Sports Management Degree Programs in Kentucky (A-M)

Even if you’re not athletically inclined, you can turn your passion for sports into a rewarding career by attending one of the several top-notch accredited sports management degree programs in Kentucky. Although our country’s 26th most populous state is best known for its bluegrass music and fried chicken, Kentucky is a sporting epicenter with plentiful educational and job opportunities for aspiring sport managers. After all, the “Bluegrass State” is home to the world-famous Kentucky Derby every spring.

Rankings

There may not be any major league professional sports teams in Kentucky, but college athletics are prominent and very competitive. Sports management majors could find themselves organizing events for the Kentucky Wildcats, Louisville Cardinals, or Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Those with a love for car racing could also work at the Kentucky Speedway and host the renowned NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. If you’re ready to leap into an exciting business profession where you spend time in the stadium rather than the boardroom, the following is our first list (A-M) of undergraduate and graduate sports management degrees available in Kentucky. To see more sports management degree programs, visit Sports Management Degree Programs in Kentucky (N-Z).

Campbellsville University

College of Arts & Sciences

Initially founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is a small comprehensive private Christian liberal arts institution serving around 3,200 students on its 95-acre rural campus in Campbellsville near Green River Lake in central Kentucky. Along with being named 22nd in the region’s “Best Baccalaureate Colleges,” Campbellsville is ranked the 81st best college in the South with the 61st best online graduate business programs by the U.S. News and World Report. Within the College of Arts & Sciences, the Division on Human Performance is dedicated to developing lifelong learners in health education, physical education, sport management, exercise science, and sport medicine.

Bachelor of Arts in Sport Management

Following the standards set by the NASPE, the Bachelor of Arts in Sport Management program is available for undergraduate students at Campbellsville who are working towards administrative roles within the spectator sport or recreation industry. Students are trained to develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills needed to engage in our changing global environment at the local, state, national, or international level. Within the 51-credit major, students will build on their general education coursework to learn about the social, psychological, ethical, marketing, finance, accounting, economical, and legal aspect of sports. In the senior year, students will complete a supervised real-world internship in sports business.

Master of Arts in Sport Management

Offered in a blended format of on-campus and online courses, the Master of Arts in Sport Management (MASM) program at Campbellsville is designed to provide graduate students with advanced knowledge in business strategy, managerial leadership, and marketing from a unique Christian worldview. Within the rigorous 30-credit curriculum, students have the freedom to select between an Administrative track or Marketing track. Graduate students will delve deeper into the business side of sports to understand facility management, finance, legal issues, and ethics. There’s also the opportunity to build hands-on work experience through a capstone internship or master’s thesis project. For graduation, sport management majors maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0.

Accreditations

- - - National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE)
    - Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

1 University Drive
Campbellsville, KY 42718
(270) 789-5261
dwise@campbellsville.edu

Eastern Kentucky University

College of Health Sciences

Situated on a main 675-acre rural campus in Richmond with satellite centers in Corbin, Danville, Fort Knox, Lancaster, Manchester, Somerset, and online from anywhere, Eastern Kentucky University is a major comprehensive four-year public research institution serving over 15,900 students. Recognized as a “Military Friendly School” in GI Jobs magazine for the last four consecutive years, EKU is ranked as the 62nd best regional college, 27th top public school, and 25th best university for veterans in the South by the U.S. News and World Report. Also home to the country’s 40th best online bachelor’s degrees, the College of Health Sciences continually achieves high licensure pass rates among graduates in its 20 fully accredited majors.

Bachelor of Sport Management

Available with or without a formal business minor, the Bachelor of Sport Management program at EKU is focused on preparing undergraduate students for the complex world of sports from an interdisciplinary approach that blends sports with business. In the 121-credit curriculum, students are challenged to expand their knowledge in facility management, event planning, sport finance, public relations, sports law, information systems, economics, budgeting, marketing, and promotion. The program culminates with a capstone internship for students to obtain hands-on experience at a professional sports team, collegiate athletic department, community sports club, or recreational center.

Master of Science in Physical Education for Sports Administration

Requiring a total of 30 credit hours, the Master of Science in Physical Education program can be completed in one year full-time with a concentration area in Sports Administration, Exercise and Wellness, or Exercise and Sport Science. Students who select the option for Sports Administration will tailor their studies in understanding the latest theories and practices used in today’s rapidly evolving sport industry. Coursework allows students to delve deeper into research methods, sport marketing, sport sociology, exercise psychology, sport policy, legal issues in sports, organizational leadership, finance, and lifetime wellness. Students work directly with a mentor to complete an internship and “learn the ropes” in a sports agency.

Accreditations

- - - Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

521 Lancaster Avenue
Richmond, KY 40475
(859) 622-1887
wardell.johnson@eku.edu
http://ess.eku.edu/sport-management

Kentucky Wesleyan College

Department of Business Administration

As a small private comprehensive liberal arts institution affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church, Kentucky Wesleyan College is home for a close-knit group of under 1,000 students on a beautiful 55-acre suburban campus in Owensboro within just 36 miles from Evansville, Indiana. With a student-faculty ratio of 9:1 in its 30 major programs, KWC is ranked as the 31st best regional college in the South by the U.S. News and World Report survey. The Department of Business Administration has the mission of producing professionals for thriving in finance, human resources, marketing, operations management, and sports administration.

