Best Universities offering graduate programs in Sport and Fitness Management

Columbia University is the top-ranked university in the world offering a graduate sports management program. Columbia University Master of Science in Sports Management features a leading-edge, market-influenced curriculum along with unparalleled access to sports industry leaders and experts. For the full-time option, students take courses on Columbia New York City campus. The program takes up to 16 months to complete, and will be offered in the fall and spring for 2021.

Learn from successful industry practitioners and leaders in all areas of sports business.

Gain practical knowledge and training with sports organizations such as the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, FC Bayern Munich, LaLiga, Real Madrid, and many others.

Join an elite network of peers, industry experts, and graduates working in leadership positions across the global sports ecosystem.

A dynamic, best-in-class curriculum covering all aspects of the sports business universe with leading-edge content that captures current market dynamics and anticipates future trends.

Top academic partnerships, including CSM LeadDog, Opta Sports, FC Bayern Munich, La Liga North America, Luker on Trends, Real Madrid University, and the Aspen Institute, which offer students valuable knowledge and training for what lies ahead in sports management.

A sophisticated professional development and coaching process, which cultivates leadership skills along with writing and presentation skills tailored to success in the sports industry.

Young professionals who aspire to have a career in sports.

Current sports professionals who want to enhance their skill set and advance their careers.

Career-changing professionals who want to transition to a sports career.

Our graduates work for the largest and most important sports businesses across the globe, including professional sports teams and leagues, intercollegiate athletics, the Olympics, sports marketing agencies, and sports media companies.

Produced by the Columbia University Sports Management program staff, The CUSP Show can be heard here.

Jackson Donahue: From D1 Athlete to the Business Side of Sports.

Leda Strong: Using Sports as a Vehicle for Change.

Leda Strong is looking to move the needle on social justice and wants to work at the intersection of sports and social good.

The founders of the SPS podcast The CUSP Show, Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson, discuss their journey in the world of sports.

Varriale-Barker, lecturer in Sports Management, interviews Lauren Lubin April, a non-binary athlete.

As admission to our program is highly competitive, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

On campus or online.

But competition for sports-related jobs can be quite heavy. If you're interested in starting or advancing your career in the business of sports, you can build the skills you need in Northwestern Master of Arts in Sports Administration (MSA) program.

The program offers access to team executives and professionals in areas such as operations, marketing, and sponsorship in collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. The curriculum offers a wide range of electives to enable you to focus on your areas of interest. Optional specializations in sports analytics and college sports management are also available.

Whatever your career goal, in Northwestern MSA program you'll build a deep skill set and broaden your network. Earn your Northwestern master degree on campus or online.

An interdisciplinary professional program, MSA graduates will possess the knowledge, skills and aptitude to:.

Lead enterprising sports organizations within an evolving environment.

Create effective business plans to set strategic direction of a sports entity.

Students are required to complete 11 courses to earn the degree. The Sports Administration curriculum covers six core courses, three elective courses, a leadership course, and a capstone class or thesis project. Review curriculum details and elective choices while you consider applying to this program.

The Sports Analytics specialization, offered only online, provides technical and leadership training required for key positions in sports team management and analytics. Building upon Northwestern University graduate program in predictive analytics and data science, it reviews key technologies in analytics and modeling, probability theory, applied mathematics, statistics and programming. It shows how analytic techniques may be utilized in evaluating player and team performance and in sports team administration.

The College Sports Management specialization focuses on the unique management issues related to collegiate athletics in the United States. College sports, an $8 billion industry, plays a vital role in the US sports market, higher education, media, and the social justice landscape. Students in this specialization learn manage the internal and external workings of an athletics department, including the unique human resource, legal, compliance, public relations, marketing, sponsorship, and financial issues facing college athletic departments.

Explore MA in Sports Administration courses.

A variety of factors are considered when your application is reviewed. Background and experience vary from student to student. For a complete list of requirements, see the Admission page for SPS graduate programs.

Tuition for the Master in Sports Administration program at Northwestern is comparable to similar US programs. Financial aid opportunities exist for students at Northwestern. Complete details can be found on the Sports Administration Tuition and Financial Aid page.

Successful networking can be an essential component for entry into the sports field. Northwestern University Sports Administration networking opportunities provide students and alumni with a competitive advantage as they begin and look to advance in their careers.

