Sports Management Degree Programs in Illinois (J-M)

There are several accredited sports management degree programs in Illinois offered at respected institutions of higher learning. Students who enjoy sports, but who aren’t interested in a place on the team can instead learn about the business of sports through a sports management program.

Rankings

Illinois offers colleges that are large and small, as well as universities located in large cities like Chicago and small, rural communities. Students whose first love is sports will want to think about majoring in sport management. To see more sports management degree programs in Illinois, visit Sports Management Degree Programs in Illinois (A-I) and Sports Management Degree Programs in Illinois (N-Z).

Kendall College

School of Hospitality and Management

Established in 1934, Kendall College is owned by Laureate Education, which operates many colleges around the world. The school describes its programs as influenced by a global perspective, which is designed to offer a competitive advantage when the student seeks work after graduation. The college offers programs in early childhood education, hospitality management, business, and the culinary arts. The school was originally called the Evanston Collegiate Institute in the 1930s, and its name was changed in 1950 after one of the founders. The college moved fairly recently from its original location in Evanston to Chicago in 2005 into the former research and development building for the Sara Lee company.

B.A. Hospitality Management in Sports Management

The hospitality management program from Kendall College was developed in partnership with a university in Spain called Real Madrid Graduate School. Students receive their education through an online learning format from professors and faculty at Real Madrid Graduate School, and students have the opportunity to study for a week in Spain. Like many accredited sports management degree programs in Illinois, the program is designed to prepare students for work in many sports-related areas like marketing and management, The school describes the major as belonging to one of the fastest growing industries with data from the federal government suggesting growth of almost 30 percent over the next ten years for jobs like coaching and scouting. Concentration courses that students will take include Business and Economics of Sports Management, Sports Facilities Management, and Sports Marketing and Communication. The one-week residency in Madrid helps students gain an understanding of international sports management with exploration and experience at local facilities around the region.

Accreditations

- - - Higher Learning Commission

Contact

Kendall College
900 N. North Branch Street
Chicago, IL 60642
Phone: (888) 90.KENDALL
Email: admissions@kendall.edu
http://www.kendall.edu/learn/hospitality-management-program/concentrations/sports-management/

Lewis University

College of Arts & Sciences

Lewis University is a private school in Romeoville and is managed by the Roman Catholic Church. Around 6,800 students attend classes at the school in 80 different undergraduate programs and 22 graduate programs. The school also features accelerated programs designed for working adults. The school was originally founded in 1932 by the local archdiocese in Chicago and was named the Holy Name Technical School. Eventually, the school changed its name to honor a philanthropist who donated money to construct many of the school’s buildings. The school boasts high rankings from ranking publications like The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report.

Sport Management, B.A.

Lewis University describes its sport management program as one that helps students gain knowledge both in business and fitness so as to succeed in an industry that’s influenced by sports yet is run by business. The school suggests that the industry is growing because more regular Americans are taking part in sports instead of just watching them on television. The program is designed to help students assume a leadership role within the industry with skills in business marketing, creating effective fitness programs, and learning about the basics of physiology. Students also have the opportunity to get hands-on experience with a top athletic program, as well as enjoy small class sizes. Students may choose from one of two concentrations including Sport Administration and Leadership or Fitness Administration and Leadership. After graduation, students may choose from a variety of venues in which to work including fitness organizations, health companies, sports teams, or any organization that deals with sports.

Accreditations

- - - Higher Learning Commission

Contact

Lewis University
One University Parkway
Romeoville, IL 60446
Phone: (815) 838-0500
Email: admissions@lewisu.edu
http://www.lewisu.edu/academics/sportsmanage/

Lincoln College

Normal Campus

Lincoln College was chartered by the Presbyterian Church in 1865 as a response to the need for a Presbyterian college in the north since all the other colleges of the denomination were located in the south. The school was named after President Lincoln, and the college first opened its doors in 1866 to both men and women. The first degrees would be handed out in 1868. For a while in the 1930s, the college stopped offering 4-year degrees and concentrated on 2-year degrees, which helped the college survive some difficult financial years. Over time, the school continued to grow and add buildings to its campus.

Bachelor of Science in Sport Management

The program at Lincoln College is designed to help students prepare academically for work in a variety of sports settings. The degree is designed to meet the standards of COSMA, and the school is working toward accreditation. Some of the areas where students may find employment after graduation include professional sports leagues, sports facilities management, intercollegiate athletics departments, and administration within any sports-related company. Students get to take a 90-hour internship experience near the end of study that allows students to spend time in local sporting organizations like the Chicago Bulls, Gateway Grizzlies, and Iowa Cubs Baseball. Students also get to take part in an active sport management club that features a variety of activities and projects that help build professional and collegiate relationships during school. Some of the learning outcomes of the program include being able to apply management fundamentals to sports organizations and being able to assume a leadership role within the organization.

Accreditations

- - - Higher Learning Commission

Contact

Lincoln College
715 W. Raab Road
Normal, IL 61761
Phone: (309) 452-0500
Email: admissions@lincolncollege.edu
http://nccatalog.lincolncollege.edu/academic-programs/sport-management/

Loyola University Chicago

Quinlan School of Business

Opened in 1870 as St. Ignatius College, Loyola University Chicago was founded by the Society of Jesus, who are part of the Roman Catholic Church. Since its inception, the school has grown to become the largest Jesuit university in the country with enrollment over 15,000. The school has six campuses around the Chicago metropolitan area, as well as an overseas campus in Rome, Italy. Students may choose from over 70 bachelor’s degree programs, 85 master’s degrees, and 31 doctoral degrees. The school also offers a variety of graduate-level certificates. Students participating in sports at Loyola play in Division I of the NCAA.

