Top Master of Sports Management & Athletic Admin Degrees
An MBA in Sports Management can give you an edge in looking for jobs such as athletic director, team manager, and professional and minor league sports management. MBA holders also generally average higher salaries than bachelor degree holders. The schools we have selected below offer MBAs in Sports Management and related programs.
MS Sports Mgmt
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Liberty University — Liberty University's MS in Sports Management degree provides the tools needed to organize and administer athletic programs of varying levels ranging from high school to college to the pros. The bulk of the curriculum within this program focuses on social and ethical issues pertaining to sport management.
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MS Athletic Admin
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Ohio University — The MS in athletic administration program at Ohio University program encourages athletic professionals to create successful and financially responsible athletic programs that promote education, community, and business ethics. The program also places an emphasis on policy development, the relationship between sports organizations and the consumers, sports ethics, program administration, and leadership.
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M.Ed. Athletic Admin
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Northcentral University — Northcentral University's M.Ed. in Athletic Administration specializes in helping educators interested in K-12 athletic administration an opportunity to professionally develop, especially those already serving as coaches and athletic administrators, by advancing their knowledge and skills in the field. The curriculum focuses on leadership, legal aspects in athletics, financial analysis, marketing, sports governance, events and facilities management, ethics.
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MS Sports Mgmt
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Drexel University — Drexel's University's MS in Sports Management allows sport administrators and managers better understand the connections between nutrition, psychology, management skills and athletics beyond a basic level of understanding. The program incorporates various perspectives from one's multidisciplinary training and applies them to current issues in sport and society.
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MBA Sports Mgmt
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Southern New Hampshire University — SNHU MBA in Sports Management provides a fundamental understanding of business theory and principles needed to propel into a rewarding career in sports. The program is one of only two accredited sport management programs in New England, combines core MBA courses with specialized sport management courses to give its students a broader perspective of the industry.
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MS in Sports Management
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Lasell College — Core coursework included in Lasell College's online MS in sports management curriculum includes fundamentals of executive development, financial management, history and function of sport in society, sport sponsorship and marketing, and concentration-specific coursework based on degree focus options of leadership, non-profit management, or hospitality management.
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MBA Sports Mgmt
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St. Leo University — Saint Leo University's MBA in sports management is designed for sports professionals looking to advance their career. The curriculum focuses on managing the complex interactions between sports and business divisions and problem solving real-world sport business challenges. Courses range from strategic management, legal issues, sales and marketing, facility planning, risk management, and financial aspects of sport.
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MBA Sports Mgmt
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Tiffin University — The Tiffin University Master of Business Administration (MBA) concentration in Sports Management helps students hone their managerial skills by learning techniques and blending academic theory with contemporary business practices in regards to sports. Students are taught think critically and ethically, with the hopes that graduates will achieve their personal, educational and professional goals with their respective sports-related vocation.
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MBA Sports Mgmt
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Capella University — Students are attracted to Capella University's MBA in Sports Management degree because it is a proven path to improve performance both on and off the field and opens additional doors in in school coaching or physical education positions. Graduates can be found in park and recreation departments, fitness clubs, sports camps, and wellness programs.
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MS Sports Mgmt
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Full Sail University — Full Sail University's MS in Sports Management is designed to provide a more advanced business education in regards to the sports industry. Graduates will cover industry-specific concepts such as sports management and operations, legal issues in sports, sports marketing and sponsorship, the art of deal making, entertainment finance, management and leadership courses.
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MS Sports Mgmt
MS Collegiate Athlet.
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California University of Pennsylvania — California University of Pennsylvania's MS in Sports Management and MS in Sports Management: Intercollegiate Athletics provide students with the preparation needed to take on positions of management and leadership within the sport industry. Students are taught to tackle ever-changing economic difficulties, political and regulatory conditions, and marketing strategies.
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MA: Sport-exercise Psych
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Argosy University — As a highly-regarded provider in college education, Argosy University has centered its efforts on leading students to the forefront of ever-expanding industries with opportunities around every turn. AU has works with professionals in the field to develop courses that follows the industry's latest techniques and developments. In response to a growing interest in online education, AU has added a Masters of Science in Sports-exercise Psychology to its course catalog.
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MBA in Sports Management
An MBA in sports management is a Masters of Business Administration graduate degree with a concentration or specialization in sports management. This degree prepares students to market and manage sports events, organizations, media, stores, products and athletes. It can also cover sports tourism destinations and facilities. Programs focus on strategies needed for becoming a successful director of sports enterprises, how to meet organizational and business goals, and how to succeed in this competitive industry. Practical assignments with leading professionals and organizations in the sports industry will help you become a professional recreational director, sports agent, recruiter, program director, coach, corporate sales director, athletic business manager, athletic director and more.
A career in sports marketing or management requires the same preparation as any other career. The increase in the level of money involved in sports—through player transfers, wages, and commercial deals—has created a demand for sports managers with professional expertise. Usually the more education you have, the better chance you have at a career. A graduate degree will help you become a financial and commercial specialist, or give you proficient knowledge in operations, IT, and human resources.
These two-year degrees should prepare you to become successful in careers on the business side of sports. Therefore students are offered numerous business courses such as leadership, finance, accounting, e-commerce, marketing and statistics. These courses will help you understand the business theories and practices of the sports industry. Additionally you’ll take sports-related courses, such as sports law and contracts, event management, and media and communication. With the combination of business and sports, you’ll learn how to organize corporate athletic events and create promotions for sporting events. Online MBA sports management degrees are also available. These offer a comprehensive education in business and management from the comfort of your home.
Whether you choose an online program or a traditional program, you must ensure the accreditation of that school. You should select a school or program that is accredited by the
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Business school’s degree programs are evaluated by this nonprofit organization. Accreditation of your MBA sports management degree is crucial to the quality of your education and your future job opportunities.
