Sports Management Degree Programs in North Carolina (A-G)

Finding quality sports management degree programs from accredited colleges and universities in North Carolina is simple. As America’s ninth most populous state with over 10 million residents, North Carolina has many top-ranked schools to choose from. Lying along the Atlantic Coast, the “Old North State” houses two of the country’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas: Raleigh and Charlotte. CEO magazine has chosen North Carolina as the third “Best State for Business.”

Rankings

The Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets, and Carolina Hurricanes are the three major league sports franchises here. Sports management majors can get involved in heated Tobacco Road rivalries between Duke, UNC, and North Carolina State. Charlotte Motor Speedway hosts two Sprint Cup Series NASCAR races annually. The Pinehurst Resort is also a frequent stop on the PGA Tour. To see more top-notch sports management degrees in North Carolina, visit Sports Management Degree Programs in North Carolina (G-M) and Sports Management Degree Programs in North Carolina (N-Z).

Barton College

School of Allied Health and Sport Studies

Affiliated with the Disciples of Christ, Barton College is a small private four-year Christian liberal arts institution enrolling around 1,100 students on its 76-acre urban campus in Wilson just 40 miles east of Raleigh. Consistently named among Princeton Review’s “Best in the Southeast,” Barton is ranked the 22nd best regional college in the South by the U.S. News. Competing in Conference Carolinas, Barton’s Bulldogs won the NCAA Men’s Division II National Championship for men’s basketball in 2007. The School of Allied Health and Sport Studies offers majors in exercise science, health promotion, sport management, gerontology, and physical education.

B.S. in Sport Management

In partnership with Barton’s School of Business, the B.S. in Sport Management program is granted to undergraduate students seeking the preparation to enter administrative careers in major or minor league sports, college athletics, and national or international sport governing bodies. Within the 120-credit curriculum, students will take courses ranging from advertising and accounting to sport psychology and ethics. As sophomores, students complete an early field practicum with a local sporting agency. During the fall senior semester, students intern in settings across America, such as Carolina Hurricanes, NBC, Carolina Mudcats, and Disney. If desired, the B.S. can be supplemented with a Human Performance Certificate or Strength and Conditioning Minor.

Accreditations

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

Contact

200 East ACC Drive
Wilson, NC 27893
(252) 399-6521
cduncan@barton.edu
https://www.barton.edu/academics/programs/sport-management/

Belmont Abbey College

Division of Business Management

Situated on a 650-acre suburban campus in Belmont about 15 miles west of Charlotte, Belmont Abbey College is an accredited private Roman Catholic liberal arts institution rooted in the Benedictine faith to educate more than 1,400 students. Endorsed in the prestigious “Newman Guide,” Belmont Abbey is currently ranked the 39th best regional college in the South by the USNWR. BAC’s Crusaders have reached the NCAA Division II Conference Carolinas title in women’s volleyball, women’s soccer, and men’s basketball. Within the Division of Business Management, programs give in-depth understanding on 21st century business practices with emphasis on honesty, integrity, and virtue.

B.A. in Sport Management

Guided by Benedictine tenets, the B.A. in Sport Management program at Belmont Abbey College promotes a well-rounded liberal arts education that integrates essential knowledge and skills for the sports industry. Focused on developing the mind, body, and spirit, the program strives to produced principled leaders for youth, high school, collegiate, or professional sports organizations. Available solely to traditional daytime students, the four-year program consists of at least 122 credits. Students can choose major courses from sport marketing, facility management, risk management, sport finance, organizational leadership, and sport governance. In the final year, students complete a senior seminar and applied internship. There’s also a B.A. in Motorsport Management program for entering the racing industry.

Accreditations

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

Contact

100 Belmont-Mt. Holly Road
Belmont, NC 28012
(704) 461-6700
andrewrudd@bac.edu
http://belmontabbeycollege.edu/academics/programs/sport-management/

Campbell University

College of Arts and Sciences

Since its founding in 1887 by James Archibald Campbell as a junior college, Campbell University has grown into a senior private co-educational institution affiliated with the Baptist State Convention to serve over 7,100 students from its sprawling 1,500-acre rural campus in Buies Creek. In the Big South Conference, Campbell has 18 NCAA Division I sports teams, including the Lady Camels swim team. Campbell is ranked the 24th best college and 20th top school for veterans in the South by the U.S. News. The College of Arts and Sciences offers over 50 academic majors at a prime location near the Research Triangle Park.

B.S. in Exercise Science in Sport Management

At Campbell University, the B.S. in Exercise Science program develops the applied interdisciplinary knowledge to focus a career on producing, improving, and maintaining an active human body. Students can select from majors in Athletic Training, Exercise and Sport Science, Fitness Wellness Management, Health and Physical Education, Kinesiology, Sport Coaching, or Sport Management. Endorsed by the NASPE, the latter track prepares students for the business side of today’s competitive sports industry. Within the 120-credit curriculum, students can further concentrate in Sport Communication or Sport Administration. All B.S. students must complete a 240-hour internship for real-world experience. Students can also join the Sport Business Club or North Carolina Student Alliance for Athletics.

