Overview of Sports Management & Admin. Programs
If you love sports and want to turn it into a successful career, earning a degree in sports management is an excellent way to do it. You’ll study coaching, event management, recreation management, venue management, athletic training, sports marketing, and recreational therapy at all levels of sport skill.
Most of the sport management programs at Florida’s many colleges are designed in such a way that they include an internship or practicum which are very valuable in fostering professional connections that may lead to employment after graduation. Individuals who successfully complete accredited sports management degree programs in Florida and other states will have greater success in the competitive industry of sports management.
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Featured Sports Management and Admin Programs
- GRE/GMAT Waived
- Flexible Learning Format
- Designed For Career Leadership
Georgetown University Online
Master of Professional Studies in Sports Industry Management
Become a leader in the sports industry and earn your master’s in sports management online or on campus with Georgetown University, one of the world’s leading academic research institutions.
- 100% Online
- Application Fee Waived
- High-Growth Area
American University Online
Master of Science in Sports Analytics Management
American University’s online MS in Sports Analytics and Management will equip you to become a strategic sports manager with the skills needed to measure the impact that emerging technologies are having on sports organizations and society.
- AACSB Accredited
- Nationally Recognized
- Top-Ranked Program
Ohio University
Master of Sports Administration (OMSA)
Recognized for excellence by the prestigious Commission on Sport Management Accreditation, graduate ready to pursue college athletics, professional sports, and sports media.
- Bachelors & Masters Programs
- 100% Online & Affordable
- In-Demand Tracks
Campbellsville University
Online Sport Management Degrees
Make a name for yourself in a field that you are passionate about with a sport management degree from Campbellsville University Online.
What Will I Learn in A Sports Management Program or Sports Administration Program?
Degree Timelines
The length of time it takes to complete your sports management degree will depend on the educational path you take.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program-required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4yrs |
Curriculum and Example Courses
Most sports management Bachelor’s degree programs include foundational business courses and core subjects that directly relate to the sports industry.
An example of a sports management course is Sports Marketing where topics such as advertisement of sports brands, the elements of sports licensing, sports product merchandising, and sports market segmentation are covered.
Students learn how to organize, plan, and implement special promotions of events or products that often include appearances by celebrity athletes or coaches. Sports Marketing also often covers in-game experiences from halftime talent acquisition to coordinating fan contests.
Another example course is Sport Law which will give students a working knowledge of negotiation techniques, sport marketing contracts, the financial importance of media rights, labor law and antitrust intellectual property issues. Coursework may focus on specific situations like NBA free agency negotiations and coach buyouts.
Difference Between Sports Management & Sports Administration
A degree in sports management is perfect for those who are aiming to have business-oriented careers in sports. Marketing, seeking sponsors, facilities management, and public relations all fall under this program. On the other hand, as a graduate student in a sport administration program, your focus will be entirely on the athletes and the logistics of giving them a positive environment to perform in. From working with them to enhance their performance to determining individual budget lines, college athletics directors, team managers, coaches, agents, and trainers would fall on this side of the field.
What Are The Standard Entrance Requirements to Enroll?
Admissions requirements vary by school. Check with each school’s admissions department to learn about GPA minimums, prerequisite courses, and minimum standardized test scores, if required. Some programs may ask you to submit a personal statement or answer an essay prompt to compliment your application.
Students applying for a graduate degree in sport management should have at least completed a Bachelor’s degree. An academic background in sport management or a related field, however, is preferred but not required. Unlike a program in law or medicine, sports management is a viable option for those looking to change careers without an extensive background in the area.
