USM Sport Management Degree Programs Earn High National Rankings

Tue, 11/26/2019 - 02:00pm | By: Van Arnold

The University of Southern Mississippi’s Sport Management degree programs have received high national rankings by online education guide Intelligent.com. The University’s Master of Science in Sport Management earned a No. 7 national ranking, while the overall Sport Management program received a No. 11 ranking.

USM was listed among hundreds of other competing institutions across the nation. The student-focused comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 1,604 accredited colleges and universities. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.

The 2020 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment, and leading third-party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed hundreds of schools with comparable programs on a scale of 0 to 100.

USM’s Sport Management program immerses students into the industry, combining traditional classroom instruction with hands-on experience. Students receive professional training from industry leaders in preparation for management positions with professional sport teams, intercollegiate/intramural athletics, recreation programs at colleges/universities, and more.

"Southern Miss Sport Management is honored to receive the prestigious honor, but it is a tribute to our commitment and success of our sport management students,” said Dr. Chris Croft, assistant professor of Sport Management. “Our faculty constantly aims to enhance our student's experiences through both collaboration and experiential learning opportunities with area sport organizations to build upon classroom learning."

USM’s Master of Science in Sport Management prepares professionals for advanced careers in the expanding sport industry by enhancing their critical thinking skills and exposing them to expert knowledge and research in the field of sport. The curriculum has been designed and developed, enabling students to acquire and demonstrate an impressive set of management skills and an understanding of the sport industry through a combination of required core courses, electives, research, and experiential components.

Dr. Brandon Allen, assistant professor and Master of Science in Sport Management program coordinator, notes that the Master in Science program has continually grown since transitioning to USM’s College of Business and Economic Development. 

“This recognition validates the dedication and perseverance of the sport management faculty in providing a quality educational experience for our students,” said Allen. “The curriculum is flexible with degree requirements being offered in both online and traditional formats. Our graduates are being employed in the sport industry and in return are advertising and promoting our program to other students.”

To learn more about the Sport Management program at USM, call 601.266.4659 or visit https://www.usm.edu/business/index.php.