Online Sports Management Degree Bachelor of Science Program
Program Overview Why get a sport management degree?
Whether you're an athlete or a fan, you can take your passion for sports further with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Sport Management degree online. In the online sports management degree program, you’ll gain key industry knowledge needed to stay competitive in the field.
Skills you'll learn:
- The business and economics of sports
- Sport management principles
- Ethics and social responsibility in sport management
- How to gather and analyze data
- How to analyze global influences in sport business
- Communication and collaboration skills
Courses & Curriculum Online sport management courses that help you get in the game
Pair your love for the game with college classes built to prepare you for success in the field. Through a mix of business core, general education and sports management courses, the online bachelor's in sports management program will introduce you to foundational knowledge and skills that can help you kick off your career in sports.
Your sports management courses are designed by professionals working in the field – so you can count on learning relevant, industry-specific topics. Core business courses will give you a strong foundation in marketing, operations and finance. And with 18 free elective credits available, you can dig deeper into sports and business topics that interest you (or transfer in credits you may already have). Tailoring your program with courses in leadership, data analysis or finance can give you specialized experience to help you stand out in a highly competitive field.
Online sport management degree courses
In major courses, you'll explore topics like management, marketing and ethics from a sports management perspective. During your program, you'll get a chance to put new skills in sport management into action through an internship, an experiential learning course or both.
Courses may include:
Visit the course catalog to view the full BS in Sport Management.
Get your master’s faster
While a bachelor's degree is enough to start most sports management jobs, some leadership roles may require a master’s degree. A master's in sports management can give you the skills and real-world experience you need to advance your career.
Thinking of continuing on for your master’s degree in sport management? The Bachelor of Science in Sport Management has an accelerated bachelor’s-to-master’s option, which gives you the opportunity to take graduate courses during your bachelor's degree — helping you complete your bachelor's and master's faster and for less tuition.
- Save money! Take 3 dictated graduate-level courses (9 credits) during your bachelor's program at the lower undergraduate tuition rate.
- Save time! Apply your graduate credits to your master's degree to finish your master’s faster.
If you want to get your master’s faster, talk to your academic advisor after you enroll in the bachelor’s program to learn more.
The Commons: SNHU's gen ed program
All undergraduate students are required to take general education courses, which are part of SNHU's newly redesigned program, The Commons. The goal of The Commons' curriculum is to empower you with some of the most in-demand skills, so you can succeed not only in your academic career, but in your personal and professional life too.
Courses may include:
Visit the course catalog to view the full BS in Sport Management.
PC (Windows OS) Technical Requirements
Component Type | PC (Windows OS) |
---|---|
Operating System | Currently supported operating system from Microsoft. |
Memory (RAM) | 8GB or higher |
Hard Drive | 100GB or higher |
Antivirus Software | Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. |
SNHU Purchase Programs | Visit Dell |
Internet/ Bandwidth | 5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100ms Latency |
Apple (Mac OS) Technical Requirements
Component Type | Apple (Mac OS) |
---|---|
Operating System | Currently supported operating system from Apple. |
Memory (RAM) | 8GB or higher |
Hard Drive | 100GB or higher |
Antivirus Software | Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. |
SNHU Purchase Programs | Visit Apple |
Internet/ Bandwidth | 5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100ms Latency |
Additional Information:
- Laptop or desktop? Whichever you choose depends on your personal preference and work style, though laptops tend to offer more flexibility.
- Note: Chromebooks (Chrome OS) and iPads (iOS) do not meet the minimum requirements for coursework at SNHU. These offer limited functionality and do not work with some course technologies. They are not acceptable as the only device you use for coursework. While these devices are convenient and may be used for some course functions, they cannot be your primary device. SNHU does, however, have an affordable laptop option that it recommends: Dell Latitude 3301 with Windows 10.
- Office 365 Pro Plus is available free of charge to all SNHU students and faculty. The Office suite will remain free while you are a student at SNHU. Upon graduation you may convert to a paid subscription if you wish. Terms subject to change at Microsoft's discretion. Review system requirements for Microsoft 365 plans for business, education and government.
- Antivirus software: Check with your ISP as they may offer antivirus software free of charge to subscribers.
Licensure and Certification Disclosures
SNHU has provided additional information for programs that educationally prepare students for professional licensure or certification. Learn more about what that means for your program on our licensure and certification disclosure page.
