An online bachelor’s degree in sports management may provide students with a solid foundation in combining business principles with athletics. Students enrolled in these four-year programs may learn how to plan, organize, and facilitate specific sporting events as well as apply administrative tasks to these activities. Coursework within these programs may combine general education courses along with business administrative and major-specific courses, such as event marketing, fitness management, and sport law.

Graduates may seek entry-level employment or pursue additional education through enrolling in a graduate-level program in sports management. Graduates of baccalaureate degree programs may find employment opportunities at parks, sporting goods manufacturers, fitness facilities, and intercollegiate athletics.

Program Overview

• Prerequisite: High School Diploma or GED
• Program Length: Four years to complete
• Post-Grad Options: Entry-Level Employment or Master’s / Doctoral Program
• Projected Employment Growth: 29% (2010-2020)*

Program Coursework

The curriculum within a bachelor’s-level program in sports management may include general education courses in addition to major-specific courses and electives. Within these programs, students may gain key management, leadership, marketing, and administrative skills through courses involving sports finance, marketing, and ethics. Core sports management courses may include the following:

• Sport Law
• Fitness Management
• Public Relations in Sports
• Front Office Management
• Event Marketing
• Sports Ethics
• Sports Leadership

Career Options

Graduates of an online bachelor’s degree in sports management may find employment options in sales, finance, and management at sporting goods manufacturers, parks and recreation departments, intercollegiate athletics, and fitness facilities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities in sports management may increase by 29% from 2010-2020*.

Possible careers include:

• Athletic Facilities Manager
• Coach
• Sports Competitor
• Fitness Instructor
• Sports Marketer

Continuing Education

Graduates may choose to continue their education and enroll in a graduate-level program in sports management. These upper-level programs may offer students specific areas of concentration, such as sport administration, and may provide students with additional training and skills on managing and leading a sports-based organization. Most employers prefer to hire individuals who possess a bachelor’s degree at minimum, although some employers may only require applicants to have experience as a former athlete or competitor.

*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook