Top 25 Online Master's in Sports Management Programs for 2019

Liberty University offers a master of science in sports management accredited by the Commission on Sport Management Education (COSME). The 36 credit program is offered fully online and provides a comprehensive overview of the sports management industry. Core classes cover marketing, public relations, financial management, and more. Students may also transfer up 18 credits earned at other accredited institutions.

In addition to earning an MS degree, students specialize with concentrations in outdoor adventure sports, sports administration, or tourism. Liberty also offers concurrent and related master’s programs in teaching, education, and exercise science, which further enhances one’s marketability in the field.

Canisius College’s master’s in sports administration is offered its School of Education and Human Services. A master’s in sporting administration prepares students for careers in intercollegiate athletics, sports marketing, and event/facility management. Canisius pairs traditional coursework with hands-on internship programs, while offering students study abroad opportunities and access to industry events. The program’s emphasis on real-world experience provides hands-on business experience essential to the sports management industry.

Most students earn their online master's in sports administration in one year. Coursework is completed either fully online, on campus, or as a hybrid of the two. Students also pursue their own research with the goal of eventually publishing their work.

Grace College has partnered with the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) and the Canadian Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (CIAAA) to offer an MS in athletic administration program. Prospective students must be a member of the NIAAA or CIAAA, be involved in an interscholastic athletic program, and possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

Classes are offered fully online, and begin at multiple times throughout the year to accommodate busy schedules. Students work at their own pace, and complete practically-oriented projects to apply their classroom learning. No entrance exam is required for admission, nor is there a minimum GPA requirement for admittance.

Texas A&M’s MS in sports management prepares graduates to enter the world of professional sports, media and communications operations, health and country clubs, and more. Coursework is offered fully online, on campus, or as a hybrid, and students choose a thesis or non-thesis degree program.

This 36 credit online master’s in sports management features core coursework in sports marketing, revenue generation, and sports law; Students also complete up to eight electives in topics like health and kinesiology, among others. Admissions is only in the fall and is traditionally very competitive; most students possess a 3.0 undergraduate GPA and over four years of professional work in the industry.

Ohio University’s master’s in athletic administration program leans on over five decades of experience in the field, and boasts the prestigious Commission of Sport Management accreditation. First offered in 1966, the university has an extensive history of preparing the next generation of professionals leading athletic departments and student athletes.

This online master’s in sports management features coursework in human resource management, facility management and programming, ethics in sports, and sports marketing. Classes are taught by experienced faculty with top notch education and professional backgrounds. This degree program prepares students for careers in college athletic administration and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) certification. Students can complete their degree in less than two years, and no GRE is required for admissions.

Administration.htm" target="_blank">master’s of sports administration is rooted in a Christ-centered education. Blending sports management skills with Christian values, the degree can be completed fully online, on campus, or as part of a hybrid online/on-campus format.

Coursework includes leadership and sports ethics, advanced organizational leadership, venue and event management, and a capstone seminar in sports administration. Graduates of this master’s in sports administration find careers as athletic directors, associate directors of marketing, media relations directors, sports writers, and more. Students complete the degree in approximately two years, and terms are divided into eight week segments. Group-work is an essential component of the program, as students will complete multiple group projects. Prospective students must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.

California University of Pennsylvania’s master of science in sports management studies prepares students for this highly competitive field through coursework in sports law, critical thinking, and research. Courses are delivered in a modular format via Powerpoint presentations and online forums, while discussion groups and other peer-to-peer connections foster interaction among the cohort. This 36 credit program requires 24 credits in core courses, with the remaining 12 credits completed in one of three available concentrations: sports management, intercollegiate athletics administration, or strategic sports analysis. Cal U also has a certification in sports counseling program.

Classes begin each year during winter and summer sessions, and full-time students can earn their degree in as little as thirteen months. All classes are delivered fully online, and part-time options are available.

With a main campus in Garden City, NJ and several satellite campuses, Adelphi University enrolls roughly 8,000 students from 43 states and 45 foreign countries. Students in their MS in sports management program work with almost every professional team in the greater New York metropolitan area. This MS degree lets students tailor their degree with concentrations in sports marketing or collegiate athletic administration. Since AU’s online master’s in sports management is entirely online, distance learners from different states or countries provide a chance to interact and share ideas with students of many backgrounds. AU also has a large alumni network that assists recent graduates with networking within the industry.

This 36 credit master’s program can be completed in as little 24 months. GRE or GMAT scores are not required for admission, nor is there a minimum GPA requirements.

Georgia Southern University offers a fully online MS in sports management that prepares graduates for careers in professional or collegiate athletic departments, sports marketing and promotion, and sports information/media/communications. This 36 credit online master’s in sports management can be completed in two years, and there are no on campus or residency requirements.

Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, and GRE or GMAT scores less than five years old. International students must have their prior transcripts evaluated by the NACES accreditation evaluation service. Classes begin only once a year in the Fall, and all application materials must be submitted by March.

SNHU has offered an MS in sports management for 25 years, and is one of the oldest sports management master’s programs in the country. Students develop excellent written and verbal skills, develop critical thinking, and gain hands-on experience through an available internship. Degree-seekers may also gain further certification in the form of a sports management athletic administration graduate certificate. Courses are offered fully online and are accessible 24/7. You can complete your graduate degree in 15 months as a full-time student.

Alumni from this master’s program can be found working for teams such as the Boston Celtics, the Boston Bruins, The US Olympic Committee and more. Instructors blend real-world experience with classroom instruction, and the school offers a broad network of alumni in which students may network.

