The sport business industry is one of the largest and fastest growing industries in the U.S., generating billions of dollars each year. The sport communication minor at WVU can prepare you for a career in this exciting field.
You will gain practical skills in media writing, public relations and strategic communications, as well as an understanding of the issues affecting professional and college sports today.
Job areas could include advertising, media relations, media sales, athlete endorsements, media placement, merchandise licensing, media broadcasting rights, sport information, community relations and more.
This minor requires 18 hours, nine of which are offered from the College of Applied Human Services and nine of which are offered from the School of Journalism. The sport communication minor requires the following courses:
Three Courses from Reed College of Media (9 hours)
One of the following (3 Hours)
ADV 201 Advertising and Society
As a social institution, advertising plays a critical role in our daily lives.
The course will examine the social, economic, and legal aspects of advertising.
This course must be taken online.
ADV 215 Principles of Advertising
An introduction to all sides of the advertising field and to the process,
quantitative, strategic and aesthetic, by which the sales message is planned,
produced and delivered. This is the first advertising course for advertising
majors and must be taken as a prerequisite for other courses in the sequence.
This course can be taken on campus or online. This course is generally offered
every term.
PR 215 Introduction to Public Relations
Introduces the student to the principles of public relations. Definition
and historical development, opportunities and challenges, techniques, and
management of public relations are included. This course can be taken on
campus or online. This course is generally offered every term.
Required Course
JRL 361 Media Relations in Sport
Online course provides an in-depth understanding of how effective public
relations plays an integral role in any sports organization via a myriad
of communication efforts used in the dissemination of information to the
media and the public. JRL 361 must be taken online.
Prerequisites: One of the following: ADV 201, ADV 215 or PR 215
One of the following (3 Hours)
JRL 412 Sport Journalism
This course helps students develop critical thinking skills in reporting
and writing stories. Students will also examine the value of sports journalism,
the way sports function in society, and gain an understanding of ethics in
sports journalism. JRL 412 must be taken online.
Prerequisites: One of the following: ADV 201, ADV 215 or PR 215
PR 412 IMC for Sport
This course seeks to describe the essential and interconnected role of Public
Relations in Integrated Marketing Communication. Using sport-specific examples
students will examine the attributes of successful IMC campaigns and "the
campaign mindset" as it applies to sport promotion and communications. PR
412 must be taken online.
Prerequisites: One of the following: ADV 201, ADV 215 or PR 215
Three Courses from College of Applied Human Services (9 hours)
Required Course
SEP 271 Sport in American Society
This course provides a comprehensive analysis of sport structures with a
close view of who competes and the consequences of such competition. A major
emphasis is placed on the sociological phenomena that contribute to sport
in the United States. In-depth discussion of the apparent positive and negative
consequences of the way sport is organized in society will occur. This course
can be taken on campus or online. This course is generally taught every term.
Two of the following (6 hours)
SM 426 Liability in Sport (Sport Law)
An overview of the legal system as it applies to sport, including contracts,
tort law, drug testing, rights of athletes, product liability, legal duties
of coaches, facilities supervisors, and athletic directors. This course can
be taken on campus or online. Recommended to complete SEP 271 before enrolling
in this course. This course is generally offered online during the summer
term.
SM 485 Sport Management
The study of management principles as they relate to sport organizations.
The analysis includes specific references to planning, organizing, leading
and evaluating functions of management in sport. This course can be taken
on campus or online. Recommended to complete SEP 271 before enrolling in
this course. This course is generally offered online during the summer term.
SM 486 Sport Marketing
The study of marketing principles as they relate to sport organizations.
Specific attention is focused on the marketing planning process, marketing
information systems, and internal marketing. This course can be taken on
campus or online. Recommended to complete SEP 271 before enrolling in this
course. This course is generally offered online during the summer term.
To earn a minor in Sport Communication, a student must earn a C or better and a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 or better in the courses required for the minor.
Students who double-minor in sport communication and advertising must complete PR 215 Introduction to Public Relations. Students who double-minor in sport communication and public relations must complete either ADV 215 Principles of Advertising or ADV 201 Advertising & Society.
Students who triple-minor in advertising, public relations, and sport communication must complete all listed courses. However, JRL 101 Introduction to Mass Communication can be taken only once and must be replaced with one of the Reed College of Media's online 200-level or higher open-enrollment courses.
Reed College of Media majors who wish to minor in sport communication must complete the same RCM courses as noted for the minor (9 credits total), as well as all 12 credits from CPASS: SEP 271 (Sport in Society), SM 426 (Sport Law), SM 485 (Sport Management) and SM 486 (Sport Marketing).
For additional information contact MediaCollegeOnline@mail.wvu.edu. To register for online courses, contact WVU Online at (800) 253-2762 or email WVUOnlineInquiry@mail.wvu.edu.