Sport Management, Bachelor of Science

Rising above the competition and gaining access to this competitive industry requires a superb academic background and substantial practical experience. You can prepare for these opportunities through the acclaimed Bachelor of Science Degree Program in Sport Management at St. John's University.

Designed to prepare students for successful and challenging sport and recreational management careers, this 120-credit program focuses on applying business principles to the industry while drawing upon ongoing relationships to provide internship opportunities at well-known sports organizations such as Madison Square Garden, NBCUniversal, the  Brooklyn Nets, and more. Students have also interned at many organizations outside the greater metropolitan area, including the Los Angeles Sparks, Tulane University, Disney/ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, the United States Olympic Committee in Colorado Springs, the Leicester Tigers (UK Rugby Union), and the Yokohama F-Marinos (J-League Soccer).

For students interested in coaching, the Coaching Option includes three courses (SPM 1050, 1051, and 1052) that are part of the requirements to apply for a Temporary Coaching License in New York State. For students interested in a broader business background, the Business Option includes a Business Minor as part of your required curriculum.

The program also offers study abroad and student exchange programs specifically for sport management students. A summer session runs in Rome each year during the month of June. This program provides students with a global perspective on issues related to the profession and an understanding of the role athletics play in international relations. There is also a full-semester exchange program available to study in the United Kingdom. These international experiences provide unique opportunities for students in the program to gain an edge as future managers in the sports and recreation industry.

Admission

For more information about admission to this and other acclaimed undergraduate programs at St. John’s University, please visit Undergraduate Admission online. Or contact us directly at the campus of your choice:

Admission Office - Queens Campus
718-990-2000
[email protected]

Admission Office -  Staten Island campus
718-390-4500
[email protected]

Career Outcomes

The purpose of the sport management program is to prepare 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 of study is based on the curricular standards set forth by the North American Society for Sport Management. Seven “Common Professional Components” should be adequately covered within the content of undergraduate sport management programs; our curriculum is designed to meet or exceed the minimum requirement in each topic area.

After completing the program, students will be able to:

1. Critically evaluate the social, psychological and international foundations of sport: SPM 1001 (Principles, Philosophy, and Organization of Sport); SPM 1025 (Sociology of Sport).
    
2. Demonstrate competency in the management and leadership dimensions of sport: MGT 1001 (Principles of Management); SPM 1001, SPM 1004 (Managerial Aspects of Sport Management); SPM 1006 (Seminar in Sport Administration); SPM 1014 (Stadium and Arena Management).
    
3. Analyze the role of ethics in sport management: PHI 1020 (Ethics); SPM 1001; SPM 1004; SPM 1010 (Legal Aspects of Sport Management).
    
4. Prepare effective sport marketing and communication materials: MKT 1001 (Principles of Marketing); ENG 1006 (Business Writing); SPM 1022 (Sport Marketing); SPM 1018 (Public and Media Relations in Athletics).
    
5. Apply the principles of finance, accounting, and economics to the sport industry: ACC 1007 (Fundamentals of Accounting I); ECO 1001 (Principles of Economics I); ECO 1002 (Principles of Economics II); SPM 1032 (The Economics of Sport).
    
6. Assess the impact of the law on the sport industry: BLW 1001 (Law and Business); SPM 1010.
    
7. Complete an integrative sport management experience, such as:
   1. Strategic Management/Policy: MGT 1001, SPM 1004, SPM 1006.
   2. Internship: SPM 1007 and/or SPM 1020 and/or SPM 1021 (Sport Management Internship).
   3. Capstone experience : SPM 1006.

Global Approach to Education

Students in the Sport Management Program will be taught by faculty who have been published in the European Sport Management Quarterly, Global Sport Management News, International Journal of Sport Management, International Journal of Economic Sciences, and Olympika – The International Journal of Olympic Studies. Our faculty have attended conferences and presented papers in Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Italy, New Zealand, Taiwan, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. This international experience and research focus becomes integrated into our curriculum and gives our graduates and edge over students that have not been exposed to such a wide variety of international issues in their course work.

The Division of Sport Management offers study abroad and student exchange programs specifically designed for sport management students. A summer session runs in Rome each year during the month of June. This program provides students with a global perspective on issues related to the profession and an understanding of the role athletics play in international relations. There is also a full-semester exchange program available to study at Leeds Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom. These international experiences provide unique opportunities for students in the program to gain an edge as future managers in the sports and recreation industry.

Additional Information

Students majoring in Sport Management learn from a nationally known faculty of scholars and practitioners with strong professional contacts throughout the New York City area and around the world. Their contacts, along with those of St. John's acclaimed Career Center, provide outstanding internship and job placement opportunities. 

Students can also gain an academic and professional edge by joining the Sport Management Association. One of more than 180 student clubs at St. John's, the Association coordinates events, activities, and publications that benefit majors. Events include an annual Career Night and guest lectures from industry professionals at meetings throughout the year. The Association also provides information about internships, volunteer opportunity, industry news, and other topics of interest to Sport Management majors.

Honor societies include The College of Professional Studies Honor Society, which recognizes undergraduates who demonstrate academic excellence as well as involvement in campus, church or community activities. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 60 credits (30 in CPS) with an index of 3.5 for all coursework.

Of course, Sport Management majors also benefit from the outstanding academic resources for which St. John's is known. Facilities include high-tech classrooms, laboratories and our 1.7 million-volume University Library. Our new D’Angelo Center is a five-story, 127,000-square-foot University and Student Center with classrooms, lecture halls, a Starbucks Café and a full-service food court.

Students take advantage of St. John’s location in dynamic New York City. Our faculty and Career Center have strong ties to employers and other professional and educational resources throughout the New York area. Students make New York their classroom through innovative courses like Discover New York.