Sport Management

Program

The curriculum examines three main segments of the sport industry: performance, production, promotion. It encompasses all levels of sport: youth, high school, collegiate, professional, amateur, competitive, non-competitive, recreational, private, and nonprofit/profit organizations.

Although the number of potential careers within athletics is virtually limitless, here are a few examples:

Sport Performance Segment:

• collegiate athletics director
• racetrack marketing director
• private fitness facility manager
• campus recreation director
• professional promotions coordinator
• collegiate ticket sales manager, etc.

Sport Production Segment:

• sales representative for a sports equipment company
• manager for a sporting goods retail store
• events coordinator at a professional facility, etc.

Sport Promotion Segment:

• sport media producer
• financial analyst for a sport sponsorship management company
• legal consultant for a sport business licensing company, etc.

Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found in the ETSU Graduate Catalog.

Cost

Credits to complete this program: 33-36 credit hours

Steps to Apply

• Step 1 - Create your ETSU Application Account

  Step 1   Create your ETSU Application Account by choosing the "Sign Up" option

  

• Step 2 - Sign into the ETSU Application Portal

  Step 2  Sign into the ETSU Application Portal and select "Start a New Application"

  

• Step 3 - Complete the Remaining Fields

  Step 3   Choose "Graduate," select your student type (domestic or international), select "Master's," term, then choose  Sport Management and complete the remainder of the form.

  

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Frequently Asked Questions

• Why should a student pursue this program at ETSU? What makes it unique?

  Program features include:

  • An all online asynchronous class structure, making this a super flexible program for working professionals
  • Latest pedagogy, such as Esports and sport sales
  • Experiential learning and project-based classes
  • Productive and tight-knit faculty who want to see their students succeed
  • Close relationships to regional and national sport organizations
• What is an exciting aspect of this program?

  “I have enjoyed this program’s approach of having the material that we learn in the classroom correlate to our current areas of employment. This method of learning encourages a continuous conversation of how we can better ourselves as professionals, while staying current with the issues of our field.” ~Former student

  “When I think about the program, the first thing that comes to mind is the tremendous amount of support from the professors. It is wonderful to have professors that truly want to see you succeed and will do whatever they can to help you achieve your goals both in the classroom and in life.” ~Current program enrollee

• What accreditations apply to this program? 

  East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, education specialist, and doctoral degrees. ETSU may also offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of ETSU may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
  
  

• What are the job prospects with this degree

  The program's alumni work in collegiate athletics including Power 5 conferences, NCAA Headquarters, NBA, NFL, NASCAR, MLB, minor league baseball, high school athletics, multi-sport facilities, campus recreation, etc.

• Does a student's undergraduate degree have to be related to this field? What are the prerequisites?

  It does not. There are no prerequisites per se, only the required application materials that are reviewed for acceptance. More information about students enrolled in this program:

  • Many current students came directly from their undergraduate program, some are working in sport already or gaining experience in various ways, and the flexibility of our online program appeals to them and their long-term goals. 
  • Many students are currently working in sports and, depending on what part of the industry they’re working in, a graduate degree may be either necessary or one way they can differentiate themselves from their peers.
• Does this program require the GRE (and/or GMAT)?

  No.
• Are the courses for this program asynchronous or synchronous?

  The entire program is online asynchronous, and there are no meeting times or required on-campus activities!
• Does this program require a dissertation, field work, internship, and/or thesis?

  A student may opt to write a thesis or work an internship, but they must choose which path to follow. 

• Is this program designed to meet the needs of adults who work full-time and/or have family obligations?

  The online asynchronous format of this program was created with working professionals in mind. Students never have to step foot on campus and can complete their classes at their own pace!

• What is the time to completion for full-time students?

  Full-time students typically complete the program in 2 years.

• What is the time to completion for part time students?

  Completion timelines for part-time students vary depending on the student's preferences and number of courses taken each academic term. Students must complete the program within the six-year matriculation limit (starting from their date of first enrollment). Part-time students will work with the coordinator to determine a schedule that works best for them.

• How many spaces are available for each cohort?

  There are no cohort caps at this time.
• Does the college/department offer scholarships?

  The department currently has four Research Graduate Assistantships (GA) and 5 Tuition Scholars (TS). Availability depends on when those students graduate. 

  Students are also encouraged to visit the Paying for Graduate School website for information regarding ETSU graduate scholarships and other financial resources.