Sports Management Degree Programs in Pennsylvania (O-Z)

Sports management degree programs from accredited colleges and universities in Pennsylvania are numerous to score your goals. Housing over 12.8 million people, Pennsylvania lies in the Mid-Atlantic Appalachian region as America’s ninth densely populated state. Sports are an important segment of the Commonwealth’s culture and $644 billion economy. The Pittsburgh Steelers have won six Super Bowl trophies.

Rankings

The Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates have earned seven World Series titles. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers have skated to five Stanley Cup championships. Pennsylvania is also known for racing at Jennerstown Speedway, Lake Erie Speedway, and Pocono Downs. Arnold Palmer, one of the PGA world’s premier golfers, hails from the “Keystone State” too. To see more sports management degree programs in Pennsylvania, visit Sports Management Degree Programs in Pennsylvania (A-H) and Sports Management Degree Programs in Pennsylvania (I-N).

Point Park University

School of Business

Established in 1933 as Business Training College, Point Park University is a private, nonprofit doctoral-granting liberal arts institution located on an urban campus in Pittsburgh along the Allegheny River to serve more than 3,800 students. The Point Park Pioneers have 11 varsity clubs competing in the KIAC Conference, including the championship holding baseball team. According to the U.S. News, Point Park is the 112nd best college and 78th top university for veterans in the North. The School of Business offers nine bachelor’s and four master’s programs to prepare students for competing in today’s billion-dollar global industries.

Bachelor’s in Sports, Arts, and Entertainment Management

At Point Park’s Downtown Pittsburgh campus, the Bachelor’s in Sports, Arts, and Entertainment Management program is offered for a specialized business background. Taught by practicing managers, the IACBE-accredited curriculum requires the completion of 120 total credits. The business core is supplemented with industry-specific courses in event planning, venue design, facility management, advertising, public relations, fundraising, sports law, and ticketing. SAEM majors benefit from hands-on internships with the Penguins, Pirates, Steelers, Heinz Field, Schneider Downs, Madison Square Garden, and more. Students also help coordinate concerts for the North Shore’s Stage AE. Each year, there’s a four-year All-Access SAEM Summer Workshop for high schoolers.

Accreditation

- - - International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE)
    - Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact

201 Wood Street
West Penn Hall 11th Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 392-3940
stanzilli@pointpark.edu
http://www.pointpark.edu/Academics/Schools/Business/UndergraduateProgram/SportArtsandEntertainmentManagement

Robert Morris University

School of Business

Located on a 230-acre suburban campus in Moon Township along the Ohio River just 12 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, Robert Morris University is a private, non-sectarian higher learning institution named for the Declaration of Independence signer in 1921. Enrolling around 5,100 students, the RMU Colonials have a 23-sport athletic program in NCAA Division I, including the eight-time basketball conference champs. The U.S. News ranks RMU the 66th best regional college and 50th top university for veterans in the North. The School of Business has AACSB approval to deliver on-campus and online programs, including America’s 66th top online MBA.

B.S.B.A. with a Concentration in Sport Management

RMU’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A.) program offers a Sport Management Concentration for students interested in applying cutting-edge business practices to the recreation industry. Within the 120-credit curriculum, students build on a liberal arts core with foundational business and concentration coursework. Specialized topics addressed will include sport marketing, coaching, sport media, finance, facility management, event planning, economics, and sport law. Students are given 27 electives for following interests in business and non-business paths. B.S.B.A. leaders will gain hands-on training at the RMU Island Sports Center Complex, including coordinating the Susan Hofacre 5K Walk/Run. Many also study abroad in countries like Greece, Monaco, Australia, and France.

Accreditation

- - - Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
    - Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact

6001 University Blvd.
Moon Township, PA 15108
(412) 397-6240
broman@rmu.edu
http://www.rmu.edu/OnTheMove/wpmajdegr.major_desc?idegree=BSBA&imajor=SPMG&ischool=U&icalledby=WPMAJDEGR

Saint Joseph’s University

Erivan K. Haub School of Business

Affiliated with the Society of Jesus, Saint Joseph’s University is a private, non-profit Catholic and Jesuit research institution educating over 8,600 students for “Spirit, Intellect, Purpose” on its 114-acre urban campus in the Overbrook district of downtown Philadelphia. Wearing crimson and grey, the Saint Joseph’s Hawks compete for the NCAA Division I Atlantic-10 Conference in 20 intercollegiate teams. The U.S. News crowned SJU the 15th best regional university in the North for 2016. Within the Erivan K. Haub School of Business, students can select from seven undergraduate majors and America’s 59th best online MBA program.

Sports Marketing B.B.A.

Saint Joseph’s recently created a Sports Marketing B.B.A. major for undergraduates to build a well-rounded understanding on the best practices for the successful promotion of sporting events and venues. All courses are taught by industry trailblazers from sports analysts and PR specialists to CEOs. Students devote their full attention to gathering essential sports business skills for competing in today’s challenging market. Adult learners can complete the B.B.A. during daytime, evening, or online courses. Students will obtain real-world internship experience at Philadelphia sports franchises, such as the Phillies, Eagles, and Camden River Sharks. Graduates from this AACSB-accredited program earn an average starting salary of $41,000 with a mean $3,000 bonus.

Accreditation

- - - Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
    - Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact

5600 City Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19131
(610) 660-1631
jlord@sju.edu
https://www.sju.edu/majors-programs/undergraduate/majors/sports-marketing-major

Seton Hill University

Business School

Founded by the Sisters of Charity in 1885, Seton Hill University is a respected private, co-ed liberal arts institution rooted in Roman Catholic values to develop over 2,500 students on its 200-acre suburban campus in Greensburg on the Western Allegheny Plateau. Nicknamed the Griffins, Seton Hill has 20 varsity teams in the NCAA Division II Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. Given a Forbes financial grade of “C,” Seton Hill is ranked the 10th best college and 6th top university for military by the U.S. News. The Business School has IACBE accreditation to inspire students with innovative solutions to pressing business challenges.

Sports Management (B.S.)

Featuring a mix of classroom and experiential service learning, the Sports Management (B.S.) program gives Seton Hill students the foundation for rising above competition in today’s global sports market. Students expand their comfort zone by taking courses from accounting and marketing to sports governance and coaching. For 240 hours total, upper-division majors spend 12 to 15 hours weekly completing sports management internships. Partnering placements include the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Johnstown Tomahawks, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Nevin Hockey Arena. Full-time students will receive a free iPad through the Mobile Learning @ The Hill program. Graduates with the 120-credit degree can join the FastForward track for an MBA in five years.

Accreditation

- - - International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE)
    - Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact

1 Seton Hill Drive
Greensburg, PA 15601
(800) 826-6234
admit@setonhill.edu
https://www.setonhill.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/sports-management-bs/

Slippery Rock University

College of Business

Enrolling over 9,400 students, Slippery Rock University is a comprehensive public, master’s-level teaching institution within the PASSHE system that’s located on a 660-acre rural campus in northwest Butler County just 52 miles north of Pittsburgh. The NCAA Division II teams for the SRU Rockies have produced alumni like Janet Anderson, Stanley Joseph Dziedzic Jr., Sarah Patterson, and Michael Nepsa. SRU is the North’s 79th best regional college and 23rd top public university according to the U.S. News. The College of Business strives to develop successful leaders for engaging in a global and technologically sophisticated economy.

Bachelor of Science in Sport Management

In existence since 1976, the Bachelor of Science in Sport Management at Slippery Rock is a leading program for freshmen striving to follow their passion for athletics into lifelong sports business careers. The 120-credit curriculum stresses the practical application of business principles in sport marketing, facility management, communication, sales, and administration. Fully accredited by COSMA, the program ensures students are proficient at critically analyzing and resolving sport-related business issues. Along with 50 hours of practicum, students complete a mandatory 480-hour internship with one of over 350 different sports clubs. B.S. majors can also join the student-run Sport Management Alliance (SMA) for field trips to Cleveland, Baltimore, Toronto, and more.

Accreditation

- - - Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA)
    - Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
    - Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact

1 Morrow Way
Slippery Rock, PA 16057
(724) 738-2117
catriona.higgs@sru.edu
http://www.sru.edu/academics/colleges-and-departments/cob/departments/sport-management/sports-management-programs

Temple University

School of Tourism and Hospitality Management

Endowed for nearly $387 million, Temple University is a prestigious public, doctoral-granting institution with “very high research activity” to serve over 37,700 students from its main 115-acre urban campus in North Philadelphia just 1.5 miles from Center City. Ranked sixth in all-time NCAA wins, the Temple Owls compete in 24 teams within the Division I American Athletic Conference. With over 400 programs, Temple is crowned America’s 115th best university, 55th top public school, and 94th best college for veterans by the U.S. News. The School of Tourism and Hospitality Management has received the IFEA’s Haas & Wilkerson Pinnacle Gold Award.

