California Sport Management Degree Programs

School Level Program
Concordia University - Saint Paul
Website
Bachelor Online Bachelor’s in Sport Management
100% online program can help you expand into biomechanics, sport and exercise sociology, and kinesiology.
Arizona State University
Website
Bachelor Online Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences – Healthy Lifestyles and Fitness Science
Focus areas in Healthy Nutrition, Integrative Health, Health Psychology, Leadership and Management, and more.
Arizona State University
Website
Master Online Master of Science in Nutritional Science – Dietetics
Empowers you to keep abreast of the latest developments in nutrition science research.
Arizona State University
Website
Bachelor Online Bachelor of Arts in Business - Sports Business
Take coursework on the business and management side of the sports industry to learn how to work with leagues, collegiate athletics, media, venues, retailers and more.
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Click for more online sports programs that are taking applications for 2023 and 2023.

Depending on the level of degree you are seeking, there are 20+ sports degree program tracks available, many of them listed below, located in the state of California. While the majority of undergraduate and graduate degrees in California are administered on-campus, there are a few select online Masters degrees in Sport Management offered from universities and their accompanying campuses based in California.

All accredited by one or more accreditation body, these programs all have the ability and tools to elevate your understanding of the sports business and sports industry management landscape and prepare you to either enter the job market for the first time or move up to a higher rung on the corporate ladder. With their hands-on experiences and connections to university athletics departments, sports agencies, professional teams and beyond, students will leave these programs prepared for competition.

Jump to the complete list of sports degrees in California:

Are there online sport administration or sport management programs in California?

Yes, there are options for online sports degrees in California. Fresno Pacific University offers an online Masters in Sport Administration degree, while California State University, Dominguez Hills offers a certificate program.

In Depth Review of the Best Sports Degrees in California, Updated for 2023

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo - B.S. with Concentration in Sport & Recreation Management

Because this degree falls under Cal Poly's Experience Industry Management program within the College of Agriculture, Food, & Environmental Sciences, it has one of the most robust options for elective courses of any Sport Management concentration on the market. Students have unique course selections to choose from such as: Specialized Operations for Golf Courses and Athletic Fields, Turfgrass Management, Directed Field Experience, Festival and Event Management, Visitor Services in Experience Industry Management, Parks and Public Spaces, Responding to Emergencies and more. Additionally, tuition and all associated room, board, meal plan, and fees at Cal Poly run around $47,000 total per year for those students residing outside the state of California. With just over 21,000 undergraduate students enrolled last year, San Luis Obispo's ranking in their region, according to the 2022 edition of Best Colleges, was #2.

California State University, Fresno - B.S. & M.S. Kinesiology with Emphasis in Sport Administration

This accredited university offers an undergraduate and graduate option in Sports Administration under the Department of Kinesiology umbrella. Because of that association, these degrees dip heavily into movement science and exercise principals. A subsection of activity courses are offered as electives, of which students in these degree programs must complete 12 hours. Activity classes are dynamic and diverse (aquatics, dance, team sports., etc.), not to mention fun and a quality workout. Worth noting, Fresno also offers degree emphasis in Exercise Science and Sport Psychology, as well as a minor in Sports Coaching if a student's interests reach outside of Sport Administration. The facilities at Fresno offer a gymnasium; 12 tennis courts; tumbling/gymnastics modalities; a weight lifting and cardio room; two dance/yoga studios; an all-weather track; multi-purpose fields for softball, soccer, football, ultimate Frisbee, and golf; and a swimming complex. These well-equipped, instructional, and research labs offer students a very in-depth and hands-on bio-metrics education and experience.

Pepperdine University - B.A. in Sport Administration

Pepperdine is uniquely known for it's foundation rooted in the Christian faith. Their Sport Administration mission statement states, "This major is designed to provide a strong Christian foundation of moral and ethical behavior combined with quality academic preparation to immediately enter the industry or continue academic preparation in graduate school. As sports administration majors study this process, they discover the fundamental influence sports have on social justice issues. Christians look to God's teachings and Christ's example to encourage redemption, peace, harmony, justice and love in all aspects of life, including one's profession. Sports can be a significant contributor to the betterment of humanity. Christians may approach specific issues of operations or public policy differently, but they maintain a fundamental calling to do God's will. This major will challenge students to assess how their faith is foundational to their leadership." This religious component paired with a small 13:1 student to professor ratio provides an intimate environment to learn. Global experience is also a central theme to the Pepperdine education as 80% of students participate in a university sponsored international program. A demanding program with accountability measures built in, graduates from Pepperdine enter the workforce with confidence not just in their work, but in who they are becoming as people.

