About the Program

The program prepares graduates to manage a variety of diversified responsibilities in the business of sport at the professional, collegiate, secondary school or the community level, both globally and nationally.  Integrating academic theory with the internship program provides students with the skills and practical experience needed for successful administration of a sport program.

The program prepares graduates to:

Demonstrate knowledge of the social and cultural dimensions of sport.

  • Define sports and sport sociology and explain the role of theory in analyzing sport. 
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the sociological/cultural dimensions of sport and physical activity
  • Explain the importance of knowledge of sport sociology for sports managers.
  • Discuss the social, political, and economic significance of sport in our society.
  • Identify the positive and negative social effects of sport and physical activity.

Demonstrate competency in the management and leadership dimensions of sport.

  • Differentiate between management and leadership; management as a process in sport organizations, and sport organization behavior
  • Identify and analyze the successful characteristics that make up a leader.
  • Identify the administrative structures in sport organizations.
  • Differentiate between administrators and managers and explain the roles that managers play in sport organizations.
  • Demonstrate the dynamics of the decision making process.

Demonstrate knowledge of the economic aspects of sport

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles and theories of economics and their relationship to all sporting venues.
  • Identify the development of economic trends in sport organizations from their inception to their current status
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the foundations of financial management.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of finances in professional sport organizations, in colleges and universities, not-for-profit, and amateur organizations.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of revenue streams, sport marketing, public relations, facility management, and branding.
  • Demonstrate the ability to use the basic tools of financial management.
  • Demonstrate the ability to understand and interpret financial statements

Demonstrate knowledge of the governing bodies in professional, Olympic, intercollegiate, and other sport business enterprises.

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the business models of professional leagues, the Olympics, intercollegiate athletics, and other sport enterprises.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the history and evolution of sport organizations and governing bodies.
  • Identify and explain labor issues, amateur status, and legislative reform as it applies to the various governing agencies.

Demonstrate knowledge of the legal and ethical considerations in sport management.

  • Identify ethical and legal issues affecting various sport organizations and propose possible courses of action for the organization to take.
  • Describe situations that are ethically ambiguous and the actions one would undertake.
  • Identify local, national and global current events and explain their ethical impact on sport.

Apply the career planning process to personal development.

  • Identify and develop skills and experiences relevant to achieving career goals, especially attitude toward professional preparation.
  • Conduct an accurate self-assessment of ability, achievement, motivation, and work habits to calculate the most advantageous career path.
  • Demonstrate the integration of sport management theory into practical application during the internship experience.