Within a high number of accredited sports management degree programs in Colorado and a strategic position in the outdoor lover’s paradise of the Rockies, it is clear that the “Centennial State” remains one of the most opportune locations for starting a career in the sports industry. In addition to serving as the main headquarters for the U.S. Olympic Committee and around 25 National Governing Bodies, Colorado has a franchise in each of the major professional sports leagues.
Rankings
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- Top 25 Best Sports Management Bachelor’s Degree Online Programs
- 25 Most Affordable Top-Ranked Schools for Online Master’s in Sports Management Degree Programs
- Top 13 Best Sports Management Master’s Degree Programs
- 50 Most Affordable Selective Colleges for Sports Management
- 50 Most Affordable Urban Schools for Sports Management
- 20 Great Small Colleges for a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management
- 50 Most Affordable Small Southern Colleges for a Sports Management Degree (Bachelor’s)
- 20 Best Associates Degrees for Future Sports Management Professionals
The Denver Broncos, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Rockies, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Rapids, Colorado Mammoth, and Denver Outlaws are just a few of the professional sports teams calling this state home. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you read on to learn more details about the eight top-notch sports management degree programs available to prepare undergraduates and graduates for managing sports organizations across Colorado.
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Adams State University
Human Performance & Physical Education
Since its inception in 1921 as a teachers’ college, Adams State University has evolved into a comprehensive state-supported liberal arts institution on a 90-acre rural campus in the town of Alamosa within the San Luis Valley. Featuring a small close-knit community of over 3,700 students, ASU was Colorado’s first university to become federally designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) for its historic commitment to serving underrepresented minorities. In the Human Performance & Physical Education division, students can choose from several degree programs focused on improving the quality of life by training leaders, practitioners, and managers in the health fitness industry.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Sport Management
In preparation for joining the multi-billion dollar sports industry that reaches across the globe, the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Sport Management program has been designed to engage undergraduate students in interactive classroom learning and hands-on practicum to develop the skills for assuming managerial positions. After completing general education requirements, the 120-credit program requires students to take a breadth of coursework in exercise physiology, kinesiology, human development, anatomy, sport communications, business administration, economics, sport law, sports marketing, human resource management, fitness nutrition, coaching, and more. Graduates are well-equipped for pursuing graduate study or entering careers in managing professional, semi-professional, and community sport programs.
Accreditations
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- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
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Contact
208 Edgemont Blvd.
Alamosa, CO 81102
(719) 587-7271
beezschell@adams.edu
Colorado Mesa University
Department of Kinesiology / Department of Business
Headquartered on a main 78-acre urban campus in the city of Grand Junction with a satellite location in Montrose at the foothills of the San Juan Mountains, Colorado Mesa University is a comprehensive senior public liberal arts institution serving associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in various disciplines. As western Colorado’s largest university with over 9,000 students, CMU has been listed as the 109th best college in the West by Forbes magazine. Students interested in declaring a major in sport management can locate an undergraduate program in the Department of Kinesiology and a graduate degree in the Department of Business.
B.S. in Sport Management
Focused on studying all aspects related to the business of sports, the B.S. in Sport Management program is structured to for providing undergraduate students with an in-depth understanding of the key practices for planning, organizing, leading, and evaluating events within sports or fitness organizations. Closely related to traditional business operations, the program has the goal of developing competent professionals for achieving leadership positions in youth, amateur, college, and professional sports programs. Within the 120-credit curriculum, all sport management majors will be required to complete a culminating internship experience with full-time employment in an appropriate sports setting for a minimum of 540 clock hours.
MBA with Sport Management Track
First founded in 1997, the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at Colorado Mesa was built to prepare graduate students with a challenging academic curriculum for addressing the issues currently facing our dynamic changing business world. While the program is designed to provide students with a broad background in business, students have the option to specialize their studies by following the Sport Management track for studying managerial, finance, marketing, law, ethics, organizational behavior, policy, strategy, and global business from the standpoint of sports organizations. For completion of the 36-credit program in just one year of full-time studies, students will need to successfully participate in a culminating internship or complete a directed master’s thesis research project.
Accreditations
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- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
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Contact
1100 North Avenue
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 248-1020
admissions@coloradomesa.edu
Johnson and Wales University – Denver
The Hospitality College
As a regional campus location of the private non-profit multi-campus institution, Johnson and Wales University – Denver is currently home to more than 1,500 students on a 26-acre park-like campus within just 10 minutes from the tourism center of the West against the stunning backdrop of the Rockies. With a unique educational model for delivering career-oriented academics with hands-on learning, JWU is currently ranked as the 65th best college and 23rd top university for veterans in the North by the U.S. News and World Report. At the Denver campus, the Hospitality College has over 20 years of experience in developing graduates for entering today’s highly sophisticated global hospitality arena.