Apply for free in minutes
Our no-commitment application can help you decide if SNHU is the right college for you and your career goals. Apply up until 2 days before the term starts!
Upcoming term starts: March 3, 2025 | May 5, 2025
Next term starts:
Jan. 6, 2025
Online Student Experience What’s it like going to SNHU?
Attending college online at SNHU can be a life-changing experience. In fact, 93.2% of online students would recommend SNHU according to a 2023 survey with 21,000+ respondents.
What to expect:
8-week terms
Learn around your schedule
24/7 online support
What does an online course look like?
You’ll take your courses within SNHU’s Brightspace platform. This is where you’ll find your:
- Schedule of weekly assignments
- Discussion boards
- Grades
- Instructor announcements
What support services are available?
- Chat with your advisors
Get hands-on help from dedicated academic and career advisors. - Drop in for tutoring
Work with a tutor, any time of the day or night – no appointment necessary. - Learn from industry professionals
Instructors lead discussions and offer guidance – and they’re just an email away. - Use the online library
Access 600,000+ resources or chat with a librarian 24/7. - Reach out for accessibility help
Receive accommodations as an eligible student with disabilities. - Focus on your well-being
Connect with professionals to improve your health and wellness.
Learn from instructors who share your passion
When you enroll at SNHU, you'll learn from instructors who are in the field for the same reason as you – because they love sports. Our faculty bring decades of experience in athletics to the program to help you reach your goals.
Featured Faculty
Dr. Michael Newhouse-Bailey
Prior to working in higher education, Dr. Michael Newhouse-Bailey held positions in sport communications, marketing, sales and campus recreation. As an instructor, Newhouse-Bailey enjoys leveraging his experience working in sport as well as his personal life to share and relate with students. He has published works relating to impact of youth sport and family functioning, international sport delivery systems and intercollegiate athletics policy.
Position
Associate Dean at SNHU
Joined SNHU
2015
Education
- B.B.A. in Marketing from The University of Texas at Austin
- M.S.Ed. in Sport Management from Southern Illinois University of Evansville
- Ph.D. in Sport Management from The University of Texas at Austin.
Dr. Enrique Barreiro
Position
Associate Dean
Dr. Enrique Barreiro is a strategic leader in higher education administration with professional background in multiple levels of management, project management, healthcare management, operations, higher education, administration, sports performance and sports management. He holds a bachelor’s in management and sports management, an MBA in Healthcare, International Business and Project Management from InterContinental University, and a PhD in Business Administration, Management and Organizations from Trident University.
Read more about other online faculty at SNHU.
What Our Instructors Have to Say
Hear what some of our SNHU instructors have to say about our online sport management degree:
"After beginning my journey in intercollegiate athletics, I decided I wanted to have a positive impact on a larger group of individuals and thought I could achieve that in the higher education setting. I began teaching as an adjunct instructor at SNHU while I completed my doctorate."
Michael Newhouse-Bailey, Associate Dean at SNHU
Why SNHU?
At Southern New Hampshire University, you'll have access to a powerful network of more than 400,000 students, alumni and staff that can help support you long after graduation. Our instructors offer relevant, real-world expertise to help you understand and navigate the field. Plus, with our growing, nationwide alumni network, you'll have the potential to tap into a number of internship and career opportunities.
Recently, SNHU has been nationally recognized for leading the way toward more innovative, affordable and achievable education:
- U.S. News & World Report
Named SNHU the 2024 Most Innovative University in the North - The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)
Awarded SNHU the 21st Century Distance Learning Award for Excellence in Online Technology - Google.org
Gave SNHU a $1 million grant to explore soft skills assessments for high-need youth
Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution with over 180,000 graduates across the country. SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality.
Admission Applying to SNHU is fast and free
No application fee. No test scores. And no college essay. Just a simple form with basic information. It’s another way SNHU helps you reach your goals sooner.
All it takes is 3 simple steps
It's easy, fast and free.
Whether you're applying for an undergraduate or graduate degree, you’ll fill out a form to verify your previous education experience. As part of our admissions process, we'll help you request transcripts from your previous school(s) to see if you can transfer any credits into your SNHU program! (Also for free!)
After reviewing your official evaluation, you can decide if SNHU is right for you! If you choose to enroll, just pick your start date and get ready for classes to begin.
Talk to an admission counselor: 888.327.SNHU | enroll@snhu.edu
Accreditations
SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The university also carries specialized accreditations for some programs.