Only a tiny fraction of people will ever join the professional ranks as players, coaches or top executives, but jobs connected to sports marketing and administration will continue to grow, a result of demographics and the increasing demand for sophisticated organizations that specialize in youth sports. Those with appropriately rigorous education in the field will likely find significant professional opportunity.

Learn the MSA Student Board and their efforts to create and host network events for the program.

The Sport Management, at Rice University School of Social Sciences, explores business concepts as related to the sport industry.

Current and former Owls attend the Women in Sports Data conference.

Remembering Jamey Rootes, head of Rice Hutchinson Leadership Initiative in Sport Analytics.

Street Address Rice University Sport Management, MS 543 Kraft Hall, Room 240A 6100 Main Street Houston, TX 77005.

Georgetown University’s Master of Professional Studies in Sports Industry Management prepares you to excel in the global sports industry.

Through a blend of focused study and hands-on practice, our program immerses you in the multifaceted world of sports. You’ll be exposed to the latest industry tools and best practices while mastering the contemporary digital and entrepreneurial skills that give you a competitive edge.

Ideal for working professionals, our program is designed to fit your schedule. We offer flexible options to take classes online, on campus, or through a combination of both—so you don’t have to interrupt your career to earn your degree.

A hallmark of our program is application. You'll have opportunities to gain real-world experience and connect with members of the industry through internships, externships, travel abroad opportunities, and recruitment and networking events. In the classroom, you’ll engage with a faculty of seasoned experts and practitioners from organizations like the U.S. Olympic Committee, Washington Nationals, Octagon, Washington Capitals, and the NFL Players Association.

We know that a BC education is a worthwhile but significant investment. We're committed to helping you affordably achieve your educational goals while treating each student and their family equitably. Financial aid and payment plans may be available for students taking a minimum of six credits across a semester.

Students interested in exploring the Sports Administration program prior to submitting an entire application may enroll in select courses as a nondegree student.

Up to two courses may be taken as a nondegree student. The course options are: Introduction to Sports Management and Sports Marketing and Communication.

Regular Deadline: April 1 (International Students applying for summer 1 must submit an application by March 1st. Summer 2 applicants must submit an application by April 1st.).

The Woods College M.S. in Sports Administration does not require the GRE or GMAT for admission. Our GRE reporting code is 7534 and our GMAT reporting code is 44X-HX-07.

Boston CollegeWoods College of Advancing Studies Admissions OfficeSt. Mary Hall South140 Commonwealth AvenueChestnut Hill, MA 02467.

This evaluation is not just an English translation, but a document provided by an accredited evaluating agency that shows all grades, course titles, credit hours, United States degree equivalency, grade-point average (GPA), and date of degree conferral.

Please request a detailed, course-by-course transcript evaluation for all international institutions where a degree was conferred from one of the following agencies:.

We will consider your application and weigh a variety of factors to determine whether we are able to offer you admission. For particular applicants, we may be able to grant admission into the program with particular conditions noted (for example, passing the first two courses with a B or better in each during the first semester).

Yes, qualified, accepted, nondegree students may enroll in one of two courses as a nondegree student: Introduction to Sports Management or Sports Marketing and Communication. Please review the nondegree student process and course options.

Students can transfer in up to 6 credits (usually equivalent to 2 courses). Decisions on whether to accept transfer credits will depend upon an assessment of whether the courses to be transferred fit within the Masters of Science in Sports Administration curriculum.

This is variable and is largely based on how many courses a student takes at any given time. If you take 2 courses per semester, you can complete the degree in 18 months.

According to PwC's Sports Outlook report, the North American sports market media rights, ticket, sponsorship, and merchandising revenues accounted for a total of $71 billion dollars in 2018. As viewer consumption models and fan behavior shifts with digital innovation, sports organizations will evolve to offer exciting new experiences for their fans. The Sport Management certificate program prepares entry level and experienced professionals for opportunities in the business of sports, athletics, and exercise. If you're passionate about sports or personal fitness and want to create a viable career for yourself in the industry then this program is for you.

This program offers entry to mid-career professionals working or who aspire to work in the sports or fitness industry with a thorough, yet concise collaborative online learning experience. Our students prepare for more responsibility in marketing, finance, facilities management, or any other specialization related to the business of sports.

Students can choose between two options: 1.) Non-Thesis with Graduate Final Exam or 2.) Thesis.

