Sports management degrees focus on the business aspect of sports and recreation. Graduates may work as marketing agents, publicists, team managers, coaches, sports lawyers, or recruiters. TheBureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects jobs for these professionals to grow between 6% and 16% in the next 10 years. Professionals in this sector also earn much higher annual median salaries ($135,900) than the national average ($39,810.)
Responding to the field's increasing popularity, many colleges and universities now offer on-campus and online master's in sports management programs in addition to undergraduate degrees. Tuition costs can vary between $5,000 and $35,000. Graduates of accredited sports management programs can expect to enter a robust job market with higher-than-average annual salaries and ample opportunities for professional advancement.
Explore these promoted online degree programs.
These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online graduate degree programs. Figuring out where to apply? Consider one of these online Master's or PhD programs.
Most Affordable Online Master's in Sports Management in 2021
Online Master's in Sports Management Program Overview
A graduate degree in sports management will prepare you for a myriad of careers in the collegiate and professional sports world. You can choose from concentrations like coaching, sports law, and sports management to further specialize your degree.
Most programs will ask you to either complete an internship or craft a thesis to graduate. Some of the programs on our list are designed to be completed in just one year while others give you the flexibility to take several years.
What Are the Goals of Sports Management?
Whether a sports manager works for a professional athlete, a team, or an organization, their main responsibility often revolves around enabling their clients to focus on their performance while they take care of everything else. As sports managers gain professional experience, their duties usually expand as well, and they begin to take on leadership positions in the workplace.
A master's degree in sports management can also position sports practitioners for top-level occupations. Colleges and universities that hire sports management graduates as recruiters or coaches often require them to hold a master's degree to qualify for leadership roles with greater responsibilities.
Why Get a Sports Management Master's online?
Many students choose to pursue their degree online in order to balance familial obligations or work experience. An online degree can help you manage multiple goals like gaining real life work experience in your field and pursuing the next level of education. Most employers will value an online degree the same as a traditional program.
Are online masters degrees respected?
Nearly seven million students were enrolled in online courses in 2018. That number has undoubtedly increased in years since. Employer views on online degrees can vary, but often the reputation of your school will matter more. For example, incredibly reputable schools like Harvard University and the University of Southern California offer online graduate degrees — and your diploma doesn't specify it was earned online. The quality of your education and work experience should be the most important factor for employment.
Career and Salary Outlook for Sports Management Majors
Sports management includes several professional options. Graduates of an accredited sports management program work in diverse careers as team managers, media specialists, and event coordinators. They can also pursue careers in fields such as advertising and sales, finance, and retail merchandising. See below for four potential positions for sports management graduates.
| Career | Median Annual Salary | Projected Growth Rate (2019-2029) |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations Specialist | $61,150 | 7% |
| Athletic Trainer | $48,440 | 16% |
| Coach and Scout | $34,840 | 12% |
| Public Relations and Fundraising Manager | $116,180 | 9% |
| Sports Marketing Manager | $141,490 | 6% |
Source: BLS
Public Relations Specialist These professionals write press releases, manage their clients' public image, and respond to media requests for information. They also evaluate advertising and promotion campaigns to measure their effectiveness and timeliness. Some public relations practitioners monitor and manage their clients' social media channels.
Athletic Trainer These professionals often provide first aid or emergency care during training or field games. They also educate and train athletes on how to avoid injuries and help them perform rehabilitative exercises during training. Some athletic trainers perform administrative tasks such as keeping a record of supplies, monitoring treatment progress, and writing injury reports.
Coach and Scout Coaches teach and train athletes on proper techniques, sportsmanship, and game strategies to help them succeed in their sport. Scouts look for new players, evaluate a potential athlete's skills, and arrange for incentives for qualified recruits. Coaches and scouts often work together to make sure they recruit players with skills needed to build a competitive team.
Public Relations and Fundraising Manager Fundraising managers develop and coordinate campaigns that attract donors. Some fundraising managers work on capital campaigns that focus on raising money for specific projects, such as a new hospital wing or school building. Professionals with specialized training work in planned giving campaigns. They manage large donations such as real estate bequests and gifts of major stocks and bonds.
Sports Marketing ManagerA sports marketing manager will create campaigns for a team, stadium, franchise, league or athlete to create engagement and buzz with fans. They also use marketing to attract sponsors and advertisers. This job spends a lot of time developing brand and creating advertisements that promote their clients and connect with viewers.
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Should I do an internship in sports management?
Any internship or work experience you can earn in the field before graduation is a great idea. It can be hard to find an entry-level job that, ironically, doesn't ask for any prior experience. An internship will make you a more competitive candidate and prepare you to succeed in the sports management field. Internships can also help you learn about thetypes of jobs you prefer within sports management — athlete development, sports law, public relations, or coaching.
Accreditation for a Master's in Sports Management
Colleges and universities throughout the United States periodically complete the accreditation process voluntarily to signal their commitment to providing quality education. Recognized accrediting agencies evaluate schools' academic offerings and institutional integrity according to accepted standards and norms. TheU.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) oversee the accreditation process.
Nonprofit, degree-centered, private and public institutions usually seek regional accreditation. Career-focused trade or sectarian schools often seek national accreditation. Regional accrediting agencies typically follow more rigorous accreditation standards than national accreditors. For this reason, organizations often prefer applicants who graduated from a regionally accredited school. However, ED and CHEA acknowledge both accreditation types.
