Jan. 8, 2024
Next Start Date
10
Courses Required
$673
Cost Per Credit Hour
30
Total Credit Hours
Online Asynchronous
Learning Formats
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.
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:
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.
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!
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.
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.
Learn more about student and faculty experiences in the Online Executive Sport Management program.
Dave Benedict
"If you are looking at a sport management program, WVU offers one of the best you can find online."
Justin Wartella
West Virginia University faculty have developed new and innovative practices to improve the digital learning experience for their students. Justin Wartella, teaching assistant professor, is one of four WVU faculty selected for the 2022 Digital Learning Award.
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.
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
The Executive Sport Management degree from the College of Applied Human Sciences prepares students to become marketable professionals in the dynamic sport industry.
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).
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.
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.
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.
There are so many career paths a student could take with a Executive Sport Management Master’s Degree; some of the following are:
Curious about which careers would yield the highest salary? Here are the following highest-paid jobs in the Sport Management Field:
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.