Introduce advanced concepts of planning, organizing, leading and evaluating organizational goals to sport organizations.

Develop financial strategies and evaluate budgets and sources of revenues and expenses relevant to sport organizations.

Apply fundamental marketing concepts to the sport industry, create marketing plans, evaluate market segments, and predict consumer behavior.

Explain and judge fundamental legal concepts relevant to tort, contract, and constitutional law, and how they sport management field.

Understand the interdisciplinary nature of sport management at an advanced level.

Explain the internal and external factors that influence and shape sport.

Master degrees in Sport Management are also available online.

A recognized baccalaureate, graduate or professional degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or a comparable degree from an international institution.

A minimum grade point average of B (3.0), calculated from all grades and credits after the semester where the applicant reached 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours.

Admission to the program will be based upon the following criteri .

The Non-Thesis program is 36 credit hours with the completion of the Graduate Final Exam, which serves as the exit requirement for the Sport Management degree. This project is the final step in the degree process and must be completed during their last 2 semesters of study.

SPM 6158 Management and Leadership in Sport (3).

Enrollment without approval may result in the course being evaluated as inadequate to count towards the MS degree.

If the student selects a minor, one supervisory committee member must be from the minor department.

Only graduate-level (5000-7999) work with a letter grade of B or better is eligible for transfer of credit. A maximum of 15 transfer credits are allowed. This total can include no than 9 credits from institutions approved by UF, with the balance obtained from post-baccalaureate work at the University of Florida.

The supervisory committee is responsible for using established criteria to ensure the academic integrity of coursework before accepting graduate transfer credits.

The Graduate School does not require notification. The student must reapply for admission upon return.

The Sport Management is able to develop a concurrent plan with several other programs on campus. program is to allow students to pursue than one graduate degree at the same time, with the opportunity to share credits. We strongly prefer our concurrent degree students to take at least 1-2 SPM classes each semester or alternate semesters.

The student must be officially admitted to both programs through regular procedures. No than 9 credits from the first program may be applied toward the second.

The Joint Degrees Program is a credit-sharing arrangement that allows qualified students to combine their legal studies with graduate work, resulting in two degrees earned in a reduced amount of time. Candidates must apply for and gain admission to both the Levin College of Law and the Graduate School. Enrollment in one program may precede enrollment in the other according to timelines set by the programs.

The faculties of the College of Law and the College of Health and Human Performance have prepared a joint degree program culminating in both a Juris Doctor degree, awarded by the College of Law, and a Master of Science in Sport Management, awarded by the Sport Management. Under this joint degree program, a student can obtain both degrees in approximately one year less than doing both programs sequentially, if both degree programs are pursued simultaneously. Students need to propose and obtain approval (from both programs of study) to share 12 of the same credits, to count towards both individual program degree plans of study.

In their final semester, students on the non-thesis track will submit a Graduate Final Exam that consists of key projects from five of the core courses in the degree program as well as a professional portfolio. The goal of the graduate final exam are to:.

Allow students to demonstrate their knowledge and ability to apply key concepts and skills to the professional practice of sport management and the issues facing the industry.

Engagement, Industry Outreach and the Training Room : Obtaining employment in the sport industry requires an intentional effort. The University of Florida Sport Management provides opportunities both on and off campus in order to network and build meaningful relationships with alumni and industry professionals while seeking your degree.

Engaged learning and outreach opportunities are shared through Canvas (e-learning platform) and social media. Every UF SPM student is provided access to a course called SPM Engaged Learning and Outreach (Public version) upon entry into the program. internship locations.

Additionally, a second platform is available on Canvas exclusively for UF SPM graduate students called The Training Room. The Training Room is specifically designed for graduate students to serve as a resource for career planning.

Students who pursue careers in Sport Management have a variety of options. Among the most popular career opportunities are:.

Please take some time to explore and consider your next steps based on your progress in the program.

Master of Science in Education Applied Learning Sciences.

Master of Music in Media Scoring and Production.

Master of Science in Data Analytics and Program Evaluation.

Master of Science in Education in Sport Administration.

KIN 601 Organization and Administration in Sport Programs.

Administrative and organizational procedures and problems specific to athletic administration, recreation and leisure sports administration, and physical education.

