Online Bachelor of Sport Management Degrees

A Bachelors in Sports Management or Administration prepares students for entry-level positions within professional, collegiate, governmental, and non-profit sport organizations. The Bachelors degree introduces foundational concepts of sports administration, event management, sport media and communication, and sport law.

The online Bachelors in Sports Management or Administration degree allows students a flexible academic schedule that can give the opportunity for more time in their internship positions. Many undergraduate sport management programs include a formal requirement of an internship within their school or organizations in their area. Sport management undergraduate students appreciate this setup of the online Bachelor degree in Sport Management because the internship experience connects students with mentors and provides applicable experience of their academic curriculum.

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Sports Management vs. Sport Administration

Sports Management and Sports Administration bachelors degrees focus on similar skills and foundational knowledge. Many people believe both degree programs are interchangeable.

The main difference between sport management and sports administration

One of the distinctions between the two is a Sports Administration degree is slightly more specific for learning the operations of an athletic organization, especially in an educational institution. This includes focusing on the rules and regulations within an athletic conference, navigating scholarship allocations, and adhering to the values of both the educational and athletic institutions.

A Sports Management degree is a broader and more all encompassing degree that includes a basic overview of those skills found in a Sports Administration degree, but may not dive as deep. However, both degrees set graduates up for success in the collegiate, professional, or governmental settings.

What are the top program areas for a Bachelor in Sports degree?

It is unique to have the opportunity to specialize in an undergraduate degree, however, many Bachelors in Sports Management or Administration programs allow students to develop an expertise in an area of interest according to their career goals. This includes a formal concentration, an advisor group for an honors thesis, or internship opportunities. The most popular areas of concentration include:

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Top Online Bachelor of Sport Management Degrees (updated for 2024)

#1 University of Florida- Bachelor of Science in Sport Management

The online accredited Bachelor of Science in Sports Management degree at the University of Florida is consistently rated the best in the country. Situated within the College of Health and Human Performance, the core courses of the program curriculum include sport and society, sport facility design and management, sport marketing, and business finance. Students also receive credit for a required internship working in UF's athletic department, which provides ample mentorship and networking opportunities.

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#2 Shorter University-Bachelor of Business Administration in Sport Management

One of the few degrees offered within a business school, the online COSMA-accredited Bachelor of Business Administration in Sport Administration at Shorter University is situated in the Ledbetter College of Business. The 120-hour major requires 39 credits of foundational business curriculum alongside 36 credits of sport management curriculum. These courses include sport psychology and coaching, sport marketing and media, sport administration and governance, event and facility management, international sport, and a senior capstone. While not a formal part of the curriculum, Shorter University has positioned many of its student to pursue and achieve internships at professional sport organizations.

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#3 Davenport University- Bachelor of Business Administration in Sport Management

Another unique opportunity to earn a sports management degree from a business school is through the online COSMA-accredited Bachelor of Business Administration in Sport Management at Davenport University. Within the Donald W. Maine College of Business, the 12—credit degree has 32 credits of required core business courses and 40 credits of required sports management courses. The sport management curriculum includes athletic leadership and coaching, sport operations and facility management, sport analytics, sport governance and regulation, global sport industry, sport communication and promotion, sport financial analysis, and a senior capstone. There are also two required semesters of internships with professional sport organization or venues.

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#4 Troy University- Bachelor of Science in Hospitality, Sport, And Tourism Management

Troy University's online COSMA-accredited Bachelor of Science in Hospitality, Sport, and Tourism Management degree is versatile enough to allow graduates to pursue a wide range of careers. The 120-credit degree includes a hospitality, sport, and tourism management core curriculum alongside its 27 credits of sport management concentration curriculum. This concentration includes courses in sports management, event and facility management, sport marketing, sport law, sport governance, sport finance, and sport communication. The major also requires students to choose one of four 18-credit minor that specializes in an area of their interest: Sport Management, Recreation Management, Event Management, and Hospitality Management. Many of the minors include practicum courses that offer students internship experiences.

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#5 Florida International University- Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Sports Management

Florida International University offers an online accredited Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Sports Management degree. The 120-credit degree core courses in leisure and recreation activity as well as 27 credits of sport management concentration courses. The sport management curriculum includes program development in recreation and sport, human resource management, care maintenance and design, leisure services marketing, marketing management, sociology in sport, and a senior seminar. There is also an option for two internships in an area of interest to the students.