This program and its concentrations are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Student achievement data can be found on the ACBSP accreditation page.
Tuition Cost & Savings College can be more affordable than you think
As a nonprofit university, SNHU offers some of the lowest online tuition rates in the country. And when you work with our Financial Services team, we'll explore ways to help you save even more on your education – and customize a payment plan that works for you.
Online undergraduate tuition
*before previously earned credits are applied
Tuition rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.
**Note: Students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.
Additional costs: Course materials vary by course.
Transfer credits and lower your cost by:
$9,900 $14,850 $19,800 $24,750 $29,700If 30 of your prior learning credits ($330/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $29,700
If 45 of your prior learning credits ($330/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $24,750
If 60 of your prior learning credits ($330/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $19,800
If 75 of your prior learning credits ($330/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $14,850
If 90 of your prior learning credits ($330/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $9,900
How we estimate your tuition cost:
We look at the cost per credit multiplied by the number of credits you need to earn for a bachelor's degree. Most bachelor's degrees require 120 credits. SNHU allows you to transfer in up to 90 credits, requiring a minimum of 30 credits to be taken at SNHU. This is only a tuition estimator, and doesn't account for other fees that may be associated with your program of choice.
Ways to save on online tuition
Career Outlook What can I do with an online sport management degree?
The sports business is dynamic, giving you many career options. From management to event planning, marketing, media relations, sales and beyond, you can pair your interest in business with your passion for sports in a variety of roles.
Our bachelor’s degree program has been preparing students for careers in sports for more than 25 years. With diverse learning resources and career support from SNHU, you can prepare for success in the ever-growing sports industry.
Occupations
A sports management degree could help set you up for success in a variety of roles, including:
Lead scholastic, college or professional athletic programs and manage sports schedules and athletic services.
Plan, coordinate and manage activities and initiatives to help an organization run efficiently.
Work with guests at sporting events to solve problems, address complaints and create a positive customer experience.
Promote a sports organization and sports events through social media, advertising and other means.
Create and maintain the reputation of a sports organization. Coordinate and assist with media coverage.
Lead an organization's sales team, setting sales goals and analyzing performance.
Plan and manage operations of special events for sports organizations.
Provide statistics, player details and other information about a sports organization to the media.
What SNHU students are saying
I was originally in business administration, but knowing I could study business along with sports was a dream come true. This program allowed me to learn so much about the sports world, whether it was about operations, marketing, sales, ethics, etc.
Tatiana Toledo '21
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can. Earning an online sports management degree lets you attend class when it’s convenient for you. An online degree can also help you balance your coursework with whatever other commitments and responsibilities you may have.
SNHU has six 8-week undergraduate terms each year, so you can finish your degree at your own pace.
You'll have access to student services along the way. These include tutoring, writing assistance, career counseling and wellness programs. Online student clubs and networking opportunities are also available.
Virtual environments in some courses can give you access to the technology you need for your degree – and your career. Technology includes software applications, simulations and virtual desktops.
Finally, through hands-on learning via an internship or experiential learning opportunity, students can gain real-world experience as part of their required coursework that can be completed in either a virtual or in-person setting that's convenient for them.
Sports management degrees focus on the economics and business of the sports industry, as well as marketing, branding and facilities management. Graduation requirements depend on the type of sports management degree you want.
At SNHU, the sports management bachelor’s degree program features a mix of general education, business and sports management courses. These courses give you a solid foundation in all aspects of running an athletic organization.
You’ll also gain business skills like written and oral communication, critical and creative thinking, analysis and problem solving. And you’ll learn from instructors with years of experience in the sports management field.
SNHU's program culminates in an internship or an experiential learning course (or both!), giving you an immersive experience in sport that doesn't interfere with your other commitments. This hands-on experience provides the skills you need to take your learning from degree to career.
Additional sports management degrees are also available at Southern New Hampshire University.
A bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in sports management, for example, provides a strong foundation of interpersonal, operational and problem-solving skills. You'll also explore the business of sports and prepare for entry-level sports jobs.
A master's in sports management or an MBA with a concentration in sports management can also help you start or advance your career in the field.
The MS in Sport Management explores the ins and outs of running a professional organization. Courses include sports marketing, finance and economics and the internationalization of sports business.
The sports management MBA program offers key industry knowledge, with a focus on leadership development, entrepreneurship and data-driven decision-making.
