Online Sports Management Degree Programs

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WHAT IS A SPORTS MANAGEMENT DEGREE?

Sports management degree programs apply business concepts to the growing sports industry. For instance, you could study sports marketing, sports finance, and sports facility management.

Programs usually feature a core in sports management. You could also choose a focus or field of study, like coaching or sports tourism.

A program in this field could help you prep for roles like Coach or Scout. If you’re a sports fan and hope to bring your love of the game to a new career, this path could be for you.

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TYPES OF ONLINE SPORTS MANAGEMENT DEGREE PROGRAMS

Associate of Arts in Sports Management

You will be exposed to many subjects from sport sociology to sports admin to develop a knowledge of the sports industry.

Course Examples:

  • Sport Facility Management
  • Finance in Sports
  • Risk Management

Bachelor of Arts in Sports and Recreation Management

This program covers sports management theories and strategies. These could include professional sports and recreational sports. You’ll also study business, decision making, and industry practices.

Course Examples:

  • Sport Management
  • Finance in Sports
  • Principles of Marketing

Master of Science in Marketing – Sports Marketing and Media

This Master’s program explores marketing principles as they apply to the sports industry. You’ll study how to market athletic orgs and sports teams. Topics like public relations, sales, and business are taught.

Course Examples:

  • Sport Marketing and Public Relations
  • Finance Management of Sport

ONLINE SPORTS MANAGEMENT DEGREE PROGRAMS

Sports management degree programs are available at the undergrad and grad levels. Programs focus on how to apply business and management concepts to the sports industry.

BACHELOR’S DEGREE

Online Bachelor’s programs in this field deliver a broad look at how the sports business works. You could study skill areas from PR to finance management. And, you could explore many settings for this profession, from athletic clubs to major league teams.

Common programs include:

  • BS in Sport Management
  • BA in Sport Management
  • BS in Sport Administration
  • BA in Sports and Recreation Management

The programs often have business, sports management, and gen ed courses. You’ll study key business concepts like finance, accounting and marketing. You’ll also dive into certain sports topics, like the finance of sport. Some programs even feature course work in exercise science and training.

Bachelor’s programs include courses like:

  • Planning & Managing Sport Facilities
  • Marketing
  • Brand Management
  • Ethical Issues in Sport
  • Diet and Nutrition
  • Sports Psych

Many Bachelor’s programs also require an internship. This is a chance to apply your knowledge within a sports org.

MASTER’S DEGREE

In an online Master’s in Sports Management program, you will delve deeper into the field by learning strategies to market, leadership, and more. This program often features grad business courses. Plus, you’ll explore trends and issues in the sports field.

Common programs include:

  • MS in Sports Management
  • Master of Education in Sport and Athletic Management
  • Master of Science in Sports Marketing and Media
  • MBA in Sport Management

At the Master’s level, you could pursue a focus or field of study that pertains to your career goals. For instance, a Sports Tourism focus looks at the intersection of sports and travel. You could study how to plan and manage sports events that draw a global crowd.

Master’s programs include courses like:

  • Leadership in Sports
  • Sports Law
  • Coaching
  • Athletic Administration
  • Marketing
  • Athlete Development

Finally, most Master’s programs wrap up with a project. That might be a research paper or an independent study. Some programs require an internship.

WHAT DO SPORTS MANAGEMENT DEGREE COURSES LOOK LIKE?

Some common courses include:

Intro to Sports Management: Take a look at the basics of sports business and how to run it. In this course, you may study sports marketing, media, finance, and much more.

Finance: Learn how sports earn money and how to manage costs. In this course, you may study things from how to budget to the economic impact of sports.

Sport Sociology: Explore the many areas of society touched by sports. You could study issues like race, gender, and youth in sports.

Ethical Issues in Sports: This field can raise questions about what’s right and wrong in society. This course may explore these issues, along with many view points.

Sport Facility Design: Take a peek at what it takes to run a sports venue. This course may cover topics like security and time management.

Marketing: In this course, you could learn how to create a sports marketing plan. That may include learning marketing methods and how to apply them to sports.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE AN ONLINE SPORTS MANAGEMENT DEGREE PROGRAM?

Most online Bachelor’s programs in this field are at least 120 credits. Full time students could earn this degree in about four years.

