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School of Health Sciences

Sports Management

Online Master of Science in Sports Management (MS)

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$0 Transfer Credit Evaluation

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No GRE/GMAT Required

About the MS Degree in Sports Management

The sports management master’s degree at American Public University advances your knowledge of business administration and leadership as it relates to the sports industry. This master's in sports management is designed to help you cultivate strong business skills for professional, interscholastic, and amateur sports settings.

American Public University's sports management master’s program offers topical courses that provide strong business foundations while simultaneously exploring the world of sports. Coursework includes sports law; sports finance; sports marketing, promotion, public relations; and sports event management.

Seasoned sports industry practitioners help advance your knowledge to support individual athletes, teams, or entire athletic programs. This sports management degree provides a robust business framework to help build managerial expertise, problem-solving strategies, analytical abilities, and vital communication skills. Additionally, this degree program helps prepare students to broaden critical thinking within the context of the sports industry. 

This sport management program holds specialty accreditation through the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA). 

Read COSMA Retention and Completer Data.

What You Will Do

  1. Apply management theory to contemporary sports industry practices. 
  2. Analyze the impact of legal and ethical issues in the sporting enterprise. 
  3. Evaluate qualitative and quantitative data to assess financial challenges/opportunities in the sport industry 
  4. Develop marketing strategies to enhance the viability of sports-related enterprises. 
  5. Examine structural barriers to equity in the sport industry.

View Program Outcome Assessment Results

Degree at a Glance

Accredited
COSMA Accredited
Number of Credits
30
Transfer up to 15 credits1
Cost Per Credit
{{{GraduateTuition}}} | {{{GradPreferredMilitaryRate}}}*
{{{GraduateVeteranGrant}}}** | {{{GradOpportunityGrant}}}***
*with Preferred Military Rate
**with Veteran Grant
***with APUS Opportunity Grant
Courses Start Monthly
Online
and vary from 8 to 16 weeks

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Program Requirements Printable Catalog Version

Students must choose a concentration for this degree program:

Explores the strengths, weaknesses, and multiple roles of a successful coach in contemporary sports, including an analysis of the leadership style. Focuses on the contrasting responsibilities of a coach and assistant coaches and the levels of coaching relevant to these roles, as well as current ethical, management, and controversial issues in the field.

Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:

  • Analyze and discuss the complexities and issues of academic sports administration from a collegiate or interscholastic context.
  • Assess the strengths, qualities and weaknesses of a successful coach, including an analysis of the leadership style and multiple roles required of coaches in contemporary sports.
  • Select, predict, and evaluate current ethical, management, and controversial issues in coaching today.
  • Compare and contrast the roles and responsibilities of a coach and assistant coaches and discuss the levels of coaching relevant to these roles.

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 2720

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Students in this course will learn what it takes to be a successful leader in the coaching profession. Leadership involves one or more people influencing others in effort to achieve a common goal; coaching leadership focuses on the playing arena. Students will learn strategies to effectively communicate with their players, fellow coaches, parents, administrators and other constituents who impact their program. Coaches need to be able to think on their feet, make decisions under stressful situations, while always keeping the needs of their players and team foremost in their mind. Motivation, management and creative problem solving are critical to successful coaching leadership. Students will compare and contrast how some of the most successful coaches in the business have created their formulas for success; looking at common themes of successful coaches while also learning the importance of incorporating one’s own personality into the process. Students will create a coaching manual that can become their personal coaching bible starting with their coaching philosophy and culminating with their goals and strategies.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 Summer 2024 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 2721

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Students in this course will use analytical techniques to examine coaching strategies. Methods, practices, and approaches that apply across a number of sports disciplines will be discussed. Students will study several issues related to coaching preparation. Students will research, strategize, and reflect on past, present, and future coaching strategies. Course topics will address coaching philosophy, technique, time management, character, teaching, nutrition, and physical training. Methods for learning will include critical thinking, decision making, and analytical skills necessary to form an effective coach.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 Summer 2024 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 2773

|
This course focuses on current coaching theories, methods, practices, and outcomes. Students will consider the origin, development, and arguments surrounding the character of American sport. Topics include a study of coaching principles, practical coaching situations, great coaches and their methods, decision making in coaching, coaching ethics, and other contemporary issues in 21st century collegiate and high school coaching. Students are also exposed to the importance of computers and the Internet to today’s coaches.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 Summer 2024 Session B 8 Week session

Analyzes the complexities of sports administration from an interscholastic context. Evaluates the role of stakeholders in the sports industry, such as associations, the community, and administration, as well as various administration styles and a comprehensive sports event management plan that includes promotions, leadership, human resources, and financial aspects.

Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:

  • Analyze and discuss the complexities and issues of academic sports administration from an interscholastic context.
  • Assess and develop your leadership and management styles as a sports administrator.
  • Assess and discuss the role of stakeholders in the sports industry including associations, the community, and discuss all related regulations and guidelines.
  • Develop, design, and assess a comprehensive sports event management plan to include functional plans, training plans, legal, financial, accounting, public relationships, human resources, promotions and leadership.

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 2718

|
This course is a study of one of the most complex professions in secondary education – high school athletic administration. The topics include leadership and management roles in sports/athletic administration, high school sports finance and budgeting, student-athlete issues, association regulations and guidelines, and other issues focused on the array of sports disciplines, coaches, and programs at the high school level.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 Summer 2024 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 4029

|
This course examines contemporary and productive management principles and concepts used throughout the sports industry and various sport organizations. Through this course, students will learn skills related to creative problem solving and strategic planning, while developing the skills to lead, organize, and delegate in managerial and leadership positions.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 Summer 2024 Session B 8 Week session
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 Summer 2024 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4689

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This course examines legal issues and considerations facing interscholastic athletic administrators. Major issues explored in this course include managing risk and liability within an interscholastic athletic department and complying with Title IX and gender equity policies. In addition, this course will focus on development of an effective risk management program designed for interscholastic athletics. (Prerequisite: SPMT603)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 Spring 2024 Session D 8 Week session
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 Summer 2024 Session D 8 Week session

Examines the rapidly-growing and global sports business industry with an emphasis on leadership. Designed to develop the skills and effectiveness of future leaders interested in managing individuals, teams, and sport organizations. This specialization in sports business leadership studies critical topics within the industry including courses specifically focused on sports leadership, entrepreneurship, and sales and promotions Designed for those interested in professional, interscholastic or recreational leadership positions.

Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:

  • Identify leadership styles and strengths and take steps to improve personal leadership capacity.
  • Implement practices necessary to build highly effective teams.
  • Apply theory to real-world problems.
  • Develop the capacity to understand and analyze sport organization realities from multiple perspectives.
  • Examine the leadership, management, scheduling, and financial issues associated with running a successful athletics program.
  • Develop the ability to be creative and entrepreneurial in thinking and application.

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 2772

|
This course focuses on the entrepreneurial opportunities in the sports industry, to include sports management, sports franchise, sports agency, and small sports business management professions and programs. The course focuses heavily on the business plan, financial, and planning issues associated with entrepreneurial and small business ventures. Students will develop their own entrepreneurial sports plan as an independent research project for this course.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 Summer 2024 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 4029

|
This course examines contemporary and productive management principles and concepts used throughout the sports industry and various sport organizations. Through this course, students will learn skills related to creative problem solving and strategic planning, while developing the skills to lead, organize, and delegate in managerial and leadership positions.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 Summer 2024 Session B 8 Week session
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 Summer 2024 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4030

|
This course focuses on the fundamentals roles of developing, activating, and managing sport sponsorship through sales and promotion. Through shared practical examples, this course will view how to generate ticket sales through sport promotion and how to utilize e-commerce as a promotional tool in sports.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 Summer 2024 Session I 8 Week session

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 5370

|
This course studies the sports industry across all of its disciplines, functions, economics, leaders, and organizations. It is a macro view of sports as a major component of the modern corporate, social, economic, and recreation world. The industry is studied in detail in many different aspects as it exists in society. The history, contemporary situation, and future outlook of the sports industry are addressed.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 Spring 2024 Session D 8 Week session
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 Summer 2024 Session B 8 Week session
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 Summer 2024 Session I 8 Week session
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 Summer 2024 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 2716

|
Students in this course will use analytical techniques to examine the theoretical, historical, social, and cultural aspects of sport. For the historical aspect, they will explore sociological issues over the ages from ancient times through to modern times. Students will discuss how sport and human life intermix in relation to cultural aspects. In addition, several issues of the social context will be identified and discussed with an emphasis on the philosophical, physical, religious, and other contemporary topics in sport.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 Summer 2024 Session B 8 Week session
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 Summer 2024 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 5126

