University of Illinois - Sports Management Degree Guide

The University of Illinois began as one of 37 public land-grant colleges that was established as part of the Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act. The act was signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862. At the time, the school was known as the Illinois Industrial University, starting in one building located between Champaign and Urbana. Twenty years later, Regent Selim Peabody convinced the legislature to change the name of the school to the University of Illinois in order to reflect the higher educational goals the school had set.

Over the years, the university has merged with other locations to become the University of Illinois System. The initial campus is the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The University of Illinois at Chicago has its origins in the Chicago College of Pharmacy which opened in 1859, the College of Physicians and Surgeons which opened in 1882 and the Columbian College of Dentistry which began in 1891.

The University of Illinois at Springfield joined the University System in 1995. It was founded as Sangamon State University which was established by Illinois legislation in 1969.

Today, the University of Illinois is a leader in research, not only in the United States, but around the globe. It is an innovative, diverse university with a desire to enrich society, create prosperity and to serve the public. The school has an enrollment of over 83,300 students.

University of Illinois Accreditation Details

The University of Illinois is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools of the Higher Learning Commission. Accreditation indicates that the university provides students with an above-average education and that they have the resources that allow them to meet their goals. They also strive to make any improvements identified by the accrediting agency during their periodic reviews.

The university also holds accreditation by the Council on Education for Public Health which demonstrates that programs related to public health, including the sports management and marketing degree, meet high education standards. This accreditation lets students, parents and future employers know that graduates are well-prepared for careers in public health.

University of Illinois Application Requirements

Students who have not earned college credit after high school graduation enter the University of Illinois as freshmen. They must complete an application, submit an essay and provide information on activities, honors and awards. Students must provide official high school transcripts as well as official SAT or ACT scores.

Students who have earned college credit after high school may enter the University of Illinois as transfer students. They must complete an application, write an essay and list work experience, extracurricular activity, honors and awards. Students must submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended as well as an official transcript from high school. Student with fewer than 30 transferrable hours must also submit official SAT or ACT scores.

University of Illinois Tuition and Financial Aid

Full-time undergraduate tuition at the University of Illinois is between $15,868 to $20,872 for Illinois residents. Tuition for non-residents ranges from $31,988 to $36,992. Financial aid is available, and students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to qualify for any financial assistance. At the University of Illinois, over 54 percent of students are awarded scholarships and grants. These are based on academic achievement, talent, field of study and other criteria as well as financial need. Just over 40 percent of students are provided with loans which must be repaid, while just over 5 percent of students participate in work-study programs to offset the cost of tuition.

Student Experience

The Sport Management undergraduate degree at the University of Illinois provides students with an understanding of the leisure industry. The program requires 300 hours of work experience in sport management with at least 40 hours per agency spread over at least two agencies. The program is offered through the College of Applied Sciences Recreation, Sport and Tourism Department, a department that began as a single undergraduate course. The program is unique from others in the country as it provides an understanding of how sports are not only entertainment, but can also be a leisure pursuit.

Students must complete 41 hours of general education that includes English, science, social science and mathematics. Once the foundation of the program is completed, students specialize their studies in management, leisure or sport management. Students must complete courses such as:

Administration of Leisure Services
Foundations of Sport Management
Human Resource Management in Leisure Organizations
Leisure and Diversity
Programming in Leisure
Society and Leisure
Sport and Society

Students must also complete a practicum where they gain hands-on experience in the field of study.

Faculty focuses on how leisure changes in society and how it effects change in society. Faculty at the school are respected in their field and many have been recognized with prestigious awards like Nobel Prizes, Fields Medal in mathematics and Pulitzer Prizes.

Students in the Sports Management program can gain leadership experience through many student organizations as well as sports and recreation. There are 10 men and 11 women’s NCAA teams that allow students to either participate in sports or to gain experience as managers and trainers. There is also 470,000-square feet of recreational space that includes indoor tracks, pools, climbing walls, basketball and racquetball courts and other recreational activities. Students also have access to the Atkins Tennis Center, Huff Hall, Illinois Field and more, giving them additional options for hands-on experience in sport management.

Students can also enjoy museums, galleries and collections at the university. There are four theaters that host more than 350-student and professional performances. There are also many commencements, lectures and other events held at the theaters. The Krannert Art Museum and Kinkead Pavilion offers high-quality permanent and temporary exhibits, as well. The location of the University of Illinois System campuses also opens up many internship and job opportunities for students in the sport management program.

The University of Illinois offers students the opportunity to move into a new career or advance in a current career through flexible programs, including the Sport Management program. The University of Illinois system provides students with multiple campuses and options to achieve their higher education goals while still meeting their family, social and work obligations.