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Sports Management Degree and Training Programs
Sports Management Degree and Training Programs
Sports management degree programs focus on preparing you to work with sports team or institutions by training you in financial and managerial matters of sports. Learn more about the field in general, available programs, online study options, common course topics and career prospects.
What Is a Sports Management Degree?
In a sports management degree program, you will learn about the business side of sports. Due to the varied responsibilities associated with sports teams and events, your training will cover many different sports related topics. These may include learning how to make managerial and financial decisions for sports teams, facilities and events. You will also learn about the important legal aspects that are specifically related to sports management.
The level of degree you earn will determine how much depth and variety your program will cover. You can start by earning an associate's degree, which typically takes two years to complete or enroll in a 4-year bachelor's degree program after high school. Opportunities are also available to continue your education in graduate school and earn a master's or doctoral degree. With each higher level of degree that you earn, you will learn more about sports management and will make yourself a more desirable job candidate.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Course Topics</b></td><td> Financial, legal and managerial aspects of sports</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Degrees Available</b></td><td> Associate's, bachelor's, master's, doctoral</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Online Options</b></td><td> Yes, for both undergraduate and graduate degrees</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Common Courses</b></td><td> Facilities management, sports law, sports marketing, ethics</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Career Opportunities</b></td><td> Athletic director, sports facility coordinator, sales representative</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)</b></td><td> $28,940 (<i>for all umpires, referees, and other sports officials</i>)*</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2019-2029)</b></td><td> 8% growth (<i>for all umpires, referees, and other sports officials</i>)*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---CanIEarnMyDegreeOnline">Can I Earn My Degree Online?</h3><p>If you are already working a full time job, perhaps even in a sports related field, you may be interested in earning your degree online. Similar to an on-campus setting, you can earn either an undergraduate or graduate degree from an online institution, though doctorate degrees are rare. The requirements are generally similar, but online classes may have more flexible schedules for lectures and completing work.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatClassesWillITake">What Classes Will I Take?</h3><p>Some examples of sports business classes you will take are:
</p><ul><li>Facilities management
</li><li>Sports accounting
</li><li>Sports marketing
</li><li>Sports law
</li></ul><p>You will also have to take supporting classes that are not specific to sports business, but will help you with many sports related jobs. These may include classes such as:
</p><ul><li>Communication
</li><li>Ethics
</li><li>Economics
</li><li>Psychology of sport
</li></ul><p>In addition to completing coursework, you may also be required to complete an internship in order to receive your degree. Internships will allow you to see how the business of sports takes place in a real world setting, typically a local sports related business.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatCanIDoWithMyDegree">What Can I Do With My Degree?</h3><p>Earning a sports management degree provides you with many employment opportunities. You may be able to work with both amateur and professional sports teams, school systems or even news agencies that cover sporting games and events. Within those organizations, you can have a wide range of job titles such as:
</p><ul><li>Athletic director
</li><li>Facilities coordinator
</li><li>Sales representative
</li></ul><p>In addition to providing you with a degree, a program in sports management will help you gain experience and make connections with others in the field. These all combine to make you a more competitive job candidate than someone who has not earned a sports management degree.</p>