B.S. in Sport/Entertainment/Event Management
Ideal for undergraduates in hospitality who are aspiring to manage the world’s greatest events from behind the scenes, the B.S. in Sport/Entertainment/Event Management program has been designed to help students channel this drive into a successful career by analyzing the critical elements of sport, entertainment, and event organizations. From media relations and facility operations to event planning and athletic coaching administration, the program is structured to provide a comprehensive overview to the fundamentals of this wide-ranging industry. In order to fully develop the critical thinking skills, ethical standards, and problem-solving abilities required, students will complete their 120-credit degree with an off-site internship and an on-campus management consulting project.
Accreditations
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- New England Association of Schools and Colleges
- Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
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Contact
7150 East Montview Blvd.
Denver, CO 80220
(303) 256-9514
den@admissions.jwu.edu
Johnson and Wales University
University of Colorado – Colorado Springs
College of Business
As one location for the statewide system of major comprehensive public state-supported research institutions with an enrollment of over 11,000 students, the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs is located on a spectacular 510-acre suburban campus in the state’s second most populous city at the base of Pikes Peak. Named 6th among regional public master’s universities, UCCS is currently ranked as the 51st best college, 13th top public school, and 17th best university for veterans in the West by the U.S. News and World Report. The College of Business is also distinguished for offering the 82nd best online business degree programs in the United States.
Bachelor of Science in Business in Sport Management
Building upon the university’s successful PGA Golf Management degree, the Bachelor of Science in Business in Sport Management program was created in 2008 to prepare undergraduate students for entering today’s thriving and demanding field of sports business to pursue the career of their dreams. In order to keep classes small for optimal faculty-student interaction, the program intentionally limits admission to just 43 freshmen each year who show the greatest level of promise in sports management careers. After gaining acceptance into this AACSB-accredited degree on the Front Range of the Rockies, students benefit from receiving unparalleled access to directors and managers of the world’s most prestigious sports organizations, including the U.S. Olympic Committee.
Accreditations
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- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
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Contact
1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
(719) 255-8227
business@uccs.edu
University of Colorado Denver
Business School
Renowned for being the largest public research institution in the state for attracting over $375 million in grants annually, the University of Colorado Denver is headquartered on a main 352-acre urban campus in the heart of bustling downtown with satellite extensions in Aurora and online from anywhere at any time. As home for more than 27,000 students, CU Denver is currently ranked as the 34th among the nation’s best public universities by Forbes magazine. Featuring the largest fully AACSB-accredited programs in the Rocky Mountains, the CU Denver Business School is also acclaimed for having the 101st best part-time MBA in America by the U.S. News and World Report.
B.S. in Business Administration: Sports Management Emphasis
Building upon the broad-based business core to develop the essential managerial skills needed for success in the nation’s sixth largest industry, the B.S. in Business Administration with a Sports Management Emphasis is specifically focused on providing undergraduate students with tools for getting ahead in leadership roles for sports organizations. In the 122-credit curriculum, students will be required to complete courses related to sports management, sports marketing, sports law, negotiations, marketing research, advertising, global sports, entrepreneurship, sports finance, event planning, and community relations. Students can also choose to join the London Calling program over two weeks in Maymester to visit the UK’s top sports facilities.
Related Resource: What Are the Best Classes for Sports Management Majors?
Professional MBA in Sports and Entertainment Management
Accredited by the respected AACSB International for balancing foundational business education with practical real-world application, the Professional MBA program offers students flexible scheduling options for full-time, part-time, on-campus evening, or online learning when following their specialization in Sports and Entertainment Management. When declaring this emphasis area, students will receive intensive training on the latest new media, real-estate development, marketing, ethics, and finance trends to begin participating in the fastest-growing sector of the economy. Within just two miles from five major stadiums and entertainment complexes, the 48-credit program provides the ideal location for becoming specialized executive officers.
Accreditations
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- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)
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Contact
1201 Larimer Street
Denver, CO 80204
(303) 315-8100
grad.advising@ucdenver.edu
University of Colorado – Denver
Overall, sports management is a booming academic field that prepares students for entering the multi-billion dollar global industry with a perfect background in business administration, finance, fitness, marketing, health, law, and communications. If you have a strong passion for sports without the athletic talents to go pro, you can still take part in this fast-growing industry by managing the operations of major sports organizations. In particular, these accredited sports management degree programs in Colorado offer the highest quality education in one of the most ideal locations for building a successful career in sports.
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