Degree Offered
- Master of Science
Nature of the Program
This Master of Science in Executive Sport Management program is designed for individuals seeking employment and career advancement in the exciting, global industry of sport, but it is delivered entirely online. The program focuses on the most contemporary issues in sport management, and is delivered via online courses taught by faculty and industry professionals who are nationally and internationally recognized leaders in their fields. As a student, you will explore the latest research, industry trends, and recommendations for best practice, while also acquiring applied skills. Topics covered include profitability, diversity, legal issues, facilities, ethics and changing markets in sport. In addition to these core courses, students further specialize by selecting an area of emphasis.
The area of emphasis in Sport Industry Management includes a two-course sequence that provides students with additional preparation in sport management research and current issues and applications in sport. This area of emphasis contributes to one’s professional readiness to work across all sectors of the sport industry, including youth sport, collegiate and professional athletics, in either an introductory or advanced position.
The area of emphasis in Interscholastic Athletic Administration is designed for those individuals who are either currently working or would like to work as athletic directors or faculty managers at the middle or high school level. Students learn the roles, responsibilities, challenges and opportunities associated with a career in sport management, particularly within interscholastic athletic administration. This two-course sequence enables students to further differentiate their plan of study and enhance marketability for employment in a range of youth sport settings. Completion of this area of emphasis is intended to prepare students to meet the requirements necessary to obtain the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) Registered Athletic Administrator (RAA) certification as well as the educational requirements necessary for the NIAAA Certified Athletic Administrator (CAA) certification.
Admissions for 2026-2027
These programs utilize the University GPA requirement for entry to both programs.
Admissions criteria and processes are identical for both the Areas of Emphasis in Sport Industry Management and Interscholastic Athletic Administration. These criteria include:
- Resume: including any professional experiences in the sport industry
- Personal statement: 1-2 written pages on professional goals and reasons for seeking admission
Applications accepted on a rolling basis until May 1 (for summer start, middle of May), August 1 (for fall start, middle of August), and December 1 (spring start, early to mid January).
Accelerated B.S./M.S. Sport Management
Students must complete an internal application for admission to the accelerated B.S./M.S. (ABM) program. Students may apply for regular admission to the ABM in SM program in the fall semester following the completion of 60 credits, but not later than the semester after which they have completed 95 credits. Only enrolled WVU SM majors may be considered for regular admission to the program. Transfer students must complete at least 24 credit hours as degree seeking students at WVU before applying. The minimum GPA requirement for regular admission into the ABM program is a GPA of 3.25 with no provisional admissions allowed. Regular admission will not be offered to students with less than two semesters to complete the bachelor's degree. The ABM in SM program is not available to students seeking a second (or subsequent) bachelor's degree. Internal application is due by October 15 with program admissions decisions communicated by December 15. Applications will be reviewed by a faculty work group and presented to the program faculty for a final admissions decision.
Online Major Code: 5544
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SM 527 | Navigating Legal Issues in Sport Management | 3 |
| SM 535 | Management of Human Resources in Sport Organizations | 3 |
| SM 540 | Sport Policy and Governance | 3 |
| SM 546 | Sport Consumer Behavior and Marketing | 3 |
| SM 570 | Financial Decision-Making in Sport | 3 |
| SM 575 | Sport Development and Fundraising | 3 |
| SM 580 | Social and Ethical Responsibility in Sport | 3 |
| SM 586 | Sport Facility Operations | 3 |
| Select one Area of Emphasis | 6 | |
Interscholastic Athletic Administration Area of Emphasis | ||
Sport Industry Management Area of Emphasis | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- *
SM 685 may be substitute for any of the above courses for three credits with approval.
Areas of Emphasis
Interscholastic Athletic Administration Area of Emphasis
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SM 571 | Interscholastic Sport Organization and Administration | 3 |
| SM 578 | Leadership in Interscholastic Athletic Administration | 3 |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Sport Industry Management Area of Emphasis
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SM 516 | Applied Research in Sport Management | 3 |
| SM 545 | Current Issues & Applications in Sport Management | 3 |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Accelerated Programs
- B.S. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology and M.S. Executive Sport Management
- B.S. Sport Management and M.S. Executive Sport Management
Accelerated Bachelors/Masters Degree Requirements
Students must fulfill all degree requirements for the B.S. in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology and the M.S. in Executive Sport Management. Students must also meet all the requirements of the ABM.
