Degree

When it comes to offering sports management degrees, each college or university names the degree slightly differently. Here are some common examples of degree names offered by schools in the field of sports management:

Associates Degree in Sports Management:

1. Associate of Applied Science in Sports Management
2. Associate of Science in Sports and Recreation Management

Bachelors Degree in Sports Management:

1. Bachelor of Science (BS) in Sport Management
2. Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sport Management
3. Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Sport Management
4. Bachelor of Science (BS) in Kinesiology with a concentration in Sport Management
5. Bachelor of Science (BS) in Recreation and Sport Management
6. Bachelor of Science (BS) in Sports and Fitness Management
7. Bachelor of Science (BS) in Sports Medicine with a concentration in Sport Management
8. Bachelor of Science (BS) in Athletic Coaching with a concentration in Sport Management.

Masters Degree in Sports Management:

1. Master of Science in Sport Management
2. Master of Business Administration in Sports Management
3. Master of Arts in Sports Administration
4. Master of Education in Sports Management

PhD in Sports Management:

1. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Sport Management
2. Doctor of Education (EdD) in Sport Management
3. Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Sport Management
4. Doctor of Health Science (DHS) in Sport Management
5. Doctor of Science (DSc) in Sport Management
6. Doctor of Professional Studies (DPS) in Sport Management
7. Doctor of Athletic Training (DAT) in Sport Management
8. Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) in Sport Management
9. Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Sport Management.

Certificate in Sports Management:

1. Certificate in Sports Management
2. Certificate in Sports Marketing
3. Certificate in Athletic Administration
4. Certificate in Fitness and Sports Management
5. Certificate in Recreation and Sports Management
6. Certificate in Sports Coaching and Leadership

The field of sports management has people with a wide array of college majors. According to a survey conducted by the North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM), however, the most common undergraduate degrees held by sports management professionals were:

1. Sports Management: 38%
2. Business Administration: 32%
3. Physical Education / Kinesiology: 8%
4. Other: 22%

For sports management professionals who pursue a graduate degree, that same NASSM survey found that the most common graduate degrees held by sports management professionals were:

1. Master of Business Administration (MBA): 44%
2. Master of Science (MS) in Sports Management: 18%
3. Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Sports Administration: 9%
4. Other: 29%

For sports management professionals who pursue a graduate degree, that same NASSM survey found that the most common graduate degrees held by sports management professionals were:

1. Master of Business Administration (MBA): 44%
2. Master of Science (MS) in Sports Management: 18%
3. Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Sports Administration: 9%
4. Other: 29%

1. Bachelor’s degree: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the most common degree level for sports management professionals is a bachelors in sports management. Most sports management positions require a Bachelor’s degree in sports management, business, marketing, or a related field. Thus, a significant percentage of people who work in sports management have earned a Bachelor’s degree.
2. Certificate programs and Associate degrees: Some entry-level administrative and operations roles may require a certificate program in sports management or an Associate degree. While not as prevalent as Bachelor’s degrees, there is still a notable percentage of people who work in sports management with these qualifications.
3. Master’s degree and Ph.D.: Advanced positions in sports management, such as executive leadership roles, may require a Master’s degree or a Ph.D. in sports management or a related field. While a relatively smaller percentage of people who work in sports management have advanced degrees, these qualifications may offer a competitive advantage in some industries.

Here are two advantages and two disadvantages for an Associates in Sports Management Degree:

Associates in Sports Management Advantages:

• Shorter duration compared to Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees
• Lower cost of tuition and fees compared to higher degree levels

Disadvantages:

• Limited career opportunities in sports management with an associate degree
• Less competitive compared to higher degree levels for job openings and career advancement

Here are two advantages and two disadvantages for a Bachelors in Sports Management Degree:

Bachelor’s in Sports Management Advantages:

• Widest range of career opportunities in sports management.
• More competitive for job openings and career advancement compared to associate degree holders.

Disadvantages:

• Higher cost of tuition and fees compared to an associate degree.
• Requires a longer duration of study compared to an associate degree, although accelerated online sports management bachelors degrees can be completed in approximately 2 years.

Here are two advantages and two disadvantages for a Masters in Sports Management Degree:

Masters in Sports Management Advantages:

• Enhanced career opportunities in sports management with a graduate degree
• Potential for higher earnings compared to lower degree levels

Disadvantages:

• Higher cost of tuition and fees compared to a bachelor’s degree
• Requires a longer duration of study compared to a bachelor’s degree

Here are two advantages and two disadvantages for a Masters in Sports Management Degree:

PhD in Sports Management Advantages:

• High level of expertise in sports management, which can lead to top-level positions in the industry.
• Opportunities to conduct original research in the field of sports management.

Disadvantages:

• The highest cost of tuition and fees among the four degree levels
• Requires a significant time investment, typically taking several years to complete.