About the Program
The sports management program offers small classes taught by faculty with expertise in sports management, collegiate athletics, and NCAA compliance. Classes include expert lectures, analysis assignments, and hands-on projects. You’ll be able to choose from two areas of concentration—business and athletics—to create a degree that works best for your personal career goals.
What You'll Learn
- Hone your leadership, management, and administrative skills, and apply them to the sports industry.
- Analyze the dynamics of the competitive environment in the sports industry.
- Understand how to develop strategies for adapting to change in line with the rules and regulations of specific sports organizations.
- Understand how to implement best practices in sports-related organizations.
- Master the ability to communicate effectively and professionally.
Plan of Study
You'll start by taking introductory-level courses in business, data science, and sports management. As you move through the program, you'll take classes including Data and Society, Principles of Marketing, Business Finance, Principles of Management, and Managerial Accounting. To personalize your degree, you'll choose from a wide variety of electives, participate in an internship with an organization you're passionate about, and choose an area of concentration in either business or athletics.
Business Concentration
With a strong focus on business management, the business concentration helps you develop your skills as a confident, capable leader.
Athletic Concentration
The athletic concentration gives you a behind-the-scenes understanding of athletic organizations, giving you many opportunities to explore whatever you're most interested in.
Liberal Education Courses
You must complete the WCore program or join the Honors College (and complete requirements) to fulfill your liberal education credits.
Sample Courses
Sports Law and Ethics
This course explores the importance of ethical decision making for organizations at every level, including recreational, secondary school, collegiate, and professional sports. You’ll study issues from contract law and athlete-agent relationships to intellectual property and risk management.
Sports and Society
In this course, you’ll explore the cultural, political, and economic impact of sports in American society. Focusing on both well-known and alternative sports, you’ll critically examine how sports are organized, played, experienced, observed, and perceived in the US.
College Athletic Administration
Apply your knowledge to address topics including Title IX compliance, fundraising, NCAA regulations, and university communications, with a specific focus on collegiate athletic administration.