Master's in Sport Management

In addition to three core classes, the Sport Management program includes 15-18 credits of required coursework that includes a three credit capstone project or six credit field experience (see handbook) and three to six credits of electives.

Learn more about the program through our Graduate Handbook.

Degree Requirements  Degree Works

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

Degree Requirements  Degree Works

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

Degree Requirements  Degree Works

Note: Degree requirements effective for enrolled students beginning Fall 2023. All enrolled students, including matriculating students prior to Fall 2023, can review their degree program requirements and track progress to degree completion with our degree audit and advisement tool, Degree Works.

• SPMG597 Field Experience Manual

Upon successful completion of this program, all majors will be able to:

1. Dissect and synthesize research efforts in sport management to develop a robust comprehension of current knowledge in the field and primary research design methods used in sport management.
2. Evaluate the influence of key social institutions (gender, race, social class) on sport management.
3. Apply philosophical principles to evaluate ethical issues in sport.

Upon successful completion of this program, all majors in the sport business and administration concentration will be able to:

1. Create the vision and goals for an organization and gain commitment to them.
2. Formulate successful budget based on economic principles and theories of financial planning.
3. Evaluate contemporary marketing theory and market sport events through development of a comprehensive sport marketing plan.
4. Interpret existing legal precedents and current federal, state, and local policies that influence contemporary sport administration.

Upon successful completion of this program, all majors in the international sport management concentration will be able to:

1. Demonstrate awareness of sociopolitical impact on the business of global sport.
2. Evaluate a key issue in international soccer.

To complete the admissions process, students must submit:

• Online application
• $35 application fee
• Official college transcripts
• Three letters of recommendation (These individuals must be professional; therefore, they cannot be a family member or friend)
• Statement of professional goals

Additional Information

• Application materials may be sent electronically to gradadmissions@commonwealthu.edu or submitted through your application portal.
• Commonwealth University graduates do not need to request transcripts; the Office of Admissions will do this on your behalf.
• Students also have the option of registering for up to three courses as a non-degree seeking student and have those courses automatically transfer to degree seeking status upon official enrollment in the program. If you would like to register for courses as a non-degree student complete the Non-Degree application.
• Note: Non-degree seeking students are not eligible for state or federal financial aid.

Below are a few of the most common questions we hear from prospective students: 

Application and Admission Questions

• Do I need a degree in Sport Management to be admitted?
  • No - it’s an excellent fit for students from any undergraduate major. Some of the more common applicant majors are marketing, psychology, communications, and business management.
• Do I need to take the GRE or GMAT to gain admission?
  • No, the GRE or GMAT are not required for admission.
• What are the acceptance requirements for the M.S. Sport Management?
  • The following are the requirements for acceptance into the MS in Sport Management:
    • Regular Admit - The student has completed their undergraduate program and has a GPA above 3.0 overall.
    • Conditional Admit - The student has completed their undergraduate program and has a GPA between 2.5-3.0 overall.
    • Special Circumstances - such as work experience, may be considered in the application process if warranted.

