EXECUTIVE SPORT MANAGEMENT M.S.

Jan. 8, 2024

Next Start Date

Courses Required

$673

Cost Per Credit Hour

Total Credit Hours

Online Asynchronous

Learning Formats

The Different Aspects of Sport Management

Are you seeking employment and career advancement in the exciting, global industry of sport? Did you know that the global sports industry is expected to grow from $354.96 billion in 2021 to $501.43 billion in 2022, and reach $707.84 billion in 2026?

Our program has been consistently ranked nationally as one of the top online master's degrees in Sport Management: Best Master’s in Sports Management Online Programs, 55 Best Online Masters in Sports Administration, Most Affordable Online Master’s in Sports Management, and Universities with an Outstanding Sports Management and Athletic Administration Faculty .

The Executive Sport Management M.S. program focuses on the most contemporary issues in sports management. Topics covered include profitability, diversity, legal issues, facilities, ethics, and changing markets in sports. As a student, you will explore the latest research, industry trends, and recommendations for best practices, while also acquiring applied skills. Online courses are taught by faculty who are nationally and internationally recognized leaders in their fields.

The fully online 30-credit program is for professionals who are already working in the sports industry, or those seeking a career change. Courses are generally eight weeks in length, enabling you to focus on one content area at a time.

A female Sports Management M.S. graduate sitting in a box at the WVU football field.

The Executive Sport Management degree from the College of Applied Human Sciences prepares students to become marketable professionals in the dynamic sport industry. All students complete a required eight-course sequence that incorporates foundational content in organizational leadership and management, facilities, marketing, finance, fundraising and development, legal issues, governance, and sociocultural and ethical dimensions of sport. Students also select a two-course area of emphasis allowing for further specialization:

Comprehensive Sport Industry Management
Interscholastic Sport Administration

Students in both areas of emphasis graduate with the same degree, a Master’s of Science in Executive Sport Management.

West Virginia University School of Sport Sciences recognized by Newsweek magazine.

Attend a Virtual Information Session

Thank you for your interest in the Executive Sport Management M.S. program at West Virginia University! Attend a Virtual Information Session and learn more about the Executive Sport Management M.S. program.

October 3, Noon October 3, 6:00 p.m. November 7, Noon November 7, 6:00 p.m. December 5, Noon December 5, 6:00 p.m.

Kelly Legg, Personal Online Admissions Coach

Kelly is here to help.

Kelly Legg, Your Personal Online Admissions Coach

As a graduate of the WVU with a degree in business administration, Kelly understands your needs and is here to support and simplify the enrollment process for you. You can have open and honest discussions with her about how your passion in life can become your career. Contact Kelly today!

Learn More About Kelly Request Information

Contact

Email: Kelly.Legg@mail.wvu.edu
Phone: (304) 293-0112
Virtual Session: Schedule a virtual session with me

Online Executive Sport Management Admission Requirements

A baccalaureate degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. Students may be admitted provisionally with a GPA of 2.75 or lower; however, provisional students must earn a 3.0 in the first 9 hours of coursework to continue in the program.

Admission preference is given to individuals with experience in the sport industry. It is recommended that students have regular access to sport management settings, given the applied nature of many course assignments.

Pay the graduate application fee
Resume highlighting professional background, experience, and qualifications
Professional statement: 1-2 written pages on professional goals and reasons for seeking admission
No GRE scores required
TOEFL for non-native English speakers (minimum score of 550 or 2/3 computer score)
Request official transcripts from all institutions attended (other than WVU) and
1. Mail to:
  WVU Office of Graduate Admissions
  One Waterfront Place
  PO Box 6510
  Morgantown, WV 26506-6510
2. or Email to: GraduateAdmissions@mail.wvu.edu

Application Deadlines

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until August 1 for a fall term start, December 15 for a spring term start, and May 1 for a summer term start.

Apply Now

Student and Faculty Spotlight

Learn more about student and faculty experiences in the Online Executive Sport Management program.

Dave Benedict profile image.

Dave Benedict

"If you are looking at a sport management program, WVU offers one of the best you can find online."

Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid

Financial aid is available. Students are encouraged to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to determine their eligibility for federal and state funds as well as scholarships. WVU’s FAFSA Code is 003827. Please contact the WVU Financial Aid Office at (304) 293-5242 or financialaid.wvu.edu for additional information.

Executive Sport Management M.S. require 30 credit hours. The Cost per credit hour is $673.
$20,190 – Residents and Non-Residents

Credits	Cost
1	$673
3	$2,019
6	$4,038
9	$6,057

Tuition and fees are usually not the only educational expenses you may have while pursuing a degree. You may have other costs such as books, supplies and living expenses. Please see the Estimate Costs and Aid webpage for how to estimate and plan for other potential expenses.