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This course is an introduction to sports-related legal issues and concepts. Its focus is on providing an overview of the major legal issues associated with sports, sports management, and the sports industry. Students will conduct research, read, and write on issues associated with the sports legal industry. Topics include but are not limited to discrimination, legislation, regulation and rights, competition, contract, labor, tort and trademark law, and administrative, antitrust and constitutional law.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 Spring 2024 Session D 8 Week session
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 Summer 2024 Session B 8 Week session
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 Summer 2024 Session I 8 Week session
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 Summer 2024 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 2768

|
This course focuses on the marketing, promotions, public relations, and communications involved in the multi-billion dollar sports industry. The course provides research, case analysis, and other opportunities to learn of the effective principles, theories, practices, and methods involved with all aspects of sports communications.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 Spring 2024 Session D 8 Week session
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 Summer 2024 Session B 8 Week session
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 Summer 2024 Session I 8 Week session
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 Summer 2024 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 2769

|
The main thrust of this course is the application of principles and practices of financial management, as it applies to organizations in the sport industry. This course seeks to develop the financial skills necessary to gain an understanding of an array of financial concepts that impact sport managers. Students will examine financial strategies related to sport entities and organizations and will be introduced to current economic and financial issues that impact the sport industry. Included in the course are the basics of accounting, budgets and budgeting systems, performance measures creation, and financial statement evaluation for the purpose of cost analysis and planning. Other topics include budget development, funding, capital projects, economic impact, and supply and demand in the sport industry.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 Spring 2024 Session D 8 Week session
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 Summer 2024 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 2771

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This course provides students with the fundamental knowledge and skills for designing and managing sport and recreation facilities and organizing sport events. Included in the course are topics related to planning for events and tournaments, scheduling of facilities and events, and overall management of events. Students will examine several different types of sporting events from local tournaments to the Olympics. The course will also delineate the factors involved in the planning, design and management of events while examining the social, economic and environmental impacts of sporting events on the host community. Throughout the course students are encouraged to attend and/or volunteer at sporting events to put the course knowledge in to practice.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 Spring 2024 Session D 8 Week session
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 Summer 2024 Session I 8 Week session
Select any courses that have not been used to fulfill major requirements. Credits applied toward a minor or certificate in an unrelated field may be used to fulfill elective credit for the major.

Choose 3 credit hours from this section.

Course ID: 4587

|
This course requires students to complete a culminating research project based from theories, research methods and analytical skills, and substantive knowledge obtained through their master's curriculum in sports management. Research options involve concepts and applications covered throughout the student's learning experience in the master's curriculum; including marketing, finance, leadership, sociology, legal considerations, and sociology relative to sports management and the sports industry. NOTE: This course may not be taken until all other courses are COMPLETED and student has a 3.0 GPA.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 Spring 2024 Session D 8 Week session
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 Summer 2024 Session B 8 Week session
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 Summer 2024 Session I 8 Week session
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 Summer 2024 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 2779

|
The experiential or practical component of the course aims to apply learning in an aspect of interest related to the degree and concentration in Sports Management. The Masters of Science in Sports Management requires students to complete a cumulative hourly requirement of volunteering their services in a specific industry work environment. It is understood to be a supervised practicum which requires approval by APUS before entering into the relationship with the organization. The selection of an organization or site for the practicum must relate to the content of the student’s course work and/or concentration. Students will be involved with the experiential learning process through volunteering and completing an Integration process which describes concepts and skills developed through the experience. This course may not be taken until all other courses are COMPLETED and student has a 3.0 GPA.

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Admission Requirements

  • All APU master's degree/graduate certificate programs require a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an institution whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA®).
  • Please read all graduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation.
  • There is no fee to complete the APU admission application for this program. View steps to apply.

CHEA® is a registered trademark of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. 

Materials Cost

Most courses in this program use Open Educational Resources (OER). These teaching, learning, and research materials are made available to you at no cost, meaning there are minimal book costs associated with earning this degree.

Technology fee: $85 per course

Need Help?

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1The University reserves the right to accept or deny credits according to policies outlined on our University website. Please see the University's transfer credit policy webpage for complete information.

*Cost Per Credit Hour

The Preferred Military Rate is $250 per credit hour for undergraduate and master's-level courses. This rate is available to all U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents.

See all military student benefits.

Cost of Attendance

Learn more about American Public University's cost components and full cost of attendance.