15 Best Master’s Degrees in Sports Management

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is home to Grad School Hub's top graduate sports management program. The university offers a Master of Science in Sport Administration through its College of Arts and Sciences. The mission of the program is "integrating theory and practice to prepare graduate students for leadership positions in intercollegiate athletics." Applicants should have experience in athletics through school or work. Course examples include Collegiate Sport Marketing, Economic and Financial Management of Sport, Facility and Event Management, and NCAA Governance and Compliance. The curriculum culminates in a master's thesis, a sport administration seminar, and an internship in the UNC athletic department. The program is designed to be completed in two years of full-time study. The university also offers a dual degree in Law and Sport Administration.

UNC at Chapel Hill is a public research university and the flagship institution of the 17-campus University of North Carolina system. Chartered in 1789, it is one of three schools allowed to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States. Located in downtown Chapel Hill, the university makes up one point of North Carolina's Research Triangle, along with Duke University and NC State. Students of UNC and their sports teams are known nationally as the Tar Heels. The athletic teams compete in Division I as charter members of the Atlantic Coast Conference. The school mascot is a ram named Rameses. U.S. News & World Report ranks UNC No. 30 overall, eighth for best value, and fifth among public institutions nationally.

Florida State University offers a Master of Science in Sport Management through its College of Education. The degree program offers thesis and non-thesis track options. The 34-credit thesis track involves in-depth research on a particular athletic topic. The 36-credit non-thesis track involves coursework in students' areas of interest and practical internship experience in the sports industry. Non-thesis students are expected to finish a comprehensive exam in the form of a career portfolio. The core MS curriculum includes courses in Issues in Sport Law, Sport and the Media, and Strategic Management for Sport Organization. Elective offerings include Athlete Recruitment; Global Sport Venues; and Sport, Culture, and the Body. FSU also extends a joint degree program leading to a degree in Sport Management and Law.

FSU is a public state university and a senior member of the State University System of Florida. Founded in 1851 in Tallahassee, it is located on the oldest site of higher education in Florida. The university's intercollegiate sports teams are known as the Florida State Seminoles. They compete in NCAA Division I and the Atlantic Coast Conference. U.S. News & World Report ranks the university's College of Education No. 39 nationally at the graduate level.

Texas A&M University awards a Master of Science in Sport Management through its College of Education and Human Development. The degree program can be completed on-campus or online. It offers both thesis and non-thesis options. The thesis option requires 32 semester credit hours of study, while the non-thesis option requires 36 credit hours. Required courses include Diversity Ethics in Sport Organizations, Personnel Management in Sport, and Sport Marketing. Non-thesis track elective offerings include Ethics in Coaching, Psychology for Coaching, and Sport Economics. All students have the option to complete a hands-on practicum experience for elective credit.

Texas A&M is a public research university and the founding member of the Texas A&M University System. Established in 1871 as a land-grant agricultural and mechanical college, it was the state's first public institution of higher education. Located in College Station, the university serves the largest student body in Texas and the second-largest in the United States. The Texas Aggies sports teams are members of the Southeastern Conference. The university's mascot, a Rough Collie named Reveille, is the highest-ranking member of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets. U.S. News & World Report lists the university's College of Education No. 34 nationally at the graduate level.

The University of Minnesota offers a Master of Arts in Sport Management. The degree program is offered through the School of Kinesiology within the university's College of Education and Human Development. The interdisciplinary curriculum balances theory and practice, and it consists of 36 credits of study. Required courses include Legal Aspects of Sport and Recreation, Sport Finance, and Sport Management Ethics and Policy. Elective offerings include Readings in Kinesiology, Sport and Gender, and Youth Sport Science. Students can culminate in their program through a research thesis or a capstone research project. All students must successfully complete a final oral exam.

UMN is a public research university and the flagship institution of the University of Minnesota. Founded in 1851, the university is the oldest and largest institution in the system. The university's main campuses are located about three miles apart in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. UMN is also counted among the nation's "Public Ivies." The Minnesota Golden Gophers athletic teams are part of the NCAA Division I and the Big Ten Conference. U.S. News & World Report places UMN's College of Education No. 21 nationally at the graduate level.

The University of Georgia offers a Master of Science in Kinesiology with a concentration in Sport Management and Policy. The degree program is offered through the university's College of Education. Its curriculum covers areas such as consumer behavior and marketing, law and policy, risk management, and social justice in relation to sport management. The thesis track is designed for students who wish to advance to doctoral study or conduct university research in the field. It requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework. The non-thesis track requires 36 credit hours and the completion of an internship or practicum experience in the field. The program is led by faculty experts in areas such as marketing and consumer behavior, risk management, and social/cultural diversity and social justice.

UGA is a flagship public research university with land, sea, space, and sun grant designations. Founded in 1785, it is one of the oldest public universities in the United States. The Carnegie Foundation classifies it as having a very high level of research activity and selective admissions. In addition to its main campuses in Athens, UGA operates campuses in the Georgia towns of Atlanta, Griffin, Lawrenceville, and Tifton. The university emphasizes small class sizes. It is home to the Georgia Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs athletic teams, who compete in Division I and the Southeastern Conference. The teams' live mascot is Uga, an English Bulldog. U.S. News & World Report lists UGA's College of Education No. 36 nationally at the graduate level.

