Professionals in sports management organize, monitor, and assess the organizational and commercial facets of the sporting sector. With a degree in sports management, you can work as a coach, a fitness instructor on a sports team, or in a sports facility.
In total, the entertainment and sports industries are expected to add more than 160,000 jobs between 2020 and 2030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Fitness trainers and instructors are expected to enjoy a 39 percent increase in employment, while coaches and scouts are expected to see a 26 percent increase. The job outlook for entry-level business positions like event planner and facilities manager, which are open to sports management students, is expected to improve throughout that time.
A career in sports management is an intriguing and rewarding professional path prospect. And finding the best online degree in sports management is an important step along that path.
What is Sports Management?
Sports Management is a field of study that deals with the business of sports. The course focuses on the economic aspects of sports, including how teams are financed and managed. It also covers game strategy and marketing strategies to promote stadiums or other facilities used by professional athletes.
Can You Get a Sports Management degree online?
Yes, there are online degree programs for prospective sports management professionals at every level. You can complete your degree entirely online without attending any classes. This usually implies that you can go to class at your own pace and on your own schedule. Students who need to juggle study with employment, family, or other commitments may find that online programs are a fantastic alternative.
Types of Sports Management Degrees
Sports Management Degrees are available at different degree levels. These levels range from Associate to Ph.D., the highest Sports Management Degree available.
Additionally, the length of time it takes to earn a Sports Management Degree also varies depending on the type of degree you choose, as shown below.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
| Associate Degree | 60-108 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120-127 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 30-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | The program required coursework, including a thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
Sports Management Program Accreditation
Accreditation is a sign of quality, and that’s why it’s important to confirm the school’s accreditation.
It demonstrates that your program and institution have complied with state requirements and can provide you with the high-quality education you need to start your career.
Additionally, accreditation is the greatest way to guarantee that your credits will transfer if you decide to further your studies or change schools. Moreover, enrolling in an approved institution entitles you to make a federal student aid application for grants and loans.
Several types of accreditations available in sports management go beyond state accreditation. The Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA) is the most popular agency responsible for accrediting top sports management programs in Us.
The National Council for Accreditation of Coaching Education (NCACE), a national credential that educates coaches to inspire, empower, and instruct players, has approved schools that prospective coaches in all contexts can choose to attend.
What Are the Entry Requirements for a Sports Management Degree?
Most sports management degree programs normally require a high school diploma or its equivalent, and depending on the school, many applicants will also need to have a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score. Some sports management occupations may require extra certification outside of your degree in addition to these core program requirements.
Online Associates Degree in Sports Management
- University of Northwestern Ohio
Program: Associate degree in sports management
Tuition: 275/credit hour
Credits: 108 credit hours
An online associate degree in sports management available from UNOH covers courses in facility and event administration, sports legislation, and the history of American sports. The 108-credit curriculum seeks to give students as much contact with business professionals as possible while also equipping them with the management and business skills necessary to thrive in the modern, international sports sector.
Students are required to complete courses in accounting, finance, and international business in addition to sports management classes. Students must also do internships with regional or international sports organizations in order to graduate. Graduates are equipped for entry-level positions in game operations and promotions, sales, communication, and account management.
The University of North Texas is ranked #277 among National Universities. It is also accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, and doctorate degrees.
- Cowley County Community College
Program: Associate of Arts in Sports Management & Administration
Tuition: 250/credit hour
Credits: 62 credit hours
The associate degree in Sports Management & Administration Arts is one of Cowley’s 30 programs that are provided fully online. The two-year, 66-credit program’s coursework consists of two sports management practicums and a sports psychology course. The course material is created to be easily transferable to a sports management bachelor’s degree.
Students majoring in sports must satisfy general education requirements in the humanities, social sciences, and physical education in addition to taking sports-related subjects. The curriculum also suggests enrolling in a number of electives that promote management and computer proficiency as career-oriented abilities. Blackboard provides online education.
Cowley College Online is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
- Columbus State Community College
Program: Associate of Applied Science in Sport & Exercise Studies / Sport Management
Tuition: 167.93/credit hour
Credits: 64 credit hours
The Columbus State Community College provides online AAS in Sport Management. This degree is aimed at educating students for a career in the vast and expanding field of sports management at the amateur, semi-professional, and professional levels. Students are prepared for roles and vocations in management, leadership, planning and development, financial administration, legal issues, and public relations within the sporting industry.
Students majoring in this area pursue professions with professional, semi-professional, and amateur sports organizations, college and university athletic departments, compliance, and community involvement.
CSU is ranked No. 35 among its top public regional universities in the South and has been proudly accredited by The Higher Learning Commission since 1973
- Shorter University
Program: Associate of Science in Sport Management
Tuition: 375/credit hour
Credits: 60 credit hours
The Shorter University offers a fully online AS in Sport Management. Graduates of this program will have a solid understanding of the sports environment, which will enable them to pursue careers in the industry. The foundation for lifelong learning is also laid out by the associate’s degree in sports management. Graduates are prepared for management positions in any of the numerous sports leagues across the nation or perhaps the world when they enter employment.
