Skip Navigation
2025 Graduate Catalog

Master of Science in Sports Management

The Master of Science in Sports Management provides students with an improved understanding of sports administration, coaching theory and strategy, and business skills such as marketing, promotion, public relations, and finance. In the sports and fitness fields, students with advanced business skills and sports-related knowledge are needed to help advance the success of athletic programs and individuals. This program has achieved specialized accreditation through the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA).

Degree Program Objectives

In addition to the institutional and degree level learning objectives, graduates of this program are expected to achieve these learning outcomes:

  • Apply management theory to contemporary sports industry practices.
  • Analyze the impact of legal and ethical issues in the sporting enterprise.
  • Evaluate qualitative and quantitative data to assess financial challenges/opportunities in the sport industry.
  • Develop marketing strategies to enhance the viability of sports-related enterprises.
  • Examine structural barriers to equity in the sport industry.

Degree at a Glance

Degree Program Requirements

Core Requirements (18 semester hours)

Students must choose a concentration for this degree program and may select from a Concentration in Coaching Theory and Strategy, Concentration in Interscholastic Athletic Administration, or Concentration in Sports Business Leadership.

Concentration in Coaching Theory and Strategy (9 semester hours)

Explores the strengths, weaknesses, and multiple roles of a successful coach in contemporary sports, including an analysis of the leadership style. Focuses on the contrasting responsibilities of a coach and assistant coaches and the levels of coaching relevant to these roles, as well as current ethical, management, and controversial issues in the field.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:

  • Analyze and discuss the complexities and issues of academic sports administration from a collegiate or interscholastic context.
  • Assess the strengths, qualities and weaknesses of a successful coach, including an analysis of the leadership style and multiple roles required of coaches in contemporary sports.
  • Select, predict, and evaluate current ethical, management, and controversial issues in coaching today.
  • Compare and contrast the roles and responsibilities of a coach and assistant coaches and discuss the levels of coaching relevant to these roles.
Concentration Requirements (9 semester hours)

Concentration in Interscholastic Athletic Administration (9 semester hours)

Analyzes the complexities of sports administration from an interscholastic context. Evaluates the role of stakeholders in the sports industry, such as associations, the community, and administration, as well as various administration styles and a comprehensive sports event management plan that includes promotions, leadership, human resources, and financial aspects.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:

  • Analyze and discuss the complexities and issues of academic sports administration from an interscholastic context.
  • Assess and develop your leadership and management styles as a sports administrator.
  • Assess and discuss the role of stakeholders in the sports industry including associations, the community, and discuss all related regulations and guidelines.
  • Develop, design, and assess a comprehensive sports event management plan to include functional plans, training plans, legal, financial, accounting, public relationships, human resources, promotions and leadership.
Concentration Requirements (9 semester hours)

Concentration in Sports Business Leadership (9 semester hours)

Examines the rapidly-growing and global sports business industry with an emphasis on leadership. Designed to develop the skills and effectiveness of future leaders interested in managing individuals, teams, and sport organizations. This specialization in sports business leadership studies critical topics within the industry including courses specifically focused on sports leadership, entrepreneurship, and sales and promotions Designed for those interested in professional, interscholastic or recreational leadership positions.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:

  • Identify leadership styles and strengths and take steps to improve personal leadership capacity.
  • Implement practices necessary to build highly effective teams.
  • Apply theory to real-world problems.
  • Develop the capacity to understand and analyze sport organization realities from multiple perspectives.
  • Examine the leadership, management, scheduling, and financial issues associated with running a successful athletics program.
  • Develop the ability to be creative and entrepreneurial in thinking and application.
Concentration Requirements (9 semester hours)

Final Program Requirement (3 semester hours)

  1. Required as the first course in this program.

  2. Taken once all other requirements have been met.

If you're ready to move forward, we're ready to take you there.

APPLY TO AMU APPLY TO APU