B.S. in Sport and Recreation Management

Temple’s B.S. in Sport and Recreation Management gives STHM undergraduates the opportunity to tighten a professional network for entering the public or private recreation industry. Students are prepared to work in youth sports, high school athletics, collegiate teams, professional sports clubs, armed forces, park agencies, and more. The 120-credit program can be specialized in Governance & Policy, Sport & Recreation Promotion, or Event Leadership. Students are offered six- or eight-semester plans to suit their learning pace. Coursework will range from budgeting to economics and sports law before a senior internship. There’s also a 4+1 Accelerated option for earning a B.S. and M.S. in 10 semesters.

M.S. in Sport Business

As Greater Philadelphia’s largest provider of sports executives, the M.S. in Sport Business program at Temple allows graduate students to advance into upper-level positions. Students gain insightful knowledge about today’s $200 billion sports industry to prepare for in-demand management professions. Concentrations are available in Athletics Administration, Recreation and Event Management, Sports Analytics, or Sport Marketing and Promotions. Courses are scheduled in evenings after 5pm to keep full-time employment or internships. Full-time students can graduate within four semesters. For fieldwork, M.S. learners have interned with the YMCA, LiveNation, Madison Square Garden, Philadelphia Eagles, etc. Capstone requirements can be fulfilled with a master’s thesis or applied project.

Ph.D. in Business Administration in Tourism and Sport

Dually accredited by the COAPRT and AACSB, the Ph.D. in Business Administration in Tourism and Sport is offered in collaboration with the Fox School of Business. Doctoral candidates complete seminar-based courses to develop an advanced mastery of essential knowledge in the leisure industries. Students benefit from state-of-the-art facilities, including Temple’s National Lab for Tourism (NLT) and Sport Industry Research Center (SIRC). The program has 16 full-time, accomplished faculty members to supervise student research ventures. The four-year curriculum includes a comprehensive exam and dissertation. Ph.D. students defend their dissertations at Fox’s Annual Mid-Atlantic Doctoral Symposium. Graduates are qualified to apply for business or tourism faculty positions.

Accreditation

- - - Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT)
    - Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
    - Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact

1810 North 13th Street
Speakman Hall Room 111
Philadelphia, PA 19122
(215) 204-8701
sthm@temple.edu
http://sthm.temple.edu/prospective-students/

University of Pittsburgh- Bradford

Division of Management and Education

Initially founded in Hamsher House in 1963, the University of Pittsburgh- Bradford is a four-year, public baccalaureate liberal arts institution enrolling over 1,500 students on its 317-acre rural campus in Bradford just 78 miles south of Buffalo, New York. The UPB Panthers compete in NCAA Division III with 15 varsity sports, including bowling, tennis, swimming, and cross country. Named among the Princeton Review’s “Best Northeastern,” Pitt-Bradford belongs to America’s 24th top public school according to U.S. News. The Division of Management and Education is housed in Swarts Hall to teach subjects from to physical education to hospitality and accounting.

Sport and Recreation Management (B.S.)

Pitt-Bradford grants a Sport and Recreation Management (B.S.) program develops the requisite business knowledge to gain successful entry into the sports industry. As a member of NASM, the program consists of 120 total credits, including supervised fieldwork. Students complete a liberal arts core during the first two years before progressing into major content. Coursework will investigate sports governance, ethics, marketing, law, economics, organizational behavior, event management, and psychology. Hands-on training is delivered at the Kessel Athletic Complex and Paul C. Duke III Aquatic Center. With an average class size of 17, students engage directly with world-class faculty and sports experts. Graduates with a minimum 3.5 GPA are guaranteed admission in any Pitt master’s programs.

Accreditation

- - - Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact

300 Campus Drive
Bradford, PA 16701
(814) 362-0249
kjr9@pitt.edu
https://www.upb.pitt.edu

Widener University

School of Business Administration

Started as a boys’ prep school in 1821, Widener University has widened itself as a premier private, co-educational higher learning institution with over 6,400 students enrolling on its 108-acre urban campus in Chester just 14 miles southwest of Philadelphia. Known for winning the football MAC championship in 2012, the Widener Pride have 20 Division III teams practicing in Schwartz Athletic Center. Noted 55th for “Highest Proportion of Classes Under 20 Students,” Widener is ranked the 187th best university in America by the U.S. News. The School of Business Administration has earned elite AACSB approval and the 2013 SBDC Excellence and Innovation Award.

