r\n**[Event Planning](/degrees/event-planning-degree/)** \r\nEvent planners plan and execute events of all kinds and all sizes. Event planning certificate and degree programs cover the diverse logistical components of the profession. Students learn about contract negotiation, site selection, transportation and activities logistics, food and beverage planning, venue and d\u00e9cor selection, guest speaker and entertainment bookings, event registration, event marketing, meetings and events budget management, and on-site operations. \r\n\r\n**[Exercise Physiology](/degrees/exercise-physiology-degree/)** \r\nExercise physiology is a specialization within the field of kinesiology. It is focused on the human body\u2019s response and adaptation to physical activity. \r\n\r\n**[Hospitality Management](/degrees/hospitality-management-degree/)** \r\nDegree programs in hospitality management teach students how to operate hotels, restaurants, and other businesses that serve business travelers and vacationers. Coursework may vary from one curriculum to another, depending on whether the program offers general hospitality management training or is focused on a specialty area, such as travel agency operations, restaurant management, or hotel management.", "content_markdown": "**[Kinesiology](/degrees/kinesiology-degree/)** \r\nA kinesiology major studies the mechanics of body movements. A degree in the field can prepare students for a wide spectrum of careers in health, wellness, fitness, and education. It provides solid footing for prospective personal trainers, athletic therapists, and exercise scientists. It also lays the foundation for advanced study in kinesiology and in the complementary fields of medicine, physiotherapy, and chiropractics. \r\n\r\n**[Marketing](/degrees/marketing-degree/)** \r\nThis degree field is focused on activities undertaken by businesses to promote the buying or selling of products and services. Students study advertising and promotion, marketing communications, international marketing, marketing management, sales and sales management, consumer behavior, marketing research, and marketing strategy. \r\n\r\n**[Personal Training](/degrees/personal-training-degree/)** \r\nThese programs prepare students to work as personal trainers. The curriculum focuses on nutrition, human anatomy, and exercise physiology. \r\n\r\n**[Physical Therapy](/degrees/physical-therapy-degree/)** \r\nPhysical therapy majors learn how to treat patients for whom movement has become strained or limited due to injury, illness, or aging. \r\n\r\n**[Recreation and Leisure Studies](/degrees/recreation-and-leisure-studies-degree/)** \r\nThe recreation and leisure studies curriculum combines classroom instruction with real-life experiences through community engagement. Students learn how to assess recreation and leisure needs within communities, develop and administer programs and events that respond to those needs, and evaluate the success of their responses. \r\n\r\nCourses explore topics like the history and philosophy of recreation and leisure, the sociology of well-being, and recreation for special populations such as children, the elderly, and the physically or mentally challenged. \r\n\r\n**[Sports Communications](/degrees/sports-communications-degree/)** \r\nThis degree field encompasses sports journalism, broadcasting, marketing, advertising, public relations, and new media.", "content_html": "
Kinesiology
\nA kinesiology major studies the mechanics of body movements. A degree in the field can prepare students for a wide spectrum of careers in health, wellness, fitness, and education. It provides solid footing for prospective personal trainers, athletic therapists, and exercise scientists. It also lays the foundation for advanced study in kinesiology and in the complementary fields of medicine, physiotherapy, and chiropractics.
\n
Marketing
\nThis degree field is focused on activities undertaken by businesses to promote the buying or selling of products and services. Students study advertising and promotion, marketing communications, international marketing, marketing management, sales and sales management, consumer behavior, marketing research, and marketing strategy.
\n
Personal Training
\nThese programs prepare students to work as personal trainers. The curriculum focuses on nutrition, human anatomy, and exercise physiology.
\n
Physical Therapy
\nPhysical therapy majors learn how to treat patients for whom movement has become strained or limited due to injury, illness, or aging.
\n
Recreation and Leisure Studies
\nThe recreation and leisure studies curriculum combines classroom instruction with real-life experiences through community engagement. Students learn how to assess recreation and leisure needs within communities, develop and administer programs and events that respond to those needs, and evaluate the success of their responses.
\n
Courses explore topics like the history and philosophy of recreation and leisure, the sociology of well-being, and recreation for special populations such as children, the elderly, and the physically or mentally challenged.
\n
Sports Communications
\nThis degree field encompasses sports journalism, broadcasting, marketing, advertising, public relations, and new media.
", "display_order": 3, "created_at": "2019-10-01T11:36:11.076045-07:00", "updated_at": "2022-01-13T14:41:21.114304-08:00"}, {"degree_id": 1017, "page": 1, "title": "Skills You’ll Learn", "summary_markdown": "- Communication and presentation \r\n- Creativity \r\n- Data analysis and interpretation \r\n- Decision making \r\n- Ethics \r\n - Finance \r\n- Flexibility \r\n- Interpersonal skills \r\n- Leadership \r\n- Marketing \r\n- Media relations \r\n- Organization \r\n- Time management \r\n- Writing", "content_markdown": "", "content_html": "", "display_order": 4, "created_at": "2019-10-01T11:36:11.077100-07:00", "updated_at": "2022-01-13T14:35:58.937130-08:00"}, {"degree_id": 1017, "page": 1, "title": "What Can You Do with a Sports Management Degree?", "summary_markdown": "A sports management education leads students to a variety of careers in these sectors: \r\n- Professional sports / major league sports and entertainment franchises \r\n- Collegiate athletics / elite amateur athletics \r\n- Event and facility operations \r\n- Corporate sport management and marketing firms \r\n- Community recreation and leisure agencies \r\n- Non-profit organizations \r\n- Health and fitness clubs \r\n- High school athletics \r\n- Golf and tennis clubs \r\n- Campus intramural sports and recreation \r\n- State and national sports associations \r\n- Athletic gear", "content_markdown": "Specific roles and titles include: \r\n- Assistant General Manager / General Manager / Vice President / President \r\n- Chief Executive Officer (CEO) \r\n- Chief Financial Officer (CFO) \r\n- Director of Player Personnel \r\n- Event Sales Associate \r\n- [Facilities Manager](//www.chevelle-parts.com/careers/operations-manager/) \r\n- Manager, Community / Player Relations \r\n- Manager, Major Games and Event Operations \r\n- Manager, Strategic Partnerships and Commercial Rights \r\n- Player Agent / Sports Agent \r\n- Senior [Client Manager](//www.chevelle-parts.com/careers/account-manager/) \r\n- Sports [Event Planner](//www.chevelle-parts.com/careers/event-planner/) \r\n- Sports Marketing Specialist \r\n- [Sports Scout](//www.chevelle-parts.com/careers/sports-scout/) \r\n- Stadium Operations Assistant", "content_html": "
Specific roles and titles include:
\n- Assistant General Manager / General Manager / Vice President / President
\n- Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
\n- Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
\n- Director of Player Personnel
\n- Event Sales Associate
\n- Facilities Manager
\n- Manager, Community / Player Relations
\n- Manager, Major Games and Event Operations
\n- Manager, Strategic Partnerships and Commercial Rights
\n- Player Agent / Sports Agent
\n- Senior Client Manager
\n- Sports Event Planner
\n- Sports Marketing Specialist
\n- Sports Scout
\n- Stadium Operations Assistant
", "display_order": 5, "created_at": "2019-10-01T11:36:11.078141-07:00", "updated_at": "2022-01-13T14:42:05.607184-08:00"}], "degree_specializations": []}">
