Sports Management Degree Programs in Minnesota (T-Z)

For people interested in accredited sports management degree programs in Minnesota, the Land of 10,000 Lakes offers a number of diverse academic pursuits that can be tailored to individual interests and career goals. Sport management has become an increasingly popular career option in recent years, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that professionals within this field can expect steady job growth and lucrative salary potential over the next decade.

Rankings

At the higher end of the spectrum, for example, sports agents earn an average of $98,750 per year. The following schools provide students with appropriate training and education to enter the field. To see more sports management programs from accredited colleges and universities, visit Sports Management Degree Programs in Minnesota (A-S).

University of Minnesota

College of Education and Human Development

The University of Minnesota comprises five campuses: Crookston, Duluth, Morris, Rochester and Twin Cities. Twin Cities serves as the school’s flagship campus and was founded in 1851. As of winter 2014, this campus is home to 32,300 undergraduate students and 16,700 graduate and professional students pursuing a wide range of academic programs. For students interested in sports management degrees, the university offers three options under its College of Education and Human Development, two of which are at the graduate level. Those who attend classes gain the benefit of learning from nationally ranked and recognized faculty with significant experience in their fields.

Sport Management (B.S.)

Under the direction of the School of Kinesiology at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, the College of Education and Human Development offers undergraduates and graduate students the chance to hone their skills in sports management. For undergraduates, the Sport Management B.S. program leads to a Bachelor of Science, which should help students attain entry-level positions within the field. The B.S. degree program requires completion of 120 credit hours, 71 of which must come from major-specific courses. Before pursuing the program officially, students have to complete 60 credit hours in general education courses as outlined in the school’s catalog. The sport management program encompasses a variety of subjects such as sports ethics and values, recreation programming, and sport and recreation law. Seniors will need to take a seminar course as well as a practicum course by the end of the program. The university also demands that students take a “writing intensive” course.

M.A. in Sport Management

For those interested in graduate-level studies, the University of Minnesota offers two options, the first of which is a Master of Arts degree. As stated on the school’s website, the purpose of the M.A. in Sport Management is to expose students to the “theoretical and practical dimensions of the management of athletic events, sports teams and facilities, and the sporting process.” The actual degree earned is an M.A. in Kinesiology with an emphasis in sport management, and it requires completion of at least 36 credit hours. Courses cover specifics within the field, including topics such as programming and sports promotion, P.E. management and organization, and event management. The M.A. program also includes a heavy research focus. As such, students will be required to complete a minimum of four credits related to research. Graduate students can choose a thesis option or a research option; the thesis option demands more research credits.

M.Ed. in Sport Management

Sport management programs open up a wide array of possibilities for people with different career goals. At the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, students have the option to pursue a different kind of graduate program that’s geared toward an educational career path. The M.Ed. in Sport Management focuses on training graduates to enter the workforce within the parameters of “sport administration, sport management, or sport and fitness related professions” according to the school’s website. With this degree, students will complete a minimum of 30 credit hours spread out over seven required courses. A diverse selection of electives allows students to customize their degree to specific interests and career goals. Students must also maintain a 3.0 grade point average in order to progress through the program and earn the degree. Of the 30-hour credit requirement, 22 credits come from departmental courses while the remaining eight credits come from electives chosen by the student.

Accreditations

- - - Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Contact
University of Minnesota
College of Education and Human Development
360 Education Sciences Building
56 East River Road
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: (612) 624-8765
Email: rahelt@umn.edu
Website: http://www.cehd.umn.edu/undergraduate/majors/smgt.html

University of Minnesota Crookston

Business Department

The University of Minnesota Crookston is one of five campuses within the University of Minnesota system, but it boasts the distinction of being the number one regional public school in the Midwest according to U.S. News and World Report. The school has ranked among the top four Midwest schools for 17 consecutive years, and students report high satisfaction with the campus’s helpful environment. Founded in 1966, this campus enrolls more than 1,800 students and offers 33 bachelor’s programs. Students who are interested in pursuing sport management careers will find a vigorous program available under the direction of the school’s Business Department.

