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.
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:
- Critically evaluate the social, psychological and international foundations of sport: SPM 1001 (Principles, Philosophy, and Organization of Sport)
- 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 1014/2003 (Stadium and Arena Management), SPM 1006/4001 (Seminar in Sport Administration);
- Analyze the role of ethics in sport management: SPM 1001; SPM 1004; SPM 1010/2001 (Legal Aspects of Sport Management).
- Prepare effective sport marketing and communication materials: MKT 1001 (Principles of Marketing); ENG 1006 (Business Writing); SPM 1018/2005 (Sport Communication), SPM 1022/3001 (Sport Marketing);
- 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 1032/3003 (The Economics of Sport).
- Assess the impact of the law on the sport industry: BLW 1001 (Law and Business); SPM 1010/2001.
- Complete an integrative sport management experience, such as:
- Strategic Management/Policy: MGT 1001, SPM 1004, SPM 1006/4001.
- Capstone experience: SPM 1006/4001.
- Internship
Internships
In order to enhance their job and career prospects, undergraduate sport management majors are required to complete a minimum of 3 credits of an academic internship which is equivalent to 135 contact hours with a sport organization. An academic internship is a credit-based work experience through which a student receives training and gains valuable experience in a specific career area under the supervision of a specialist in that particular field.
The Division of Sport Management does not provide internship placement for students, however, faculty members, Career Services, our Division’s advisory board, alumni, and other entities within the university can all assist students with identifying internship opportunities. In recent years, Division of Sport Management students have interned at hundreds of sport, recreation, health and wellness, fitness and related types of organizations in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, in addition to a multitude other local, national and international organizations. Alumni from the Division of Sport Management are employed at various sport organizations worldwide.
After a student receives an offer from an internship site, they then apply to register for the academic credit portion of the internship. Students cannot self-register for internships, they must be manually enrolled by the Division of Sport Management administration. Prior to being enrolled, the Undergraduate Program Director must approve the internship based on the student's completion of an online application, essential pre-requisite courses in their major, and achievement of a qualifying GPA. The individual expected to oversee the internship (site supervisor) at the organization will also be contacted to confirm the details of the internship.
- Students eligible for internships should have completed 60 credits overall.
- Students should have completed at least 12 credits within their majors, with a major GPA of 2.75 or higher.
- Students may not carry internship coursework as part of an excess credit load (e.g., more than 18 credits in one semester).
Learn more and apply to complete a Sport Management internship here.
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 Collins 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.
**This program also has a Fast Track to MPS Sport Management. To get more information on our Fast Track program, please visit our CCPS Fast Track page or contact your academic advisor.