Virginia Commonwealth offers its MS in sports management as a concentration of a master’s in education. This sports leadership program is available 100% online, though courses are only available on a part-time schedule; you may only undergo three classes at a time via the school’s online portal. VCU believes that this part time basis allows you to gain a deeper understanding of class subjects by giving you less to focus on at one time. You must complete a minimum of 36 credits to earn your master’s in sports management online.

To apply to VCU, you must have earned your bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. You must also have a relevant GRE/GMAT score (scores from within the last five years). This school does not have any residency requirements; applicants are admitted from across the country and internationally.

Coker offers an MS in College Athletic Administration; unlike other schools with a more generalized master’s degree in sports management, CC’s program is tailored to students interested in embarking on a career based in college athletic programs.

This master’s program consists of a minimum of 30 credit hours for completion. These credits can be earned entirely online with no residency or on-campus requirements. Throughout your time at CC, you must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 grading scale. Internship/work experience may also be applied toward your total credit hours after receiving approval from the appropriate committee. In fact, you will be encouraged to take on an internship; Coker believes that hands-on work is beneficial for helping you to apply your knowledge as you learn it. The total cost of earning your MS in College Athletic Administration at Coker is approximately $18,000.

Lasell College offers a flexible and highly customizable MS in sports management degree program. Delivered fully online with no on-campus requirements, full-time students earn their degree in 12-24 months. Lasell keeps class sizes small to ensure each student receives individual attention from instructors. Classes are provided through online learning platforms, which provide lecture videos, reading material, homework assignments, and student-led discussion boards.

Students in this MS in sports management degree select one of four specialized concentrations: sports leadership, sport tourism and hospitality management, parks and recreation, and athletics administration. Lasell College does not require any GRE or GMAT scores for admissions, however the process is competitive.

The MS in sports management at University of Southern Mississippi (USM) prepares graduates for careers in industries as varied as business management to sports event security management. USM has no residency requirements, and the program is completed entirely online. Full-time students are enrolled in at least nine credits per semester, and complete the degree program in roughly two years.

This 24 credit master’s in sports management features a blend of core coursework with an additional nine credit hours in elective courses. These elective courses let students tailor their degree toward the field in which they are most interested. Terms begin three times per year -- fall, spring or summer. While GRE/GMAT scores are required for admissions, there is no limit on how old an applicant’s scores may be.

Fresno Pacific University’s (FPU) master’s in sports management degree prepares graduates for the front lines of athletic office management. Students find careers at all levels, from elementary school athletic directors to professional/private sector athlete managers. This degree is offered completely online and includes courses in business, marketing, management, finance, and more. Admissions requirements include an earned undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5 and no GRE or GMAT test scores.

FPU has no on-campus orientations or residency requirements, and students pay the same tuition regardless of their home state. Classes have multiple start dates throughout the year: two start-dates in spring, one in summer, one in fall and winter. This online master’s in sports management consists of 30 credits, and full-time students graduate in five semesters.

The online MBA in sports management at Franklin Pierce University (FPU) is business-focused degree that prepares graduates for leadership, PR, marketing, finance, and other related positions in the field of sports management. This program is designed to accommodate the schedules of busy working professionals; classes are available fully online, 24 hours per day. For full-time students, the program can be completed within four terms.

Admission requires an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and an average GPA of 2.8 or higher. The application process also requires completion of a specified “admissions portfolio” to determine your level of relevant knowledge prior to admission. Note that some credit may be granted for relevant part-time or full-time work.

The master’s of education in sports administration degree program at Midwestern State University (MSU) is grounded in the theories and applications of education. Graduates of this program advance to athletic management in grade schools and colleges, and even PhD work.

The 36 credit online master’s in sports management at MSU requires core classes in organizational leadership, management, and culture, while electives let students tailor their education to their area of interest. Most students earn their degree in less than two years. Admission requires an earned undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, and GRE/GMAT test scores from within the last five years. MSU does not have residency requirements for its online students.

The online MS in sports administration at Arkansas State University (ASU) prepares graduates for careers in health and fitness clubs, collegiate athletic departments, country clubs, and professional sport organizations. In addition to classroom coursework in sports and marketing, ethics, and sport law, distance learners are required to complete relevant internships. The program is entirely online, and offers the flexibility demanded of busy working professionals.

This 36 credit degree program can be completed in as little as 12 months if taken full-time. Applicants must have earned an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, and there are no residency or on campus requirements for distance learners. Additionally, ASU does not require graduate GRE or GMAT test scores.

A master’s in athletic administration from Mississippi College prepares graduates for careers as athletic administrators, especially in a secondary school or college settings. Students blend sports, finance, and human resources during their coursework. An interscholastic concentration is also available, which enhances a student’s skills in leadership and personnel management. The intercollegiate management concentration develops a student’s knowledge of finance, law, and higher education athletic administration.

This 37 credit program can be completed in two years or less if taken full-time. This fully online program is available during the evenings and during regular class hours, and students finish coursework with an internship. Students spend a minimum of 60 hours at an approved, on-site location. On-campus meetups allow students to meet one-on-one with professors and each other.

Troy University offers a master’s degree in sport and fitness management that prepares you to work in recreational, elementary, and high school sports management careers, as well as professional sports. Alumni from this program have been placed in the NBA, the NFL, and in minor league sports. Students select from numerous concentrations and specializations, including coaching, exercise science, and sports management. Thesis and non-thesis tracks are available.

Troy’s online school is ranked as one of the most affordable in the country. The class’s online portal is accessible 24/7. The portal includes lecture videos, reading material, and classmate discussion boards. Most students complete this program in 16-weeks if enrolled full-time.