Sports Management Degree Programs in Vermont

New Englanders can select from four sports management degree programs in Vermont to transition from fans to team leaders. Although Vermont is America’s second least populous state, the over 626,000 residents there are passionate about sports. The Green Mountains make sites like Killington Resort, Burke Mountain, and Jay Peak popular winter sports hotspots. Several Olympic gold medalists, including Hannah Teter and Barbara Cochran, hail from Vermont. When pristine powder melts, Vermonters turn to minor league teams like the Vermont Lake Monsters, Vermont Ice Storm, and Vermont Voltage for entertainment. In West Haven, there’s also the Devil’s Bowl Speedway for fast-paced NASCAR racing. Students choosing the following top-notch sports management degrees in Vermont will benefit from diverse career opportunities.

Rankings

Castleton University

Department of Health, Human Movement & Sport

Founded in 1787 as Rutland County Grammar School, Castleton University is a public, state-funded liberal arts institution enrolling approximately 2,200 students on its 165-acre rural campus just seven miles from the Vermont/New York border. High school counselors surveyed by the U.S. News placed Castleton as America’s 221st best liberal arts college. Nicknamed the Spartans, Castleton’s 20 NCAA Division III varsity teams from lacrosse to ice hockey compete in the North Atlantic Conference. The Department of Health, Human Movement & Sport houses two sports management degree programs in Vermont and hosts an active Sport Management & Administration Club (SMAC).

B.S. in Sports Administration

Multidisciplinary coursework is integrated into the B.S. in Sports Administration program to prepare Castleton undergraduates for entry-level sports industry jobs. With an emphasis on experiential education, the 120-credit program trains students to manage budgets, legalities, media communications, and facilities for sports organizations. Undergraduates applying during the Fall of sophomore year to enter with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Students select from tracks in Broadcast Media, Outdoor Education Administration, Sport Promotion, Sport Information, or Sport Business. Every Castleton major must complete at least 450 clock hours of internship. Past sites have included Spartan Arena, Mill River Union, Killington Recreation, and Stockbridge Golf Course.

M.S. in Athletic Leadership

Primarily held online, the M.S. in Athletic Leadership program at Castleton University allows professionals to advance towards administrative positions with just one on-campus seminar. The affordable, 30-credit program offers a personalized touch for concentrating in Athletic Administration or Coaching Leadership. Students broaden their business acumen for managing the unique aspects of youth, high school, university, and professional sports teams. Full-time students may graduate in 12 months, but part-time learners can set their own pace. Online access is conveniently through Moodle and Adobe Connect. The program culminates with a capstone project or 300-hour administrative internship. There’s also a 4+1 option for B.S. students.

Accreditations

• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)

Contact

62 Alumni Drive
Castleton, VT 05735
(802) 468-6430
Marybeth.Lennox@castleton.edu
http://www.castleton.edu/academics/graduate-programs/masters-of-science-in-athletic-leadership/

College of St. Joseph

Business Division

Located on a wooded, 117-acre campus in rural Rutland less than 17 miles from Killington Ski Resort for winter sports lovers, the College of St. Joseph is a private, residential Roman Catholic liberal arts institution affiliated with the Sisters of St. Joseph to educate around 350. Offering financial aid to 100 percent of freshmen, CSJ proudly stands among the Washington Monthly’s “Best Bang for the Buck” schools. Playing in the USCAA Division II, the CSJ Fighting Saints won two 2016 national championships in baseball and women’s basketball. The Business Division currently offers three undergraduate majors, including one of the finest sports management degree programs in Vermont.

Bachelor of Science in Sports Management

CSJ’s Bachelor of Science in Sports Management develops a strong business foundation for undergraduates to apply their passion for sports in today’s billion-dollar industry. Students are trained with the fundamental skills to develop strategic plans for profitable, winning sporting enterprises. The 120-credit curriculum builds upon general education with specialized sports-related business courses from marketing to facility management. Adding a minor in Business Administration, Accounting, Social Media, or Resort and Recreation Management is possible. Juniors and seniors with a minimum 2.0 GPA are encouraged to complete an internship. Students also gain real-world experience with the business policy capstone project.

Accreditations

• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)

Contact

71 Clement Road
Rutland, VT 05701
(802) 773-5900
admissions@csj.edu
http://www.csj.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/sports-management/

Johnson State College

Business & Economics Department

Enrolling a close-knit community of 1,750 students, Johnson State College is a small public, co-educational liberal arts institution first opened in 1828 on a 350-acre rural campus in Lamoille County around 45 miles northeast of Burlington. The JSC Badgers participate in the NCAA Division II North Atlantic Conference in 15 varsity sports on Minaert Field and Carter Varsity Gym. Best Value Schools included JSC within its list for America’s “100 Most Affordable Small Colleges.” From the Business & Economics Department, Johnson State has produced several alumni chosen as Rising Stars in Vermont Business Magazine.

B.A. in Business, Sport Management Track

When searching for sports management degree programs in Vermont, don’t overlook Johnson State College because the B.A. in Business offers a specialized Sport Management Track. This upper-division program melds the 38-credit business core with 18 credits in sports business to prepare students for managing professional teams and arenas. Undergraduates gather in-depth skills for marketing athletic events, representing athletes, coaching, scheduling games, budgeting, and more. Students even take courses in sports psychology to learn how mentality impacts athletics and physical education. B.A. majors must complete an approved internship during their senior year. A special partnership with Clarkson University allows graduates to earn an MBA in 12 months post-graduation.

Accreditations

• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)

Contact

337 College Hill
Johnson, VT 05656
(800) 635-2356
James.Black@jsc.edu
http://www.jsc.edu/academics/business-economics/majors-and-minors/sport-management

North American sports market revenue is projected to surpass $73 billion by 2019. Majoring in sports management provides the perfect springboard for leaping into this growing industry like an athlete. Your bachelor’s or master’s degree can translate into gratifying managerial careers overseeing the business side of athletics. According to the BLS, jobs in sports business management will rise by 10 percent through 2024. Edge out competition for opening leadership positions by selecting these sports management degree programs in Vermont.

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