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Most affordable Bachelor in Sports degree options

#1 University of Florida- Bachelor of Science in Sport Management

University of Florida’s online B.S. in Sport Management is one of the best value degrees available. As a public university, in-state students can expect to pay a total of $15, 501.60 for the 120-credit degree, while out-of-state students can expect to pay $66, 314.40 total. Both in-state and out-of-state students pay much less for the online degree compared to the campus-based option.

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#2 Florida International University- Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Sports Management

Another public institution offering high-quality education at an affordable price is Florida International University. FIU’s online B.S. in Recreation and Sports Management costs in-state students $27,457.20 total and out-of-state students $41,504.40 total.

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#3 American Public University- Bachelor of Science in Sport Management

American Public University offers an excellent value online Bachelor of Science in Sport Management. The 120-credit degree covers foundational concepts in sports management such as administration, coaching theory and strategy, sport finance, sport marketing and communications, sport law and ethics, and a senior seminar. Non-military students can expect to pay a total of $34,200.00 and military students can expect to pay $30,000.00 total. APU has courses starting monthly, allowing for flexibility in students’ schedules.

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#4 Southern New Hampshire University- Bachelor of Science in Sport Management

The online Bachelor of Science in Sport Management available through Southern New Hampshire University offers elite mentorship alongside an accommodating schedule. The 120-credit degree provides students with core concepts of sports administration, sports marketing, sport law, and event management. Students must also complete two out of three internship experiences. The public university offers both in-state and out-of-state students the same cost of $38,550.00 total. Military students can expect to pay $27,150.00 total.

#5 Wilmington University- Bachelor of Science in Sport Management

Wilmington University has a robust online Bachelor of Science in Sport Management degree at a highly affordable price. The 120-credit degree includes foundational concepts such as event management, sport ethics and law, financial analysis, and sport communications. There is also internship opportunities as well as opportunities to earn certificates in subjects such as Sport Analytics, Sport Media, and Nonprofit Management. Both in-state and out-of-state students can expect to pay $43,860.00 total while students whom have served or currently serve in the military can expect to pay $30,300.00 total.

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Typical coursework you would take and description of each

Event Management

Event management introduces the basic skills of coordinating logistics and resources for large-scale events. This includes growing students’ understanding of partnership development, organizational tools, communication expertise, and risk management. Event management courses provide students with the confidence to plan and execute large-scale event strategy.

Sport Marketing and Communication

Sport marketing and communication courses introduce foundational strategies to generate consumer and fan engagement. This includes learning how to design social media strategy, incorporate consumer feedback, and target specific consumer groups. Brand recognition and maintenance supports revenue generation and recruiting practices for coaches, athletes, and staff.

Sport Law and Ethics

Sport law and ethics course introduce how legal precedent guides many regulations and actions of sport organizations. It can help inform decision-makers and is exceedingly important when working in educational settings where legal regulation in sport is ever-changing.

Sport Finance and Revenue Generation

The business perspective of sport is constant in a Bachelors of Sport Management, however, sport finance and revenue generation courses provide expertise in the subject. Introducing accounting and investment, students learn how to sustain sport organizations. With this course, students learn how to maximize revenue generation and increase productivity within their organizations.

Sociology of Sport

Sometimes referred to as “Critical Issues in Sport,” or “Sport in Society,” these courses typically add a more human perspective to sport. Sports have impact beyond the playing field and these courses contextualize sports’ impact within communities. Using this lens helps students adhere to the values and missions of their respective sport organizations.

Best Online Bachelor of Sports Degrees

Sports Degrees by Level

• Bachelors degrees in sports
• Online Bachelors in Sports Management
• Online Masters in Sports Management
• Doctorate degrees in sports

Sport Program Areas

• Athletic Administration Degrees
• Exercise Science Degrees
• Kinesiology Degrees
• Coaching Degrees
• Health and Wellness Degrees
• Sports Industry Management
• Sports Analytics Degrees
• Sports Marketing Degrees
• Sports Psychology Degrees
• Recreation Management Degrees