Overview
Students who enjoy sports but aren’t interested in joining a team can learn about the business of sports by majoring in sport management. Leadership, business, operations, and analytical skills will be taught in the context of the sports industry. Traditional sports management skills will also be taught, as well as how to apply them in professional and amateur sports settings.
There are literally thousands of job opportunities available to students who complete accredited sports management degree programs in Illinois. Examples of careers you can look forward to including sports event coordinator, sports marketing coordinator, fitness manager, public relations manager, marketing consultant, athletic director, business development manager, and many more.
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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?
A bachelor’s degree in sports management typically takes four years to complete for full-time students, though accelerated and part-time options are available. Some schools offer shorter course terms or summer and winter sessions, which can affect study times. Transfer credits, prior learning assessments, and internships are all factors that can affect the overall program length.
Overall, the length of time it takes to complete your sports management degree is determined by the educational path you choose.
| 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
While most sports management bachelor’s degree programs include foundational business courses, many of the course requirements for sports management are industry-related.
Sports Marketing is an example of a sports management course that covers topics such as sports brand advertising, sports licensing elements, sports product merchandising, and sports market segmentation. Sports marketing classes assist students in developing the skills required to generate advertising and sponsorship deals. Students learn how to organize, plan, and implement special promotions of events or products, which frequently include appearances by celebrity athletes or coaches, during sports marketing courses. Some sport marketing courses also teach students the components of sponsorship contracts and how to successfully negotiate them.
Sports Media is another course where students are exposed to the various ways the sports industry promotes sporting events. Sports reporting techniques, production methods for sports programming on television and radio, and multimedia internet sports news production are among the topics covered.
Difference Between Sports Management & Sports Administration
Graduate programs in sports management aims to concentrate on the business aspects of sports organizations such as marketing, public relations, finance, and facilities management. While sports administration programs emphasize talent development and management. Consider team captains, coaches, and agents. Making roster moves, signing new talent, and representing athletes are all possible topics.
What Are The Standard Entrance Requirements to Enroll?
The admissions process for a sports management program is very similar to that of most other programs. Typical requirements include high school transcripts, college entrance exam scores, college application essays, and letters of recommendation. Prospective students should carefully review the school’s grade and test score requirements; some colleges require applicants to have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Students applying for a graduate degree in sport management should have a bachelor’s degree or higher. With their application, masters student must submit official transcripts, a resume, and test scores. Some schools also require GMAT or GRE scores. Most programs also require letters of recommendation.
| School Name | City | State | Program Level | Program Name | Program URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville University | Greenville | Illinois | Bachelor | Online B.S. in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Greenville University | Greenville | Illinois | Bachelor | Online B.S. in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Benedictine University | Lisle | Illinois | Master | Online Master of Science in Nutrition and Wellness | Click Here |
| Greenville University | Greenville | Illinois | Bachelor | Online B.S. in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Greenville University | Greenville | Illinois | Master's | Master of Arts in Education - Coaching | Click Here |
| Aurora University | Aurora | Illinois | Bachelor | Bachelor's in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Blackburn College | Carlinville | Illinois | Bachelor | Bachelor's in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Bradley University | Peoria | Illinois | Bachelor | Bachelors of Communications with an concentration in Sports Communications | Click Here |
| Columbia College Chicago | Chicago | Illinois | Bachelor | Bachelor's in Sports Management | Click Here |
| Concordia University Chicago | River Forest | Illinois | Bachelor | Online B.A. Sports & Recreation Management | Click Here |
| Concordia University Chicago | River Forest | Illinois | Bachelor | B.A. Sports & Recreation Management | Click Here |
| DePaul University | Chicago | Illinois | Bachelor | Online B.S. in Management and a concentration in Sports Management | Click Here |
| DePaul University | Chicago | Illinois | Bachelor | B.S. in Management and a concentration in Sports Management | Click Here |