Bachelor’s of Management in Sport Management

Fully accredited by the AACSB, the Bachelor’s of Management in Sport Management program at Widener fosters the leadership skills young innovators require to manage the strategic vision of complex sport-related enterprises. Students learn how sport businesses function from community recreation agencies to intercollegiate and professional teams. The four-year career development curriculum strengthens resumes with real-world co-ops and internships. Past students have worked with the Philadelphia Union, Comcast Spectacor, Cleveland Browns, Wilmington BlueRocks, and DuPont. Majors are encouraged to join the on-campus Student Sport Network for the Sport Management Speaker Series. At least 122 credits, including a senior project, is required for graduation.

Accreditation

- - - Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
    - Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact

Quick Center Room 117
1 University Place
Chester, PA 19103
(610) 499-1182
bvlarson@widener.edu

Wilkes University

Sidhu School of Business Leadership

Nestled on a 35-acre urban campus in Wilkes-Barre within the majestic Pocono Mountains, Wilkes University is a private, non-sectarian teaching institution named for English politician John Wilkes to educate over 4,400 students. The Wilkes Colonels compete in NCAA Division III with 20 intercollegiate teams in the Middle Atlantic Conference, except wrestling. With a student-faculty ratio of 14:1, Wilkes is currently named the 83rd best university and 61th top college for veterans in the North by the U.S. News. Fully accredited by the ACBSP, Sidhu School of Business Leadership’s namesake and alumnus was selected for the 2014 Most Admired CEOs Award.

BBA in Sports Management

Capturing Wilkes’ entrepreneurial spirit, the BBA in Sports Management program is uniquely designed to encourage undergraduates seeking business careers centered on sport and recreational activities. Students are trained to appropriately leverage marketing, budgeting, resources, and programming to meet sports-related organizational goals. All courses take place in the recently renovated $3 million Business School, which houses a New York Stock Exchange trading floor. Students also intern for field experience in settings like Pocono Dome, Darte Center for Performing Arts, and the Wilkes-Barre Penguins or RailRiders. Over eight semesters full-time, students complete at least 120 credits, including a senior capstone. An Accelerated BBA is offered online for learners with at least 24 prior credits.

Accreditation

- - - Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
    - Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact

84 West South Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766
(570) 408-4725
annet.kaminski@wilkes.edu
https://wilkes.edu/academics/colleges/sidhu-school-of-business-leadership/msh-department/sports-management.aspx

York College of Pennsylvania

Hospitality, Recreation, and Sport Management Department

As a four-year private, non-profit liberal arts institution, York College of Pennsylvania educates more than 4,900 full-time students on its 190-acre suburban campus in Spring Garden Township within south-central Pennsylvania’s York County. The York Spartans compete with 22 varsity sports in the competitive NCAA Division III Capital Athletic Conference. Included in Barron’s Best Buys, York College is ranked the 83rd best regional college and 61st top university for military in the North by the U.S. News. The Hospitality, Recreation, and Sport Management Department offers three bachelor’s programs and an Athletic Coaching minor within Graham School of Business.

Sport Management, B.S.

York College’s Sport Management B.S. is one of 45 programs in the United States with COSMA accreditation to lay an effective foundation for building a long-lasting career in the competitive sports business industry. In Grumbacher Sport and Fitness Center, students have a world-class learning environment for completing 121 required credits. Elective sequences are offered in Applied Youth Development, Athletic Coaching, International Business, Legal Studies, Marketing, Operations Management, and Public Relations. For the capstone, students must complete at least 450 hours of real-world work experience. Past internship sites have included Adidas, Under Armour, Special Olympics, Roger Dean Stadium, Penn State, and Madison Square Garden. There’s also a Sport Management Professional Day networking event.

Accreditation

- - - Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA)
    - Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
    - Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

Contact

441 Country Club Road
York, PA 17403
(717) 846-3651
fbecker@ycp.edu

Sports are cherished pastimes that have been commercialized into an indelible, profitable industry generating billions worldwide each year. Having exceptional athletic talent isn’t required for standing out in sports business. Earning a degree in sports management will equip you with the game-changing skills to influence the success of teams off-the-field. Whether you want to become a ticket sales manager, sports event planner, or facility administrator, you’ll benefit from these sports management degree programs from accredited colleges and universities in Pennsylvania.

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