B.S. in Fitness and Sport Management

Building on an interdisciplinary curriculum rooted in the liberal arts and sciences, the B.S. in Fitness and Sport Management program at Kentucky Wesleyan is ideal for undergraduate students interested in studying the administrative side of sports. Students are trained with the practical skills necessary to succeed in careers for corporate fitness, sport management, athletic administration, sports marketing, public relations, community recreation, sports reporting, and more. It also provides a great starting point for going on to graduate school and choosing from several emphasis areas offered nationwide. Fitness and sport management majors complete a senior internship at sites like the Owensboro Medical Health System, KWC Athletics Department, and other in-state agencies.

Accreditations

- - - International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE)
    - Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

3000 Frederica Street
Owensboro, KY 42301
(270) 852-3223
gardner@kwc.edu

Midway College

The School of Business, Equine, and Sport Studies

Affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Midway College is a small independent women’s liberal arts institution educating around 1,800 female students annually on its 200-acre rural campus in Midway within the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass region. As a declared forerunner in adult accelerated learning pathways for women, Midway is currently ranked as the 61st best regional college in the South by the U.S. News and World Report. The School of Business, Equine, and Sport Studies is the largest academic division at Midway focused on developing analytical ability for succeeding in all types of business endeavors.

B.S. in Sport Management

Designed to accommodate undergraduate students seeking a career in the competitive arena of athletics, the B.S. in Sport Management program at Midway offers preparation for working in business, community, public, or private sports. Along with the liberal arts core, students build their sport industry knowledge in management, marketing, finance, and accounting for a well-rounded business-focused education. Students are required to complete a total of 120 credits, including a senior seminar and internship for hands-on application of learned skills. For better career enhancement, the program also provides personalized mentoring, job shadowing, job search seminars, and resume preparation services tailored to each students’ future goals.

MBA in Sport Management

At the graduate level, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is available for Midway students looking for advancement into leadership through new knowledge acquisition. After completing the major core structured from a theory-to-practice approach, students are given the opportunity to concentration their degree in Equine Studies, Health Care Administration, or Sport Management. Delivered in a 100% online flexible format, the Sport Management concentration includes specialized sports-focused courses and an athletic administration capstone project. To get the most from this team-learning environment, it’s recommended that applicants have at least three years of previous work experience.

Accreditations

- - - International Assembly of College Business Education (IACBE)
    - Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

512 East Stephens Street
Midway, KY 40347
(859) 846-4421
michellelsmith@midway.edu

Morehead State University

School of Business Administration

Nestled on a spacious 700-acre rural campus in Morehead within the foothills of Daniel Boone National Forest and just an hour’s drive from Lexington, Morehead State University is a major public co-educational teaching institution serving more than 11,000 students. Recently named one of America’s most underrated schools in The Daily Beast, MSU is ranked the 53rd best regional college, 20th top public university, and 19th best college for veterans in the South by the U.S. News and World Report. Featuring elite AACSB accreditation, the School of Business Administration was also acclaimed as one of the Top 50 Best Value Online Business Schools.

B.A. in Sport Management

As one of just two programs approved by the NASPE in Kentucky, the B.A. in Sport Management degree at Morehead State is designed to give undergraduate students the foundational knowledge necessary to manage the complexities of sport programs, events, and facilities to maximize profit. Students in this 120-credit program will take courses in physical activity, speech communication, diversity in sports, sport finance, professional ethics, sport marketing, sport economics, sport media relations, risk management, governance in sport, employee service management, and sport law. In the final eighth semester, students complete a sport management internship at an approved agency for a seamless transition into the workforce.

M.A. in Sport Management

The M.A. in Sport Management program at MSU has been structured to provide qualified graduate students with the opportunity to further develop their expertise and research skills for making independent professional contributions to today’s thriving sports business market. Students are prepared for advancing in various careers, such as athletic administration, coaching, recruiting, facilities management, public relations, event planning, marketing, ticket sales management, stadium operations, player representation, and brand management. Students will need to complete at least 30 credits with a culminating internship or applied capstone project. For admissions, interested applicants must carry a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 and pass the GMAT exam with a minimum score of 400.

Accreditations

- - - National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE)
    - Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
    - Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

150 University Blvd.
Morehead, KY 40351
(606) 783-2090
cbpa@moreheadstate.edu
http://www.moreheadstate.edu/business/

As America’s sixth largest industry, the field of sports business has a rising demand for qualified managers and administrators to plan, direct, or organize sport programs towards success. Graduates from sports management programs will have the credentials to enter a wide variety of in-demand and rather lucrative career paths ranging from coaching to marketing. Whether your dream job is promoting sporting events, managing sport facilities, or representing athletes, sports management education will be an invaluable tool. If you’re looking to study within the “Bluegrass State,” check out these accredited sports management degree programs in Kentucky.

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