Finding accredited sports management degree programs in Missouri is simple thanks to the abundance of higher learning options located in this Midwestern hub. Lying along the Mississippi River and Ozark Mountains, Missouri is America’s 18th largest state with over six million residents. Ever since Missouri hosted the 1904 Summer Olympics, sports have turned into a mainstay leisure activity for most in the “Show Me State.”
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
- 25 Best Online Master’s in Sports Management Degree Programs
Missouri serves as home for several professional sports teams, including the St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Rams, and St. Louis Blues. There are also 24 minor league sports teams competing in sports from rugby and soccer to ice hockey and tennis. To see more sports management degree programs in Missouri, visit Sports Management Degree Programs in Missouri (A-M).
Missouri State University
College of Health and Human Services
First established in 1906 as a teacher’s college, Missouri State University is now a comprehensive four-year public state institution serving more than 22,700 students from its main 225-acre urban campus in the state’s third largest city of Springfield. Satellite locations are available in West Plains, Mountain Grove, and abroad in China for pursuing over 185 programs. The U.S. News ranked Missouri State as the 64th best regional college, 16th top public school, and 49th best university for veterans in the Midwest. Within the College of Health and Human Services, the Department of Kinesiology is a diverse academic division exploring exercise and wellness science to promote healthier lifestyles globally.
B.S. in Recreation, Sport, and Park Administration
The B.S. in Recreation, Sport, and Park Administration program at Missouri State has the mission of transforming undergraduate students into professionally educated leaders who can effectively deliver leisure services in diverse communities. Within the 51-credit major, students are given the freedom to select an emphasis in Health and Wellness Promotion, Parks and Outdoor Recreation, Recreation Management, or Sport Administration. Students selecting the Sport Administration track will be specifically trained to oversee the management of youth sports leagues, high school sports, collegiate athletics, and professional sports teams. All majors must complete 100 hours of field practicum and a culminating 400-hour full-time internship. This program is one of only 89 American degrees accredited by the COAPRT.
M.S. in Administrative Studies: Sports Management Option
Offered with convenient online or on-campus evening courses, the M.S. in Administrative Studies: Sports Management Option program is designed for Missouri State graduate students seeking the in-depth advanced training to pursue leadership in professional, collegiate, and international sports. Within the 33-credit curriculum, students will explore the administrative side of sports, including budgeting, economics, law, ethics, finance, corporate relations, management, and technology. Hands-on experience is built within the program with fieldwork available at the university’s athletic department as well as Hammons Field and Mediacom Ice Park. Administrative studies majors work closely with a faculty advisor to map their individual curriculum plan for their professional goals in sports management.
Accreditations
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- Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT)
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association (NCA)
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Contact
901 South National Avenue
Springfield, MO 65897
(417) 836-5370
KIN@MissouriState.edu
http://www.missouristate.edu/kinesiology/
Southeast Missouri State University
Department of Health, Human Performance & Recreation
Enrolling more than 11,900 students annually, Southeast Missouri State University is an accredited senior public teaching institution located on a beautiful 400-acre rural campus in Cape Girardeau overlooking the Mississippi River. Featuring an average freshman retention rate of 72 percent, SEMO is currently honored as the Midwest’s 92nd best regional college, 30th top public school, and 71st best university for veterans by the USNWR. Southeast Missouri State also hosts the 89th best online MBA program nationwide. The Department of Health, Human Performance & Recreation is devoted to sparking initiatives to improve community health through physical activity, drug prevention, and smoking cessation.
Bachelor of Science in Sport Management
As the only program accredited by COSMA in Missouri, the Bachelor of Science in Sport Management at Southeast Missouri State is designed to prepare undergraduate students for producing, promoting, organizing, and facilitating sporting events. Following the guidelines of the North American Society for Sport Management, the 120-credit curriculum provides the theoretical and experiential learning experience required for entry into the sports industry. The program seamlessly blends sport-specific coursework with a built-in business administration minor. Students will gain hands-on experience in the university’s NCAA Division I athletic department, two active recreation centers, and golf course. Seniors are required to complete a full-time 10-week supervised field internship with an approved sports organization.