Accreditations

- - - National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE)
    - Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

143 Main Street
Buies Creek, NC 27506
(800) 334-4111 ext. 1362
exerscience@campbell.edu

Chowan University

School of Arts & Sciences

As North Carolina’s second oldest private Baptist liberal arts institution founded in 1848, Chowan University is home around 1,500 students on a main 300-acre rural campus in Murfreesboro within the Inner Banks region. Boasting a student-faculty ratio of 15:1, Chowan was ranked the 289th best baccalaureate college in America in Washington Monthly magazine. Affiliated with NCAA Division II, the Chowan Hawks are the first non-HBCU member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) with 12 varsity teams. The School of Arts & Sciences upholds Judeo-Christian values to create a close-knit, familial atmosphere for freedom of inquiry in 11 academic departments.

Sport Management B.S.

With a foundation in business administration, the Sport Management B.S. program at Chowan is designed to prepare full-time undergraduate students for managerial careers in secondary, collegiate, and professional sports clubs. Requiring 125 credit hours, the curriculum includes an in-depth core in sport management, facility management, physical education, sport marketing, sociological sport dynamics, economics, financial accounting, and sports law. In the final year, students will complete 360 total hours of field internship at an approved sport-related agency. Outside the classroom, students can join the Phi Epsilon Kappa Honor Society and/or Sport Science Club. There’s also an 18-credit Coaching Minor available with added field practicum.

Accreditations

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

Contact

1 University Place
Murfreesboro, NC 27855
(252) 398-6581
colliw@chowan.edu
https://www.chowan.edu/academics/school-arts-and-sciences/sport-science

East Carolina University

The College of Health & Human Performance

Enrolling more than 28,200 students, East Carolina University is the state’s third largest public doctoral sea-grant research institution headquartered on a main 530-acre urban campus in Greenville within the Tidewater region. Highly regarded for earning the 2010 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, ECU is ranked the 194th best university, 111th top public school, and 154th best college for veterans in America by the USNWR. In NCAA Division I, ECU Pirates play in the 50,000-seat Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium and 8,000-seat Williams Arena. The College of Health & Human Performance grants 18 degrees devoted to improving individual and community well-being, especially in eastern North Carolina.

B.S. in Sports Studies

Focused on the phenomenon of the human condition, the B.S. in Sports Studies program is ideal for ECU undergraduates interested in examining the position of sport in today’s cultural and societal life. The four-year plan consists of 121 credits of courses in biology, kinesiology, sports psychology, physical education, coaching theory, biomechanics, fitness marketing, exercise science, and health promotion. The program culminates with a 12-credit, semester-long field internship at any sports-related organization. Students are encouraged to select a minor in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, or Recreation and Leisure Studies. Since 2015, Sports Studies majors have been welcomed into the campus’ Kinesiology Living-Learning Community too.

M.S. in Exercise & Sport Science – Sport Management Concentration

Fully accredited by the CoAES, the M.S. in Exercise & Sport Science provides advanced master’s training for graduate students interested in the broad realm of fitness. Students can select from seven concentrations: Adapted Physical Education, Biomechanics, Exercise Physiology, Physical Activity Promotion, Physical Education Pedagogy, Sport and Exercise Psychology, or Sport Management. Those selecting the latter will tailor the 36-credit curriculum to develop the business acumen for administrative positions in athletics. In the thesis track, students will complete field practicum and a culminating research project. There’s also a non-thesis track with an internship and comprehensive exam.

Accreditations

- - - Commission on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences (CoAES)
    - Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

238 Rivers West
Greenville, NC 27858
(252) 328-4630
alstonje14@ecu.edu
http://www.ecu.edu/cs-hhp/index.cfm

Elizabeth City State University

Department of Physical Education & Health

Founded in 1891, Elizabeth City State University is a four-year public historically black research institution that enrolls around 2,400 diverse students on its 154-acre rural campus in Elizabeth City just 47 miles from Norfolk, Virginia. Designated a “Military Friendly” school by GI Jobs, ECSU is ranked the 30th best regional college and 2nd top public school in the South as well as the 18th best HBCU in America by the U.S. News. Former ECSU Vikings include NFL players Reggie Langhorne, Larry Johnson Sr, Johnnie Walton, and Stanley Bryant. The Department of Physical Education & Health builds an infrastructure for students to pursue excellence in sports-related careers.

B.S. in Sport Management

Featuring a dynamic 124-credit curriculum, the B.S. in Sport Management program at ECSU strives to give undergraduates the essential foundation for becoming competitive in today’s in-demand sports administrative field. Students are trained to identify and resolve potential risks associated with the management of sporting venues, events, and teams. Concentrations are in Management and Administration, Marketing and Promotion, Aquatic and Fitness, or Sport Communication. B.S. students gain hands-on experience in the university’s 1500-square foot Wellness Center, which includes an Olympic size pool and 400-meter track. The second senior semester is focused entirely on an applied off-campus internship too. Coursework will range from sports sociology and marketing to sponsorship and sports law.