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SPORTS MANAGEMENT DEGREE PROGRAM EXAMPLES

School# of Credits RequiredStart DatesMinimum Months to Complete
Liberty U38Multiple18
Northcentral U3052 (weekly)15
U of Western States53 (quarter credits)2 (April & October)15

THE AVERAGE COST OF AN ONLINE SPORTS MANAGEMENT DEGREE PROGRAM

Median in state public tuition for Sport & Fitness Management programs was $7,432 per year, per the most recent data. Out of state private tuition was $32,000 per year.

Some programs charge by the credit. Compare cost per credit for these schools that offer online sports management programs.

School# of Credits RequiredCost Per CreditTotal Tuition Cost
Lasell U36$600$21,600
U of Louisville123$497$61,131
Ashford U120$485$58,200

TOP SCHOOLS FOR ONLINE SPORTS MANAGEMENT DEGREE PROGRAMS

As of 2022, there were 600 schools offering Sport & Fitness Management programs. From those schools, 17,486 degrees were awarded to students. Most of these were Bachelor’s degrees.

School2022 Degrees awarded2023/24 Tuition (out of state unless *)
Pennsylvania Western University296$15,726
Concordia University Irvine333$40,180*
Texas A & M University College Station259$40,139
Liberty University216$22,511*
Southern New Hampshire University228$15,380*
University of Massachusetts Amherst181$38,171
Florida State University248$18,786
Ohio State University Main Campus150$36,722
SUNY Cortland141$18,725
Ohio University Main Campus141$23,720

Estimated for full time, beginning undergrad students

CHOOSING AN ACCREDITED ONLINE SPORTS MANAGEMENT DEGREE PROGRAM

Finding an accredited online sports management degree program can help you make sure your education meets industry standards.

Many agencies accredit programs in this field. A big one is the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA). COSMA accredits bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programs in sport management. They look at factors like:

  • Curriculum
  • Program faculty
  • Program links to business and the sports industry
  • How well programs prep you for your goals in the field

Agencies that accredit business programs may also accredit sports management programs. For example, the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) accredits business programs in different disciplines – including sports and recreation management.

WHAT CAN I DO WITH A SPORTS MANAGEMENT DEGREE?

As of 2022, there were 735,654 Sport & Fitness Management grads in the work force. One year growth for grads in this field was 6.52%. Plus, sports occupations are projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations from 2023 to 2033. That’s faster than average for all occupations.

Wondering if you fit into this field? More men (70%) held this degree than women. The average age of a degree holder was 35.6 years old.

TOP SALARIES BY STATE FOR SPORTS MANAGEMENT DEGREE HOLDERS

The below salary info is for Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes. The stats will differ for other career paths.

StateEmploymentAnnual Mean Wage
North Carolina230$126,090
New York2,260$121,060
California6,300$140,810
Washington130$120,770
Illinois160$115,530

SPORTS MANAGEMENT CAREER PATHS AND POTENTIAL SALARIES

SPORTS MANAGER

Agents and sports managers act as representatives for athletes in their business affairs. This includes pivotal tasks such as negotiating contracts on behalf of their clients within the realm of sports.

According to 2023 BLS data:

Median Salary: $84,900 per year

Job Growth Through 2033: 7% to 10% (As fast as average)

Typical Entry level Education: Bachelor’s degree

SPORTS MARKETER

Sports marketers analyze the market demand for products and services, specifically within the realm of sports, and formulate strategies aimed at promoting brands within this niche.

According to 2023 BLS data:

Median Salary: $156,580 per year

Job Growth Through 2033: 8% (Faster than average)

Typical Entry level Education: Bachelor’s degree

EVENT PLANNER

Event planners oversee and organize the intricacies of various events, which could encompass sports events among others. Their responsibilities range from managing pricing and procurement to conducting venue inspections, ensuring meticulous coordination and execution of all event details.

According to 2023 BLS data:

Median Salary: $56,920 per year

Job Growth Through 2033: 7% (Faster than average)

Typical Entry level Education: Bachelor’s degree

© Education Connection 2024. All Rights Reserved.

*https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d20/tables/dt20_311.15.asp

Sources for school statistics is the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics.

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