M.S. in Sport Management
Helpful Links
- Department of Recreation and Sport Management
- Graduate Programs
- Graduate Assistantships
- Graduate Studies
- Financial Aid
- Graduate Catalogs
- Theses and Dissertations
- Apply Now
- REQUEST INFORMATION
About the graduate program
The Master of Science (M.S.) in Sport Management provides you with the business management and leadership skills needed to launch a successful career in the sports industry. The degree program offers a strong theoretical foundation combined with real-world experiences throughout the curriculum. Program coursework focuses on creating a broad-based foundation for planning, organizing, directing, leading and evaluating sport organizations, agencies and facilities. Sport as a business continues to expand at a rapid pace. This expansion has led to an increased need for managers who understand the complexities of the sport environment. Organizations continue to seek employees who understand the complex world of sport and its connections to business, education, media, and philanthropic entities.
Led by faculty with industry experience each of whom bring their expertise to each course, our curriculum offers a practical and applied learning model. You will leave the program with a comprehensive understanding of the sports industry with a focus on intercollegiate athletics and areas such as leadership, governance, law, finance, consumer behavior, research, communication, strategic planning and management.
Graduates will be able to pursue careers in:
- Collegiate athletics
- Professional teams and leagues
- Marketing and representation
- Minor and major league professional sports
- Parks and recreation
Purpose and objectives of the program
The purpose of the M.S. in Sport Management is to prepare future leaders of the sport industry through critical examination of both academic and practical applications of management principles in various segments of the sport industry. The program faculty seeks to challenge, engage, and cultivate students in becoming skilled and knowledgeable sport managers. The program has five core objectives. These are to (1) prepare students to work in a variety of sport settings, (2) produce graduates who utilize critical thinking skills to solve problems and issues in sport management settings, (3) produce graduates who demonstrate an understanding of the issues and principles of law as they apply to sport settings, (4) prepare students to assess the effectiveness of strategies used by sport organizations when developing managerial strategies related to overall organizational success, and (5) develop students’ understanding of basic management strategies used to maintain or improve facility and venue operations. There are 10 courses in the curriculum totaling 30 credit hours. It is designed to emphasize real-world application and industry best practices.