| School Name | City | State | Program Level | Program Name | Program URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barry University | Miami | Florida | Bachelors | B.S. in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Flagler College | Augustine | Florida | Bachelors | Bachelor's in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Florida International University | Miami | Florida | Bachelors | BS in Recreation & Sport Management | Click Here |
| Florida Southern College | Lakeland | Florida | Bachelors | Bachelor's in School of Business - Sport Management | Click Here |
| Florida State University | Tallahassee | Florida | Bachelors | Bachelor of Science in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Full Sail University | Winter Park | Florida | Bachelors | Online Sports Marketing and Media Bachelor of Science Degree | Click Here |
| Full Sail University | Winter Park | Florida | Bachelors | Sports Marketing and Media Bachelor of Science | Click Here |
| Jacksonville University | Jacksonville | Florida | Bachelors | Online B.S. in Sport Business | Click Here |
| Johnson and Wales University (Miami, FL) | Providence | Florida | Bachelors | Bachelor's in Sports/Entertainment/Event Management | Click Here |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton | Florida | Bachelors | B.S. in Sports Management | Click Here |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale | Florida | Bachelors | B.S.B.A. in Sport & Recreation Management | Click Here |
| Saint Leo University | St. Leo | Florida | Bachelors | Online B.A. in Sport Business | Click Here |
| Southeastern University | Lakeland | Florida | Bachelors | B.S. in Sport Management | Click Here |
| St. Thomas University | Miami Gardens | Florida | Bachelors | BA or BBA in Sport Administration | Click Here |
| Stetson University | DeLand | Florida | Bachelors | B.B.A. in Sport Business | Click Here |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando | Florida | Bachelors | Bachelor's in Sports & Fitness | Click Here |
| University of Florida | Gainesville | Florida | Bachelors | Bachelor of Science in Sport Management | Click Here |
| University of Miami | Miami | Florida | Bachelors | Online B.S.Ed. in Sport Administration | Click Here |
| University of Miami | Coral Gables | Florida | Bachelors | B.S.Ed. in Sport Administration | Click Here |
| University of North Florida | Jacksonville | Florida | Bachelors | Online B.S. in Sport Management | Click Here |
| University of North Florida | Jacksonville | Florida | Bachelors | B.S. in Sport Management | Click Here |
| University of Tampa | Tampa | Florida | Bachelors | B.S. in Sport Management | Click Here |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola | Florida | Bachelors | Bachelor's in Health, Leisure & Exercise Science - Sport Management | Click Here |
| Warner University | Lake Wales | Florida | Bachelors | B.A. in Sports Management | Click Here |
| Webber International University | Babson Park | Florida | Bachelors | B.S. in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Barry University | Miami | Florida | Masters | M.S. in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Florida International University | Miami | Florida | Masters | MS in Recreation & Sport Management | Click Here |
| Florida State University | Jacksonville | Florida | Doctorate | Doctor of Philosophy in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Florida State University | Jacksonville | Florida | Masters | Master of Science in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Jacksonville University | Jacksonville | Florida | Masters | Online Master of Education with a concentration of Sport Management & Leadership | Click Here |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton | Florida | Masters | MBA with a Sports and Athletics Administration | Click Here |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort-Lauderdale-Davie | Florida | Masters | M.B.A. with a concentration in Sport Revenue | Click Here |
| Saint Leo University | St. Leo | Florida | Masters | Online Master of Business Administration - Sport Business Concentration | Click Here |
| Southeastern University | Lakeland | Florida | Masters | MBA with a concentration in Sport Management | Click Here |
| St. Thomas University | Miami Gardens | Florida | Masters | JD/MS or JD/MBA in Sports Administration | Click Here |
| St. Thomas University | Miami Gardens | Florida | Masters | MS or MBA in Sports Administration | Click Here |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando | Florida | Masters | Master's in Sport Business Management | Click Here |
| University of Florida | Coral Gables | Florida | Doctorate | Juris Doctor/Sport Management | Click Here |
| University of Florida | Coral Gables | Florida | Masters | Master of Science in Sport Management | Click Here |
| University of Miami | Coral Gables | Florida | Masters | Online M.S. Ed. in Sport Administration | Click Here |
| University of Miami | Coral Gables | Florida | Masters | M.S. Ed. in Sport Administration | Click Here |
| University of North Florida | Jacksonville | Florida | Masters | Online M.Ed. in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Athletic Administration | Click Here |
| University of North Florida | Jacksonville | Florida | Masters | Online MBA in Sport Management | Click Here |
| University of North Florida | Jacksonville | Florida | Masters | Online Sport Management Graduate Certificate | Click Here |
| University of North Florida | Jacksonville | Florida | Masters | MBA in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Webber International University | Babson Park | Florida | Masters | MBA - Sport Business Management | Click Here |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola | Florida | Bachelors | Online Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences | Click Here |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola | Florida | Bachelor | Online Master of Movement Sciences & Health – Physical Education and Sports Performance | Click Here |
| The University of Louisiana Monroe | Monroe | Florida | Masters | M.S. in Sport Management | Click Here |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola | Florida | Bachelor | Online Master of Movement Sciences & Health – Physical Education and Sports Performance | Click Here |
| Keiser University | Fort Lauderdale | Florida | Bachelor | Golf Management, AS | Click Here |
| Keiser University | Fort Lauderdale | Florida | Bachelor | Golf Management, BS | Click Here |
| Keiser University | Fort Lauderdale | Florida | Bachelor | Sport Management, BS | Click Here |
| Keiser University | Fort Lauderdale | Florida | Bachelor | Sport Management (Leadership), BS | Click Here |
| Keiser University | Fort Lauderdale | Florida | Master | Golf Teaching and Learning, MS | Click Here |
| Keiser University | Fort Lauderdale | Florida | Master | Sport Management and Operations, MS | Click Here |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola | Florida | Bachelor | Online Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences | Click Here |
University of Florida
Bachelor of Science in Sport Management
To earn a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management, a student must successfully complete 120 credits of prescribed coursework. Professional core courses, related option courses, and specialization electives are taken during your last two years of work. As part of the degree program, students must complete either an approved 12-credit internship in their final semester of the degree program or opt for the non-internship option. The 12-credit internship is an approved 13-week internship required upon completion of all coursework. Students who declare for the non-internship option prior to the completion of semester five can replace the 12-credit internship with 12 credits of non-internship pre-approved SPM courses. Classes students will take include Sport Marketing, Legal Issues in Sports, and Sports & Business Finance. The program features an undergraduate practicum designed to give students working experience in a sports environment such as an athletic program or sports agency. If you’re one of the many students who want the flexibility of distance learning courses, you’ll be happy to hear that UF offers an online option in its sports management Bachelor’s degree program.
