Five Benefits of a Ph.D. in Sports Management
- Higher Career Earnings
- Chance to Explore Something That Interests You
- Transferrable Skills
- Job Opportunities
- Improved Knowledge of Sports Management
When analyzing the reasons to pursue a Ph.D. in Sports Management, many students struggle with making a final decision. After all, a doctorate will facilitate additional expenses and undermine their ability to immediately gain professional experience. Nonetheless, the benefits of a lengthened academic career are countless.
1. Higher Career Earnings
The first and most common advantage of a doctorate in sports management is the increased income. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, those who have a Ph.D. earn an average of $1,743 per week. When compared to other educational levels, they make $300 and almost $600 more than people with a master’s or bachelor’s degree, respectively. Based on the figures, it seems that a few years spent completing doctorate studies for sports management will financially pay off.
2. Chance to Explore Something That Interests You
As with all other majors, students who want to further their studies to a doctorate in sports management will have to develop a thesis, do research, and defend their findings. Doing so is an outstanding opportunity to explore something that truly interests them. Upon receiving the degree, they can subsequently leverage the newly acquired knowledge to pursue a specific career choice. So, while it is true that a doctorate demands a hefty amount of time and postpones someone’s entry to the workforce, it can be a very fun and exciting process.
3. Transferrable Skills
Sports management majors who stop at bachelor’s or master’s level will have outstanding knowledge accompanied by a few solid skills developed along the way. Those who decide to spend another two or three years in school, however, will elevate their intangible skills to a brand new level. The reason why is that doctorate students have to teach and conduct in-depth research. Doing so helps establish and perfect communication, resourcefulness, adaptability, and leadership. Once they begin working full-time, every single one of those talents will come in very handy.
4. Job Opportunities
Even though the job market in the United States does not follow a lot of predictable patterns, it is generally true that more education translates to more opportunities. The same applies to sports management professionals. Someone who stops at a bachelor’s degree will have much fewer options than someone who has a doctorate. Just consider, for instance, the fact that individuals who obtain a Ph.D. will be able to work in academic circles as college professors or researchers. Those jobs alone increase their overall opportunities immensely.
5. Improved Knowledge of Sports Management
Since the basis of every graduate program is additional learning, doctorate students can see this as an opportunity to further their knowledge. As said, they will be able to choose a particular topic that they want to explore and the program will help them become experts in that area. Those who are truly interested in the learning side of things will not find a more convenient option. After all, once they begin their full-time career, most of the learning will take place through courses of continuing education that is extremely limited in scope.
Related Resource: Top 10 PhD Programs in Sports Management
With all of the said benefits in mind, is it possible to determine whether people should prolong their studies? Not exactly. Every student will have to take a look at their particular circumstances and reasons to pursue a Ph.D. in Sports Management to make the right decision.
