Illinois Sports Degree Programs, Online Included

There are over 40 different sports degrees in Illinois, with options at every level (undergraduate and graduate), and online sport management degrees. As expected, the University of Illinois offers multiple sports degrees, with many at the graduate level.

Are there online Illinois sports degrees?

Yes. Illinois has many programs focusing in sports management, such as the online Master of Sport Management degree program. There are also online degrees in related fields like sports media or kinesiology, both in-person and online. Online kinesiology degree programs are emerging as an online graduate option for many in the industry. In-person elements such as labs, internships, and other experiential learning experiences may be offered or required, but the majority of coursework and activities can be done online if desired.

School Program Admissions
Aurora University Online MS Exercise Science
Study areas such as exercise physiology, sports nutrition, research methods, administration. Prepare for the RECEP exam or the CSCS exam.
Website
Aurora University EdD in Instructional Leadership: Coaching and Mentoring
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In depth review of top online Sport Management degrees in Illinois

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign Master of Science in Recreation, Sport and Tourism

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign online Master of Science in Recreation, Sport and Tourism is a 36-credit hour, 18-month degree which takes on students three times a year: in December, April and September. This degree provides students a quality and highly accessible education that quickly and efficiently prepares students to meet the changing requirements of the leisure services industry.

Graduate certificates in recreation, sport, and tourism are also available in the form of 8-week courses intended for a slightly broader, faster, and less intensive program.

Enrollment Requirements:
Online students must meet the following standards and submit the following information in order to be eligible for acceptance into this program:

  • Completed application
  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited college or university
  • Cumulative 3.0 GPA in the last 60 credit hour/two years
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Personal Statement

Classes Offered With Curriculum

RST 512: Managing RST Organizations: This course examines critical issues in the world today regarding leisure, recreation, sport, and tourism as well as historical approaches to understanding these areas. Students will look at behaviors, meanings, social contexts, and resources relating to these fields and analyze them within the greater framework of the industry and society.

RST 515: Marketing in RST : Using a customer-focused management framework, the course focuses on customer satisfaction and retention, linking service quality, customer lifetime value, profitability segmentation, services mapping, understanding customer expectations and developing service and customer-focused relationship marketing strategies.

RST 520-Critical Issues in Sport: This course addresses advanced issues related to organizational theory, finance, marketing, sponsorship, contemporary management and leadership, decision making and strategic planning specifically tailored to the sports industry.

RST 585 Inclusive by Design : This course introduces the fundamental principles of inclusive design specifically in the Recreation, Sport and Tourism arena. It prepares the learner for further exploration, study and focus on all aspects of lifespan development. Students will focus on inclusive and universal design, laws and standards, facility design, programming/events, policies and procedures, communication methods and workplace culture.

DePaul University - Bachelors in Recreation and Sports Management and Master of Science in Sport, Fitness, and Recreation Leadership

The Bachelor of Arts in Recreation and Sports Management program emphasizes a multidisciplinary understanding of leisure services management and leadership that will prepare students to manage recreation and sports organizations. Though all courses for this program are online, a few elective courses are available only on campus.

The Sport,​ Fitness, and Recreation Leadership master's program is designed for working sports, fitness or recreation professionals, with all courses available online. The program focuses on the holistic care and health of athletes and individuals in fitness and recreation settings, and can help those already in related fields to progress even further and pursue new and exciting opportunities.

Enrollment Requirements:
Online students must meet the following standards and submit the following information in order to be eligible for acceptance into the bachelor's program:

  • Completed application
  • Transcripts from all previous secondary education institutions
  • Minimum GPA of 2.5
  • 4 years of English, 3 years of science, 2 years of social science, and 2 years of a language besides English

Enrollment Requirements:
Online students must meet the following standards and submit the following information in order to be eligible for acceptance into the master's program:

  • Completed application
  • Graduate admission application
  • Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
  • Current resume or CV
  • Two letters of recommendation from professors or work supervisors
  • Personal statement

Classes Offered With Curriculum

CCA 250 Introduction to Recreation and Sport: This course will expose students to management theory, principles, administrative processes and functions with emphasis upon ethical practices and management procedures in recreation and sports. Students will examine the roles, interrelationships, and career options in the recreation and sport industry.

CCA 251 Programming Principles and Applications in Recreation and Sports: This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of recreation and sport programming in a variety of settings and situations for diverse participants.

PE 460: Ethics and Diversity in Sport, Fitness, and Recreation: This course will examine current issues and challenges related to the sport, fitness and recreation environments. The examination will focus on ethical behavior and decision making and ultimately to improve risk management in these areas.

PE 435: Advanced Care of the Athlete: This applied course tackles current issues in anatomy and physiology, athletic first aid and emergency situations, standard procedure for diagnosis and treatment, conditioning, pre-habilitation and rehabilitation. The finer points of heat stress injuries, nutrition and eating disorders, taping, wrapping and bracing, and other related topics in sports medicine will be covered.

School Program Admissions
Aurora University Online MS Exercise Science
Study areas such as exercise physiology, sports nutrition, research methods, administration. Prepare for the RECEP exam or the CSCS exam.
Website
Aurora University EdD in Instructional Leadership: Coaching and Mentoring
Website
i sponsored

McKendree University - Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Sports Management

A bachelor's degree in business administration is a solid degree for anyone to have, setting students up for a career in leadership and an understanding of the business world. McKendree University's online BBA also has nine concentrations within this program: Accounting, Business Administration, Cyber Defense, Entrepreneurship, HR Management, Management, Marketing, Sport Management, and Supply Chain Management.

The Sports Management concentration applies business principles to the world of sport and recreation, preparing students with additional training important for the environment of sports business. This includes facility management, event marketing, and more.

Enrollment Requirements:
Online students must meet the following standards and submit the following information in order to be eligible for acceptance into this program:

  • Completed application
  • Completed degree from a high school or equivalent
  • Official high school or GED transcripts

Classes Offered With Curriculum

BUS 305: Legal Aspects of Sports management: The focus of this course is on providing an overview of the major legal issues associated with sports, sports administration, and the sport industry including discrimination, competition, labor, trademark law, and more.

ECO 320: Economics of Sport: This course provides a broad overview of the sports business financials, including the financial and accounting acumen necessary for executives to succeed in sports organizations.

SPM 354: Sport and the Media: Students learn the fundamentals of various components of sports media such as writing game and feature stories, writing strategies for broadcast, active voice, internet streaming, shooting on location, anchoring and play by play, and production of the various forms of sports media.

SPM 470: Internship in Sport Management: This course provides an applied element to supplement the traditional curriculum. The internship portion of the program gives students an opportunity to bolster their resumes and get real-life experience.

School Program Admissions
Maryville University Bachelor of Science in Rawlings Sport Business Management
Sport Data Analytics concentration option. No SAT or ACT scores required.
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University of West Alabama 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.
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Arizona State University 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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Methodist University Online Bachelor's in Exercise & Sport Science
Application fee waived. Part-time and full-time options. Courses in nutrition, injuries, strength & conditioning, and health promotion.
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Maryville University Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
Provides you with a strong foundation in exercise physiology, community health, and nutrition. No SAT or ACT scores required.
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Arizona State University 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.
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East Central University 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.
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Campbellsville University Online B.S. in Sport Management
Explore the business of athletics while preparing for numerous leadership positions sports.
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Concordia University - Saint Paul BA in Exercise Science
100% Online, 90 transfer credits.
Website
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Associate and Bachelors Sports Degrees in Illinois

