Online Sports Management Degree
Derick de Souza
Derick is a business and education consultant working on various projects and scopes. With about 25 years of experience in different settings, he loves to tell others about “how not to be a failure” rather than “how to be successful.” Derick writes and edits articles on online learning, business, employment, and skill development, among others. His hobbies include photography, web design and development, and traveling.
Degrees
Master of Social Work, Master of Health Psychology
Areas of Expertise & Credentials
None to disclose in particular; the basics are covered in the short bio.
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For sports enthusiasts, sports management is a fascinating field. It is an excellent fit for those interested in sports leadership, sports analytics, sport tourism, collegiate athletics, and the management and administration of professional sports teams. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the entertainment and sports industries are predicted to add more than 160,600 jobs between 2020 and 2030. A bachelor’s degree in sports management online from a good sports management institution can provide students with the abilities they need to succeed in this high-energy sector. This guide looks into a variety of topics related to an online sports management degree, including curriculum, concentrations, job prospects, degree types, best universities, and more.
Best Online Sports
Management Degree
Choosing a decent college is never an easy task. It is even more difficult to find the best one. When doing so, one must consider the institution’s reputation and infrastructure, the quality and experience of the teaching staff, the availability of student support services, sporting facilities, and accreditation status, among other things. Find Finest Degrees (FBD) teams have compiled a list of the best schools for a bachelor’s in sports management online in the United States to spare students the time and effort of researching the best programs and colleges for sports management: *
Universities and programs are ranked by various factors, such as affordability, curriculum and coursework, reputation and availability, program length, statistics, the potential of employment, and return on investment for the students. For a more in-depth analysis, please read about our rankings methodology page.
What to Expect from the Online Sports
Management Degree Programs
Degree Types for Online Sports
Management Degree Programs
Areas of Specialisation for Online
Sports Management Degree Programs
Concentrations and specialization are an excellent way to gain deeper insights into a specific area within sports management, allowing students to have a competitive edge and take up niche careers. Here are a few specializations within the vast field of sports management for students to consider:
| Area of Specialization | Description | Career Options |
|---|---|---|
| Sport Marketing & Revenue Generation | In this specialization, students learn the most up-to-date strategies for marketing, branding, client retention, and sales to achieve success in sales and marketing, the sector that offers the most career opportunities in the sports industry. Students get a grasp of how sports marketing works by learning about the various tools and techniques that professionals have at their disposal. | Sports Marketing Managers, Sports Sales Manager, Facilities Managers, Athletic Managers, Sports Agents, Stadium Business Managers |
| Athletic Administration | This specialization helps students build their own path to intercollegiate athletics or professional sports administration by taking elective courses in sport management and other related subjects. Students will understand how managers use administration and organizational dynamics to control and balance them. They examine various methods for monitoring and improving operations, as well as how to administer sports organizations in a positive and inventive manner. | Athletic Administrators, Sports Agents, Facilities Managers, Stadium Business Managers, Sport Event Organizers, Coaches |
| Sport Development | In this specialization, students get some hands-on experience running sport programs that help communities throughout the world seize economic and social opportunities. Students learn sport policy and development, assessment and evaluation in sport, leadership in sport, and sport programming. | Sport Development Managers, Sport Public-Relations Managers, Sports Agents, Facilities Managers, Stadium Business Managers, Coaches |
| Sport Media | With this specialization, students interested in a career in sports media, marketing, communications, or administration can personalize their education, skills, and experience to best prepare themselves. This emphasis is geared toward students interested in news/information and strategic communication and is intended to prepare them for jobs in any area of the sports industry. | Sport Public-Relations Managers, Sports Media Specialists, Sports Agents, Sports Marketing Specialists |
| Sport Tech & Innovation | This specialization places students ahead of the curve by providing specific knowledge on emerging technologies such as blockchain, 5G, virtual reality, augmented reality, machine learning, and artificial intelligence that have made or are making their way into the sporting world. | Sports Data Analysts, Sports Technical Specialists, Sports Program Designers |
| Sport Event Management | In this specialization, students are exposed to the growing and diverse employment opportunities in the sports and events business, which include everything from sports marketing and promotion to designing and executing creative and distinctive events, all with the goal of delivering unforgettable consumer experiences. Students learn how to identify managerial obstacles in sport event delivery and offer techniques for dealing with them. Graduates of the program know how to direct the critical variables that go into bringing mega or small-scale sporting events to life and attaining community development goals. | Sport Event Managers, Sports Media Planners, Sports Promotion Specialists, Sport Public-Relations Managers, Sports Sales Specialists |
Some of the other specializations in the field of sports management are:
Why should I get an Online Sports
Management Degree?
