Best Online Master's Degree Programs in Sports Management

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In general, earning an online degree provides students with a more flexible schedule than an on-campus degree. Earning a master's degree in any field usually helps increase students' prospects and/or income as they may qualify for more and/or higher positions within their field. Specifically, in the field of sports management, which is highly competitive, it may help professionals stand out and be more qualified for available positions. Although it varies by several different factors, including position and employer, professionals with a Bachelor of Science (BS/BSc) made a median annual salary of $51,800, as of January 2021, while those with an MS in Sports Management made a median annual salary of $52,269 in the same time period, according to ''PayScale.com''.

How Long Does It Take to Earn an Online Master's in Sports Management?

Online master's degree programs in sports management typically take between 1 and 2 years to finish. Some accelerated and/or full-time programs may allow students to finish their degree in as little as 12 to 15 months. Other programs may allow students to work at their own pace or be designed to take around 2 years to finish. Students who have prior graduate-level coursework may also be able to find a program that may accept up to as much as 12 credits of transfer work, to help them earn their degree faster. These different options allow students to find a program that best fits their personal schedule.

The curriculum for an online master's degree in sports management may vary slightly based on the type of degree a student pursues. For instance, an MBA in Sports Management may require core MBA courses and specialization courses in sports management, while an MS in Sports Management usually requires core sports management courses and electives or concentration courses. Many of these programs also require a culminating experience of some kind and typically require between 30 and 36 credits of coursework. Below, we break down the common courses for these online master's programs in more detail.

Sports Management Foundational Courses

Depending on the program, students may take between 15 and 18 core sports management courses. These courses are designed to give students key skills in several different areas of the field that may be common to multiple careers within sports management. Some programs may require students to take additional research core courses to understand common research methods used in the industry. It is fairly common for these degree programs to require a culminating capstone course and/or a final internship experience for hands-on learning and practical experience to help make students competitive in the market. While the specific name is likely to vary from school to school, some common topics for core courses include:

• Sport finance
• Sport marketing
• Research methods
• Sport management/leadership
• Sport law
• Ethics

Sports Management Specialist and Elective Courses

Many MS in Sports Management degree programs allow students to choose around 12 to 15 credits of elective coursework to explore personal interests within the field and/or focus their studies. There is also at least one online MS in Sports Management that offers additional areas of concentration, including athlete development, high performance coaching, and sports law. Some students may also choose to pursue additional courses to earn a graduate certificate in related areas, like social media or sport event management. Other available elective courses for these programs may include:

• Coaching
• Sports events
• Sports digital media
• Sports law
• Sport psychology
• Facilities management

Licensure and Certification in Sports Management

Traditionally, there are no licenses and certifications required specifically in sports management. Graduates with their master's in the field may choose to earn an additional graduate certificate in a specific area closely related to or involving sports management, such as a certificate in social media or sport event management, to demonstrate additional skills and expertise. Due to the variety of careers that graduates may pursue, some of these professions may have their own licenses or certifications. For example, graduates wishing to work as a sports facility manager may earn professional certification from the International Facility Management Association (IFMA). The IFMA offers the Facility Management Professional (FMP) and Certified Facility Manager (CFM) certifications, as well as others. Students must meet eligibility requirements with education and work experience, pass an exam, and then maintain their certification.

Online master's degree programs in sports management may have some similar admissions standards, but students should be sure to check the specific requirements of their program of interest. Typically, applicants are required to have at least a bachelor's degree, but this degree can be in any field. Some schools may require that students meet a minimum GPA requirement, such as a 3.0 or higher, on undergraduate coursework. Students should check the GRE requirement at their school of interest, as some programs require the exam and others do not. The admissions process may also vary from school to school, as some may just require an online application and others may want students to first contact an admissions counselor. Other application materials that may be required for these programs include letters of recommendation, a personal statement, a resume, and transcripts.

There are many online master's degree programs in sports management that offer unique features for students to consider when searching for a program. Students may first want to look for a program that fits their personal schedule and/or needs, such as a self-paced program or accelerated program that allows them to finish in as little as 1 year. Those wanting to gain hands-on learning experience may search for a program that includes an internship experience. There are also some programs that have unique credentials and/or learning resources. For instance, there is at least one online program that has an athlete development concentration that qualifies students to pursue professional certification from the Professional Association of Athlete Development Specialists (PAADS) after completion. There is also an online program that offers a mentorship program to connect students with alumni working in the field. Other factors to consider when choosing a program may include regional accreditation for the institution, the total cost of a program, and/or the availability of financial aid.

