Sport Management

Sport Management Degree Requirements

The Sport Management major curriculum offers a balance of required interdisciplinary and industry-specific courses, electives, general education, and real-world learning opportunities. Designed to address the latest career opportunities in sports and athletic organizations and facilities, the topics covered and explored in-depth include:

• Marketing and public relations
• Social media and graphic design
• Law and ethics
• Accounting and business foundations
• Facility and event operations
• Self-designed elective sequence or minor area of study

Whether you go on to pursue your first job out of college or seek further education strengthened by this foundational training, the components of the B.S. in Sport Management program empower you to get closer.

Courses and Built-in Experience

York College designed the Sport Management major courses to cover core areas of your future career responsibilities in the business of sports and athletics. On and off campus, take on practical tasks in real-world experiences in athletic event management, professional communication, leadership, and academic research.

• QBA 260: Data Driven Decision Making
• SPM 150-251: Sport Industry Practicum I-IV
• SPM 330: Sport Marketing
• SPM 335: Sports Sales and Ticket Operations
• SPM 340: Financing Sport Operations
• SPM 470: Sport Industry Senior Seminar
• SPM 480: Work Experience in Sport Management

As a requirement for the program, the Sport Industry Practicum courses infuse your time at York with applicable real-world experience across facets of sport management that you can turn into your future career.

Admissions and Aid

Embark on your journey toward an enriching career in sports management. With our open enrollment schedule, you can submit your application at any time.

Review undergraduate admissions information to get started. If you bring prior learning from various fields, be sure to review transfer credit and admissions requirements.

Earn a B.S. in Sport Management at York College of Pennsylvania

Choose your individual path to success in the sports industry with our Bachelor of Science in Sport Management degree program at York College of Pennsylvania. Join us in shaping the future of sports management, making your mark where your passion meets professional growth.

Request information today to take the next step.

Careers With a Sport Management Degree

A bachelor's degree in Sport Management opens doors to dynamic career opportunities in the growing sports industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects faster-than-average growth for entertainment and sports occupations through 2032.

Whether you love the excitement of the live games, the thrill of connecting to fans, or the logistical aspects behind the scenes, this degree equips you with the skills to excel in various roles. Here's a glimpse of some compelling career paths you can pursue:

• Sports marketing and promotion
• Event coordination and management
• Sales and sponsorships
• Athletic program administration
• Sports facility operations
• Athlete talent representation
• Sports analytics and research
• Operations and facility management

While a bachelor's degree can set you on an exciting career path, it's worth noting that if you aspire to reach top-tier positions like Corporate Sponsorship Director, General Manager of a sports franchise, or Sports Administrator, pursuing a master's degree in sports management, Master of Business Administration, or a similar degree may be a valuable step in your journey. Your passion for sports can become the foundation for a successful and rewarding career.

Pursue Financially Rewarding Roles

The sports management industry provides an array of career paths with high earning potential and opportunities for professional growth. There are entry-level positions that require a bachelor's degree, and some management positions may require prior work experience before advancing into supervisory roles.

According to the BLS and Salary.com, median annual earnings for these positions are:

• Athletic directors—$65,313/year
• Entertainment and recreation managers—$67,220/year
• Market research analysts and marketing specialists—$78,880/year
• Agents and managers of athletes—$82,530/year
• General and operations managers—$98,100/year
• Administrative services and facilities managers—$101,870/year

Students in the Sport Management program can tailor their major coursework or take on a secondary major or minor area of study to gain specialized experience in pursuit of further education and necessary training for careers in top-paid areas such as legal services for the sports industry.

Sport Management Internship Opportunities

Whether you start out analyzing data, creating video content, or coordinating events for a team or organization, an internship in the sports industry gets your foot in the door and can be the first step closer to elevated roles such as General Manager and Athletic Director.

As a Sport Management major, you can collaborate with your advisor to complete an internship in your senior year. Students have worked at top internship sites nationwide, including:

• Madison Square Garden
• Penn State University Athletics
• Philadelphia Eagles
• Roger Dean Stadium
• Special Olympics
• Tampa Sports Authority
• Under Armour

We are proud of our history of successful internships and offer personalized guidance as you decide which niche in the sports industry most interests you and select an internship that aligns with your desired experience.

Explore undergraduate internships at York College.

Sport Industry Practicum Sequence

All Bachelor of Science in Sport Management program students complete four semesters of on-campus work experience practicum in partnership with York College Athletics and Campus Recreation and the Grumbacher Sport and Fitness Center.

The Sport Industry Practicum semesters encompass academic research assignments and real-world work placements at the center of professional sporting and athletic event management, recreation programming, and facility operations on campus. These occur at multiple points throughout the Sport Management degree program.

