Why Choose Sports Management at Bushnell?
Flexible online learning, industry-focused coursework, and experienced faculty prepare you for leadership across today’s sports industry. Bushnell’s Master of Arts in Sports Management blends business strategy, ethical leadership, and practical application to prepare graduates for careers ranging from collegiate athletics and professional sports organizations to community recreation and sports marketing.
Designed for working professionals, the fully online program allows you to continue advancing your career while completing graduate coursework. Small class sizes and personalized faculty mentorship provide opportunities to build meaningful professional relationships throughout your degree.
Through case studies, research, internships or capstone experiences, and applied projects, you’ll develop the strategic thinking and leadership skills needed to manage organizations, lead teams, and make sound business decisions in sports-related industries.
What You’ll Study
How the Curriculum is Structured
Bushnell’s online Master of Arts in Sports Management combines sports management, business, analytics, leadership, ethics, and finance to prepare graduates for executive roles in athletic organizations, schools, professional sports, nonprofits, and recreation programs.
Course Highlights
- Sports Management & Society
- Sports Law
- Sports Budgeting & Fundraising
- Sports Data Analytics
- Coaching Fundamentals
- Operations & Service Management
Learn More About Bushnell’s Master of Arts in Sports Management
Hear directly from Bushnell faculty about what makes the online Master of Arts in Sports Management unique, what you’ll learn, and how the program prepares graduates for leadership careers in the sports industry.
Career Outlook
What Can You Do with a Master of Arts in Sports Management?
Graduates of Bushnell’s M.A. in Sports Management pursue careers such as:
- Athletic director or athletic department administrator
- Sports marketing and sponsorship manager
- Event and facility manager
- Collegiate athletics administrator
- Sports analytics or operations specialist
- Community recreation and nonprofit sports leader
Skills You’ll Gain
Through Bushnell’s Sports Management program, you’ll develop practical leadership and business skills, including:
- Lead sports organizations with strategic and ethical decision-making
- Manage budgets, fundraising efforts, and organizational resources
- Apply sports law and business principles to real-world challenges
- Analyze performance data to improve organizational outcomes
- Develop marketing, communication, and leadership strategies
- Plan and manage athletic events, facilities, and operations
Planning Your Degree
Learn about admissions requirements, program format, tuition, financial aid, and your path to earning Bushnell University’s online Master of Arts in Sports Management.
Bushnell’s Master of Arts in Sports Management is delivered 100% online, giving you the flexibility to complete coursework around your professional and personal commitments. Courses are offered in eight-week sessions, allowing you to focus on one or two classes at a time.
Students may complete the program in 12 or 24 months, depending on their preferred pace. Throughout the program, you’ll learn alongside a cohort of professionals while receiving personalized support from experienced faculty.
Admission to the Master of Arts in Sports Management program includes:
- Completed graduate application
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Official college transcripts
- Statement of purpose
- Current resume
Bushnell reviews applicants holistically, considering academic preparation, professional experience, leadership potential, and commitment to graduate study. Applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA requirement may be considered for conditional admission.
Students complete either a Sports Management Internship (SPMGT 695) or a Research Capstone (SPMGT 699) as the culminating experience in the program.
The internship provides practical experience within a sports organization, while the research capstone allows students to investigate a current issue facing the sports industry and develop evidence-based solutions. Both options help students apply classroom learning while strengthening professional skills and preparing for leadership roles.
Your investment includes tuition along with educational expenses such as books, technology fees, and other program-related costs. Bushnell’s admissions and financial aid teams are available to help you understand tuition, estimate your total costs, and explore available funding options
Per Semester:
Housing & Food: $5,650
Books & Supplies: $55 per credit
Personal: $700
Transportation: $700
Tech Fee: $175
Bushnell is committed to making graduate education accessible and affordable. Learn more about Graduate Financial Aid and explore employer tuition assistance, military and veteran education benefits, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. Our admissions team can help you identify the resources that best fit your goals and financial situation.
The program is designed to fit the schedules of working professionals. Courses are delivered asynchronously online, allowing you to complete assignments when it works best for you without required class meeting times.
Students can graduate in as few as 12 months or choose a 24-month pathway for additional flexibility while balancing work, family, and other commitments.
Accreditation
Bushnell University is regionally accredited by both the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Bushnell’s School of Business, Leadership, & Technology has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).
I can say that the one-year, online format made working, playing a sport, and completing classwork very manageable. The professors have all done a wonderful job crafting curriculums that are up to date and relevant with today’s trends in sports management. I would highly recommend this master’s program to someone who is looking to find a career in sports.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Bushnell University’s Master of Arts in Sports Management is offered 100% online, allowing you to complete coursework from anywhere while balancing work, family, and other commitments. Courses are delivered in flexible eight-week sessions with no required class meeting times.
A master’s degree in Sports Management prepares graduates for leadership roles across the sports industry, including athletic administration, sports marketing, event and facility management, collegiate athletics, professional sports organizations, community recreation, and nonprofit sports organizations. The program develops leadership, business, finance, and strategic management skills that are applicable across a variety of sports careers.
Students can complete Bushnell’s online Master of Arts in Sports Management in as few as 12 months or choose a 24-month option that provides additional flexibility while working full time. Courses are offered in convenient eight-week sessions.
No. Bushnell welcomes applicants from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds. A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution is required, but it does not need to be in Sports Management. Students from business, education, kinesiology, communications, coaching, recreation, and many other fields successfully complete the program.
A Master of Arts in Sports Management prepares you for leadership careers throughout the sports industry. Graduates pursue roles such as athletic director, sports marketing manager, event and facility manager, collegiate athletics administrator, sports analytics specialist, athlete services coordinator, community recreation director, and nonprofit sports leader. Bushnell’s program combines business strategy, leadership, finance, law, and analytics to prepare you to lead teams, organizations, and athletic programs with confidence.
Contact Us
Have questions about Bushnell’s M.A. in Sports Management program? Your admissions counselor can walk you through requirements, discuss transfer credits, and help you figure out your next step.
Learn from experienced sports industry leaders.
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