Courses and Curriculum

Online Executive Sports Management M.S. Curriculum Requirements

Course	Title	Credit Hours
SM 527	Legal Issues in Sport Administration	3
SM 535	Sport Management Process	3
SM 540	International Sports Governance	3
SM 546	Sport Marketing	3
SM 570	Sport Finance	3
SM 575	Fund-Raising and Development	3
SM 580	Sociocultural and Ethical Dimensions of Sport	3
SM 586	Facility Planning and Management	3
Area of Emphasis		6
Comprehensive Sport Industry Management
Interscholastic Athletic Administrator

Total Hours: 30

Your future in Executive Sport Management

The Executive Sport Management degree from the College of Applied Human Sciences prepares students to become marketable professionals in the dynamic sport industry.

The Benefits to Choosing Our Program

The Master of Science in Executive Sport Management offered by the College of Applied Human Sciences is designed to prepare you to work behind-the-scenes of the sport industry, one of the fastest-growing industries in the U.S.
As a member of the Big XII Conference, West Virginia University is home to one of the nation’s premier college athletic programs. This back-drop provides you with access to a world-class network of sport management professionals including university faculty and staff, program alumni and organizational partners. Courses also afford frequent opportunities to build connections with your many colleagues in the program. Graduates become their own best resource!
The program’s uniqueness is further demonstrated through the diversity of faculty who hail from around the globe, bringing an international perspective to the curriculum. Program faculty frequently travel internationally to areas including Asia, Latin America, Africa and Europe. This collective international experience enriches the program by broadening its scope to encompass the global dimensions of sport.

Career Outlook for Executive Sport Management

Students who graduate from WVU Online with a Executive Sport Management M.S. degree will prepare themselves for the following careers. These are only a few examples of some of the many opportunities you will open with this degree.

Coaches and Scouts
Projected Growth: 11% or higher *Bright Outlook

General and Operations Manager
Projected Growth: 7-10% *Bright Outlook

Compliance Manager
Projected Growth: 4-6%

Marketing Manager
Projected Growth: 7-10% *Bright Outlook

Information about careers on this list comes from the Occupational information network (O*NET) of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and TrainingAdministration (USDOL/ETA).

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does It Take to Complete an Online Masters in Executive Sport Management?

Since we require 30 credits to complete the program, it will take as little as 5 semesters to complete. Since it's online, students can take their time with each course based on their availability.

Is an online Masters in Sport Management worth it?

A Master’s Degree in Executive Sports Management is an ideal degree for individuals seeking to pursue careers that deal with the business aspects of sports and physical activity. These degree programs provide in-depth instruction of theory and current practices, and many include practical experiences to enable students to gain real-world skills to increase success. Graduates are equipped with a functional knowledge of various business features of the sports field, including economics, marketing, law, finance, and facilities management.

What is the difference between an MS and an MBA in Executive Sport Management?

While an MBA often covers a wider range of topics that might be pertinent to business and management in a sports setting, Master’s in Executive Sports Management often cover a number of disciplines that all relate to sports roles in some way. These disciplines include behavioral topics like sociology and human performance, as well as leadership, kinesiology, and sports specific business courses. Both of these programs should prepare graduates to manage people, infrastructure, events, business strategy, sales, budgets, marketing, communication, sponsorship, community outreach, and much more.

What kind of jobs can I get with a Executive Sport Management Master’s Degree?

There are so many career paths a student could take with a Executive Sport Management Master’s Degree; some of the following are:

Accounts Manager/Corporate Partnerships
Athletic Administrator
Athletic Director
Business Development
Sport Marketing Manager
Sport Agent
Sport Camp Director
Sport Content Producer
Sport Information Director
Sport Mediator/Arbitrator
Sport Writer/Blogger

What jobs are the highest paid in Executive Sport Management?

Curious about which careers would yield the highest salary? Here are the following highest-paid jobs in the Sport Management Field:

Athletic Director - $121,936 according to Salary.com
Sport Marketing Manager - $96,802 according to Salary.com
Sport Agent - $81,584 according to Glassdoor.com
Sport Analyst - $82,563 according to Glassdoor.com
Athletics Compliance - $79,415 according to Glassdoor.gov

Are internships available for Executive Sport Management?

We allow students to substitute 3 credits of internship placement for another course in the program based on their academic and career goals. A graduate level internship can be extremely beneficial for early career professionals or more experienced professionals looking to transition industries. Additional information about our internship program is available. An increasing percentage of students are taking advantage of this option.

Become a problem solver.

Be a decision maker. First, your degree. World-class academics at an exceptional value.

Occasionally a student will encounter an issue with an online course that he or she doesn’t know how to resolve. Should this occur, please visit the link below.

Internal Student Complaint Process

Contact Us

WVU Online
West Virginia University
PO Box 6800
Morgantown, WV 26506-6800

Phone: (800) 253-2762
Email: WVUOnlineInquiry@mail.wvu.edu

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