Overview
Earning a degree in sport management is a smart first step if you wish to pursue a sports career. A number of colleges and universities in Colorado offer degree programs in sport management. Depending on the career path you’re interested in, you may decide to finish a four-year Bachelor’s degree or go after a Master’s or doctoral degree.
A Bachelor’s degree program will give you with a broad understanding of sports management through the study of both business and sports-related issues. Some fundamental topics you’ll study include sports law, business law, sports marketing, accounting, economics, psychology, public speaking, communications, sports analytics, negotiation, advertising, facility management, and financial planning. With this degree, you can work as a talent scout, public relations expert, sports data analyst, or facilities manager.
A master’s degree, on the other hand, prepares you for advanced corporate roles and gives you a thorough understanding of business and sports through the study of subjects such as marketing, ethics, leadership, and conflict resolution. This degree is perfect if you want to work as a marketing manager or athletic director.
Finally, a Ph.D. in sports management places a greater emphasis on business and practical themes while focusing on research and data analysis in sports. This degree can be used in senior management and administration jobs, including as a sports league director, university professor, sports research analyst, and more.
Overall, sports management is a thriving academic field that gives students a solid foundation in business administration, finance, fitness, marketing, health, the law, and communications as they prepare to enter the multibillion-dollar global industry. If you have a strong passion for sports but lack the athletic ability to succeed professionally, you can still contribute to this quickly expanding industry by overseeing the operations of significant sports organizations. Particularly, these accredited sports management degree programs in Colorado provide the best instruction in one of the best states for launching a lucrative career in the sports industry.
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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
Programs leading to a bachelor’s degree in sports management normally require four years of full-time study and 120 semester credits to complete. The length of a typical Master’s program, on the other hand, is two years, while those pursuing a doctoral degree should plan on spending at least three to four years in school.
Curriculum and Example Courses
While specific sports management courses vary by school, most programs concentrate on the business side of the sector. Courses in general education, core subjects, and electives are typically required for bachelor’s degrees in sports management. Below are sample courses students might take:
Sports Economics and Finance: This course examines the economic and financial metrics used in the sports industry. The for-profit and nonprofit sectors are covered, along with public funding, naming rights, and television rights. Students are educated on how sports affect the economy.
Leadership in Sport: Learners examine management, communication, and problem-solving strategies for directing facilities and programs in sports management. The focus of the course is on leadership techniques, and it helps students find management positions in the sports industry.
Difference Between Sports Management & Sports Marketing
Sports marketing is the use of sports or athletes to promote a brand, team or individual athlete. In some cases, it may be necessary to select athletes as endorsers, while in other cases, strategic alliances are formed through product placement or sponsorship. However, sports management requires personal supervision of the careers of athletes or teams. Managing an athlete’s career includes a wide range of activities such as contract negotiations and endorsements.
What Are The Standard Entrance Requirements to Enroll?
Typical admission requirements include a high school diploma, satisfactory ACT/SAT scores, letters of recommendation, and a written essay. Applicants may be asked to complete or submit additional school-specific information. Then, to get a master’s degree, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Applicants must also have at least a 3.0 GPA and strong GRE scores to be considered by many highly selective schools. Finally, in order to advance your career and obtain a PhD, you must first obtain a master’s degree from an accredited university. Most doctoral programs require a master’s degree in sports management or a closely related field such as business management or finance. A high GPA, letters of recommendation, and a personal essay are almost certainly required.
| School Name | City | State | Program Level | Program Name | Program URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams State University | Alamosa | Colorado | Bachelors | Online Bachelors of Arts in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Adams State University | Alamosa | Colorado | Bachelors | Bachelors of Arts in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction | Colorado | Bachelors | Online A.S. in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction | Colorado | Bachelors | Online B.S. in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango | Colorado | Bachelors | Bachelor's in Exercise Science - Sport Administration Option | Click Here |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver | Colorado | Bachelors | Bachelor in Sport Management | Click Here |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs | Colorado | Bachelors | Bachelor of Science in Business; Emphasis in Sport Management | Click Here |
| University of Colorado Denver | Denver | Colorado | Bachelors | B.S. in Business Administration with Emphasis in Sport Management | Click Here |
| University of Northern Colorado | GREELE | Colorado | Bachelors | Bachelor in Sport & Exercise Science, Sport Administration | Click Here |
| Western State Colorado University | Gunnison | Colorado | Bachelors | Bachelor of Sport & Fitness Management | Click Here |
| Adams State University | Alamosa | Colorado | Masters | Online Masters of Arts in Sport Management | Click Here |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction | Colorado | Masters | Online MBA with Sport Management distinction | Click Here |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction | Colorado | Masters | MBA with Sport Management distinction | Click Here |
| Colorado State University | Fort Collins | Colorado | Masters | Online Master of Sport Management | Click Here |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs | Colorado | Masters | Master of Business Administration; Emphasis in Sport Management | Click Here |
| University of Colorado Denver | GREELEY | Colorado | Masters | MBA with a Specialization in Sports and Entertainment Management | Click Here |
Colorado State University
Master of Sport Management
Delivery Method: Online
Credits Required: 32-36 Credit Hours
This program prepares students for leadership roles in intercollegiate and professional athletics as well as recreational sports. Through targeted interdisciplinary courses and hands-on work experience, you can prepare for a career in the sports industry with a focus on business development, sales, sports marketing, sports media and communications, facilities and events management, public engagement or sports law. The degree requires a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and a 3.0 GPA on all undergraduate coursework at the time of application.
