Sports Management Degree Programs in Mississippi - Sports Management Degree Guide

Within the heart of the Deep South, there are several accredited sports management degree programs in Mississippi available for students looking to score athletic leadership jobs. As the nation’s 32nd most extensive state, Mississippi has grown beyond its agricultural roots to develop a rather diversified economy with a thriving entertainment and gaming industry. Even though there aren’t any professional sports teams in Mississippi, sports management students can apply their learned skills with several league teams.

Rankings

The Mississippi Surge, Mississippi Brilla, Mississippi Braves, Mississippi RiverKings, Jackson Bandits, and Mississippi Seawolves all call the “Hospitality State” home. NCAA Division I collegiate teams are also around the corner at Alcorn State, Jackson State, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Southern Miss. If you’re ready to unlock bigger and brighter opportunities in the business side of athletics, the following are sports management degrees from accredited colleges and universities.

Belhaven University

School of Business

First established in 1883 by Dr. Lewis Fitzhugh, Belhaven University is a private senior Christian liberal arts institution affiliated with the Presbyterian Church to educate over 4,200 students of diverse faiths from its main 42-acre urban campus in Mississippi’s capital of Jackson. Noted for its low student-faculty ratio of 12:1, Belhaven is currently ranked as the 65th best regional college and 27th top university for veterans in the South by the U.S. News and World Report. Also offering the country’s 199th best online bachelor’s degrees, the School of Business was recognized by Business Reform Magazine as a top Christian business school for inspiring students to serve Jesus Christ.

Bachelor of Science in Sports Administration

From a unique biblical worldview, the Bachelor of Science in Sports Administration program at Belhaven is designed to prepare Belhaven for following their Christ-centered vocation as supervisors, managers, and administrators in athletics. Within the 122-credit curriculum, majors can select to follow a generalized track or pursue a concentration in Coaching. Students will delve deep into current topics on sports ministry, sports economics, sports law, facility management, sports psychology, sports finance, sports marketing, and strategic planning. The program allows aspiring sports leaders to attend the Annual School of Business Career Bootcamp, participate in field internships, gain one-on-one faculty interaction, and use the newly enhanced facilities at the Sports Administration Academic Planning & Support (SAAPS) Center.

Online Master of Sports Administration

In a conveniently flexible format for full-time working adults, the Online Master of Sports Administration (MSA) program is delivered to Belhaven graduate students seeking to sharpen the leadership skills needed to advance in the sports arena. The IACBE-accredited program blends academics with practical skills and Christ-centered values to foster humanistic leadership capacity in athletics. The dynamic 36-credit curriculum is completed over two years with easily manageable eight-week sessions. Team-based project activities are built in to enhance the learning and collaboration process. Graduates can find success as athletic directors, facility managers, youth sports directors, sport media directors, sports writers, and more. Two years of relevant work experience is required for admissions.

Accreditations

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

Contact

1500 Peachtree Street
Jackson, MS 39202
(601) 968-8849
hbartee@belhaven.edu
https://www.belhaven.edu/

Mississippi State University

College of Education

As a premier public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant institution with very high research activity, Mississippi State University is home for over 20,100 students on its sprawling 4,200-acre main rural campus in Starkville and three statewide satellite locations. Ranked 18th nationally in Forbes magazine’s “America’s Best College Buys,” MSU is acclaimed for being the 156th best university, 84th top public school, and 47th best college for veterans in America by the U.S. News and World Report. Also honored as the country’s 99th best graduate education school, the College of Education houses programs ranging from educational psychology and special education to kinesiology and workforce development.

Master of Science in Sport Administration

In the Division of Sport Studies, the Master of Science in Sport Administration program was created at Mississippi State to prepare graduate students for assuming advanced leadership positions in collegiate, professional, or recreational sports. Aspiring professionals benefit from a seamless blend of classroom instruction and practical experience. The 33-credit program covers topics in sport administration, sport ethics, facility management, event planning, sponsorship, sport law, kinesiology research, and international business. In addition to a comprehensive exam, graduates must show their learned skills in a master’s thesis, applied internship, or directed individual study project. Sport administration majors will attend the TEAMS Conference and take professional road trips to visit teams in Memphis, Atlanta, or Birmingham.

Accreditations

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

Contact

175 President’s Circle
Mississippi State, MS 39762
(662) 325-2963
msuinfo@ur.msstate.edu

University of Southern Mississippi

College of Business

Standing proudly on a main 300-acre urban campus in Hattiesburg within just 70 miles north of the beautiful Gulf of Mexico coastline, the University of Southern Mississippi is a major public state-supported research institution accredited to educate more than 15,300 students. Included among the list of America’s “Most Popular Universities” by the U.S. News and World Report, USM is placed as the 145th best national institution for social mobility and ethics in Washington Monthly magazine. Boasting elite AACSB accreditation for academic excellence, the College of Business is also recognized for hosting the 199th best part-time MBA program in the United States.

B.S. in Sport Management

Available at the Hattiesburg campus, the B.S. in Sport Management program at USM is structured to deliver high-quality professional preparation for undergraduate business students seeking careers in sport programming. Students master the practical skills necessary for entry into collegiate, recreational, professional, interscholastic, or municipal athletic administration. Emphasis is placed on giving aspiring sport managers the ability to identify and address ethical issues for holistic leadership. Over eight semesters, sport management majors will build on a general business education with academics and applied practice in governing sports. Students must successfully complete at least 124 credit hours with a grade of “C” or higher.

MBA with Emphasis in Sport Security Management

Highly regarded as the only program of its kind nationwide, the MBA with Emphasis in Sport Security Management was established by USM in collaboration with the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4). Offered in a traditional face-to-face or flexible online format, the MBA gives currently working professionals the ability to advance into management positions in leading the safety of spectator sports. Requiring at least 33 credit hours, the program blends standard business principles with in-depth specialized knowledge and real-world experience for aspiring security practitioners. Graduates can become security directors, event operations managers, facility administrators, public safety directors, chief risk officers, and more at professional or amateur sport venues.

Accreditations

- - - Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
    - Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

118 College Drive
Hattiesburg, MS 39406
(601) 266-4659
faye.gilbert@usm.edu
https://www.usm.edu/business

Even if you don’t reach your goal of becoming a professional athlete and getting paid to light up the scoreboard, you can still can still snag a career victory in the sports arena. You can turn your passion for athletics into a rewarding job in today’s $440 billion U.S. sports industry with a degree in sports management. Whether at the undergraduate or graduate level, these degrees are designed to provide an in-depth foundation in the business side of sports. Jobs are plentiful for avid sports fans to work in sales, public relations, advertising, social media, consulting, marketing, journalism, analytics, and management. Consider trading in your jersey for a suit and corner office by checking out these top-notch accredited sports management degree programs in Mississippi.

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