Free Courses for Online Sports Management
Degree Students
Although no free bachelors in sports management online degree programs are available, several universities do offer free individual courses in the area. These courses are usually found on online learning websites and are a great way to prepare for exams, gain new ideas, and expand one’s knowledge. Here are some free sports management courses online to look into:
| Course | Description | Provided by |
|---|---|---|
| Various Topics Related to Sports Management | The United States Sports Academy (USSA) offers free sample courses to help people enhance their sports knowledge and skills while also providing entertainment and enrichment. A free sample course does not require participants to be Academy students. It is worth mentioning that USSA’s free courses do not grant academic or continuing education credit because participation does not need enrollment in the Academy. | The United States Sports Academy (USSA) |
| Various Topics Related to Sports Management | Class Central offers a variety of sports topics to choose from. Over 230 free sports courses, many of which are at the beginner and intermediate levels, are offered by some of the world’s best colleges, including the University of California, Irvine, Duke University, Northwestern University, University of Michigan, and others. Sports and Society, Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Prediction Models using Sports Data, and other topics are covered. | Class Central |
| Various Topics Related to Sports Management | edX is home to a handful of sports management or related courses, including Sport Business Foundations, Sales in Sport Business, Sport Analytics: Data-Driven Decision Making, Sustainability & Major Sport Events, etc. | edX |
How to get into the Online Sports
Management Degree Programs?
Enrolling in an online sports management program is pretty straightforward. To begin with, applicants are required to have completed high school or have a Graduate Educational Development (GED) certificate. Having a good track record in athletics or sports may be an advantage when being considered for admission into a program. Apart from these basic requirements, some of the other bachelors in sports management requirements are:
- Admission or Application Form with its prescribed fee.
- Official Academic Transcripts.
- Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5 or more.
- American College Testing (ACT) / Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) Test Scores
- Personal Statement or Statement of Purpose (varies by school)
- Records of sporting achievements (required by some schools)
- Proof of English Proficiency (if the native tongue is or education was not in English)
Note: Admission requirements vary by school and program. It is always recommended that students check with the admissions office at the school of their choice for exact requirements
How long does it take to complete the Online
Sports Management Degree?
Accelerated Online Sports Management
Degree Programs
In exceptional situations, some universities offer fast-paced bachelor’s degree programs that allow students to finish sooner than they would with a standard program. Accelerated or fast-track programs enable students to take up more classes and hence graduate in a shorter timeframe or take up graduate-level courses in their programs to complete their master’s degree faster. Typically, accelerated bachelor’s in sports management programs online will combine a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in a 4 year + 1 year timeframe, against the usually required 4 years + 2 years timeframe. With that said, one must remember that the duration of an accelerated program can be influenced by the program’s structure, curriculum, and specialization. Here are a couple of examples of accelerated sports management degree online:
Here are a few examples of accelerated online bachelor’s in finance:
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)
The online accelerated bachelor’s to master’s degree programs offered by Southern New Hampshire University can help students expedite their education by allowing them to take graduate-level courses while still pursuing their bachelor’s degree at an undergraduate tuition rate. These graduate-level courses can be applied toward their master’s degree at SNHU once they have completed their bachelor’s program.
Southern Connecticut State University
Southern Connecticut State University’s BS to MS Accelerated Pathway program allows high-achieving students to take core graduate curriculum during their senior year of undergraduate studies, allowing them to earn their graduate degrees faster. Accepted students can earn both their bachelor’s degree and the MS in Sport and Entertainment Management in five years instead of the usual 6 years.