Brooklyn College awards a Master of Science in Sport Management. The degree program is offered through the Department of Kinesiology within the university's School of Natural and Behavioral Sciences. It is designed for students with undergraduate degrees in sport management. Those who do not have a relevant background are required to take prerequisite courses. Required courses include Business Management in Community/Club Sports and Recreation, and Risk Management and Legal Issues in Sport. The degree requires 36 total credits of study.

Brooklyn College is a public college and a part of the City University of New York. It began in 1930 as an extension of the City College for Teachers. It was the first public, coeducational liberal arts college in New York City. The Brooklyn College Bulldogs' athletic teams are members of the NCAA Division III and the City University of New York Athletic Conference. The college mascot is Buster the Bulldog. U.S. News & World Report ranks the college No. 74 in the northern United States and No. 19 among public institutions.

The University of Michigan offers a Master of Science in Sport Management through its School of Kinesiology. The degree program requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of study. The curriculum includes core courses in Financial Management of the Sport Industry, Legal Aspects of Sport, and Organizational Behavior & Human Resources. Each student is also required to complete at least three elective credits in Sport Management, a course in Philosophy of Science and Research, and a graduate-level statistics course. Students with satisfactory academic standing may be allowed to write a master's thesis, while others must follow a coursework-only plan.

U of M is a flagship public sea- and space-grant research university. Founded in Detroit in 1817, it is the oldest university in Michigan. The university now has a main campus in Ann Arbor and regional campuses in Dearborn and Flint. An establishing member of the Association of American Universities, U of M is one of the foremost research universities in the nation. Its athletic teams, known as the Wolverines, compete in Division I and are members of the Big Ten Conference. U.S. News & World Report ranks U of M fifth nationally in Public Health studies at the masters' level.

The University of Connecticut offers a Master of Science in Sport Management. The degree program requires 33 credits of study. Major courses include Legal Aspects of Sport, Management of Sport Services, and Sport in Society. Each student must also take two to four courses in educational research methods and statistics. Students may choose to complete a research thesis, research project, or internship as their capstone experience. Those who opt for a non-thesis option must successfully complete a comprehensive exam.

UConn is a public, flagship university in Storrs, Connecticut. It was founded in 1881 as an agricultural school. Today, it is a land-, sea-, and space-grant research university. The Carnegie Foundation categorizes UConn in its top tier of national research universities. The university has also been counted among the nation's "Public Ivies." The university's Huskies sports teams are noted for basketball in particular. The school mascot is Jonathan the Husky. U.S. News & World Report ranks UConn No. 63 overall in the nation and No. 22 among public schools.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign presents students to earn a Master of Science in Recreation, Sport and Tourism. The degree program is offered through the College of Applied Health Sciences, and it can be completed on-campus or online. It emphasizes field-based learning and professional skills. Students may concentrate in Park & Recreation Management, Sport Management, and Tourism Management. Required courses include Finance & Budgeting in RST, Managing RST Organizations, and Marketing in RST. Elective offerings include Event Management and Park Planning and Design. Students may follow a thesis or non-thesis track. The degree requires 36 credits of study, and it can be earned within two years.

U of I is a public research university and the flagship institution of the University of Illinois system. It was established in 1867 as Illinois Industrial University. Today, it is a land-, sea-, and space-grant institution and a member of the Association of American Universities. The Carnegie Foundation categorizes U of I in its top tier of research universities. The university's campus is located in the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana, Illinois. Its athletic teams are known as the Fighting Illini, and they participate in NCAA Division I. U.S. News & World Report ranks U of I No. 71 nationally in graduate programs relating to Public Health.

Temple University offers a Master of Science in Sport Business through its School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management. The degree program requires 36 credit hours of study. Students can concentrate their studies on topics such as Athletics Administration and Sport Marketing and Promotions, among others. Required courses for all students include Legal Issues in Sport and Recreation and Strategic Management in Sport and Recreation. All students must complete a relevant internship to culminate in their program. Students may complete a thesis or research project for elective credit, but neither is required. Each course is offered in the evening to suit working students' needs. Students can complete the program on a full- or part-time basis. Full-time students typically complete it in four semesters or two years. Students attending Temple part-time can work at their own pace, but in general, all Temple students are expected to finish their degree within four years.

Temple is a public, state-related research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1884 by minister Russell Conwell, who tutored local working citizens late at night in the basement of his Baptist Temple. These origins led to the name of both the university and its students, the "night owls." The Owls compete in Division I sporting events. They have a mascot named Hooter T. Owl, and a live mascot named Stella. The university's School of Sport, Tourism, and Hospitality Management include the Sport Industry Research Center and the U.S.-Asia Center for Tourism & Hospitality Research. U.S. News & World Report ranks Temple No. 93 nationally for best value and No. 46 among public institutions.