Earning a sports management degree can lead to a variety of roles within the sporting industry. That diploma, with some work experience, qualifies you for a position in a front office, marketing department, as a player agent, or in ticket sales, just to name a few. It can help already established professionals transition into the industry as well as enhance marketability for those entering it fresh out of school. There is an overwhelming amount of information out there, but here are some basics to help you get started.
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What does a sports management degree program teach you?
Obviously, each sports management degree program differs, but at its core, it’s a niche business degree. Its subjects will educate you on all aspects of the business side of sports. Courses in sports marketing, ethics, facility management, finance, and operations are typical. It takes a lot to run a successful sports-centric company, so the degree is structured in a way that it can be applied to many areas of an organization.
Are there different types of sports management degrees?
There are several standard degrees that you should consider depending on your current level of education. Research them in more detail to find the right one for you. When selecting between a Master’s or MBA in Sports Management, realize that an MBA will prepare you more for a business management or operations role, whereas a Master’s could include opportunities in coaching, scouting, and marketing.
- Bachelor in Sports Management
- Masters in Sports Management
- MBA in Sports Management
- Ph.D. in Athletic Administration / Sports Management
What does a sports management degree qualify you to do?
Sports management degrees have been applied across the industry. Utilizing the degree comes down to finding out what sports management skills are in demand, what interests you the most, and talking with people who know about that career. School counselors at prospective colleges will help you select the best path, and conducting informational interviews with people already in the field is especially useful. Keep in mind that most degrees allow you to choose an emphasis, whether it is operations, marketing, administration, or health and medicine. Below are some notable positions that can be obtained by combining a sports management degree with the right experiences, but the list goes on and on.
- Sports Coaching Jobs & Internships
- Sports Marketing Jobs & Internships
- Sports Management Jobs & Internships
- Sports Agent Jobs & Internships
- Sports Media Jobs & Internships
- Sports Sales Jobs & Internships
How can you best translate your sports management degree into a successful career?
The sports management degree is one piece of the puzzle, but, like in any other industry, real-world experiences make the puzzle complete. While in school, search for internships, paid or otherwise. No one likes working for free, but an unpaid internship in college will give you an edge when applying for sports management jobs after graduation. Remind yourself of your long-term goals. Those experiences will also show you what careers in sports management you are not interested in. The people you meet through these internships will be the foundation for a professional network that you’ll develop throughout your career.
Where should you go from here?
The North American Society for Sports Management has a consolidated list of colleges and universities offering Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral sports management degrees. The links within it will take you to the sports management websites for the individual schools. Read background information and detailed curriculum, and use contact information to learn more about each sports management program. U.S. News & World Report is a well-respected organization in education research, and you should take its school rankings into account. Once you narrow down your list of potential schools, make sure it has Advanced Collegiate Schools of Business accreditation. AACSB recognition legitimizes the degree you seek.
Any degree, whether it be undergrad or graduate, can be expensive, so detailed, upfront research will validate your decision to obtain a sports management degree. It will also help make sure you choose the right school to earn it from. The upfront research helps to avoid disappointment and saves time and money. It ensures the degree you earn matches your needs from the beginning.
Once you’ve received your sports management degree, come back to visit JobsInSports.com to search for the best jobs for sports management majors. We’re always updating our sports job listings, so visit us often!
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