Accreditation For Online Sports Management
Degree Programs
The chosen college or program must be accredited by competent accrediting agencies for one’s degree to be accepted by employers and other colleges (when pursuing future studies or transferring colleges). Accreditation is a mark of excellence that indicates that a school or program has met and continues to meet educational and administrative requirements. Accreditation also allows students to freely transfer credits and qualify for federal financial aid. In the United States, there are six regional accrediting agencies, all of which are accredited by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE), the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or both:
- New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Community and Junior Colleges Accrediting Commission (WSCUC)
Students pursuing an online bachelor’s degree in sports management can check their college’s accreditation status on the official USDE or CHEA websites. Alternatively, recognized bodies such as the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA) accredit sports management programs (programmatic accreditation).
Discover why accreditation is a critical component of college education in the Guide to College Accreditation.
How to Pay for Online Sports Management
Degree Programs?
Scholarships for Online Sports Management
Degree Programs
With bachelor’s degrees being considerably expensive, scholarships are an excellent option for those seeking external sources of funding to defray some of their educational expenses. Here are a few of them that are tailored for bachelor in sports management online students:
| Scholarship | Description | Application Deadline | Award/Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia University CPASS Scholarships | West Virginia University College of Physical Activity & Sport Sciences (CPASS) offers several scholarships to the next generation’s innovators and leaders of physical activity and sport sciences. Applicants must be admitted students in the WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences and are encouraged to upload an activities summary along with their resume. | Closed for 2023 | TBA for 2023 | Varies |
| Stevenson University eSports Scholarship | Stevenson University offers an eSports scholarship for new, incoming students who participate on their eSports team. Awards are renewable for 4 years of attendance. Students from different majors and backgrounds interested in playing a certain game competitively or those interested in building a community around video game competition may apply. | May 31, 2023 | $2,000 per year |
| Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management Scholarships | The NC State University Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management Scholarships are awarded to those enrolled in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management as full-time undergraduate students in one of the following majors: Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management or Sport Management, including concentrations in Recreation and Park Management, Tourism and Event Management, or PGA Golf Management. | February 15, 2023 | $500 to $5,000 per year |
| Make a Dent Endowed Sports Management Scholarship | The Make a Dent Endowed Sports Management Scholarship from the Columbia College, Chicago, was created to honor a deserving, designated sports management student who has excelled academically and/or athletically while also demonstrating financial need. Incoming or continuing, full-time sports management students may apply for this scholarship. | Closed for 2023 | TBA for 2023 | Varies (usually about $5,000) |
FAQs Related to the Online Sports Management
Degree Programs
What is sports management?
How to get a Bachelor’s in Sports Management?
How much is a sports management degree?
How long is a bachelor’s in sports management online degree?
Can I become a high school coach with a sports management degree?
What is the difference between sports Management, sports leadership, and sports administration?
Can current athletes succeed in both the classroom and on the field in this program?
Is a sports management degree worth it?
Career Opportunities and Salaries after Online
Sports Management Degrees
Professionals from a variety of disciplines are drawn to sport management degrees because they want to work in professional, college, or recreational sports. Employees in sports organizations must have many of the same financial, operational, and marketing skills as those in any other business. A prospective sports manager, on the other hand, should have a solid understanding of challenges specific to the business. Furthermore, a sports manager with a specific concentration in the field obtained through a sport management degree may be more marketable. Everything from major league franchises to minor league teams requires individuals who can do a wide range of tasks, including coordinating events, counseling, working in finance and marketing, etc., to name a few.
- Sports Contract Analyst
- Sport Development Managers
- Sports Sales Specialist
- Sport Event Organizer or Manager
- Sports Media Planner
- Sports Program Designer
- Athlete Development Specialist
- Sports Agent
- Athletic Administrator
- Sport Marketer
- Sports Technical Specialist
- Stadium Business Manager
- Game Day or Event Coordinator
- Sports Marketing Specialist
- Sport Lawyer
- Fitness Manager
- Sports Data Analyst
- Sports Promotion Specialist
- Sports Media Specialist
- Sport Public-Relations Manager
- Sport Operations Manager
- Sport Facilities Managers
- Sport Sales Coordinator
- Athletic or Sports Coach
The sports industry is ever-growing and looks very promising, with ample jobs available across the United States and overseas. The worldwide sports market reached almost $488.5 billion in 2018, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3% since 2014, and is predicted to reach roughly $614.1 billion by 2023, with a CAGR of 5.9%. Listed below are a few careers and the median annual salaries they command. Note that the salaries depend on qualifications, certifications, experience, and geographic location. Nevertheless, these should be a good indicator of what sports management bachelor holders can expect.
