North Carolina Sports Degree Programs, Online Included

Alexis Bennett

MS Sport Management, University of Florida; Collegiate Golf Coach.. Last updated February 20, 2025.

There are over 40 different degrees in sports in North Carolina. All degree levels are available, but the most popular degrees are the Bachelors in Sport Management and Masters in Sport Management. State universities such as North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina are two of the top schools with sports degree programs in North Carolina.

Are there online sport management degrees in North Carolina?

Yes, there are quite a few options for online sport management degrees in North Carolina. Online Bachelors in sports degrees are offered at North Carolina State University, and there are a handful of North Carolina universities with online Masters degrees.

Click for more online sports programs that are taking applications for 2025.

In depth review of some of the best online North Carolina sports degrees

North Carolina has many programs focusing on sports management as well as related fields like sports media or kinesiology, both in-person and online. Online courses help those with other jobs or with other responsibilities pursue a new and exciting career without completely upending their current life. For some programs, in-person elements such as labs, internships, and other experiential learning tasks may be offered or required, but the majority of coursework and activities can be done online if desired, often with optimal flexibility for students who need it.

North Carolina State University Masters in Sports Degrees

Programs Offered:
Masters of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Sport Management
Masters of Sport and Entertainment Venue Management
Average Tuition/Cost: $533/credit
Next Admission Deadline: 3/25/2023

Both programs listed above are dedicated to flexible, online education helping students get a master’s degree in two years while still working. Courses are designed by industry professionals and create an accelerated timeline for dedicated students to get their degrees and begin a new career in a sports management or sports-related field. Despite the approximated two-year timeline, the online experience allows students to take classes as quickly or slowly as they please without the high-pressure environment of a traditional graduate 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
• Official transcripts from an accredited university
• A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
• Current CV/Resume
• Personal Statement
• Three recommendations (with at least one academic reference)

Classes Offered With Curriculum:

PRT 500: Conceptual Foundations of Recreation This course is intended to provide students with advanced concepts of fiscal management as applied to the unique industries of parks, recreation, tourism and sport management. Emphasis is also placed on ethics and stability within managerial practices to foster a sense of civic duty, honesty, and responsibility as well as a technical understanding of job requirements..

PRT 505: GIS and Spatial Analysis in PRTSThis course functions as an introduction to spatial reasoning and spatial analysis as implemented in geographic information systems [GIS] to perform evaluation and research in parks, recreation, tourism, and sport settings. It focuses on technologies specific to students' desired fields to provide practical experience with tools they’ll need to succeed in their future careers.

PRT 511: Sport and Entertainment Venue Management - FacilitiesA study of sports facility management with special regards to environmental concerns and sustainability. As the environment becomes an increasingly important topic, it’s important students understand the ways the sport, recreation, and tourism industries affect the whole planet.

PRT 512: Sport and Entertainment Venue Management - Operations and ServicesA thorough background on operations and services is essential for sport and entertainment venue managers. This course examines venue management by covering essential managerial functions from the acquisition of funds to event planning and execution.

Cabarrus College of Health Sciences Bachelors in Health Sciences

Programs Offered:
Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Leadership and Development
Average Tuition/Cost: $395/credit
Next Admission Deadline: 2/1/2023

This bachelor’s degree program enables those who already hold an associate degree in a healthcare field to earn an additional bachelor’s degree in just two years. The program offers two tracks within the greater structure: Leadership or Education. This additional degree can help students not only broaden their career choices, but also provide new perspectives on the topics they already know so well.

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

• Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
• An associate degree or diploma in a healthcare discipline, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
• A current, active license or certification in a healthcare field
• Two references attesting to professional or academic ability. (One from a current supervisor or a prior faculty member).
• Essays that provide a clear and concise explanation of the applicant’s interest in Cabarrus College and health sciences and evaluates their ability to write and think critically

Classes Offered With Curriculum:

BUS 310: Introduction to Accounting and Financial Management. This course provides a preliminary overview of financial management theory and strategy which can subsequently be applied to more specified fields.

HSL 370: Health Care Policy and Planning This course functions as an introduction to health services, policies, and plans using classic studies and current trends which examine access, cost, quality, and organization of healthcare within different segments of society.

IHS. 410: Educational Principles for Healthcare Professionals This course provides students with an overview of theoretical and ethical principles for those working in healthcare and tangential professions. It covers not only elements of healthcare, but the best ways to break down and communicate health advice and knowledge.

EDU 390: Information Literacy and Scholarly Research In this course, students study the way research and scholarship are written, how to deconstruct and judge the quality of a literary article, and how to adapt their own thoughts and research into this format.

Gardner-Webb University's Masters Programs

Programs Offered:
Master of Sport Management Certificate
Master of Sport Education
Website
Average Tuition/Cost: $575/credit
Next Admission Deadline: 11/21/2023

The master’s degree in sport management provides increased credentials for upper management positions. It is a specialized business management program designed expressly for the sport management professional.

Gardner-Webb’s Master of Arts in Sport Education program assists in the advanced preparation of individuals involved with sport and fitness-related instruction. Individuals with this degree can go on to teach at a secondary or postsecondary level as well as pursuing careers in physical training, or elsewhere.

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
• Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher on all previous academic work beyond high school
• A satisfactory GRE or Miller Analogies Test score

Classes Offered With Curriculum:

SPMG 250: Social Issues in Sport This course introduces and discusses common social issues within the field of sports and sports management including discrimination, union law, drug use, and more.

SPMG 315: International Sport Management This course serves as an introduction to sports practices around the world. Students will study the differences in sports worldwide including distinctions in the way teams, individuals, and events are managed in an increasingly global world.

SPMG 415: Ethics in Leadership and Sport For students looking to pursue leadership positions in management, this course covers theories and best practices of ethical leadership and guidance geared towards a sports setting.

SPMG Internship in Sport This 9-12 hour piece of the curriculum allows students not only to gain experience for their resume, but to get a head start and a better feeling for their future chosen career.

List of Sports Degrees in North Carolina

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

Career Paths in Sports Management

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 in their desired field.

From diehard Hornets, Panthers, and Hurricanes fans to those who are simply passionate about health, exercise, and recreation, North Carolina is full of opportunity for those looking to do more with their love of fitness.

A North Carolina Sports Management Degree can help anyone embrace their love of athleticism and pursue a career in a number of fields. Whether you long to work with professional athletes, aspiring pros, or just everyday people looking to live a little bit healthier, the beautiful natural landscape and high-energy sports atmosphere of the state make North Carolina a perfect place to pursue a Sports Management Degree and career.

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 issues of contract negotiation and budgeting.

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.

Physical Therapist: Though additional education may be required, sports management training can be a great help to both the business and athletic elements of the physical therapy occupation.

Sports Event Planner: Every major team—collegiate, professional, and even those at lower levels—has events beyond simple game days. Planning themes, giveaways, and other special events at stadiums and arenas is one area in which the action of sports meets the organizational and managerial elements of event planning.

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