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.

Click for more online sports programs that are taking applications for 2024.

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.

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.

Click for more 100% online undergraduate sports programs that are taking applications for 2024.

Associate and Bachelors Sports Degrees in Illinois

Click for more 100% online Graduate sports programs that are taking applications for 2024.

Graduate: Doctorate and Masters Sports Degrees in Illinois

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

• 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