| Eastern Illinois University | Charleston | Illinois | Bachelor | Bachelor's in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Elmhurst College | Elmhurst | Illinois | Bachelor | Bachelor's in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Judson University | Elgin | Illinois | Bachelor | Bachelor's in Exercise Science with an concentration in Sport Administration | Click Here |
| Kendall College | Chicago | Illinois | Bachelor | Bachelors in Hospitality Management with a concentration in Sports Management | Click Here |
| Lewis University | Romeoville | Illinois | Bachelor | B.A. in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Lincoln College | Lincoln | Illinois | Bachelor | B.S. in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Loyola University Chicago | Chicago | Illinois | Bachelor | B.B.A. with Sport Management major | Click Here |
| McKendree University | Lebanon | Illinois | Bachelor | Bachelors in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Millikin University | Decatur | Illinois | Bachelor | Bachelor's in Sport Management | Click Here |
| North Central College | Naperville | Illinois | Bachelor | B.A. in Sport Management | Click Here |
| North Park University Chicago | Chicago | Illinois | Bachelor | B.S. in Business and Economics with a concentration in Sports Management | Click Here |
| Olivet Nazarene University | Bourbonnais | Illinois | Bachelor | B.S. in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Quincy University | Quincy | Illinois | Bachelor | Bachelor's in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Southern Illinois University, Carbondale | Carbondale | Illinois | Bachelor | Bachelor's in Sport Administration | Click Here |
| University of Illinois | Champaign | Illinois | Bachelor | Online Bachelor's in Sport Management | Click Here |
| University of Illinois | Champaign | Illinois | Bachelor | Bachelors in Sport Management | Click Here |
| University of St. Francis | Joliet | Illinois | Bachelor | Bachelor's in Recreation Administration | Click Here |
| Concordia University Chicago | River Forest | Illinois | Doctorate | Online Ed.D. and Ph.D. in Leadership w/specialization in Sports Leadership | Click Here |
| Concordia University Chicago | River Forest | Illinois | Master's | Online MA in Sports Management & Leadership | Click Here |
| Concordia University Chicago | River Forest | Illinois | Master's | Online MBA with a Sports Management Specialization | Click Here |
| Concordia University Chicago | River Forest | Illinois | Master's | MA in Sports Management & Leadership | Click Here |
| Concordia University Chicago | River Forest | Illinois | Doctorate | Ph.D. in Leadership w/specialization in Sports Leadership MA in Sports Management & Leadership | Click Here |
| DePaul University | Chicago | Illinois | Master's | Online M.S. in Sport, Fitness and Recreation Leadership | Click Here |
| DePaul University | Chicago | Illinois | Master's | M.S. in Sport, Fitness and Recreation Leadership | Click Here |
| Eastern Illinois University | Charleston | Illinois | Master's | Master's in Sports Administration | Click Here |
| Illinois State University | Normal | Illinois | Master's | M.S. in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Northern Illinois University | DeKalb | Illinois | Master's | Online M.S. in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Northern Illinois University | DeKalb | Illinois | Master's | M.S. in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Southern Illinois University, Carbondale | Carbondale | Illinois | Master's | M.S. in Education - Sport Studies | Click Here |
| University of Illinois | Champaign | Illinois | Master's | Online M.S. in Recreation, Sport and Tourism with a specialization in Sport Management | Click Here |
| University of Illinois | Champaign | Illinois | Master's | Online Masters in Sport Management | Click Here |
| University of Illinois | Champaign | Illinois | Doctorate | Online PhD in Sport Management | Click Here |
| University of Illinois | Champaign | Illinois | Master's | Masters in Sport Management | Click Here |
| University of Illinois | Champaign | Illinois | Doctorate | PhD in Sport Management | Click Here |
| NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY | DeKalb | Illinois | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology | Click Here |
| NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY | DeKalb | Illinois | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Sport Management | Click Here |
| NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY | DeKalb | Illinois | Master | M.S. in Kinesiology and Physical Education | Click Here |
| NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY | DeKalb | Illinois | Master | M.S. in Sport Management | Click Here |
University of Illinois
Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Sport and Tourism (RST)
The Recreation, Sport, and Tourism (RST) curriculum prepares students to design, manage, and market recreation, sport, and tourism enterprises. It lays a solid foundation for careers in the industry or further graduate study. Comprehensive general education is supplemented by a core of professional courses. The curriculum includes a foundation that describes and integrates cutting-edge theory and practice. Students can then choose to specialize in recreation, sport, or tourism. The program also allows for multiple specializations, allowing students to prepare for leadership by taking courses in recreation, sport, and tourism. Graduation from the major requires 128 credit hours. It is made up of five parts: general education requirements (36 hours), core requirements (39 hours), concentration requirements (9 hours), electives (32 hours), and an internship (12 hours).