This course will focus on the vast world of sports marketing. The basic principles of marketing and marketing management will be introduced and integrated with the application of these principles to sport and sports-related organizations.

This course is designed to provide a detailed examination of the relationship between sport and corporate sponsorship. Topics covered will include the theoretical premise of sponsorship, alignment marketing, strategic communication through sponsorship, sponsorship sales and service, determining the value of sponsorship, and evaluation of sponsor activities. Objectives, risks, and benefits from the property or platform offering a sponsorship and from the sponsoring organization will be considered.

Fiscal management as it relates to athletic sports administration, recreation and leisure sports administration, and physical education.

Legal liability, personal injury, negligence, and other related legal aspects of sports and exercise science.

This course will examine the concept of leadership as it pertains to sports and other professions. Various leadership and management skills will be included with a focus on practical applications in a work environment. Theory and self-assessment strategies will be incorporated.

This course examines the complex fields of sport communication. Students will investigate the unique, symbiotic relationship that exists between sport and the media examine various theoretical frameworks (e.g., agenda set, hegemonic, uses and gratification, elaboration likelihood model) that are pertinent to developing an understanding of the sport media complex.

This course will examine ethical decision-making in a variety of environments with an emphasis on sport professions. Real and hypothetical situations will be utilized, and the course will combine theory with practical application. The case method in sport ethics will be incorporated.

This course will address the intertwined relationship between globalization, sport, and development from a critical global perspective. This course highlights the extent to which contemporary sport cultures are the result of an interplay between local and global forces. We will explore the international character of professional and amateur sports including international competitions, league expansions beyond national boundaries, and the movement of athletes. Course topics include international sport organization, international competition, sport governance, international dispute resolution, international sports law, and new media.

KIN 620 Contemporary Issues in Kinesiology and Sport.

Problem identification, investigation, analysis, and problem-solving approaches in kinesiology and sport sciences.

As a result of the explosion in digital technologies such as high-speed, high-bandwidth, low-cost internet connectivity and smart mobile devices, the digitization of entertainment and media is causing a major revolution in the ways in which society consumes media and experiences entertainment. In turn, this revolution is driving a major transformation of traditional media and entertainment firms, enabling the emergence of new technology-based players and the creation of new high-growth sectors such as gaming and eSports.

ogether, this radical transformation is creating a need for a new generation of managers and executives who can be effective leaders and responsible managers of this critical sector of the LA-area economy. Taught by expert faculty and industry scholars, our Entertainment, Media, and Sports Management concentration courses will equip students with the knowledge to be insightful strategists, creative innovators, and effective operational managers.

The GWSB master of science in sport management program prepares students for executive careers in events and facility management, sports marketing, athlete representation, sports analytics, sports media and the sporting goods industry, working with professional teams and leagues and in collegiate athletics. Students will learn to recognize issues facing sports industry leaders and make sound, ethical business decisions identify revenue streams and expenses for sports organizations understand legal terms, operational structure and contract clauses and apply analytic and research skills to solve problems and increase performance for sports-related businesses.

Our application process for designated degree and certificate programs is through a secure, electronic submission process.

A Statement of Purpose is required for your application. Be sure to check your academic program of interest for any specific requirements regarding the statement. If there are no specific program requirements, your statement of approximately 500 words should address your interests, academic and professional objectives, and proposed topic(s) of graduate study. Please review the academic program pages for any additional guidelines for the statement of purpose.

One official letter of recommendation is required by the GW School of Business unless your specific program mandates two or . Some programs have specific requirements for recommendation providers.

Please refer to your academic program for examination requirements and waiver information.

Some departments and programs require the completion of supplemental data or submission of materials such as certificates or writing samples. Review the application requirements of your program of interest to determine if supplemental questions and or materials are required.

Applicants who have not completed a post-secondary degree from a U.S. institution are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, or the Duolingo English Test scores to be considered for admission. Scores may not be than two years old. To ensure TOEFL scores are sent to GW, use institutional code 5246. An institutional code is not required to send IELTS or PTE scores to GW.

PLEASE NOTE that the minimum English language test scores required by this program are:.

PTE Academic: Score of 53 or higher on the PTE Academic Test.

The GW School of Business Attn: Graduate Admissions 2201 G Street, NW, Suite 550 Washington, DC 20052.

15 credits in elective courses.

Dual Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in the field of sport management.