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College of Applied Human Sciences: School of Sport Sciences

Sport Management, BS

A career in the sports industry is not just for professional athletes. Our program prepares students to work behind the scenes of the sport industry, one of the fastest growing industries in the U.S.

We equip students with knowledge in a variety of content areas, including management and leadership, sport marketing and finance, facilities and event operations, and more. Students develop critical thinking and problem solving skills to create appropriate solutions and facilitate positive outcomes in their sport organizations. By melding innovative courses with professional development, the WVU Sport Management program prepares students for a variety of professional positions in the sport industry.

Graduates have access to an extensive and impressive alumni base. Our alumni find jobs in the areas of sales, marketing, fan relations, sponsorship, intercollegiate and interscholastic athletics, community recreation and sport centers, city parks and recreation departments, and sporting goods and marketing companies. Some choose to further their knowledge and pursue graduate programs in fields such as sport management, business administration and law.

Save time and money — and boost your credentials — with our four-year Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Program.

Your Degree Plan

Intro

Aerial view of Martin and Woodburn Halls

The sport industry is ever-growing and requires a properly trained workforce. We’ll provide you with the actual skills and experiences you need to succeed in the profession.

Students learn how to navigate the complexities of the sport industry through academic preparation and hands-on experiences.

Foundational Courses
The undergraduate Sport Management program requires students to take courses in varied content areas to prepare them for major coursework. Foundational course content includes marketing, management, public relations, media and society, sport and exercise psychology, communications, accounting, economics and computer science.

After completing some foundational coursework, students proceed into sport management-specific classes to learn how to apply this fundamental knowledge to various industry-related contexts, such as intercollegiate, professional or grassroots sport.

In addition, students can choose a minor pertaining to their special interest.

Professional Courses
Students are required to engage in at least one 3-credit professional field experience. This internship is flexible allowing students to complete it in any term, in any facet of sport management, anywhere in the world. It provides real-world, hands-on experience in the industry and ultimately sets our graduates apart from their peers at other institutions.

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

  • Accelerated Program

    Sport Management offers the option to earn a bachelor's and master's degree in an accelerated time frame.

    Accelerated Program Details
  • Honors

    Expand your curiosity — and enhance your curriculum — through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations for first- and second-year students and Honors EXCEL for third- and fourth-year students.

    Explore Honors

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart from its competitors?

  • 100% placement rate in professional internships.
  • Curriculum allows for the addition of minor areas of study to help students specialize within their program.
  • Technology in Sport class teaches computer programs useful in the sport industry.
  • Students are provided ample professional development opportunities with trips to meet industry professionals, tour athletics facilities and receive exposure to multiple areas of business in sports organizations.
  • Diverse and experienced faculty with sport-industry experience provide a wide network of access to sport management professionals.
  • Very close relationship with the WVU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and local minor league baseball team.
  • Student-led Sport Management Club.
  • Accelerated bachelor's to master's option (earn both degrees in four years).
  • The WVU School of Sport Sciences was recently recognized as one of the best in the country by Newsweek.
  • Formal and informal networking opportunities, including an annual speaker series featuring WVU’s strong and vast alumni community in the sport industry.
  • The College of Applied Human Sciences awards nearly $500,000 in scholarships to students each year.
Scholarships

Over 92% of WVU freshmen receive grants or scholarships (2022-2023).

Learn more

Learn by Doing

Learning happens outside the classroom. Get involved.

Research
Sport Management students perform action- and field-based research as they design the latest iteration of marketing and business plans. Beta analysis and analytics have become central to the advanced decision making process of contemporary sport organizations. Global and international sport industries appreciate the scientific approach to the growth, development and economic impact sport can have on their quality of life if it is promoted, sponsored and managed properly.

Students complete research-based class projects within the program curriculum. Other students may approach faculty to inquire about additional research opportunities if they desire to do research outside of the classroom.

Hands-on Experience
The Sport Management program provides students the opportunity to develop their resume through experiential education. Sport Management courses value projects with practical applications as part of class requirements, allowing students the opportunity to address current issues in the real world. Students are encouraged to participate in campus organizations and events to practice skills acquired in the classroom such as marketing, budgeting, public speaking, etc. In addition, every student is required to complete a minimum of three credit hours in an internship of their interest. Students seek internship placements with the WVU Athletic Department, at local community businesses and/or with professional sport organizations.