Sport & Recreation Management, BS

The University of Minnesota Crookston’s Sport & Recreation Management program leads to a Bachelor of Science. This hands-on program enables students to focus on trends within the industry by combining contemporary theoretical coursework with real-world experience beyond the classroom. Students can enroll on campus or online, making the degree more flexible for those with restrictive schedules. Undergraduate students at UM Crookston must complete 120 hours in order to graduate, and within this requirement, sport management majors will complete 62 subject-specific hours. General education requirements include liberal arts courses and technology courses. Courses within the sport management focus discuss topics such as sport finance and economics, principles of marketing, and facility and event management. There are suggested electives to complement this degree program, but students are also encouraged to take “open electives” to fulfill the 120 hours. For the online version of this degree, course and general program requirements remain the same.

Accreditations

- - - Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Contact
University of Minnesota Crookston
Business Department
2900 University Avenue
Crookston, MN 56716
Phone: (800) 862-6466
Email: Contact form available online

University of Minnesota Morris

Division of Education

The University of Minnesota Morris was established in 1960 as part of the larger system of University of Minnesota campuses. Today, the school holds an enrollment of about 1,900 students pursuing 35 majors and minors at the undergraduate level. Students who attend the Morris campus will enjoy relatively small class sizes, and 99 percent of the faculty holds the highest degrees in their field. This campus is also committed to environmental efforts and to becoming a “carbon neutral” site. For those looking into sports management programs, the Morris campus offers a Sport Management B.A. degree under the direction of its Division of Education.

Sport Management B.A.

The University of Minnesota Morris understands the diverse range of options available to those with a sports management degree and has tailored its program to highlight these options. Students enrolled in the undergraduate program earn a Bachelor of Arts degree, which draws on liberal arts courses to give students a well-rounded experience. Of the 120 required credit hours, 54 to 56 of these credits must come from the sports management catalog. Courses cover topics such as sport industry analysis, labor management relations, and planning and programming of athletic facilities. Students gain a theoretical knowledge base as well as practical experience, and there are several research opportunities available to undergraduates within the program. Because careers in sports management require business knowledge, students will need to complete 12 credit hours of electives related to business topics in addition to the major-specific courses. Of the elective requirements, eight must come from upper-level management courses.

Accreditations

- - - Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Contact
University of Minnesota, Morris
225 PEC
600 East Fourth Street
Morris, MN 56267
Phone: (320) 589-6167
Email: braegelc@morris.umn.edu
Website:

Winona State University

College of Education

Founded in 1858, Winona State University is a relatively small public college with a solid reputation. The school ties for 61st place on U.S. News and World Report’s list of the best Midwest regional universities and enrolls more than 8,700 students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students who study here will enjoy a student-to-faculty ratio of 20:1 as well as a wide array of options for customizing their educational experience. Within the College of Education, the Physical Education & Sport Science Department offers those interested in accredited sports management programs the opportunity to earn a graduate-level degree in the subject.

Master of Science in Leadership Education in Sport Management

Winona State University’s Master of Science program for sports management combines an educational focus with a sports management emphasis. Designed for students who want to work in education, the program can be taken as part of a general master’s degree program or on its own. Either way, the program is offered entirely online, making it a good option for students who need greater flexibility. The degree requires completion of 18 credit hours, and courses cover advanced topics within the industry, including sport marketing management, facilities planning, and sport sales management. In order to earn the master’s degree, students must complete the entire Master of Science in Leadership Education program. In lieu of earning the full master’s degree, students can take the 18 hours of sports management courses to earn a certificate. This may be a good choice for those who simply want to enhance their careers in sports management without the degree.

Accreditations

- - - Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Contact
Winona State University
Physical Education & Sport Science Department
Box 5838
175 West Mark Street
Winona, MN 55987
Phone: (507) 457-5215
Email: DCallahan@winona.edu
Website:

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Minneapolis area ranks among the top ten metropolitan areas boasting high levels of employment for sports agents, and sports managers can expect a moderate salary living here. By pursuing one of the accredited sports management degree programs in Minnesota listed above, those who live in the Gopher State should find plenty of opportunities to put their degrees to good use.

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