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Sport Management Degree
Sport Management

Sport Management is a comprehensive field of study that includes the management, marketing, promotion, communication, legal preparation, and financing of sport and recreation facilities, events and organizations.

Degrees and programs offered:
  • Bachelor of Science in Sport Management
  • Minor in Sport Management
The sport management major adopts an interdisciplinary approach in developing skills and knowledge for effective decision making in sports organizations. It builds upon solid foundation in the liberal arts and a core program in business and economics.

The major prepares students for career opportunities with professional and amateur sports teams and clubs and in sports media and sports-related services. Through a strong internship program, each student will demonstrate practical skills in a specific arena of sports industry.

See also:
  • Minor in Sport Media
  • Minor in Coaching
  • 4+1 Sport Management Program

    Students with strong academic performance may apply for admission to the 4 + 1 Program through ODU's Graduate Programs. Students accepted into the program will work toward completing both their bachelor's and master's degree in Sport Management in a total of five academic years. 
  • Sample 4-Year Plan for Sport Management Majors
    The course plan below is a sample plan for your major; it does not and should not replace meeting with your Academic Advisor to map out the best course plan that suits your individual academic goals and placement upon initial registration.

    Classes listed may not necessarily be offered during a particular term. 

    Year 1
    Fall Semester Spring Semester
    ENG 110 ENG 111
    CORE 179 SPM 140
    ECN 207 THL 225
    SPM 110 ACT 210
    MTH 140 Elective
    Year 2
    Fall Semester Spring Semester
    BUS 220
    		 SPM 220
    LNG 242
    		 Literature
    BIO 279 or ENV 279A or HST course HST or BIO 279 or EVN 279A
    THL at any level PHL 109 or PHL 170
    SPM 210 SPM 297
    Year 3
    Fall Semester Spring Semester
    FIN 325 or BUS 240 SPM 350
    SPM 310 CIS 107
    PHL 346 379 - Social Science
    Art/Music/Theatre
    		 Elective
    Elective
    		 Elective
    Year 4
    Fall Semester Spring Semester
    SPM 470 SPM 479
    SPM 333
    		 SPM 410
    Elective
    		 Elective
    Elective
    		 Elective
    Elective
    		 Elective

    Student could easily add a minor such as Marketing, Finance, Economics, Public Relations, Non-Profit Management, Sport Media or Coaching.

    Faculty Advisors should help students pick Emphasis Electives and Minors based on career path. Other electives should be towards minor or graduate school prerequisites (meet with Advisor) and all students need 120 credits (15 credits per semester) to graduate in 4 years.

Course Requirements

  • B.S. in Sport Management
    Students must complete the degree requirements for the Bachelor of Science in addition to the major requirements listed below.
    Courses Credits
    ACT 210 Accounting for Financial Decision Making 3*
    ECN 207 Principles of Microeconomics 3*
    SPM 110 Sport Management 3*
    SPM 140 Sport Psychology 3*
    SPM 210 Sport Finance & Economics 3*
    SPM 220 Sport Marketing 3*
    SPM 296 Field Experience in Sport Management 3*
    SPM 310 Sport Event & Facility Management 3*
    SPM 333 Sport Communication 3*
    SPM 350 Sport Law 3*
    SPM 410 Sport Governance 3*
    SPM 479 CORE: Reflections on Truth: Sport Leadership & Ethics 3*
    SPM 497 Internship in Sport Management 3*

    Select two courses from the following:

    Courses Credits
    BUS 220 Principles of Marketing 3*
    BUS 240 Management & Organizational Behavior 3*
    FIN 325 Managerial Finance 3*

    Required Correlatives

    Courses Credits
    MTH 140 Introduction to Statistics 3
    CIS 107 Computer Applications 3
    Total Credits Required 51
    *Used to calculate the Major GPA

    Students majoring in sport management may choose a minor from the following areas: Business Administration, Coaching, Marketing or Public Relations.

    Students interested in applying to the 4+1 MBA program should complete a Business Minor and ACT 210 and ACT 220. 
  • Minor in Sport Management
    Courses Credits
    SPM 110 Sport Management 3
    SPM 140 Sport Psychology 3
    SPM 210 Sport Finance & Economics 3
    SPM 220 Sport Marketing 3
    SPM 350 Sport Law 3
    Total Credits Required 15