Bachelor of Science in Sport Management

As of Spring 2007, this program has been awarded Program Approval by both the North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM) and the National Association of Sport and Physical Education (NASPE)

Individuals receiving a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management obtain professional preparation in the application of business principles applicable to the sport industry.

Students complete a business administration minor that includes courses in:

-----accounting

-----management

-----marketing

-----economics

-----business law

-----computer applications

Sport Management courses focus on the business aspects of:

-----sport in culture

-----professional sports

-----interscholastic and intercollegiate sports

-----facility management

-----sport ethics

-----sport marketing

-----sport law

-----sport finance

Typical Job Titles

Sport management positions vary among organizations including:

-----program director in community sport programs

-----marketing and promotions director

-----director academic services for student-athletes

-----corporate sales director

-----director of ticketing finance

-----sporting goods sales representative

-----facilities coordinator

-----athletic director

-----compliance director

-----athletic business manager

-----fitness manger

Typical Job Responsibilities

Job responsibilities also vary according to the type of organization, segment of the sport industry, and level of management.

Some positions may involve any of the following:

-----the business aspects of sport

-----50-60 hour work week, including night and weekend hours of employment

-----working with sponsors in promotional and fund-raising activities

-----accounting

-----ticketing

-----oversight of sporting events or programs

-----facility management

-----management of risks associated with current legal issues

-----sales of sporting goods and licensed sport products

Market Outlook

The employment outlook in sport management is expanding tremendously and has been over the past few years. The foreseeable future is very positive for this field and is growing rapidly, especially in the area of marketing and promotions.

Salaries

Job opportunities in the sport management field are extremely competitive. Most entry-level positions require a practicum or internship for hands-on-experience in the industry.

Many positions in professional sports require a Master's degree and six to nine month internships. Undergraduate practica usually do not pay; however, academic credit hours are earned toward graduation, and opportunities exist to network and learn from professionals in the field.

Beginning salaries range in educational institutions from $18,000 to $25,000. Starting positions in the minor league professional sports pay in the low $20s. Compensation in sport goods jobs commonly consists of a base salary plus commission. Although beginning salaries in sport may seem low, the ability to make a comfortable living for motivated individuals does exist.

Team Marketing Report states the following examples for average salaries:

-----Vice-Presicent of Marketingt, major leagure level, $114,444

-----Director of Marketing, major league level, $76,785

-----General Manager, minor league level, $62,500

-----Assistant General Manager, minor league level, $35,656

Placement of Graduates

Southern Miss graduates in sport management currently occupy positions with organizations such as the Oakland Athletics, New Orleans Saints, Mississippi Sea Wolves, Collegiate Licensing Company, NCAA, MLS, and the Atlanta Braves. They also occupy positions at a number of colleges and universities, including Virginia Military Institute, Syracuse University, University of Maine, The University of Southern Mississippi, University of Florida, Central Florida University, Virginia Tech, and the University of Tennessee Athletic Department.

University Core (38 hrs)

Written and Oral Communication (9 hrs)

ENG 101

Eng 102

Senior Capstone

Global History and Culture (12 hrs)

HIS 101

HIS 103

ENG 203

ANT 101 or GHY 101 or SOC 101

Aesthetic Values (3 hrs)

ART 130 or DAN 130 or MUS 365 or THE 100

Basic Science and Mathematics (11 hrs)

2 approved lab sciences and MAT 102

Decision Making and Responsibility (3 hrs)

COH 100 or COH 101 or ECO 101 or PHI 171 or PS 101 or PSY 110

Program Core Courses (42 hrs):

HPR 203 Introduction to Sport Management

HPR 307 Organization and Administration of Sport Programs

HPR 330 Sociological Issues in Sport Administration

HPR 332 Sport Information Management

HPR 342 Management and Leadership in Sport

HPR 395 Sport Sales Methods and Techniques

HPR 405 Governing Agencies in Sport

HPR 410 Introduction to Sport Marketing

HPR 412 Financial Aspect of Sport

HPR 414 Personal and Organizational Ethics in Sport

HPR 441 Practicum (6 hrs)

HPR 466 Sport Facility and Event Management

HPR 468 Sport Law

Other Required Courses (36 hrs):

BA 200 The Environment of Business

ENG 333 Technical Writing

SEM 111 Public Speaking

CSC 100 Intro to Computing

ACC 200 Intro to Financial Accounting

ECO 201 Principles of Economics

ACC 300 Managerial Accounting

MGT 300 Organizational Management

MIS 300 Management Information Systems

MKT 300 Principles of Marketing

FIN 300 Principles of Finance

BA 301 Managerial Statistics I

Electives (8 hr):

Any 8 hours of classes approved by the student's adviser.

For course descriptions, please click on Course Descriptions.

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