There are many professional sport management positions available to graduates with their master's degree. Careers for a degree in sport and fitness management are available in areas like college sports, sports agencies, professional franchises, non-profit organizations, and more. Outside of some of the more common positions, there are even unique positions that utilize knowledge of the sports industry, such as becoming a sports anchor or a sports historian. Other possible job titles for graduates with a master's in sports management may include:

• Sports marketing manager
• Operations manager
• Athletic director
• Facility director
• Sports agent
• Sport event planner
• Sports accountant
• Public relations manager
• Competition coordinator
• Scout

Job Outlook for a Master's in Sports Management

The job outlook for graduates with their master's in sports management varies greatly by position. While, in general, graduates may qualify for more positions with their master's degree, the field of sports management is competitive. Those with a master's may be at an advantage compared to those with only a bachelor's degree with their specialized and advanced knowledge. Although it depends on the position, several careers available to graduates of sports management programs have positive job outlooks, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For example, the BLS reported that from 2019 to 2029 the job outlook for administrative services and facilities managers was 6% and the job outlook for marketing managers was 7%, both of which were faster than the national average. Some positions may even have much faster than average job outlooks, such as coaches and scouts with a job outlook of 12% from 2019 to 2029, per the BLS.

How to Become a Marketing Manager

Marketing managers have to have at least a bachelor's degree, but a master's degree can make these professionals more competitive. Usually, these professionals have a degree in marketing or other closely related business fields, such as sports management for those wishing to work in the sports industry. These managers must also have at least some prior work experience. They may begin their careers as public relations specialists or other entry-level positions in marketing-related areas. Marketing managers need to be creative and have great communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

According to the BLS, marketing managers made a median annual salary of $136,850, as of 2019. Marketing managers work to maximize their organization's profits, find potential markets, and predict the demand for products. In the case of sports marketing, these managers may promote sports teams, organizations, and events, as well as their products. Marketing managers may also be involved in creating pricing strategies and usually work closely with other departments, like sales.

How to Become a Facilities Manager

Facilities managers also usually need to have at least a bachelor's degree and some work experience, but requirements may vary by organization. Typically, these managers have a degree in a business-related field. Work experience may come from a range of related areas, such as working as a cost estimator or repair worker. Professional certification is not usually required but is available in the field from groups like the IFMA. Facilities managers need to be detail-oriented and have great communication, analytical, and leadership skills.

Per the BLS, administrative services and facilities managers had a median annual salary of $96,940, as of 2019. Facilities managers are responsible for maintaining buildings, equipment, grounds, and other supplies of their organization, such as sports facilities and equipment. This may require them to plan and oversee any projects that need to be done on the facilities, ensure the maintenance and safety of facilities, and find ways to improve efficiency.

Joining a professional organization and/or taking advantage of some of the many resources these groups offer may help advance one's career. Often, professional organizations will offer membership and/or professional certifications in a given industry that are highly respected. These groups typically host events and other professional development opportunities, as well as chances to network with other professionals in the field. In the case of sports management, there are several different general organizations available and organizations for specific careers related to sports management. For example, students may decide to join groups like:

• The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics- The NACDA does offer membership and benefits to collegiate-level athletic directors and administrative staff. The organization also holds various events, gives out awards in the field, and provides a career center on its website.
• Sports Management Worldwide- This organization serves as a leader in sports management education and offers a few degrees and a wide range of courses in the field. Students can also take advantage of various sports-related conferences, such as events for professionals working in the basketball, soccer, or race track industries.

While a specific undergraduate degree is not usually required for admittance to an online master's degree program in sports management, students who enter the field are likely to be interested in sports and/or business. Therefore, students may come with a background in sports-related areas, such as sports science, kinesiology, physical education, nutrition and fitness, or sports medicine. Other students may have a background in business-related areas, like business administration, marketing, accounting, and more. In general, students wishing to study sports management should be prepared to further develop their business and leadership skills and applying them to the sports industry.

Students wishing to continue their studies at the doctoral level have several options available to them. There are at least a few online or hybrid Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Education (EdD) programs in areas like sport management, sport and athletic management, or global sport leadership. These programs may require around 60 credits of coursework and commonly conclude with a dissertation or doctoral capstone project. Some of these programs can be completed in about 45 months.

Online master's degree programs in any field can get expensive with tuition and fees. Students wanting or needing to explore financial aid options to help pay for school need to begin by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form will let students know if they qualify for any federal or state aid in the form of loans and/or grants. Then, students can determine if they need to pursue any additional forms of aid.

Scholarships may be one of the more common ways to make up the difference in cost, as they are widely available for an array of reasons. These awards do not have to be repaid and may be available from schools and local, national, or even international organizations. Students may qualify for scholarships based on factors like financial need, academic merit, talents/abilities, interests, and more. In the case of sports management, students may be able to find scholarships from their institution of choice and/or other outside organizations. A couple of examples of available scholarships include:

• Perry and Noel McGriff Endowed Scholarship- This award varies in amount, but is open to undergraduate or graduate students at the University of Florida studying sport management.
• Jim McKay Graduate Scholarship- This scholarship is available from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to college athletes wishing to pursue graduate study in the field of sports communications or public relations. Applicants must meet a GPA requirement, and one male and one female student will be awarded $10,000.