Online Undergraduate Programs

School Level Program
University of West Alabama
Website
Bachelor Online Bachelor's in Sports Management
Prepare for in-demand careers in sports, fitness and athletics, study key topics in kinesiology, athletic administration, exercise physiology, ethics and more.
Concordia University - Saint Paul
Website
Bachelor Online Bachelor’s in Sport Management
100% online program can help you expand into biomechanics, sport and exercise sociology, and kinesiology.
Arizona State University
Website
Bachelor Online Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences – Healthy Lifestyles and Fitness Science
Focus areas in Healthy Nutrition, Integrative Health, Health Psychology, Leadership and Management, and more.
East Central University
Website
Bachelor Online Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology
100% online, 80 hour practicum. Learn and study to work in health, well-being, movement, fitness, research, and more.
Campbellsville University
Website
Masters Online B.S. in Sport Management
Explore the business of athletics while preparing for numerous leadership positions sports.
Arizona State University
Website
Bachelor Online Bachelor of Arts in Business - Sports Business
Take coursework on the business and management side of the sports industry to learn how to work with leagues, collegiate athletics, media, venues, retailers and more.
University of West Alabama
Website
Bachelor Online Bachelors in Integrated Marketing Communications: Sports Communications
Sports Communications track.
Utica University
Website
Bachelor Online BS in Health Sciences
100% Online. Open to First-Year and Transfer Students.
Concordia University - Saint Paul
Website
Bachelor BA in Exercise Science
100% Online, 90 transfer credits.
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Click for more 100% online undergraduate sports programs that are taking applications for 2023.

Associate and Bachelors Sport Degrees in California

University Degree Program Format/Accreditation
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo Bachelor's with a concentration in Sport Management
Campus
California Lutheran University Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in Sports Management
Campus
California State University, Fresno B.S. Kinesiology: Emphasis in Sport Administration
Campus
California State University, Northridge B.S. in Tourism, Hospitality, and Recreation Management
Campus
Concordia University Irvine B.A. in Business Administration with an emphasis in Sport Management
Campus
Hope International University B.A. Business & Management - Sports Management
Campus
Menlo College Bachelor's in Management with concentration in Sport Management
Campus
Pepperdine University B.A. in Sport Administration
Campus
University of Pacific B.A. in Sport Sciences - Concentration in Sport Management
Campus
Whittier College Bachelors in Kinesiology and Nutrition Science with an emphasis in Sport Management
Campus

Online Graduate Programs

School Level Program
University of West Alabama
Website
Master Online Master's in Sports Management
In as little as one year, graduate with expertise in analytics, human resource management and administration and advance as a preferred employee in the sport management field.
Ohio University
Website
Masters Online Master of Sports Administration
21 month program, GRE/GMAT not required. COSMA Accredited.
East Central University
Website
Master Online Master of Education in Sports Administration
Prepares professional educators for athletic leadership positions such as head coach or athletic director. Aligned with the National Association for Sport and Physical Education standards and the North American Society for Sports Management standards.
Arizona State University
Website
Master Online Master of Science in Nutritional Science – Dietetics
Empowers you to keep abreast of the latest developments in nutrition science research.
Campbellsville University
Website
Masters Online MA in Sport Management
Areas of emphasis in Sport Administration adn Sport Marketing.
American University
Website
Master Online Master’s in Sports Analytics and Management
100% online, study for careers in performance analytics, interactive spectatorship, more.
Ohio University
Website
Masters Online Master's in Athletic Administration
GRE/GMAT not required. 20 month program. COSMA Accredited.
Winthrop University
Website
Master Online Master of Science in Sport & Fitness Administration
100% online, no test scores required for admission.
University of West Florida
Website
Master Online Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences
Gain general fundamental health knowledge, provide health services to individuals and communities, become an occupational therapist, nutritionist or physician assistant with further education.
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Click for more 100% online Graduate sports programs that are taking applications for 2023.