BBA in Sport Management

As is the case with a variety of accredited sports management degree programs in Illinois, students in the Loyola program receive an education that offers a comprehensive view of sports and the way that business influences today’s sports organizations. Students will have access to an internship during time in the program, as well as opportunities for other supplemental hands-on experiences. The program features classes on basic concepts of finance, marketing, and law, and how they impact sports. In addition, students will learn about valuable topics like the management of sports facilities and how economics impacts modern sports. Students will also gain life skills including strong oral and written communication lessons. During the program, students must maintain a 2.0 GPA in all classes in the sports-related curriculum. The degree requires 18 hours of sports-related courses including Introduction to Sport Management. Some transfer credits are also allowed under the discretion of the assistant dean.

Accreditations

- - - Higher Learning Commission

Contact

Loyola University Chicago
1032 West Sheridan Road
Chicago, IL 60660
Phone: (312) 915-6113
Email: jgagle@@LUC.edu
https://www.luc.edu/quinlan/academics/undergraduatedegrees/bba/bbainsportmanagement/

MacMurray College

Business

MacMurray College was originally founded as the Illinois Conference Female Academy and was affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The school underwent many name changes over its time in operation and eventually became MacMurray College after the women’s and men’s institutions were combined into a single organization. The small, rural college enrolls around 600 students who have chosen from 26 majors and 16 minors in a liberal arts curriculum. The school has drawn acclaim for its majors in nursing, criminal justice, and social work. It also has a noted deaf and hard-of-hearing education program. Students also enjoy a high employment rate post-graduation.

Bachelor of Science in Sport Management

The BBS in Sport Management is offered in the business school at MacMurray and offers students a varied curriculum covering essential topics in sports, as well as those in business. Business classes will cover topics like the economy, accounting, and operations. Upon graduation, students will be well-equipped to enter a graduate program or find a job in the workplace. Students are encouraged to take part in a Career Experience during their junior or senior year during which they will receive hands-on experience in the professional world including businesses that deal with sports, government, and charitable institutions. Students are given assistance in finding a career experience through help from faculty members who supervise the experience. Some of the classes a student will take while majoring in sport management include Introduction to Sport Management, Sociology of North American Sport, and Health Promotion Concepts and Practices. Students can also take 42 electives as part of their work toward a degree.

Bachelor of Arts in Sport Management

The Bachelor of Arts program is similar to the college’s BBS in that it features a variety of general education courses, sport management courses, and business courses. Several business topics are required including accounting, business administration, management, and economics, as well as general education classes in areas like biology, physical education, and psychology. After completing 60 hours of study at the college, students must also pass a writing proficiency exam. The school suggests that students plan to spend two hours of study outside of class for every hour they spend in class. So, for a three-credit class that takes three hours each week, students should prepare to spend 6 hours studying outside of class. Students usually take four or five courses each semester, and an average course load is around 15 hours. Students must maintain at least 12 credits each semester to be considered full-time; however, students may also complete the program on a part-time basis.

Accreditations

- - - Higher Learning Commission

Contact

MacMurray College
447 East College Avenue
Jacksonville, IL 62650
Phone: (217) 479-7056
Email: admissions@mac.edu

Millikin University

College of Professional Studies

Located in Decatur, Millikin is a private university that offers a variety of programs in a liberal arts style curriculum. There are around 2,400 students attending college at the school. The school was founded by a local businessman in Decatur named James Millikin. Today, the university operates a popular student newspaper that was established in 1903, as well as a student-operated radio station. There are many male and female sororities and fraternities on campus, and students in sports participate in Division III of the National Collegiate and Athletic Association. The school has produced a variety of actors and musicians over the years.

Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training in Sport Management

The sport management major at Millikin prepares students for work in a variety of areas including athletic administration, retail marketing, and the fitness industry. Students may also choose to work in event and facility management or college and professional sport management. As is the case with most accredited sports management degree programs in Illinois, students learn the basics of business and how to apply those principles to sports. The curriculum was designed to follow the recommendations of the North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM). Some of the ways that students are prepared for work after college include an internship at a sports event firm, participation in on-campus work with the school’s athletic department, and summer jobs with local sporting organizations. Sports management classes students will take during study include Principles of Management, Event and Venue Management, and Sport Marketing. Overall, students must complete 124 credits in order to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in sport management.

Accreditations

- - - Higher Learning Commission

Contact

Millikin University
1184 West Main Street
Decatur, IL 62522
Phone: (800) 373-7733
Email: admissions@millikin.edu

Sports is a varied and dynamic field in which to work, and with a degree in sports management, a student may choose the sport of their choice for an exciting career. There are ample opportunities for employment whether a student wishes to work in football, baseball, or any type of community athletic department. Students will also have opportunities for upward mobility after entering the industry. There are virtually thousands of areas where a student may find work after attending accredited sports management degree programs in Illinois.

Related Resources:

Can I Earn a Specialized Sports Marketing Degree?

What Are the Best Classes for Sports Management Majors?