ABM Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology Major Requirements | 108 | |
| Shared Bachelor's/Master's Curriculum Requirements | 12 | |
| Master of Science Executive Sport Management Requirements | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 138 | |
Shared Bachelor's/Master's Coursework Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select four of the followng courses: | 12 | |
| Navigating Legal Issues in Sport Management | ||
| Management of Human Resources in Sport Organizations | ||
| Sport Policy and Governance | ||
| Sport Consumer Behavior and Marketing | ||
| Financial Decision-Making in Sport | ||
| Sport Development and Fundraising | ||
| Social and Ethical Responsibility in Sport | ||
| Sport Facility Operations | ||
Choose ONE Area of Emphasis | ||
Sport Industry Management Area of Emphasis | ||
| Applied Research in Sport Management | ||
| Current Issues & Applications in Sport Management | ||
OR | ||
Interscholastic Athletic Administration Area of Emphasis | ||
| Interscholastic Sport Organization and Administration | ||
| Leadership in Interscholastic Athletic Administration | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Suggested Plan of Study
| First Year | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | ||
| CAHS 191 | 2 | SEP 283 | 3 | ||
| SEP 272 | 3 | ACE 149 | 3 | ||
| PSYC 101 | 3 | SOC 101 | 3 | ||
| ENGL 101 (GEF 1) | 3 | GEF 3 | 3 | ||
| GEF 2 | 4 | GEF 5 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||||
| Second Year | |||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | ||
| PSYC 241 | 3 | SEP 385 | 3 | ||
| ENGL 102 (GEF 1) | 3 | PSYC 251 | 3 | ||
| GEF 6 | 3 | PSYC 281 | 3 | ||
| GEF 7 | 3 | Elective | 3 | ||
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||||
| Third Year | |||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer | Hours |
| CAHS 300 | 3 | SEP 371 | 3 | ABM | 3 |
| ACE 307 | 3 | ACE 327 | 3 | ABM | 3 |
| COUN 303 | 3 | SEP 425 or HWB 359 | 3 | ||
| Elective or Professional Minor Course 1 | 3 | ABM | 3 | ||
| Elective | 3 | ABM | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | 6 | |||
| Fourth Year | |||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer | Hours |
| SEP 415 | 3 | CAHS 489 or SEP 474 | 3 | ABM | 3 |
| SEP 420 | 3 | Elective or Professional Minor Course 4 | 3 | ABM | 3 |
| Elective or Professional Minor Course 2 | 3 | Elective or Professional Minor Course 5 | 3 | ||
| Elective or Professional Minor Course 3 | 3 | Elective | 3 | ||
| ABM | 3 | ABM | 3 | ||
| ABM | 3 | ABM | 3 | ||
| 18 | 18 | 6 | |||
| Total credit hours: 138 | |||||
Accelerated BS/MS Degree Requirements
Students must fulfill all degree requirements for the B.S. in Sport Management and the M.S. in Executive Sport Management. Students must also meet all the requirements of the ABM.
ABM Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Sport Management Major Requirements | 108 | |
| Shared Bachelor's/Master's Curriculum Requirements | 12 | |
| MS Executive Sport Management Degree Requirements | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 138 | |
Shared Bachelor's/Master's Coursework Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select four courses from the following list: | 12 | |
| Navigating Legal Issues in Sport Management | ||
| Management of Human Resources in Sport Organizations | ||
| Sport Policy and Governance | ||
| Sport Consumer Behavior and Marketing | ||
| Financial Decision-Making in Sport | ||
| Sport Development and Fundraising | ||
| Social and Ethical Responsibility in Sport | ||
| Sport Facility Operations | ||
Choose ONE Area of Emphasis | ||
Sport Industry Management Area of Emphasis | ||
| Applied Research in Sport Management | ||
| Current Issues & Applications in Sport Management | ||
OR | ||
Interscholastic Athletic Administration Area of Emphasis | ||
| Interscholastic Sport Organization and Administration | ||
| Leadership in Interscholastic Athletic Administration | ||
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Suggested Plan of Study
| First Year | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | ||
| CAHS 191 | 2 | SM 137 | 3 | ||
| ENGL 101 or 103 (GEF 1) | 3 | GEF 4 | 3 | ||
| SM 125 | 3 | GEF 5 | 3 | ||
| GEF 2 | 4 | GEF 6 | 3 | ||
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||||
| Second Year | |||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | ||
| SM 240 | 3 | SM 287 | 3 | ||
| ENGL 102 or 103 (GEF 1) | 3 | Professional Minor Course 2 | 3 | ||
| GEF 3 | 3 | Professional Minor Course 3 | 3 | ||
| Professional Minor Course 1 | 3 | Elective | 3 | ||
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||||
| Third Year | |||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer | Hours |
| SM 380 | 3 | SEP 371 | 3 | ABM | 3 |
| CAHS 300 | 3 | SM 370 | 3 | ABM | 3 |
| Professional Minor Course 4 | 3 | SM 375 (GEF 7) | 3 | ||
| Professional Minor Course 5 | 3 | ABM | 3 | ||
| Elective | 3 | ABM | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | 6 | |||
| Fourth Year | |||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer | Hours |
| SM 426 | 3 | SM 486 | 3 | ABM | 3 |
| SM 485 | 3 | CAHS 489 | 3 | ABM | 3 |
| ABM | 3 | ABM | 3 | ||
| ABM | 3 | ABM | 3 | ||
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 | ||
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 | ||
| 18 | 18 | 6 | |||
| Total credit hours: 138 | |||||
Program Learning Outcomes
Executive Sport Management
The goal of the program is for students to graduate with the essential skills and knowledge necessary to prepare them for immediate entry and/or advancement of a sport management career.
- Professional Knowledge: Understand advanced disciplinary knowledge and the primary modes of inquiry that form the basis for evidence-informed practice in their field.
- Professional Practice: Apply evidence-informed strategies in their professional practice to meet the differentiated needs of the client groups and key stakeholders whom they serve.
- Professional Leadership: Contribute to the leadership of communities of professional practice as collaborative learners who can facilitate their own continued development and that of others.