It depends. The actual cost of your online sports management degree will vary based on the courses you take, the materials required for each course and your prior educational experience.
At Southern New Hampshire University, online tuition rates for bachelor’s degree programs are some of the lowest in the nation. Undergraduate courses cost just $330 per credit hour, or $39,600 for a 120-credit online bachelor's degree.
We also accept up to 90 transfer credits toward your bachelor’s in sports management. With maximum transfer credits, you could finish your degree in as few 10 courses – saving you as much as $29,700 in tuition.
Interested in a sports management master’s degree? The accelerated BS-to-MS pathway allows you to take up to 4 graduate-level courses during your bachelor’s program at the online undergraduate tuition rate – saving you time in the long run.
An online sports management degree can help you succeed in one of the world’s biggest industries. In the United States, the sports industry is on the rise and continues to grow due to wider availability of live sports on streaming services, interactive and immersive live game day experiences, growth in women's sports, sports betting and sporting experience personalization through AI.1 Earning a sports management degree can help you get in the game.
Earning a sports management online degree can give you the business, communication and marketing skills you need to stand out when applying for competitive positions in this growing field.
"I knew I couldn’t just rely on my life knowledge of the game," said SNHU student Daniel Comstock. "I had to learn how to be a good manager and be a good leader."
"All these classes that I’ve taken at Southern New Hampshire University have really helped me open up my box, thinking outside of the sports world, which is something I’ve been so involved with my whole life," he said.
For Alvaro Filardo '21, a sport management education helped him grow his own passion for teaching.
"I do feel my degree program was worth it," he said. "I've been coaching sports since I graduated high school. It took me a while before I really realized what my true passion was: and that's teaching and instructing young adults the many benefits of playing sports."
An internship or experiential learning opportunity is required as part of the online BS in Sport Management program at SNHU.
They provide powerful opportunities to apply what you've learned, build practical workplace skills and network with professionals in your field. For all those reasons and more, these experiences can be game-changers for sport management professionals looking to start or advance their careers.
Keep in mind that a sport management internship doesn't necessarily have to be with a major league team. There are plenty of internship opportunities available to you, including:
- Athletic departments
- Pro and semi-pro teams
- Sports marketing vendors
- Youth and adult leagues
- Esports teams
- Parks and recreation
And with an experiential learning course, you can tailor your experience and learning to your goals. You can build off areas already covered in the program that you want to learn more about, explore industry platforms, tools or credentials, or create projects with faculty guidance.
Our graduates have gone on to complete experiences in roles such as fitness and athletic training, facilities and operations, event planning and sport broadcasting and media. As long as you find something you're passionate about, there are few limits to what you can do.
There are many different sports management careers. With a bachelor’s degree, roles in marketing, sales, media relations, promotions and events and facilities management may be available.
Sports management careers include:
- Sports marketing: Lead an organization’s advertising and promotion efforts to increase sales and raise public awareness. Marketers conduct market research, create and manage advertising campaigns and work with company leaders to define and promote an organization’s brand.
- Public relations: Handle a sports organization’s communication with the public, including fans, investors and the media. PR pros create and maintain a positive public image for an organization, write media releases and lead social media campaigns to shape public perception.
- Athletic director: Work in public school districts, colleges or with professional sports teams to advance sports programs. Directors manage coaching staff, competition schedules and player recruitment. In professional sports organizations, athletic directors also lead the training and wellness program for athletes.
- Events coordinator: Help keep game-day operations running smoothly and act as a liaison between the organization and corporate and community partners to plan special events.
- Facilities manager: Lead grounds and maintenance crews, working with security officials to maintain facility safety.
- Sports data analyst: Work for a collegiate or professional sports program to collect, analyze and share player and team data for internal and media use.
Tatiana Toledo '21 chose a career in sales recruiting with her BS in Sports Management. "I have always wanted to be in sales or marketing," she said. "This is why sports marketing and as well as sports sales really stood out to me because they showed me the different techniques and methods to sell products in the sports industry."
"My job is sales recruiting, so the sports sales class helped me learn how to communicate with others who aren’t familiar with our product or service," said Toledo.
Sources & Citations
1 PWC, Sports Industry Outlook 2024, What’s Next in Sports: from GenAI to league expansion, PwC unpacks the hottest trends, on the internet, at https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/tmt/library/sports-outlook-north-america.html (viewed March 14, 2024)
Cited projections may not reflect local or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.