Sport Management (Sports Management), M.S.

Master of Science: Sport Management

The Master of Science in Sport Management degree program is to prepare professionals for advacned careers in the expanding sport industry by enhancing their critical thinking skills and exposing them to expert knowledge and research in the field of sport. The curriculum has been designed and developed to enable students to aquire and demonstrate a set of management skills and an understanding of the sport industry through a combination of required core courses, electives, research and experiential components.

This master’s degree program is available fully online via Internet, in the classroom or a combination of online and traditional courses.

Career Opportunities

The degree program is designed to prepare students for a career in the sport business industry, including facility/arena management, club management, corporate sport operations, professional team management, and state and national governing agency administration.

Laboratories, Field Experiences, Internships, Practica

HPR 691 - Research  and HPR 694 - Field Problems  provide the student with an opportunity to perform applied research and problem solving under academic supervision in an area of career interest within the sport industry.

HPR 696 - Practicum  offers the student the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in the actual work environment under the tutelage of an athletic administrator or sport industry professional. Each semester hour of academic credit requires a minimum of 50 clock hours of on-the-job training and is performed under the framework of a contract mutually agreed upon by the student, faculty supervisor, and agency personnel.

HPR 700 - Sport Management Internship  is full-time on the job training for students working with a sport industry organization. The nine semester hours course involves a full semester commitment by the student being mentored by a sports business professional.

Special Program Requirements

A previous record of academic study in one of the areas of business administration is valuable and highly recommended in sport management.

Comprehenisve Exam

A comprehensive exam is required for all master’s students and must be passed before proceeding to graduation. A 3.0 GPA is required for graduation.

Master of Science in Sport Management and Master of Business Administration

The Dual Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Science Sport Management dual degree program is a collaboration between the College of Business and the College of Health. The MBA/Sport Management curriculum will be taught between the School of Human Performance and Recreation and the College of Business. This dual degree will afford gifted students a unique combination of sport industry experience and business knowledge, skills, and abilities relative to assuming an executive sport business position. A culminating internship experience with executives in professional and amateur sport organizations will give the student on-the-job training, networking opportunities and access to a career within the sport industry.

Students must meet requirements and prerequisites in BOTH programs in order to qualify for admission into this dual 60-semester-hour program. Upon completion of the program, the student will receive two graduate degrees: MBA and M.S. Sport Management. The GMAT is required for admission into this program.

Career Opportunities

Employment for the dual Master in Sport Management and Master of Business Administration graduate will be found in areas such as intercollegiate sports, professional sports, amateur sports, Olympics, event management, facilities management, sport fund raising, sport marketing, sports public relations, and corporate sports.