Master of Business Administration in Sport Management
In collaboration with the AACSB-accredited Harrison College of Business, the Master of Business Administration in Sport Management option is delivered to SEMO graduate students seeking the advanced business strategies and leadership principles to attain upper-level management positions in sports organizations. Students begin taking the common MBA core before focusing on effective business practices and tactics for spectator sports. Graduates with an undergraduate degree in business can complete the degree in just 33 credits. Most classes are held in Robert A. Dempster Hall, but several are delivered online from anywhere. In the final term, students will complete an applied research project related to sport management.
Accreditations
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- Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA)
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association (NCA)
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Contact
1 University Plaza
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
(573) 651-2197
cbeardslee@semo.edu
http://www.semo.edu/health/index.html
St. Louis University
John Cook School of Business
Located on a 271-acre urban campus in the port city of St. Louis near the eastern border with Illinois, St. Louis University is a major private non-profit Roman Catholic and Jesuit research institution serving more than 13,500 co-educational students annually. Since its founding in 1818 as the first higher learning institute west of the Mississippi River, SLU has grown into America’s 96th best university and 78th top college for veterans according to the U.S. News. Also named the 88th best business school nationwide, the John Cook School of Business was recognized by Bloomberg BusinessWeek for the 32nd top business programs in the United States.
B.S. in Business Administration with Sports Business Concentration
At St. Louis University, the B.S. in Business Administration program builds a foundation for success in today’s highly technical global economy using a common body of knowledge (CBK). After developing a broad-based view of various business disciplines, students can select from nine specialized concentration areas, including Sports Business. Those seeking the Sports Business Concentration will be prepared for any administrative career related to athletics. The 120-credit program will study specifically how marketing, economics, accounting, IT management, communications, and management apply to the sports industry. In their senior year, students must complete a semester-long practical internship. All majors also have the opportunity to join SLU’s Sports Business Association for networking.
Accreditations
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- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association (NCA)
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Contact
3674 Lindell Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63108
(314) 977-3800
undergradbiz@slu.edu
https://www.slu.edu/index.php
University of Central Missouri
College of Health, Science, & Technology
Founded in 1871, the University of Central Missouri is a senior four-year public state institution following the motto of “Learning to a Greater Degree” for educating over 12,400 students annually on a sprawling 1,561-acre rural campus in Warrensburg. Consistently named on the Princeton Review’s “Best in the Midwest” list, UCMO is currently ranked as the 75th best regional college and 21st top public school in the Midwest by the USNWR. Rooted in the liberal arts, the College of Health, Science, & Technology houses 26 undergraduate and eight graduate programs leading to some of the most in-demand careers in our post-industrial 21st century.
Sport Management Major (Bachelor’s)
The Sport Management Major (Bachelor’s) program leads to a Bachelor of Science degree for undergraduate students enrolled at UCMO who seek the professional experience to successfully pursuing entry- to mid-level positions in sports industry organizations. Rather than focus on business concepts, the 120-credit curriculum is structured to place emphasis on effective sport management principles and real-world applications. With a student-faculty ratio of 17:1, students engage in small class sizes to study everything from sports media and facility management to exercise science and team marketing. Sport management majors can even travel abroad for studying in New Zealand or the United Kingdom. In the last summer semester, seniors will complete an applied internship for smooth transition into the workplace.
Master’s Degree in Sport Management
Experiencing a 300 percent growth rate over the last six years, the Master’s Degree in Sport Management at UCMO gives graduate students the outstanding opportunity to showcase their leadership skills in sport business and culture. Students will work towards a Master of Science in Kinesiology for Sport Management degree. The 33-credit curriculum will explore topics in sport facility management, risk management, sport sponsorship, sport finance, marketing, legal liability, public relations, sport consumer behavior, and event planning. Students can select to complete a supervised field internship or engage in master’s thesis research. The majority of courses are delivered online or in evening hours to accommodate working sports professionals.
Accreditations
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- Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association (NCA)
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Contact
108 West South Street
Warrensburg, MO 64093
(660) 543-4256
admit@ucmo.edu
https://www.ucmo.edu/chst/programs/
University of Missouri
School of Natural Resources
Standing proudly on a large 1,262-acre urban campus on Francis Quadrangle in the state’s fourth most populous city of Columbia, the University of Missouri is a major comprehensive flagship public land-grant research institution enrolling over 35,400 students. Satellite locations are also available in Rolla, Kansas City, and St. Louis for delivering more than 300 degrees. Named among the Times Higher Education’s top 350 global universities, Mizzou is currently ranked America’s 103rd best university, 47th top public school, and 84th best college for veterans by the USNWR. The School of Natural Resources uses small classes and personalized advising to prepare graduates for sustaining our globe’s resources.