Master of Science in Sport Management
While in the program, students may choose from a thesis or non-thesis route. The non-thesis option requires an internship or practicum with 36 completed credits. The thesis route requires 30 completed credits. The program has limited access and is competitive. However, there is an online version that students may consider if they aren’t accepted into the on-campus program. Sport management fundamentals studied in the program include finance for sports organizations, sports marketing, and principles of leadership. Topics discussed include law, finance, sociology, and marketing as they apply to sports.
Accreditation
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
References
Florida State University
Bachelor of Science in Sport Management
As an upper-division program beginning in the junior year after students have completed at least 60 credits, the Bachelor of Science in Sport Management is focused on providing undergraduate students with an introductory understanding of sports business. Through a variety of electives, students can tailor their curriculum to align with their individual interests in business, marketing, recreation, finance, research, and other disciplines. This degree can be used to begin entry-level positions in the sports industry or for pursuing a graduate degree. Online degrees for the Florida State sports management Bachelor’s degree program are not available at this time.
Master of Science in Sport Management
The Master of Science in Sport Management program at FSU expands students’ knowledge of business, marketing, promotion, event management, field research, and much more. Whether students choose the thesis or non-thesis track, the 32-credit curriculum will allow them to develop specialized expertise in a particular career path and/or build the research skills needed to pursue advanced doctoral studies. Practical experiences, including one formal internship, also provide students the opportunity to apply their learned knowledge in real-world sports industry settings. Online degrees for the Florida State sports management Master’s degree program are not available at this time.
Juris Doctorate/Master of Science in Sport Management
Offered as a unique joint degree program with the College of Law, the Juris Doctorate/Master of Science in Sport Management at FSU is designed to give graduate students the opportunity to combine their knowledge of the sports industry with a background in sports law to wrap up an attractive set of educational credentials. Individuals in this program will acquire a broad understanding of theoretical and practical legal issues encountered by today’s sports organizations to protect them from liability. With a combined 106-credit curriculum, the joint degree will take at least three to four years to complete.
Doctor of Philosophy in Sport Management
Requiring the completion of at least 80 credits, the Doctor of Philosophy in Sport Management program is structured to immerse doctoral students in seminars and research pertaining to the sports industry to develop active researchers, professors, and advanced practitioners. With an emphasis on the philosophy of inquiry, the Ph.D. program ensures that students develop the quantitative and qualitative tools needed to conduct independent research in their dissertations. In the curriculum, doctoral candidates should choose a specialization in Legal & Policy Issues in Sport, Management in Sport, Sport Marketing, or Sport Media & Culture Studies. Florida State does not offer an online option for its sports management doctor’s degree program at this time
Accreditation
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
References
University of Central Florida
Master of Science in Sport Business Management (MSBM)
The program requires 45 credit hours earned above the Bachelor’s degree level which includes a 3-credit internship. The program doesn’t require a thesis and instead features an internship as its capstone. The program is designed as a two-year program that requires full-time attendance. Some of the sports-themed courses required include Moral and Ethical Issues in Sport, Strategic Sport Marketing, and the Business of Sport Media. The capstone internship experience is designed as a full-time 15-week experience usually taken after completion of the program’s required academic courses. UCF does not offer an online option for its sports management Master’s degree program at this time.