Accreditation
University of Colorado Boulder
Business of Sports Certificate
Delivery Method: On-Campus
Credits Required: 9 Credit Hours
The Business of Sports Program is a 9-credit “boot camp” for students and recent graduates with a strong interest in a career in the sports and entertainment industry. Students will learn what it’s like to work in different sectors of the sports industry. Industry practitioners guide students through the day-to-day operations of these departments and explain what it takes to get into these positions. To apply to the program, your application, CV and writing samples are required.
Accreditation
University of Northern Colorado
BS in Sport & Exercise Science: Sport Administration
Delivery Method: On-Campus
Credits Required: 120 Credit Hours
This program is designed to prepare graduates for careers by combining business principles and industry-specific aspects of managing collegiate, professional, or Olympic sport organizations with emphases on Sport marketing, Sport finance and economics, Organizational behavior, and Event and facility management. Applicants must be current Colorado high school students with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
M.S. in Sport and Exercise Science: Sport Administration
Delivery Method: Online, On-Campus
Credits Required: 30 Credit Hours
This sport administration program is renowned for its strengths in sports business, including areas like finance, marketing, and management. Up to three elective courses can be chosen by students to tailor their degree to their personal interests or professional objectives. The degree can be completed with a professional internship to gain relevant work experience and contacts. Each applicant must hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university, or a foreign degree equivalent, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale) for the most recent degree attained or the current degree in progress.
Ph.D. in Sport and Exercise Science: Sport Administration
Delivery Method: On-Campus
Credits Required: 64-67 Credit Hours
This Ph.D. in sport administration is a research degree, designed for students who seek careers as college or university professors. In addition to building academic expertise in sport administration, students will develop excellent teaching skills, drawing on UNC’s traditional strength as an educator-training institution. Each applicant must have a master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university or its equivalent from a foreign institution and a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher (on a 4.00 scale) from the most recent degree earned or a degree currently being prosecuted.
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.
University of Denver
Undergraduate Minor in Kinesiology and Sport Studies (KSS)
Delivery Method: On-Campus
Credits Required: 20 Credit Hours
This undergraduate degree program delivers rigorous, exceptional, and innovative teaching to educate students for active citizenship and lifelong learning. The course content provides students with a wide range of careers, knowledge, skills and sporting values. The main direction of KSS is based on the history of kinesiology and sports culture studies with a wide curriculum and flexible degree acquisition. No minimum GPA is required for admission.
Accreditation
Colorado Mesa University
Bachelor of Science in Sport Management
Delivery Method: Online, On-Campus
Credits Required: 120 Credit Hours
The program provides a theoretical and practical framework for a variety of careers focused on leadership roles, including youth, amateur and professional sports; recreational, collegiate and collegiate athletic programs; and marketing and management of all sports and fitness related products. The main objective of the program is to develop an in-depth understanding and practical knowledge of planning, organizing, managing and evaluating activities and projects in a sport or fitness organization. Students will also become competent managers in a variety of industries with a focus on sports and fitness. Students must submit official high school transcripts in order to apply.
Master of Science in Sport Management
Delivery Method: Online
Credits Required: 30 Credit Hours
The Online Masters of Science in Sport Management provides specialized education in sport management for those individuals interested in professional management or administrative opportunities in professional sports, interscholastic and intercollegiate athletics administration, sports facilities, sports media, and sports marketing and management agencies. Classes include a research core, the sport management core and electives. Field experience is required for the non-thesis track and for those interested in moving on to doctoral studies, a thesis track is available. Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited four-year institution and a minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the most recent 60 credit hours in order to be admitted.
Accreditation
Career & Salary Opportunities in Sports Management & Administration in Colorado
Jobs in sports management are booming! In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for those with a degree in sports management is positive. Here are some career options for sports management graduates:
A sports manager is someone you often interview after a sporting event. They are responsible for hiring coaches and players, contract negotiations and budget planning.
- Sports General Manager Salary: $122,090
- Sports General Manager Degree Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree
Sports agents negotiate player contracts and handle other business opportunities. As an agent, you can work for multiple players in multiple states, so you’ll likely spend a lot of time traveling to meet with your clients and their leagues.
- Sports Agent Salary $89,590
- Sports Agent Degree Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree
Sports marketers promote a team or league to the community. This is done through public relations, community events and performances, and advertising campaigns.
- Sports Marketing Professional Salary: $70,620
- Sports Marketing Professional Degree Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree
In addition, according to a recent list of the best sports cities in the United States, Denver and the state of Colorado as a whole are doing really well. All of the major professional sports, including baseball, basketball, football, and soccer, have teams in Denver.
If you’re looking for something different, you could work for Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League. They play their home games at the Ball Arena. Lacrosse may not be as popular in Colorado as it is on the east coast, but thanks to this team, it’s certainly and swiftly gaining popularity.