Graduate: Doctorate and Masters Sport Degrees in California

University Degree Program Format/Accreditation
California Baptist University Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT)
Campus
CAATE
California Baptist University Master of Science in Sport and Performance Psychology
Campus
California State University, Dominguez Hills Online Certificate in Sport Management
Online
California State University, Fresno M.A. Kinesiology: Sport Administration
Campus
California State University, Long Beach MA in Kinesiology: Sport Management
Campus
California State University, Long Beach Master in Sport Management
Campus
California State University, Northridge M.S. in Tourism, Hospitality, and Recreation Management
Campus
Fresno Pacific University Online Masters in Sport Administration
Online
San Diego State University MBA in Sport Business Management
Campus
San Jose State University M.A. in Kinesiology - Concentration in Sport Management
Campus
University of Pacific M.A. Sport Sciences - Concentration in Sport Management
Campus

Top Organizations for Sports in California

The Athletic

With headquarters in San Francisco, The Athletic is a subscription-based model sports website that provides ad-free local, regional, and national coverage in 47 of North America’s biggest cities as well as in the United Kingdom. Born in 2016, The Athletic is a private company with over 600 employees and was very recently purchased by The New York Times. National sport coverage is a central theme of The Athletic’s content, from top professional and college sports (NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, NASCAR, NCAA Football & Basketball, MLS, MMA, and association football (U.K.). The site’s coverage aims to achieve the perfect mix of long-form journalism, original reporting, and in-depth analysis while reaching those non-local fans who aren’t reached by their local newspaper or primary news source.

California Parks and Recreation Society

More focused on the parks a recreation side of sport management, The California Park & Recreation Society’s mission is to push the education, networking, resources and advocacy for the parks and recreation industry forward. At their core, CPRS members are committed to improving people’s lives. But also, CPRS strives to educate policy makers so they are more well-informed and motivated to vote with the underlying knowledge that parks and recreation is an essential community service. Founded in 1946, CPRS is a non-profit, professional and public interest organization with over 4,000 members – a membership that is well-distributed in that 86% of parks and recreation agencies in California have at least one CPRS individual member represented. Their website includes a job board that houses a wide variety of parks and recreation career opportunities at locations all across the state.

Professional Sports Teams

California is one of the most robust landscapes in the world of professional sports. Amongst the 5 most popular leagues (NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and MLS) the state alone is home to these 18 teams; this does not even include their female counterparts!

NFL

  • Los Angeles Chargers
  • Los Angeles Rams
  • San Francisco 49ers

NHL

  • Anaheim Ducks
  • Los Angeles Kings
  • San Jose Sharks

MLB

  • Los Angeles Angels
  • Los Angeles Dodgers
  • Oakland Athletics
  • San Diego Padres
  • San Francisco Giants

NBA

  • Golden State Warriors
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Sacramento Kings

MLS

  • LA Galaxy
  • Los Angeles FC
  • San Jose Earthquakes

From internships while still enrolled in a degree program to full-time work, each of these teams has a large team working tirelessly behind the scenes. From concessions and merchandise sales associates, to sponsorship sales, game-day promotions, fan experience and equipment management, to sports information, directors of operations, turf crews, and a full C suite of financial and strategy gurus, each of these teams runs with a full corporate structure similar to many other, more traditional, corporations.

A Career in Sports in California

It’s clear – California covers a large area and with its beautiful scenery and mild climate, sports (and professions within them) are continuing to grow and thrive. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, these are roughly the number of employees currently working within sectors tied to sports business and their mean salary. These numbers, of course, vary widely by company or team and level of work and experience.

  • Entertainment and Recreation Management – $71,000 at $154,000
  • Athlete Agents and Managers – $13,000 at $102,000
  • Facilities Managers – $41,000 at $115,000
  • Marketing and Advertising Managers – $44,000 at $160,000
  • Coaches and Scouts – $21,000 at $50,000
  • Media and Communications – $7,000 at $60,000

Source: BLS Website