Admissions Standards for MBA in Sports Management:
Accredited MBAs are usually competitive degrees that expect a high standard from applicants. First you must hold a bachelor’s degree, preferably business, from an accredited undergraduate institution. You must submit official transcripts form any previous undergraduate or graduate schools you’ve attended. Your overall grade point average (GPA) should be around 3.0 or higher. MBA programs often require
Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or
GMAT scores. Excellent GRE or GMAT scores can sometimes replace low GPA scores.
Even if you don’t have an undergrad degree in business you should still possess a basic foundational knowledge of business. Sometimes you can take prerequisites courses that replace an undergrad business degree. These courses may include principles of management, financial accounting, foundations of business, business law and ethics, or more. It’s important to be in touch with prospective programs to know what their requirements are for prerequisite classes.
A statement of purpose is often required for a sports management concentration. This is an essay helpful for the school to understand why you are interested in pursuing a sports management career, and what exactly that career may be. Schools want to determine if students will be a good fit for their program, and statement of purposes are a big part in how they do that. Letters of recommendation will also help the school assess if you’ll thrive in their program. Previous employers and professors should write these letters. They should attest to both your working and academic skills. Have someone who knows you well to write the letters, as schools are looking for a quality and well-informed description of their possible candidates. Sometimes a resume or curriculum vitae is also required in addition to these other documents.
MBA in Sports Management Program Curriculum:
MBA programs will vary depending on the school you attend. Although class titles may differ, the content is typically the same. The following are overall objectives that most MBA sports management programs want to complete through their program curriculum:
- Provide students with a thorough understanding of the sports industry - from grassroots to professional.
- Share critical and timely information on the globalization of sports to prepare students for international positions.
- Open doors to compelling career opportunities through practical experience, networks, and knowledge.
- Teach skills to generate revenue for teams, events, athletes, facilities, sports organizations, and sports manufacturers.
- Educate students on the synergy between sports and community development and how to maximize economic opportunities through sports tourism.
- Develop and inspire leaders and entrepreneurs in the sports industry.
Classes will differ depending on programs, but the following topics are typically covered:
- Sport Marketing
- Sport Law: Contracts and Negotiations
- Sport and Event Facility Management
- Sport Media and Communication
- Event Management
- Global Sport Governance
- Sport Finance
- Advertising and Sales
- E-commerce
- Entertainment Management
- Entrepreneurship
- Labor Negotiations
- Nonprofit Management and Marketing
- Strategic Environmental Management
Careers and Salaries Available to MBA in Sports Management Graduates:
Those seeking a sports management MBA may be current or future business and team owners, entrepreneurs, and team or player managers. The MBA will provide opportunities in the sports field in addition to advancements in these positions. With an advanced degree you’ll be promoted before those who hold lesser qualifications. You’ll be expected to have more knowledge and experience in working with team management, events coordination and sponsorship relations learned through your MBA coursework. You’re programs should give you valuable opportunities to network with peers and professionals, which will typically aid in finding jobs and career advancements. The following are the top three careers for sports management MBA graduates:
Sports Program Director: Within this position you’ll coordinate games and activities that go on in the sports facility in which you work, which may include schools, gymnasiums, or athletic clubs. You’ll also be responsible for administrative work. This may involve collecting membership fees, recruiting members, or maintaining enrollment. You’ll be in charge of the spending budget, which will be used towards the maintenance of sports equipment and doing things like replacing old or unsafe equipment. In this position you’ll occasionally have the opportunity to coach, too. The salary of sports program directors depends on the location and type of facility he or she works in. It can range anywhere from $35,031 to $102,029 a year.
Sports Agent: As a sports agent manager you’ll manage the career of an athlete. Agents differ depending on what area of athletics they work in. Typically you’ll work with one or several clients at a time. In this position you’ll offer advice with an athlete and discuss contracts with them. You’ll be in charge of marketing that athlete by promoting them to sponsors to increase revenue and popularity. Sponsorships are often made with athletic wear or shoe companies, such as Nike, Reebok, or Adidas. Sports agent salaries can range anywhere from $25,435 to $144,864 annually.
Sports Business Manager: This job position supervises sports employees and sales to ensure that the athletic business is profitable and losses are minimized. As a sports business manager you may work in sporting retail stores that sell specialty equipment, or work with sports facilities’ gift shops. As a manager you’ll be in charge of mid-level managers, such as shift supervisors. Often you’ll delegate tasks to mid-level managers to ensure that the store is adequately staffed and employees are trained properly. You’ll also be in charge of the financial aspects of the store, ensuring the books are balanced and that the numbers come out correct at the end for each day. You may also be in charge of keeping track of the store’s stock and making orders when supplies are low. The annual salaries of sports business managers depend on the location and type of business they work in. They can range anywhere from #32,541 to $101,641.
Additional Resources for MBA in Sports Management Programs:
- Sports Management MBA Programs: The U.S. News & World Report and the Bloomberg Businessweek are websites that can help you find ranking and accreditation of online sports management MBA programs.
- The Princeton Review: This is a complete breakdown of the sports management specialization. It offers basic information in addition to high school preparation, schools offering the major, sample of undergraduate and graduate curriculum, fun facts, and graduate programs and careers.
- North American Society for Sport Management: NASSM is actively involved in supporting and assisting professionals working in the fields of sport, leisure and recreation. They promote, stimulate, and encourage study, research, scholarly writing, and professional development in the area of sport management.
- Journal of Sports Management and Governance: JSMG provides quality research on many sports management fields. Through research they aim to contribute management and governance solutions in sports and recreation industry.
Search for your MBA in sports management degree...
Complete this short form and we'll match you with degree programs tailored to your interests.