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.
Tailor this major to your interests by taking one of these courses as you pursue your degree:
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SM 137:
Sport Event Management
This course is designed to introduce the concepts, principles, and practices related to sport event management and explore contemporary challenges and trends.
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SM 287:
Contemporary Issues in Sport Management
Explore issues and trends across the contemporary sport management landscape, including emergent problems and solutions related to the business and leadership of sport. Examine personal strengths, weaknesses, skills, motives, and goals in critical decision-making and conflict resolution in sport management scenarios.
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SM 370:
Sport Finance and Economics
The purpose of this course is to provide financial and economic overview of professional, collegiate and recreational sports. Students will learn financial structures of sport organizations and various economic principles applied to the sport industry.
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SM 375:
Sport in the Global Market
An examination of the role of sports within the broader process of globalization. Its impact on culture, politics, economics and how these influences shape today's sport.
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SM 485:
Management of Sport Organizations
The purpose of this course is to facilitate a full understanding of management theory within sport organizations. This class will demonstrate the value of applying management concepts and theories with sport organizations. Finally, this class will explain the importance of contemporary management tactics, and their relevance to the skill sets needed for students planning a career in sport related professions.
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SM 486:
Sport Marketing and Sales
The study of marketing principles as they relate to sport organizations. Specific attention is focused on the marketing planning process, marketing informational systems and internal marketing.
Take advantage of special options related to this major:
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Accelerated Program
Sport Management offers the option to earn a bachelor's and master's degree in an accelerated time frame.
Accelerated Program Details
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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