Master of Science Sport Management
The University of Illinois’ graduate program in sport management, like other accredited sports management degree programs in Illinois, requires a variety of electives and core courses. Students may complete either a thesis or a non-thesis option for the degree, with each option requiring 36 credits. The thesis option necessitates an 8-credit-hour thesis, whereas the non-thesis option requires a 4-credit-hour professional paper. In addition, the non-thesis option prompts more core courses. Theories and Concepts of Leisure, Critical Issues in Sport Management, and Advanced Leisure Research Methods are among the classes that all students will take. Students must also spend at least one semester on campus as part of the program. The program is designed to take three or four semesters to complete, depending on the course load a student takes during their studies. Students who have other professional obligations, such as a job, may also study part-time.
Accreditation
Northern Illinois University
Bachelor of Science in Sport Management
If you’re interested in working behind-the-scenes in the rapidly expanding sport industry, consider NIU’s experiential and research-based Sport Management major. Students are prepared for a variety of career opportunities with professional franchises, collegiate athletic departments, marketing and management firms, parks and recreation operations, and other organizations. Students admitted to NIU to pursue the B.S. degree in Sport Management enter directly into the major program. Retention in this major demands a university GPA of 2.5 or higher, as well as completion of all required coursework prior to the culminating internship. Specific courses require grades of C or higher.
Master of Science in Sport Management
NIU’s M.S. in Sport Management prepares you for a variety of sport management career opportunities including professional sports, college athletics, campus recreation and parks departments. Aside from academic requirements, one of the program’s distinguishing features is its connection to the sports industry. These connections provide students with opportunities for hands-on learning (via internships, graduate assistantships, and class trips), in-class guest speakers, and networking with professionals in the field. A bachelor’s degree (including transcripts) from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher and two letters of recommendation are required to apply. The program requires you to complete an internship as the final course. The internship is a full-time management experience in an off-campus sport management setting that needs a minimum of 150 hours. Students have interned with professional and semi-professional sports organizations (including the Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Fire, Rockford IceHogs, and Detroit Tigers), as well as intercollegiate athletic departments and private corporations throughout northern Illinois and the United States.
Accreditation
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.
Concordia University Chicago
Bachelor of Science in Sports Management
Concordia University Chicago offers rigorous but flexible degree programs that help students develop critical business and sports knowledge.This on-campus Bachelor of Science program offers a comprehensive business curriculum that includes a 42-hour business core with a stronger mathematics emphasis. Sports management and business courses are designed to sharpen students’ knowledge in areas such as foundations of sports management, diversity of sport, sport governance, and more. Students will also select electives from courses like intercollegiate athletic administration and sports media communication.
Concordia University Chicago’s MBA in Sports Management program, in collaboration with Sports Management Worldwide, teaches advanced business skills through the lens of sports, preparing you to succeed in the sports business. All courses are 100% online, with a total of 48 credits required for completion, divided into 16 8-week courses. The program requires a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or an equivalent non-U.S. degree. To be considered for Full Admission, candidates must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.85 or a master’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Accreditation
Career & Salary Opportunities in Sports Management & Administration in Illinois
Between 2020 and 2030, the BLS projects 22% growth for sports and entertainment careers and 9% growth for management occupations, both of which are faster than the average projected growth for all occupations (8%). Professionals who specialize in the intersection of sports and management should benefit as sports popularity and management complexities grow. Furthermore, because of the proximity to the major city of Chicago, students will have access to a city with many opportunities in the sports management field during internships and after graduation. Think about this – baseball is big in Illinois, especially now that the Chicago Cubs have won the World Series, Soldier Field is home to the Chicago Bears and the Chicago Bulls play their home games at the United Center. What’s more, ZipRecruiter says that the average annual salary for Sport Management jobs in Illinois is $32,114 as of Oct 26, 2022. In case you need a quick salary calculator, that works out to about $15.44 per hour. This equates to $617 per week or $2,676 per month.
