Bachelor Degree in Sports Management

Sports management is the application of business principles in sport settings. Students of sports management learn to apply fundamental concepts of finance, marketing and management to sports organizations. Students may learn to apply legal principles to sports organizations as well. Those who are looking into administration, marketing or management of sport programs are pursuing college-level degrees in sports management.

A bachelor of sports management degree is a popular field of study for those who intend to work in sports as managers, agents, analysts and commentators.

Structure and duration of the program

A bachelor in sports management is typically a 4-year degree that may allow you to take a wide range of electives depending upon the sport and its specialized field you wish to work in, in addition to the core courses. Students may further need complete practical work and gain internship experience.

The degree may include introductory coursework in advertising, sales, business and investment. The electives may be more specialized in nature. You may learn about key elements of business in different sports.

Courses

Some of the core courses in the program may include:

• Introduction to Sport Management
• Technical and Professional Writing
• Sport Management Internship
• Theory and Application in Sports Event Management
• Practicum in Sport Management
• Internship Seminar
• Current Trends in Sport Management
• Managing Sport Organizations

Electives may depend upon the student’s concentration. Students may specialize in:

• Sports Media
• Sports Law
• Organizational Management
• Event Management

Elective courses in event management may include:

• Marketing of Conferences & Special Events
• Conferences & Special Events
• Sports Tourism & Mega Events
• Event Design & Production
• Licensing & Merchandizing
• Food, Beverage, & Catering Operations

Students specializing in sports media may take courses in:

• Licensing & Merchandizing
• Sport & Entertainment Packaging
• Media & Global Technology
• Sports Media Strategies
• Leagues & Governing Organizations
• Professional Sports Franchises

Sports law students may take courses in:

• Sports Media Strategies
• Leagues & Governing Organizations
• Professional Sports Franchises
• Antitrust & Collective Bargaining
• Contracts & Negotiations
• International Sports Governance

Courses in organizational management may be titled as:

• Licensing & Merchandizing
• Sports Media Strategies
• Professional Sports Franchises
• Collegiate Athletic Departments
• Sports Facility Management
• Human Resource Management

Learning outcomes

• Conceive, plan, evaluate and execute a sports event
• Demonstrate effective communication skills and information literacy
• Develop and apply abstract reasoning and critical thinking skills in analyzing sports management issues and in decision making and managerial planning
• Asses media and marketing needs and formulate solutions both short and long term
• Apply principles of human resource management, financial management, and strategic planning
• Identify and analyze socio-cultural, legal and ethical issues and formulate responses for use in managerial decision making and policy determinations in sport

Admission criteria and graduation requirements

• A high school diploma or its equivalent
• Academic record
• Participation and leadership role in school
• Essay
• Recommendations
• Standardized test scores

Admission requirements for an online bachelor degree in sports management may be less stringent. Maintaining a passing grade in all courses and completing the final project may be sufficient to earn a bachelor degree in sports management.

What can you do with a Sports Management Degree?

High school coaches or scouts in addition to holding a bachelor’s degree in sports management may also need to be certified. This may be true for coaches and scouts for public than private schools. College coaches may require a certification as well. Certification may be required for karate, tennis and scuba diving instructors.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports coaches and scouts earning a median yearly salary of $28,360 in 2012. Their demand is expected to grow at the rate of 15% faster than the average job growth for all other occupations from 2012 to 2022.

Sports agents and business managers of athletes in addition to representing and promoting their clients also handle contract negotiation on their behalf. O*NET OnLine reports them earning a median yearly salary of $64,490 in 2013. Their job positions are expected to grow at the rate of 8% to 14% faster than the average employment growth for all other occupations from 2012 to 2022.