Technology
The Sport Management curriculum includes multiple opportunities for students to become proficient in the application of technology within the field of sport. This is a growing demand within the field. Students are charged with completing a semester-long project addressing a technology issue of their choice. Students create promotional materials such as still images and video utilizing Adobe Premier.

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Sport Management students have unlimited options for internships. Students can pursue experiences in multiple departments of our Division I athletic program, including marketing, fundraising, operations and communications, among others.

Some students opt to pursue internships with professional sport organizations in nearby cities, including Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Baltimore, Maryland; and Washington, D.C.

Morgantown also boasts a healthy recreational and fitness market providing local opportunities in these areas, as well. Students are encouraged to seek out practical experiences that will help them achieve their professional goals.

Attending college will prepare you for many things. The Sport Management major will give you the following skills:

  • Problem-solving
  • Critical thinking

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Outside of the Evansdale Crossing building.

What you learn outside of the classroom is just as important as what you learn during class. We’ll help you follow your curiosity.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

General and Operations Managers

Plan, direct or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing or administrative services.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $101,280

Possible job titles include: General Manager (GM), Operations Manager, Store Manager, Business Manager, Operations Director, Plant Superintendent.

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Marketing Managers

Plan, direct or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers. Develop pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm's profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm's customers are satisfied. Oversee product development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $157,620

Possible job titles include: Brand Manager, Business Development Manager, Marketing Director, Marketing Manager.

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Public Relations Managers

Plan, direct or coordinate activities designed to create or maintain a favorable public image or raise issue awareness for their organization or client.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $134,760

Possible job titles include: Account Executive, Account Supervisor, Public Relations Director, Public Relations Manager (PR Manager).

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Compliance Managers

Plan, direct or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

Median Salary: $133,560

Possible job titles include: Compliance Coordinator, Compliance Manager, Compliance Officer, Director of Compliance.

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Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to recreation, leisure and fitness studies, including exercise physiology and facilities management. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

May require a Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $75,770

Possible job titles include: Coach, Professor, Health and Physical Education Professor (HPE Professor), Physical Education Professor (PE Professor).

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Coaches and Scouts

Instruct or coach groups or individuals in the fundamentals of sports. Demonstrate techniques and methods of participation. May evaluate athletes' strengths and weaknesses as possible recruits or to improve the athletes' technique to prepare them for competition. Those required to hold teaching degrees should be reported in the appropriate teaching category.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $45,910

Possible job titles include: Baseball Coach, Basketball Coach, Coach, Football Coach.

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Umpires, Referees and Other Sports Officials

Officiate at competitive athletic or sporting events. Detect infractions of rules and decide penalties according to established regulations. Includes all sporting officials, referees and competition judges.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $35,820

Possible job titles include: Referee, Horse Show Judge, Major League Baseball Umpire, Sports Official.

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Public Relations Specialists

Engage in promoting or creating an intended public image for individuals, groups or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $66,750

Possible job titles include: Account Executive, Public Affairs Specialist, Public Information Officer, Public Relations Specialist (PR Specialist).

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Where our grads are studying and working

Graduate/professional school placements

  • Sport Management
  • Business Administration
  • Law

Sample employers/job titles of graduates

  • Houston Astros, baseball operations coordinator
  • Boston Bruins, fan relations representative
  • University of Nevada, assistant equipment manager
  • Villanova University Athletics, marketing and events coordinator
  • Red Bulls, suite sales manager
  • The Walt Disney Company, guest services assistant
  • University of Washington, assistant director of events
  • Philadelphia Eagles, stadium operations support coordinator
  • Sacramento Kings, ticket sales and services account executive
  • Philadelphia Eagles, premium tickets coordinator
  • Philadelphia Soul, account manager
  • Baltimore Ravens, stadium operations
  • University of Nevada, assistant equipment manager
  • North Dakota State University, director of event operations
  • Villanova University Athletics, coordinator of marketing and events
  • University of Washington, assistant director of events
  • WVU, football video manager
  • WVU, director of Mountaineer hospitality
  • Ole Miss Athletics, media and public relations
  • Sacramento Kings Premium Services, suite and loft account manager
  • Philadelphia Eagles, premium ticket operations coordinator
  • San Jose Sharks, account executive
  • Denver Outlaws, corporate partnerships coordinator

Further your education

Keep going right here at WVU. Consider these graduate programs:

Meet Your Community

The Sport Management family will inspire and support you.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to WVU's Sport Management major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

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