Some accrediting agencies focus on specific programs instead of entire institutions. In the sports management field, ED and CHEA recognize theCommission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA) as the main accrediting agency. COSMA accredits sports management programs at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels.
Common Online Sports Management Courses
Schools that offer on-campus and online sports management master's degrees typically maintain the same curriculum for both programs. Students enroll in business courses while focusing on the sports industry. Most programs also require students to enroll in at least one research course.
Some sports management programs offer a specialization such as sport law, athlete development, or high-performance coaching. Some online master's in sports management programs may not offer specialization courses off campus.
See below for common courses in many on-campus and online sports management master's programs.
Concentrations in Sports Management Degree
At some universities, you can choose a concentration within the sports management graduate program. A concentration is a great way to build specialized expertise if you know which career path you'd like to pursue. It can set you up to be better prepared for real-life scenarios and introduce you to the different ways you can apply your degree.
Sports Management
This concentration is focused on preparing students to lead and manage sports related organizations like teams, institutions, leagues, events, and brands. You'll learn leadership, business, and management skills with a sports industry lens. Courses may include sport marketing research, sport management, international sport governance, sport fiance, and fundraising.
Coaching
If your passion for sports is in athlete development, you can choose a coaching concentration. This specialization will prepare you to coach high level sports teams, discover talent, and develop skills. Common courses for this concentration include psychology of coaching, motor behavior for sport coaches, creating healthy competitive environments, youth development in sport, strength and conditioning methods, and coaching education administration.
Sports Law
Students who are passionate about sports and law can choose this concentration. Specializing in sports law can set you up for a career at a law firm specializing in sports, or as a resident lawyer at a sports organization. You may take courses like sports law, law and the media, compliance and current issues, ethics and legal issues in sport management, and mediation and conflict resolution.
What Are the Benefits of a Degree in Sports Management?
Sports management professionals cite different reasons for pursuing a career in the field. Many are former college athletes or lifelong sports enthusiasts. See below for five common reasons students pursue sports management careers.
Career Flexibility Sports management is a broad field. Practitioners can work as coaches, recruiters, trainers, marketing professionals, publicists, brand managers, and media consultants.
Growth Industry The BLS projects jobs in this sector to grow 6% between 2019 and 2029, which translates to the addition of close to 19,000 jobs.
High Salary According to the BLS, even with just a bachelor's degree, sports managers who specialize in marketing and advertising can potentially earn six-figure salaries. In 2019, these professionals earned $135,900.
Pursue a Passion Sports management professionals often pursue a career in the field because they enjoy the industry. Working as a sports manager allows practitioners to get paid for pursuing their passion.
Travel Opportunities Sports managers who concentrate on managing teams, whether in professional or college-level sports, often travel with teams each season.
Certifications and Licensure for Sports Management Majors
Some professions in the sports management field require practitioners to obtain licensure or certification. The list below presents three such examples. Licensure and certification requirements often vary by state. Prospective students should check with a state's regulatory board for specific requirements.
Scholarships, Grants and Financial Aid for Sports Management Students
Many of the scholarships for sports management majors come from colleges and universities offering the degree. However, several regional and national sports organizations also offer financial assistance to students pursuing an undergraduate or master's degree in the field. Read below for five potential scholarships for sports management students.
Ethnic Minority and Women's Enhancement Graduate ScholarshipWho Can Apply: Female student-athletes with a bachelor's degree from an NCAA-member school and who have been accepted to a master's in sports management program can apply. The program also accepts applications from minority students. Applicants must be pursuing a postgraduate degree that will qualify them for positions like athletics administrators, coaches, or trainers.Amount: $10,000
Janet B. Parks NASSM Research GrantWho Can Apply: Administered by the North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM), this grant accepts applications from graduate students engaged in field-relevant research projects. Applicants must hold NASSM membership and submit a detailed research proposal describing the theoretical framework and methodology as well as the relevance of the research to the sports management field.Amount: $5,000-$10,000
Jim McKay Graduate ScholarshipWho Can Apply: Former intercollegiate varsity athletes who have been accepted to a graduate program in sports education with a focus on sports journalism or communications may apply. Candidates must be nominated by the NCAA representative of their schools. The program accepts applications from male and female athletes.Amount: $10,000
NASCAR/Wendell Scott AwardWho Can Apply: The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) welcomes applicants from undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in a HACU-member school. Applicants need a 3.0 GPA and must be pursuing a degree in one of several fields, including sports marketing. The program currently accepts applications only from students enrolled in Florida, North Carolina, and Georgia institutions.Amount: $1,000-$5,000
Stadium Managers Association Foundation ScholarshipWho Can Apply: Undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree in sports management with a focus on stadium management or a related field may apply. Applicants must show stadium-related work experience, be enrolled as full-time students, and have a history of community service. Applicants must also submit a 500-word essay detailing their reasons for applying.Amount: Varies
Who can apply for these scholarships?
Anyone student seeking assistance with funding their education can pursue scholarship opportunities. If you have proven financial hardship, you may qualify for government assistance as well. There are thousands of scholarships out there with varying requirements. Some ask for experience related to the field or organization, like being a college athlete or having worked at a sports stadium. Others may be designed for certain groups of students like women or minorities. You can also ask your university's financial aid office for help identifying scholarship opportunities.