Accreditations

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

Contact

122 Vaughan Center
Campus Box 772
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
(252) 335-3384
cfgallop@ecsu.edu
http://www.ecsu.edu

Elon University

School of Communications

Nestled on a 600-acre suburban campus in Elon at the midway point between Greensboro and Raleigh-Durham, Elon University is a comprehensive private liberal arts institution historically linked to the United Church of Christ for educating over 6,200 students. Ranked the #1 best private value in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, Elon is named the South’s top regional college, top school for veterans, and most innovative school by the USNWR. The Elon Phoenix compete in NCAA Division I Colonial Athletic Association with 17 varsity teams. Approved by the ACEJMC, the School of Communications houses degrees in journalism, cinema arts, media analytics, communication design, and sport management.

B.S. in Sport and Event Management

Elon’s B.S. in Sport and Event Management program is designed to prepare undergraduates with the 21st century skills for planning, managing, and sustaining effective sport or recreation experiences. The 58-credit major will build on the liberal arts core to study sport law, sport marketing, sport sales, sport finance, event planning, organizational behavior, and business communications. Students benefit from an average class size of 18 for close faculty attention and hands-on learning. For academic depth, all SEM majors must complete a minor, double major, or semester abroad. Traveling to Dominican Republic is included in the “Globalization in Contemporary Sport” class. Students can also join the Premier Sport and Event Society.

Accreditations

- - - Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC)
    - Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

100 Campus Drive
Elon, NC 27244
(336) 278-5844
tweaver@elon.edu
http://www.elon.edu/e-web/academics/communications/sport-event-mgt/

Gardner-Webb University

Broyhill School of Management

Affiliated with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, Gardner-Webb University is a private four-year Christian liberal arts institution offering nearly 60 fields of study for around 5,000 students on its 240-acre rural campus in Boiling Springs just an hour west of Charlotte. Rated with an “A” from the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, Gardner-Webb was named the 41st best regional college and 32nd top school veterans in the South by the USNWR. The Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs compete in the NCAA Division I Big South Conference in 23 varsity sports. The Broyhill School of Management features undergraduate programs for developing global business leaders.

B.S. in Sport Management

Fully accredited by the ACBSP, the B.S. in Sport Management program addresses the key business strategies students must know for entering the administrative side of the sports industry. Gardner-Webb rooted classroom studies in Christian values to cover a variety of business disciplines, including finance, marketing, economics, and communications, from an ethical framework. The program includes a 36-credit management core and 42 hours of specialized sport management major courses. Students can join the B.E.S.T. program at no extra cost for workshops, networking, and campus activities. Field experience is obtained via internships and community service projects. Student employment is also offered at Ernest W. Spangler Stadium and Paul Porter Arena.

Accreditations

- - - Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
    - Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

110 South Main Street
Boiling Springs, NC 28017
(704) 406-4379
vgraham@gardner-webb.edu

Greensboro College

School of Sciences & Mathematics

First opened in 1838 by the United Methodist Church, Greensboro College is a small private-co-educational Christian liberal arts institution offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees to around 1,300 students on its 80-acre urban campus in Greensboro, North Carolina’s third largest city. In Washington Monthly magazine, Greensboro was ranked the 205th best liberal arts college nationally for research, service, and social mobility. The Greensboro Pride competes in the NCAA Division III USA South Athletic Conference in 17 sports, including the title-claiming golf team. The School of Sciences & Mathematics provides majors from sports studies and mathematics education to urban ecology and biology.

Bachelor’s in Exercise and Sport Studies – Sport Administration

Rooted in the liberal arts, the Bachelor’s in Exercise and Sport Studies program gives Greensboro undergraduate students the valuable opportunity to prepare for a variety of entry-level positions in health promotion and sports. The program offers concentrations in Athletic Training, Exercise Science, Sport Administration, and Sport Coaching. Students choosing the Sport Administration track will complete a B.A. or B.S. with courses in kinesiology, accounting, economics, business, mathematics, health, biology, and management. Internships are strongly encouraged during students’ junior and senior years. Students will have the multi-dimensional knowledge of sports to work at the youth, secondary, collegiate, amateur, or professional level.

Accreditations

- - - Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)
    - Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

815 West Market Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
(336) 272-7102
andrew.graham@greensboro.edu

In 2015, the estimated worth of the entire U.S. sports industry was $498.4 billion. The global sports industry surpassed the $1.5 trillion market. Breaking into this high-performing industry isn’t only reserved for the athletically gifted. Sports organization rely on strategic business leaders to handle the administrative side of athletics. Sports professionals can eventually work up to becoming owners, general managers, presidents, and CEOs. Having at least a bachelor’s degree in a sports-related major is typically required for entry. If you’re looking to study in the “Tar Heel State,” consider these sports management degree programs from accredited colleges and universities in North Carolina.

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