Sport Management Study Abroad

The Sport Management program offers the opportunity to enroll in SPM 300: International Sport and Entertainment, a course that includes a short-term study abroad trip where students get the chance to interact with professionals and explore facilities from a global perspective.

Previous classes have visited London and Paris, setting the stage for future careers in the international sports business.

Unrivaled Networking Opportunities

As a Sport Management major, you have access to special events with industry professionals such as the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles, including:

• Sport Industry Professional Day
• Student-alumni meet-and-greets
• Volunteer opportunities at major sporting events
• Regional meetings of the Pennsylvania Sports Business Conference

Collaborate With Top Faculty

Faculty in the Sport Management program work closely with students and advisees, allowing for student opportunities that are not often available to undergraduates at other institutions — including undergraduate research. Our students have presented at industry conferences and published their work in respected academic journals.

Sport Business Association

In addition to attending conferences and special events, York College Sport Management majors can participate in the Sport Business Association (SBA), a student organization that offers guest speakers, fundraisers, social events, and trips to visit sports industry organizations.

Past SBA events have featured facility tours with University of Maryland Basketball, game-day assistance for the Baltimore Ravens, and the Ivy Sports Symposium in New York City. 

Explore the 100+ student clubs and organizations at YCP.

As a Sport Management program graduate, your diverse set of skills makes you an effective professional in the field. Throughout your academic journey, you acquire a fundamental toolkit that equips you for careers in sports facilities, educational settings, and top sports media organizations, including:

• Improved skills in communication and data literacy and analysis for effective presentation to a variety of audiences and stakeholders
• Essential financial accounting knowledge and legal insights to manage sports businesses and confront common obstacles
• Knowledge of sports marketing tactics, ticket operations, and sales techniques to drive organizational success
• Leadership skills for guiding teams and projects in the sports industry
• Mastery of event planning considerations for successful execution of sports events and smooth operation of facilities

Minors and Related Programs

Our Sport Management degree program offers the space to explore a minor or tailor elective coursework in a specific field. Explore some related areas where we offer bachelor’s degrees and/or minors:

• Sport Media
• Business Administration
• Athletic Coaching (minor only)
• Marketing
• Esports Management (minor only)
• International Business (minor only)

Explore Graham School of Business programs and all majors and minors at York College.

Accreditation & Professional Recognition

ACBSP

The Sport Management, B.S., program is accredited by ACBSP.

This accreditation focuses on recognizing teaching excellence, determining student learning outcomes, and a continuous improvement model. ACBSP’s student-centered teaching and learning approach, which is measured and analyzed for quality, ensures that students gain the right skills from their educational investment. Institutions with programs accredited by ACBSP are committed to continuous improvement that ensures their business program will give students the skills employers want.

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COSMA

The Sport Management degree program at York College of Pennsylvania has received specialized accreditation through the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA) located in Fort Collins, Colorado, USA. As of October 2020, only 54 sport management programs have received accreditation from COSMA, and achieving this distinction is something we are very proud of.

Specifically, the sport management program in the following degree is accredited by COSMA:

• Bachelor of Science in Sport Management 

As part of this process, the sport management program has identified several key learning outcomes that will be heavily emphasized. Further, the sport management program has created aspirational benchmarks and regularly assesses students' on-going progress toward meeting the outcomes. The Outcomes Report below reflects the sport management program's commitment to continued excellence and the stated outcomes demonstrate areas of substantial importance to the program's students.

2023-2024 COSMA Annual Report

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A sports management degree opens up a wide range of career opportunities within the sports industry. Graduates can pursue roles in sports administration, event management, sports marketing, athlete representation, and facility management. Additionally, careers in sports journalism, sports analytics, and sports finance are also viable options. The skills acquired through this degree program, such as leadership, marketing, and business management, are highly transferable and can apply in various sectors beyond sports.

Yes, sports management degrees are worth it for individuals with a passion for the sports industry. These programs provide a strong foundation in business and management principles customized to the sports sector, which can lead graduates to rewarding careers in sports organizations, agencies, and businesses. The sports industry is constantly growing, offering a wide range of job opportunities. Moreover, networking opportunities and internships built into the programs can provide real-world experience and help increase your chances of success in this competitive field.

Yes, sports management is closely related to a business degree. It combines principles of business, management, and marketing with a focus on the sports industry. Students in sports management programs learn how to apply these business concepts specifically to sports organizations, teams, and events. This degree equips graduates with valuable business skills that are in demand across various sectors, making it a versatile choice for those interested in both sports and business.