University Degree Program Format/Accreditation
Aurora University Bachelor's in Sport Management
Campus
Blackburn College Bachelor's in Sport Management
Campus
Bradley University Bachelors of Communications with an concentration in Sports Communications
Campus
Columbia College Chicago Bachelor's in Sports Management
Campus
Concordia University Chicago Online B.A. Sports & Recreation Management
Online
Concordia University Chicago Online B.S. in Business Administration - emphasis in Sport Management
Online
Concordia University Chicago B.A. Sports & Recreation Management
Campus
DePaul University Online B.S. in Management and a concentration in Sports Management
Online
DePaul University B.S. in Management and a concentration in Sports Management
Campus
Eastern Illinois University Bachelor's in Sport Management
Campus
Elmhurst College Bachelor's in Sport Management
Campus
Judson University Bachelor's in Exercise Science with an concentration in Sport Administration
Campus
Kendall College Bachelors in Hospitality Management with a concentration in Sports Management
Campus
Lewis University B.A. in Sport Management
Campus
Lincoln College B.S. in Sport Management
Campus
Loyola University Chicago B.B.A. with Sport Management major
Campus
MacMurray College Bachelor's in Sports Management
Campus
McKendree University Bachelors in Sport Management
Campus
Millikin University Bachelor's in Sport Management
Campus
North Central College B.A. in Sport Management
Campus
North Park University Chicago B.S. in Business and Economics with a concentration in Sports Management
Campus
Olivet Nazarene University B.S. in Sport Management
Campus
Quincy University Bachelor's in Sport Management
Campus
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale Bachelor's in Sport Administration
Campus
University of Illinois Online Bachelor's in Sport Management
Online
University of Illinois Bachelors in Sport Management
Campus
University of St. Francis Bachelor's in Recreation Administration
Campus
School Program Admissions
University of Florida Master of Science in Sport Management
Ranked number one. Four specializations. Career coaches. Sport powerhouse.
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University of West Alabama 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.
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Ohio University Online Master of Sports Administration
21 month program, GRE/GMAT not required. COSMA Accredited.
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East Central University 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.
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Campbellsville University Online MA in Sport Management
Areas of emphasis in Sport Administration and Sport Marketing.
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American University Online Master’s in Sports Analytics and Management
100% online, study for careers in performance analytics, interactive spectatorship, more.
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Ohio University Online Master's in Athletic Administration
GRE/GMAT not required. 20 month program. COSMA Accredited.
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Winthrop University Online Master of Science in Sport & Fitness Administration
100% online, no test scores required for admission.
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Arizona State University Online Master of Science in Nutritional Science – Dietetics
Empowers you to keep abreast of the latest developments in nutrition science research.
Website
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Graduate: Doctorate and Masters Sports Degrees in Illinois

University Degree Program Format/Accreditation
Concordia University Chicago Online Ed.D. and Ph.D. in Leadership w/specialization in Sports Leadership
Online
Concordia University Chicago Online MA in Sports Management & Leadership
Online
Concordia University Chicago Online MBA with a Sports Management Specialization
Online
Concordia University Chicago MA in Sports Management & Leadership
Campus
Concordia University Chicago Ph.D. in Leadership w/specialization in Sports Leadership MA in Sports Management & Leadership
Campus
DePaul University Online M.S. in Sport, Fitness and Recreation Leadership
Online
DePaul University M.S. in Sport, Fitness and Recreation Leadership
Campus
Eastern Illinois University Master's in Sports Administration
Campus
Illinois State University M.S. in Sport Management
Campus
Loyola University Chicago M.B.A. with Sport Management concentration
Campus
Northern Illinois University Online M.S. in Sport Management
Online
Northern Illinois University M.S. in Sport Management
Campus
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale M.S. in Education - Sport Studies
Campus
University of Illinois Online M.S. in Recreation, Sport and Tourism with a specialization in Sport Management
Online
University of Illinois Online Masters in Sport Management
Online
University of Illinois Online PhD in Sport Management
Online
University of Illinois Masters in Sport Management
Campus
University of Illinois PhD in Sport Management
Campus

Illinois sport management careers

Sports Management is a diverse and multi-faceted field which can lead to a variety of interesting and fulfilling careers. Whether it’s your desire to work with athletes directly, or in a business or media capacity, a degree in sports management can set any sports-lover up for success.

  • General Manager: Like the ones you see often interviewed after games on television, general managers are an important part of any team, in charge of hiring coaches and players as well as smaller issues of contract negotiation and budgeting.
  • Sports Lawyer: Sports lawyers represent clients legally and assist with the execution of deals and contracts. Though it requires more education than a sports management degree, this degree provides the skills to negotiate, decline or terminate contracts, and protect clients legally in any instances of personal injury, breach of contract or potential lawsuits.
  • Corporate Partnership Manager: Corporate partnership is a huge part of what keeps the sports industry afloat, and with that, there is always a need for business savvy individuals to negotiate deals that benefit athletes, teams, brands, and fans alike.
  • Sports Marketing Professional: Marketing professionals are integral to the growth and promotion of sports—individuals, teams, and even whole organizations need marketers to help reach and convince a target audience that they’re the ones to watch.

Sports Degrees by Level

Sport Program Areas