B.S. in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism with Sport Management Emphasis
In a dynamic 120-credit curriculum, the B.S. in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism (PRT) program at the University of Missouri offers a Sport Management Emphasis for students seeking to enter the highly competitive spectra of sport industry jobs. Students are trained to analyze sports in a critical, insightful manner for becoming productive sport managers. The major will include coursework on sociology, psychology, human development, business administration, public speaking, leisure studies, research methods, personnel management, program development, sports administration, sport finance, sport law, and economics. A 12-credit supervised internship is included. Graduates will possess the know-how to work in collegiate athletic departments, sport agencies, sport management firms, sports media, and professional sports teams.
Accreditations
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- Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association (NCA)
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Contact
105 Anheuser-Busch Building
Columbia, MO 65211
(573) 882-9592
singhrag@missouri.edu
https://snr.missouri.edu
Washington University in St. Louis
Olin Business School
As an elite comprehensive non-profit private research institution, Washington University in St. Louis is home for over 7,300 undergraduates and 6,800 post-graduates on its main 2,312-acre urban campus in downtown St. Louis along the western banks of the Mississippi River. Lauded as America’s 7th most selective school, WUSTL is currently ranked as the 15th best national university and 23rd top value college with the 16th best undergraduate teaching nationwide by the U.S. News. The Olin Business School is also honored for being the country’s 19th best business school with the 24th top part-time MBA program.
B.S. in Business Administration in Sports Management
Backed by elite AACSB International accreditation, the B.S. in Business Administration program at Washington University in St. Louis offers undergraduate students the chance to develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills required in all business disciplines. Starting in the sophomore year, students can select from eight majors, including Sports Management. Those who select the Sports Management track will tailor their 120-credit curriculum to building an in-depth knowledge of the business side of spectator sports. Business students are encouraged to foster global awareness by studying abroad in countries like Spain, China, Germany, Australia, Brazil, and Singapore. In Olin’s Center for Experiential Learning, students can also build experience with Fortune 500 corporations, start-ups, and sports management agencies.
Accreditations
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- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association (NCA)
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Contact
1 Brookings Drive
St. Louis, MO 63130
(314) 935-7159
malter@wustl.edu
http://www.olin.wustl.edu/EN-US/academic-programs/bs-business-administration/Pages/default.aspx
William Woods University
Sports Studies Department
Since 1870, William Woods University has been a private non-profit Christian institution affiliated with the Disciples of Christ to educate more than 2,400 students of diverse faiths on a wooded 200-acre rural campus in Fulton near Jefferson City. Perhaps best known for hosting a prestigious equestrian program, William Woods is ranked the 90th best regional college and 69th top university for veterans in the Midwest with the 180th best online bachelor’s degrees nationwide by the U.S. News. The Sports Studies Department houses all academic offerings for students studying athletic training, exercise science, physical education, and sports management.
Bachelor of Science in Sports Management
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Sports Management program is offered at William Woods to provide undergraduate students with the management skills required for building an exciting leadership career in today’s multi-billion dollar sports industry. Students are effectively trained to market sports teams, represent athletes, plan sporting events, manage stadiums, mentor coaches, and lead sports organizations. The program consists of 120 total credits, including 42 major credits in sports studies. Students can easily tack on a minor in Coaching, Exercise Science, or Health. Internships are available at the university’s NAIA athletic department, Weider Fitness Center, and $1.3 million Center for Human Performance. Some courses may be delivered online for extra convenience.
Accreditations
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- Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association (NCA)
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Contact
1 University Avenue
Fulton, MO 65251
(573) 642-2251
Admissions@WilliamWoods.edu
Even if you can’t become a professional athlete, you can turn your passion for sports into a financially and intrinsically rewarding management career behind the scenes. Majoring in sports management is typically the best way to develop the business acumen and leadership abilities to enter the industry. According to Plunkett Research, it’s estimated that the entire global sports industry generates $1.5 trillion each year, so there’s plentiful opportunities available. Compete for your chance to lead athletics by attending one of these accredited sports management degree programs in Missouri.
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