SACSCOC accredits Shorter University, and the sports management degree programs at Shorter University have received specialized accreditation through the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA). It is also ranked #80 in Regional Universities South.
- Monroe College
Program: Associate of Applied Science in Sports Management
Tuition: 3,300/per 15-week semester
Credits: 60 credit hours
Even if sports are your passion, you’ll need more than a basic knowledge of the sport to succeed in the profession. Your preparation for running a sports organization will come from management, finances, accounting, marketing, and more courses. You will learn the operational details with the Associate of Applied Science in Sports Management program from Monroe College. Your adherence to relevant norms and regulations is ensured through ethical and legal courses featured in this program. Gaining effective writing and presentation abilities through this curriculum can help you in any field you decide to pursue.
Monroe College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and ranked #62 in the 2022 edition of Best Colleges among North Regional Universities.
Online Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management
- Bellevue University
Program: BS in Sports Management
Tuition: 440/credit hour
Credits: 127 credit hours
The online BS in Sports Management degree from Bellevue University gives the student a solid foundation in sports legislation and terminology. Accounting, public relations, event planning, and sports marketing are just a few of the courses offered. The BSSM or BASM equips students with professional business acumen for the highly competitive field of study. Communication, critical thinking, leadership, and problem-solving are skills required for the degree. Bellevue University offers a reasonably priced online sports management degree program with good financial help and inexpensive tuition.
Bellevue University is regionally accredited by the HLC (Higher Learning Commission), and the college ranks as one of the top institutions for military students.
- Columbia Southern University
Program: BSBA in Sports Management
Tuition: 245/credit hour
Credits: 120 credit hours
With a focus on distance learning, Columbia Southern University has built a solid reputation for providing affordable educational options to everyone, including its cost-effective online sports management degree program.
The online BS in Business Administration with a Sports Management from Columbia Southern University aims to give each student a foundational understanding of business concepts as they relate to the sports industry. Sports tourism, franchise management, and business law are among the major courses offered in the BSBA-SM degree. Additionally, classes in risk management and physical fitness are included. Graduates of the BSBA in Sports Management program can pursue employment as sports administrators, directors, or managers.
Columbia Southern University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).
- University of Florida
Program: BS in Sports Management
Tuition: 129/credit hour
Credits: 120 credit hours
The University of Florida is one of our top recommendations for a selective, reasonably priced Bachelor in sports management program. The course is offered both on-campus and online. Students receive practical education and training through:
- site-visits
- internships
- student-run professional development events
It is possible to earn a combined BS/MS in sports management, which allows students to finish two degrees in just five years. Professional sports leagues, high-end sports facilities, and athletic and sporting goods manufacturers are all interested in hiring graduates of this top-value BS in sports management.
The University of Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
- UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA CROOKSTON
Program: BS in Sports Management
Tuition: 437/credit hour
Credits: 120 credit hours
The online Bachelor’s in sports management is one of the most popular degree options at UMC. UMC highlights some of the best aspects of its online sports management BS program, including hands-on learning opportunities, knowledgeable and committed staff, a demanding course curriculum, and a tight-knit academic community. This reasonably priced online BS in sports management has a corresponding curriculum that covers liberal arts, managerial finance, managing sports facilities, managing socio-cultural aspects of sports, marketing sports, and many other topics.
Faculty provide targeted, mentor-based support to every online student pursuing a bachelor’s degree, and UMC’s online portal supports flexible accessibility by providing a wide range of interactive technology.
The University of Minnesota Morris is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
- EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY
Program: Bachelor in Sports Management
Tuition: 421/credit hour
Credits: 120 credit hours
The online Bachelor in Sports Management program at Eastern Kentucky University is a fast-tracked and reasonably priced program. The majority of courses last only eight weeks and offer the core subjects that foster leadership and analytical skills.
EKU is one of the country’s top 10 sports management universities since so many of its graduates work in the sports industry as high school coaches, NFL team managers, or in NASCAR.
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) accredit the University of Kentucky.
Online Master’s Degree in Sports Management
- American Public University
Program: Master’s in sports management
Tuition: 370/credit hour
Credits: 30 credit hours
Traditional students, adult learners, and working professionals interested in sports management, coaching, and athletic administration at all levels can enroll in APU’s online MS in Sports Management program. The core curriculum encompasses a wide range of important subjects, such as sports legislation, marketing, public relations, promotion, economics, and sports’ influence on historical and contemporary culture. APU provides a number of concentrations like Coaching Theory and Strategy and Sports Administration to let students tailor their degrees to their interests.
The Commission has granted the Master of Science in Sports Management Candidacy Status on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA).
- Belhaven University
Program: Master of Sports Administration
Tuition: 595/credit hour
Credits: 42 credit hours
Belhaven’s online MBA with a focus in Sports Administration consists of business core classes, including Organizational Behavior, Managerial Economics, Legal Environment of Business, Marketing Management, Financial Analysis, and Strategic Planning. From there, students indulge in Venue and Event Management, Legal and Regulatory Environment for Sports, and Current Issues and Trends in Sports Administration. All courses are delivered in accelerated 8-week blocks, and students with prior academic credentials can accelerate course work thanks to a generous transfer credit policy.
