Overview

A degree in sports management equips graduates with the knowledge and expertise they need to succeed as business executives in the exciting world of sports, games, and entertainment. It gives you a leg up on other graduates of business or management who might also want to work in sports and recreation. There are a number of colleges and universities in California that offer degree programs in sport management. You can choose to complete a bachelor’s degree in four years or pursue a master’s or doctoral degree, depending on your career goals. 

Finance, management, marketing, communications, and economics will all be studied through the lens of professional sports and recreation, regardless of the degree path you choose. Marketers, team managers, journalists, and contract agents are all possible careers for graduates. Others go on to work as athletic directors, facility directors, or coaches. If you’re looking for degree programs in sports management that the state of California recognizes, you’ve come to the right place! If you are keen on staying within the world of sports, also check out sports medicine degrees or sports psychology degrees in the state of California!

What Will I Learn in A Sports Management Program or Sports Administration Program?

Cost and time commitment are different for each degree. Full-time students typically complete a Bachelor’s degree in sports management in four years, although there are expedited and part-time options. A typical Master’s degree in sports administration lasts nearly two years or 24 months. But the specifics will change depending on your schedule and how often the school offers classes. A Ph.D. in sports management typically requires three to five years of study. The length of time required to complete the dissertation that Ph.D. candidates must submit is the primary consideration. To put it another way, your educational path will determine how long it will take you to complete your sports management degree.

Curriculum and Example Courses

The majority of programs focus on the business side of sports management, though specific courses vary by school. Most bachelor’s programs in sports management include core, elective, and general education courses. Many students complete a sports management internship. Below, we describe some typical classes students may take in a sports management bachelor’s program.

Leadership in Sport: In sports management, students investigate management, communication, and problem-solving techniques for managing facilities and programs. The course helps students identify management careers in the sports industry and focuses on leadership methods.

Sports Economics and Finance: This class looks at economic and financial measurements that the sports industry uses. Subjects incorporate sponsorships, public funding, naming freedoms, and TV privileges in the for-benefit and charitable areas. Students are taught about the economic impact of sports.

Sports Marketing: Students learn how to use and create effective sports industry marketing content in this field of study. You might be required to create a sample sports marketing plan as part of your coursework using techniques that can benefit any athletic organization. Sports team promotion is also covered in these classes.

Difference Between Sports Management & Sports Marketing

Sports marketing and sports management have significant differences. While sports management focuses on maximizing a team’s performance during a game or competition, sports marketing focuses on promoting the sport to fans and the general public. The improvement of team or athlete performance is frequently the objective of sports management, whereas the improvement of fan engagement is typically the objective of sports marketing.

What Are The Standard Entrance Requirements to Enroll?

The most common admission requirements for sports management programs are listed below. However, keep in mind that every university has its own set of requirements, which can be found on the website of each school.

Bachelor in Sports Management

• Transcripts of grades
• High School diploma
• Letter of recommendation
• Letter of motivation or personal statement
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Masters in Sports Management

• Minimum GPA (established by each university individually)
• Bachelor’s degree in Sports, Business, or other related subjects
• Two letters of recommendation
• Personal statement or essay

School Name	City	State	Program Level	Program Name	Program URL
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo	San Luis Obispo	California	Bachelors	Bachelor's with a concentration in Sport Management	Click Here
California Lutheran University	Thousand Oaks	California	Bachelors	Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in Sports Management	Click Here
CSU, Fresno	Fresno	California	Bachelors	B.S. Kinesiology: Emphasis in Sport Administration	Click Here
CSU, Northridge	Northridge	California	Bachelors	B.S. in Tourism, Hospitality, and Recreation Management	Click Here
Concordia University Irvine	Irvine	California	Bachelors	B.A. in Business Administration with an emphasis in Sport Management	Click Here
Hope International University	Fullerton	California	Bachelors	B.A. Business & Management - Sports Management	Click Here
Menlo College	Atherton	California	Bachelors	Bachelor's in Management with concentration in Sport Management	Click Here
Pepperdine University	Malibu	California	Bachelors	B.A. in Sport Administration	Click Here
University of Pacific	Stockton	California	Bachelors	B.A. in Sport Sciences - Concentration in Sport Management	Click Here
Whittier College	Whittier	California	Bachelors	Bachelors in Kinesiology and Nutrition Science with an emphasis in Sport Management	Click Here
California Baptist University	Riverside	California	Masters	Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT)	Click Here
CSU, Dominguez Hills	Carson	California	Bachelors	Online Certificate in Sport Management	Click Here
CSU, Fresno	Fresno	California	Masters	M.A. Kinesiology: Sport Administration	Click Here
CSU, Long Beach	Long Beach	California	Masters	MA in Kinesiology: Sport Management	Click Here
CSU, Long Beach	Long Beach	California	Masters	Master in Sport Management	Click Here
CSU, Northridge	Northridge	California	Masters	M.S. in Tourism, Hospitality, and Recreation Management	Click Here
Fresno Pacific University	Fresno	California	Masters	Online Masters in Sport Administration	Click Here
San Diego State University	San Diego	California	Masters	MBA in Sport Business Management	Click Here
San Jose State University	San Jose	California	Masters	M.A. in Kinesiology - Concentration in Sport Management	Click Here
University of Pacific	Stockton	California	Masters	M.A. Sport Sciences - Concentration in Sport Management	Click Here

Career & Salary Opportunities in Sports Management & Administration in California

California is a great place to live if you want to work in sports, and students must go where jobs are if they want to be hired. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists California as the state with the highest employment rate for coaches and scouts and as the fourth-ranked state for athletic trainers. Since the state has more major professional sports franchises than any other state in the U.S., this is not surprising. Aside from that, it is home to some of the most well-known universities in the United States and has long had many well-known collegiate sports programs, particularly the University of Southern California, University of California, Berkeley, UCLA, and Stanford University, which are all part of the Pac-12 Conference. They dominate media coverage of college sports in the state and are frequently ranked nationally in various sports. Additionally, these universities have the highest average academic standards of any major college’s Division I programs (NCAA).

If laws and regulatory activity interest you, and you have the wherewithal to earn your JD degree, consider working as an athletic compliance director. They are responsible for institutional control of NCAA Compliance. You will also monitor systems that assist the University in complying with all University, Conference, and NCAA rules and regulations governing intercollegiate athletics operations. Ensuring student-athletes, coaching staffs, and administration are all in compliance so that conference and national titles can be competed for is at the heart of the department but does require the highest level of education.