| Occupation | Job Description | Skills Required | Job Growth (up to 2030) | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Facilities Managers (Sport) | Facilities managers organize, lead, and coordinate tasks that make a company run smoothly. The responsibilities of these managers vary, but they are often responsible for maintaining sports facilities and supervising office activities such as recordkeeping, mail distribution, and office upkeep. Facility managers are also responsible for overseeing the maintenance and repair of machinery, sporting equipment, and electrical and mechanical systems. | Leadership skills, analytical skills, communication skills, detail-oriented | 9% (as fast as average) | $99,290 |
| Athletic Trainers | Athletic trainers plan athletic programs compliant with state and federal regulations. They work with people of all ages and all skill levels, from young children to professional athletes, recognize and evaluate injuries, provide first aid or emergency care, and develop and implement rehabilitation programs for injured athletes. | Compassion, detail-oriented, interpersonal skills, decision-making skills | 23% (much faster than average) | $48,420 |
| Coaches | Athletes, whether amateur or professional, are taught the skills they need to succeed in their sport by coaches. Coaches hold practice and training sessions to help athletes improve their form, skills, and endurance. They are responsible for promoting the significance of good sportsmanship, a competitive spirit, and teamwork in addition to honing athletes’ specific skills. | Resourcefulness, interpersonal skills, communication skills, decision-making skills, leadership skills | 26% (much faster than average) | $38,970 |
| Marketing Managers (Sport) | Marketing managers plan, design, and implement programs to generate interest in products or services. They develop promotional campaigns such as contests, advertising campaigns, pricing strategies for products or services, and negotiate advertising contracts. In the context of sport, marketing managers are responsible for promoting an athlete, team, or sporting goods. | Organizational skills, creativity, analytical skills, decision-making skills, interpersonal skills, communication skills | 10% (as fast as average) | $133,380 |
| Public Relations Specialists (Sport) | Public relations specialists build and maintain a favorable public image for the sports persons, teams, or organizations they represent. They create social media campaigns to influence public opinion of their clients, raise awareness of their work and objectives, and write press releases. Public relations professionals also assist sportspersons and customers in effectively communicating with the public and responding to media requests for information. | Writing skills, problem-solving skills, interpersonal skills, organizational skills, speaking skills | 11% (faster than average) | $62,800 |
Certifications and Licensing for Online
Sports Management Degree Students
Additional Resources for Sports Management
Degree Students
Author Bio:
Derick de Souza
Derick is a business and education consultant working on various projects and scopes. With about 25 years of experience in different settings, he loves to tell others about “how not to be a failure” rather than “how to be successful.” Derick writes and edits articles on online learning, business, employment, and skill development, among others. His hobbies include photography, web design and development, and traveling.
Degrees
Master of Social Work, Master of Health Psychology
Areas of Expertise & Credentials
None to disclose in particular; the basics are covered in the short bio.
Disclaimer:
The average tuition (based on degree type for in-state students), average graduation rates, and rankings are based on data from various sources, including the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), and are variable over time. All rankings and statistics are subject to change. The rankings are solely the opinion of Find Best Degrees (FBD) and are based on our proprietary methodology. They do not represent the views of the institutions or organizations mentioned, nor do they represent any official government census or survey. Furthermore, any views or opinions expressed on this page are of FBD’s researchers and teams. Unless otherwise specified, they do not represent the thoughts and opinions of the individuals, institutions, or organizations mentioned. This page’s content is provided solely for informational purposes, with data drawn from various sources, including IPEDS. FBD and its employees make no guarantees regarding the accuracy or completeness of any information found on this page or by following any link. FBD will not be held liable for any errors or omissions in this material nor any losses, injuries, or damages resulting from the exposure or use of this information. Although the information on this page is/was correct at the time of publication, readers should exercise caution because some or all of the provided information may have changed over time, potentially resulting in inaccuracies. For more information, please read our Terms of Service. Trademarks and logos are the property of their registered owners. | Page last updated: Dec 2023.