Belhaven’s business school is accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education.
- University of Central Missouri
Program: Master’s in Sports Management
Tuition: 394/credit hour
Credits: 33 credit hours
Central Missouri’s online MBA in Sports Management is broken down into a core component, emphasis, and electives. Information management systems, economic analysis for business decisions, short-term financial planning, management and strategy, sports economics, sports marketing, and strategic marketing are just a few of the prerequisites. Full-time students can finish the degree in as little as one year because of the program’s flexible design, which can accommodate both full- and part-time students from various backgrounds.
The Commission has granted the sport management degree programs at the University of Central Missouri Candidacy Status on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA).
- Arkansas State University
Program: Master of Science in Sports Administration
Total Tuition: $11,916
Credits: 36 credit hours
ASU’s online MS in Sport Administration program consists of Ethical Issues in Sports, Sport Law, Sport Marketing, Sport Finance and Budgeting, Sport Communications, Sport Leadership, Sport Governance and Operations, Sport in Society, Research Design, and more. Students then undertake a 14-week internship to obtain practical experience and build a professional network. Students can complete the program in as short as 12 months because of the rapid 7-week delivery of the courses. Graduates will be prepared for work in a variety of industries, such as sports marketing and sales, collegiate and professional athletics administration, parks and recreation, facilities management, and financial management.
The sport management degrees programs at Arkansas State University have received specialized accreditation through the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA).
- Liberty University
Program: Master’s in Sports Management
Tuition: 370/credit hour
Credits: 36 credit hours
The MS in Sports Management program at Liberty University provides a thorough analysis of the sector. Social Issues in Sport Management, Sports Marketing & Public Relations, Ethics in Sport, Foundations of Sports Ministry, Legal Issues in Sport, Economic & Financial Management of Sport, and Understanding Research in Sport, Recreation & Tourism are only a few of the core prerequisites. Following that, students can further tailor their course of study by choosing from a variety of specialties, including outdoor adventure sport, sports administration, and tourism, each of which offers thesis and non-thesis options.
Liberty University has earned specialized accreditation for its online master’s in sports management programs through the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA). Liberty is also regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Online PhD Program in Sports Management
Here is a list of cheap online PhD degrees in Sports Management:
| School | Degree Program | Accreditation | Tuition |
| United States Sports Academy | Online Doctor of Education in Sports Management | National Council for Accreditation of Coaching Education (NCACE) | $820 per credit hour |
| Troy University | Online PhD in Sport Management | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | $550 per credit hour |
| Temple university | Online Doctor of Athletic Training | Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools | $1,000 per credit |
| Moravian University | Doctor of Athletic Training (DAT) | Higher Learning Commission | $18,500 for the entire program |
| East Tennessee State University | Online EdD in Global Sport Leadership | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) | $670 per credit hour |
Job outlook for people with a Degree in Sports Management
According to the BLS, Sports Management careers are expected to grow by 26% between 2020 and 2030.
Approximately 25.3% of sports workers hold a Doctor’s degree, making it the most common level of education.
The occupations listed below are some of the most in-demand in the field of Sports Management:
Salary outlook for people with a Degree in Sports Management
As you may expect, the salary that graduates of sports management programs get , depends on their education level.
The profession you pick will also significantly impact your salary as a sports management graduate.
Following is a list of the highest-paying jobs for graduates in sports management in 2022.
Is a Sports Management degree worth it?
Yes, a sports management degree is a great way to get into the industry and learn how to make money as a professional athlete or manager.
The field is growing rapidly and has become more competitive than ever. If you have the right skills and experience, you could find yourself as a manager or owner of your own business.
A degree in sports management can prepare you for a successful career since management programs are designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in the field of sports.
A degree in sports management will also help you understand how your own sports industry works and how it has grown over time. You’ll learn about all aspects of running a successful team or organization, from marketing strategies to legal issues related to player contracts and performance bonuses.
Sports Management Licensure and certification
Sports Management Licensure and certification are two different things. While a license is the most basic level of certification, a license does not give you any type of education or experience in sports management. A credential may be more valuable than a license because it shows that you have the knowledge and experience to manage a sports team, business, or league.
Some leagues, agencies, or other sports-related organizations may demand that a person obtain a particular type of certification before they can join the management team in a specific position. Depending on the industry the applicant chooses, several states demand particular certifications.
Similar to certification in sports management, licensing operates in a similar manner. Depending on the applicant’s area and the career path they are pursuing, a sports management license may be required. Since there is no simple assurance, candidates must make sure they research the necessity of certification or license when pursuing specific career trajectories.
Conclusion
Pursuing an online degree can save you quite a bit of money, but it could cost you extra in other ways. When examining these programs, make sure to consider cost per credit hour and total program length. For some fields, an online degree may be the right choice above all other options, but not always. That is why we considered the accreditation, ranking, reputation, and cost rating of these programs. Be sure to do your research and find the best fit for you!
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