Sport Management Graduate Degree

Precise course of study is determined, in part, by Human Performance core requirements and specific graduate degree (MA or MS) student elects to pursue. This program is designed to prepare the student for a career in one of the many segments of the sports management industry.

Sport Management is one of the fastest-growing specializations in sport, fitness, and physical education in recent years. Sport Management programs currently attract large numbers of women and men who want a career in a sport-related field but have no interest in teaching. The Sport Management industry is a 217 billion dollar plus industry surpassing the insurance and automobile industry.

The sport and activity industry can be divided into 7 segments.

• Professional sport entertainment (MLB, NFL, NASCAR, minor leagues, etc.)
• Amateur sport entertainment (college and high school sport, Olympic-related events)
• Sport services (agents, event management, resorts, cruises, law, marketing, etc.)
• Sport and activity participation, for-profit (golf courses, fitness and martial arts centers)
• Sport and activity goods (manufacturers, retail, distributors, etc.)
• Sport and activity participation, nonprofit (parks and recreation, YMCA, hospital, etc.)
• Sport media and communication (TV, radio, print, web, public relations, sport info, etc.)

In 1993 the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) joined with the North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM) to develop competency standards for sport-management curricula at the undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels. More than 200 colleges and universities offer Sport Management degrees. MSU Sport Management faculty are members of NASSM/NASPE and base the MSU Sport Management curriculum on NASSM/NASPE standards. The competency standards for the master's degree include ten areas

The Minnesota State University, Mankato Sport Management program includes an internship in which the student actually performs the skills necessary for the various roles. MSU is located near the Minneapolis-St. Paul area which affords a wide variety of internship opportunities (NBA Timberwolves, WNBA Lynx, MLB Twins, NFL Vikings, NHL Wild and others). These may range from assisting an athletic director or working at a fitness center, to helping in the promotions department of a pro sport.

Graduates of Minnesota State University, Mankato Sport Management work in such fields as

• National Basketball Association
• National Football League
• High school athletic director
• College athletic administration
• City recreation department management
• Communications director for college athletic programs
• Player personnel with Arena Football League
• Minor League Baseball
• College recreation department
• Sporting goods manufacturer representative
• Facility management
• Event management

Descriptions of courses listed below are available on the Graduate Bulletins page.

• Thesis Plan – 30-32 credits

• Alternate Plan Paper 34-36 credits

• Internship Capstone Option – 36 credits

Required Sport Management Core (21 credits):

• HP 610 – Statistical Methods (3)
• HP 630 – Techniques of Research (3)
• HP 650 – Principles of Sport Management (3)
• HP 651 – Sport Management Seminar (3)
• HP 665 – Legal Aspects of Sport (3)
• HP 667 – Advanced Sport Marketing (3)
• HP 698 – Internship: Sport Management (3-10)

Required Thesis, Alternate Plan Paper, or Internship Option

• HP 694 Alternate Plan Paper (2-3) with written comps taken upon completing coursework
• HP 699 Thesis (3-4)
• HP 698 – Internship: Sport Management (8) --- Final project required

Required Electives (8-17 credits)

The student must choose the remaining electives in consultation with an advisor. HP 637 Sport Media, Sponsorship and Sale, HP 660 Financial Aspects of Sport, HP 638 Managing Sporting Events, HP 535 Planning Sport Facilities, and HP 641 Psychology of Sport and Exercise, are strongly recommended.

For further information contact: Dr. Soonhwan Lee (soonhwan.lee@mnsu.edu), Coordinator of Sport Management, Dr. Jon Lim (jon.lim@mnsu.edu), Dr. Gary Rushing (gary.rushing@mnsu.edu).