Degree Offered
- Master of Science
Nature of the Program
The Master of Science in Sport Management prepares students to compete for jobs in the sport market as an industry leader. This 30-credit hour program is delivered on-campus with the flexibility of some online coursework. The program provides real-world training in a range of areas including data-based decisions, management and human development, revenue generation, ethical decision-making, and more. The curriculum is designed to provide students with broad professional preparation in the sport management field to accommodate a variety of professional and career goals. The plan of study also affords students with the opportunity to further specialize in one of two tracks: (1) Professional Track, or (2) Thesis Track with a research component.
The Professional Track is developed for those students who are seeking entry to or are currently working in the sport industry. Students in this track have the opportunity to pursue a Sport Industry Leadership and Change Management certificate featuring experiential learning through an internship in the sport industry.
The Thesis Track is available for students who are considering doctoral level work in the future. Sport Management has continued to emerge as a popular area of study in colleges and universities across the world. The completion of a master’s thesis remains an important benchmark for those students who aspire to faculty and/or research positions in higher education. The ability to effectively collect, manage, analyze, and interpret data also has implications for leaders of many non-profit organizations and sport associations. Students in this track have the opportunity to pursue the Advanced Sport Management Research certificate featuring an emphasis on research methods and mentored research.
Admissions for 2027-2028
These programs utilize the University GPA requirement for entry to both programs.
On-Campus
- Resume: including any professional experiences in the sport industry
- Personal statement: 1-2 written pages on professional goals and reasons for seeking admission (students interested in thesis track should describe their research interests)
- Letters of recommendation (2)
The program admits for fall, spring, and summer terms.
Apply by August 1st for a fall start. Applications received by December 1 get priority consideration.
Apply by December 15 for a spring start. Applications received by July 1 get priority consideration.
Apply by May 1 for a summer start. Applications received by October 1 get priority consideration.
*The thesis track will only admit for the fall term.
Note: Students who do not meet the 2.75 minimum grade point average requirement may be admitted as a provisional graduate student. Provisional graduate students are required to attain a 3.0 by the end of the term they complete their first 9 hours of advisor-approved coursework to remain in the program and to be reclassified as a regular graduate student. International students are not eligible for provisional admission per WVU Graduate Admissions policy.
On campus Major Code: 5532
Degree Requirements: Campus Program
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| A grade of C or higher must be earned in all major courses. | ||
| Core Coursework | ||
| SM 502 | Revenue Generation and Financial Sustainability in Sport | 3 |
| SM 503 | Data-Based Decision-Making in Sport Organizations | 3 |
| SM 504 | Human Resource Development and Managing Change in Sport Organizations | 3 |
| SM 505 | Critical Thinking and Ethics in Sport | 3 |
| Select one of the following tracks: | 18 | |
Professional Track - Complete 6 courses | ||
| Applied Research in Sport Management | ||
| Navigating Legal Issues in Sport Management | ||
| Management of Human Resources in Sport Organizations | ||
| Sport Policy and Governance | ||
| Current Issues & Applications in Sport Management | ||
| Sport Consumer Behavior and Marketing | ||
| Financial Decision-Making in Sport | ||
| Sport Development and Fundraising | ||
| Social and Ethical Responsibility in Sport | ||
| Sport Facility Operations | ||
Thesis Track | ||
Research Methods and Statistics | ||
Select two of the following courses for a total of 6 credit hours: | ||
| Statistical Methods 1 | ||
| Statistical Methods 2 | ||
| Qualitative Research Methods | ||
| Advanced Qualitative Research | ||
Research Requirement | ||
| Research Methods in Sport, Physical Activity, and Performance (3 credit hours) | ||
| Research (6 credit hours) | ||
| Dissertation and Thesis Seminar (3 credit hours) | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Degree Progress
The School of Sport Sciences requires the following milestones for all students. According to the graduate catalog, students will receive a yearly evaluation. Students who are either not making adequate degree progress or who are failing to uphold professional standards may receive notice of probation, suspension or dismissal. Students may be notified of academic consequences outside of routine evaluation processes if an issue must be addressed immediately.
Each year, no later than the first day of classes of the Fall semester, the department will distribute an updated version of the CAHS Graduate Student Handbook, which includes links to program-specific handbooks.
Benchmarks
- Achieve a minimum GPA of 2.75 in coursework to graduate
Satisfactory Progress
- Students may be dismissed from their program if their GPA falls below a 2.5.
- Students below a 2.75 are considered on probation.
Major Learning Outcomes
Sport Management
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.