Curriculum

This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in the fast-paced world of sports management. Through a blend of theoretical concepts, practical applications, case studies, and connection to industry, students will gain understanding of the multifaceted nature of sports management and develop strategies for effective leadership and decision-making within the field.

Students will examine the various sectors of sports management, including professional sports teams and leagues, collegiate athletics, youth and amateur sports, sports management research, sports marketing and sponsorship, sales, facility management, event planning, sports media, and legal and ethical considerations in sports management. Special emphasis will be placed on emerging trends and challenges facing the sports industry, such as globalization, technology, and ethical considerations.

Throughout the course, students will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on projects, simulations, and discussions. These activities move from theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios and build practical skills in leadership, communication, and problem-solving.

Successful sports management often requires engaging questions about personnel, compliance, financial management, and equity. This means it is important for sports industry professionals to have a firm grasp on applicable laws and ethical considerations. Good choices come from ensuring compliance with the law and consistency while also being sensitive to the needs and perspectives of all parties involved in the decision-making process. This class equips sports management professionals to do just that by providing a survey of the legal concepts and ethical challenges that are likely to arise in the profession. The course will cover contract law, intellectual property, appropriation, workers’ rights and compensation, Title IX, tort law, and risk management while also engaging ethical principles in sports like fairness, integrity, responsibility, and respect. 

This course is a unique, engaging learning experience that represents the first course in the Master’s in Strategic Communication program. This course is designed to give you an overview of the larger field of strategic communication by covering a wide range of topics relevant to the field. We will explore the interdisciplinary literature on communication theory, to understand and embrace the relationship between strategic communication theory and practice, and to apply theoretical frameworks to strategic communication challenges. You’ll engage in real-time application of strategic communication theory and skills, and prepare to advance within your current organization or transition into a new career path.

This course will equip you with the necessary tools to navigate organizational change and give direction effectively. This course will examine leadership communication in the context of organizational change. Leadership is analyzed using the concept of citizenship, with a focus on the communication skills needed to help construct effective experiences for an organization, team, or community, whether in the role of doer, follower, guide, manager, or leader. You will also evaluate organizational theory and practice that links to how early- to mid-20th century management theories have shaped 21st-century organizations through change. In addition, you will reflect on the diversity of perspectives that exist within the modern workplace and how these can impact leadership.

An analysis of the theory and practice of Financial Management, this course expands on the topics covered in MBA 430. The course focuses on how firms properly acquire and invest funds in a corporate setting. Specific topics include capital budgeting, capital structure, dividend policy, derivatives, mergers and acquisitions, and bankruptcy.

This course simulates a senior sports management context, where you will apply what you have learned throughout the graduate studies curriculum. This fast-paced, deadline-driven course provides an opportunity to demonstrate specific skills and knowledge in sports management. In addition, you will be assessing crucial industry capacities in areas such as teamwork, time management, stakeholder relations, critical thinking, creativity, and project coordination. Working in assigned groups, you will partner with unique clients in a variety of industry areas to identify a sports management problem, analyze related proprietary data, and develop evidence-based recommendations that will be presented to the client and the class. This course focuses on the application of sports management skills relevant to the current context of the industry. Upon completion of the course, you will be an innovative thinker and problem-solver for future sports management projects.

This course offers an overview of the essential concepts of sports marketing for sports managers. It will expose students to the techniques and strategies for reaching sports consumers and ways that sports can be used in the marketing of other companies and products. The course emphasizes the importance of market research and the use of data in creating comprehensive sports marketing plans.

This course is designed to explore fundraising and revenue-generation strategies in sports. Students will explore fundraising, specifically in the context of collegiate athletics and community sports, with a focus on cultivation strategies. Students will also learn foundational sales concepts, the role of corporate partnership in sports, and the application of the sales process to developing solutions to achieve partner organization objectives.

This course provides an in-depth exploration of the principles and practices involved in the planning, management, and operation of sports events and facilities. Students will gain practical knowledge and skills required for successful event management, including strategic planning, logistics, marketing, sponsorship, risk management, and sustainability. The course also broadly covers facility management topics such as design, maintenance, operations, and the economic impact of sports facilities.

This course offers an exploration into sports management and the relationship amateur athletic departments have within larger campuses, school districts and sports industries. Athletic departments have unique regulatory compliance challenges that leaders must be able to effectively navigate. Students will explore these regulations and ethical considerations governing these sectors of the sports industry. Topics specific to amateur sports management include administrative leadership, governance structures and student-athlete support. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the key principles, challenges, and best practices for college and high school athletic departments.

This internship course gives students professional and practical hands-on experience in the sports management field. This course allows students to put into practice the skills and knowledge gained from previous classes and educational experiences for a sports organization.