Accreditation
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
References
University of North Florida
Bachelor of Science in Sport Management
Students who apply to the program must meet a minimum GPA requirement of 2.0. Students are required to complete an internship or practicum at an approved site in the Jacksonville area. The curriculum of the program features a variety of subjects including management, finance, and communication as they relate to sport management. In addition, students take several business courses. Some of the classes students will take include Sport Finance, Sport Law, and Governance and NCAA Compliance. Students must earn at least 48 credits in upper-division courses to obtain their Bachelor’s degree with a total number of 120 credits earned before graduation. Online degrees for the UNF sports management Bachelor’s degree program are not available at this time.
Accreditations
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA)
References
ADVERTISEMENT
Featured Sports Management and Admin Programs
- GRE/GMAT Waived
- Flexible Learning Format
- Designed For Career Leadership
Georgetown University Online
Master of Professional Studies in Sports Industry Management
Become a leader in the sports industry and earn your master’s in sports management online or on campus with Georgetown University, one of the world’s leading academic research institutions.
- 100% Online
- Application Fee Waived
- High-Growth Area
American University Online
Master of Science in Sports Analytics Management
American University’s online MS in Sports Analytics and Management will equip you to become a strategic sports manager with the skills needed to measure the impact that emerging technologies are having on sports organizations and society.
- AACSB Accredited
- Nationally Recognized
- Top-Ranked Program
Ohio University
Master of Sports Administration (OMSA)
Recognized for excellence by the prestigious Commission on Sport Management Accreditation, graduate ready to pursue college athletics, professional sports, and sports media.
- Bachelors & Masters Programs
- 100% Online & Affordable
- In-Demand Tracks
Campbellsville University
Online Sport Management Degrees
Make a name for yourself in a field that you are passionate about with a sport management degree from Campbellsville University Online.
University of South Florida
This is a two-year, 60-credit hour dual-degree program where students earn both an MBA with a concentration in Sport Business and MS in Sport & Entertainment Management. During the first year, students complete the MBA courses. The second year of the program consists of on-the-job work in the sports and entertainment industry. Students who do not have an undergraduate degree in business must take business foundation courses as prerequisites. The USF MBA in Sport and Entertainment Management emphasizes business fundamentals of sports: management, marketing, finance, economics, and accounting. With specialized classes and coursework that are tailored to the business of sports, this full-time cohort program includes an internship.
Accreditation
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
References
University of Tampa
Bachelor of Science in Sport Management
Students who enter the Sport Management program will take classes designed to provide students with a combination of practical experience, as well as business theory in sports to help prepare them for a successful career. Students must complete a 12-credit hour internship with a local sport organization. Students have the opportunity to attend monthly meetings where representatives from Tampa Bay-area sport organizations attend to discuss a variety of volunteer opportunities and options for internships. Classes in the program include Media Relations and Communication in Sport, Introduction to Sport Management, and Financial Issues in Sport. UT does not offer an online option for its sports management Bachelor’s degree program at this time.
Accreditations
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- North American Society for Sport Management
- National Association for Sport and Physical Education
- Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA)
References
Career & Salary Opportunities in Sports Management & Administration in Florida
Jobs in the sports management field are expected to grow faster than for other industries over the next decade, with coaches and scouts estimated to increase by 15% while sports agents or manager positions are expected to grow by around 12%.
Major League and Collegiate Sports
Florida is a great state for professional sports fans. With the variety of options and mild year-round weather, it’s a great location for getting your career started in sports. At the collegiate Division 1 level, there’s a huge rivalry between the University of Florida and Florida State University but there are 13 schools that compete at the highest level of college sports in Florida alone, not to mention the variety of DII, DIII, NAIA, and NJCAA schools as well.
Whether in college or at the professional level, the business of sports is hard work. Long hours, the in-season rise in schedule demands, and lack of downtime can make it a tough job at times. But with teams like the Tampa Bay Rays, the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Miami Dolphins, the Orlando Magic, the Miami Heat, and so many other minor leagues and beyond, there is ample opportunity in sports in Florida.
Tour Headquarters
In addition to individual teams, there are job opportunities to work at an unbiased level whether it be for a college sports conference, a local non-profit, or for the leagues themselves.
Golf, for example, has both of its major tour headquarters in the state of Florida. With the PGA Tour based in Ponte Vedra and the LPGA Tour in Daytona Beach, golf marketers, administrators, and sales people all work out of those locations with many traveling to the tour stops throughout the season as well.