Academic Questions

• How is the program delivered?
  • Classes are delivered 100% online.
• What are the career options for students graduating with this degree?
  • Alumni are prepared for positions in a number of roles, like sport marketing, sport sales and sponsorship, event management, facility management, college athletic administration, public relations, fitness consultant, sport psychology, and coaching.
• Is the M.S. Sport Management a full-time or part-time program?
  • Students can take classes in the program on a full-time, or part-time, basis. If full-time, the program will be completed in one calendar year. For Part-time students you can complete the program at your own pace.
• How many concentrations are in the M.S. Sport Management?
  • There are two concentrations in the MS in Sport Management.
    • M.S. Sport Management – Sport Business and Administration Concentration
    • M.S. Sport Management – International Sport Management Concentration
• How many credits are necessary to complete one concentration in the M.S. Sport Management?
  • You can complete one concentration with 30 credits.
• How many credits are necessary to complete both concentrations in the M.S. Sport Management?
  • The two concentrations can be completed with 36 credits total.
• Can the M.S. Sport Management be completed in one year?
  • Yes! One concentration or two concentrations can be completed within one calendar year by full-time students.
• What is the course sequence and timeline for students taking the Field Experience Option?
  • The format for students taking one or two concentrations in the MS in Sport Management in the field experience option is below:
    • M.S. Sport Management - Sport Management Concentration:
      • Fall – 9 credits (SPMG 530, SPMG 532, and SPMG 553)
      • Spring – 9 credits (SPMG 531, SPMG 551, and SPMG 552)
      • Summer – 12 credits (SPMG 550, SPMG 555, and SPMG 597)
    • M.S. Sport Management – Int’l Sport Management Concentration:
      • Fall – 9 credits (SPMG 530, SPMG 532, and SPMG 554)
      • Spring – 9 credits (SPMG 551, SPMG 552, and SPMG 556)
      • Summer – 12 credits (SPMG 550, SPMG 555, and SPMG 597)
    • M.S. Sport Management – Both concentrations above:
      • Fall – 12 credits (SPMG 530, SPMG 532, SPMG 553, and SPMG 554)
      • Spring – 12 credits (SPMG 531, SPMG 551, SPMG 552, and SPMG 556)
      • Summer – 12 credits (SPMG 550, SPMG 555, and SPMG 597)
• What is the course sequence and timeline for students taking the Capstone Option?
  • The format for students taking one or two concentrations in the M.S. Sport Management in the Capstone option is below:
    • M.S. Sport Management – Sport Management Concentration:
      • Fall – 9 credits (SPMG 530, SPMG 532, and SPMG 553)
      • Winter – 3 credits (SPMG Elective)
      • Spring – 9 credits (SPMG 531, SPMG 551, and SPMG 552)
      • Summer – 9 credits (SPMG 550, SPMG 555, and SPMG 558)
    • MS in Sport Management – Int’l Sport Management Concentration:
      • Fall – 9 credits (SPMG 530, SPMG 532, and SPMG 554)
      • Winter – 3 credits (SPMG Elective)
      • Spring – 9 credits (SPMG 551, SPMG 552, and SPMG 556)
      • Summer – 9 credits (SPMG 550, SPMG 555, and SPMG 558)
    • M.S. Sport Management – Both concentrations above:
      • Fall – 12 credits (SPMG 530, SPMG 532, SPMG 553, and SPMG 554)
      • Winter – 3 credits (SPMG Elective)
      • Spring – 12 credits (SPMG 531, SPMG 551, SPMG 552, and SPMG 556)
      • Summer – 9 credits (SPMG 550, SPMG 555, and SPMG 558)

Accelerated Program Questions

• What is the accelerated program?
  • The accelerated program allows students in the BS in Sport Management at Commonwealth University to complete their BS and MS degrees in Sport Management in four (4) years and two (2) summers.
• What are the requirements for the Accelerated BS to MS in Sport Management program?
  • The student MUST qualify for the program by maintaining a 3.0, or above, overall GPA in their undergraduate classes. (Talk to academic advisor, or Grad Program Coordinator if interested).
• What are the benefits of completing the accelerated BS to M.S. Sport Management compared to the BS in Sport Management being completed and then starting the M.S. Sport Management?
  • The students in the accelerated program benefit in the following ways:
    • The student completes their BS and MS in Sport Management in four (4) years and two (2) summers. The summer after their junior year and the summer after their senior year.
    • The student completes both degrees with 138 credits total compared to 150 credits if the programs are completed separately. This saves: The amount of time necessary for the student to obtain both degrees. Costs for the student as they only pay for 138 credits. Additionally, up to the first 12 credits of graduate level classes are billed at the undergraduate rate.
• I am in the accelerated BS in Sport Management program. How do I take Master’s level classes?
  • After you have 60 credits with a GPA at, or above, 3.0 in the BS in Sport Management program you should apply for the MS in Sport Management. This should be completed at least one semester before you look to take any graduate level classes in the MS in Sport Management. Once accepted, you can enroll in graduate level courses. 

Graduate Assistantships

• What are the requirements for a Graduate Assistantship?
  • The requirements for a graduate assistantship are available on our Graduate Assistant Position page.
• Can students in the accelerated program, who have not completed the requirements for their BS in Sport Management (120 credits), be awarded a graduate Assistantship?
  • No! the student MUST have completed the requirements for the BS in Sport Management before they are eligible to apply for a graduate Assistantship.