Sport management continues to be one of the fastest growing majors in the country, with options available in sport administration, management and business. Regardless of what the program is named, there is consensus that this is a great time to enter the field.
Just as there is variety in the actual degree name, sport management programs, can be housed in various colleges and departments. These departments include exercise and sport science, kinesiology, tourism and hospitality, or business. The sheer number of universities offering programs in the area of sport management is a key indicator of its popularity.
Curriculum Best Practices
Sport management education experts agree that students in the best programs complement their sport management classes with business courses. In addition, sport management programs should offer classes focusing on sports’ societal impacts, ethics, finance, marketing, communications, governance and policy, legal aspects, and some form of a research class in a capstone. Most programs also include an internship and some type of practical learning component. EKU’s sport management program follows all of these curriculum best practices to ensure our students are well prepared to enter the field.
Program Changes Create Opportunities
In an effort to ensure our program evolves with the needs and interests of our students, EKU’s sport management program is pleased to announce some exciting new opportunities.
The first of these opportunities is the addition of two new concentrations, applied professional studies and sport management.
- Applied professional studies is designed for students who wish to take a more applied approach to their study of sport management. This concentration includes the core business courses and is a good fit for students who wish to pursue careers with a focus on coaching, athlete development and communications.
- Sport management builds on the core business courses and is designed for students who are interested in pursuing careers focused on the administration and management aspects of the field.
“Our sport management program is one of the best in the country,” says Dr. Daniel Czech, Dean of the College of Health Sciences. “Moreover, our faculty are second to none. If you want a job as you graduate and you enjoy the sporting world, think EKU sports management. We currently have a new emphasis area within the major called ‘applied professional studies’ that is geared to applying the skills learned through sports to the workforce. The College of Health Sciences is very excited about this new emphasis area!”
Department of Parks, Recreation, Exercise, and Sport Science
In addition to offering concentrations EKU’s sport management program is now housed within the new Department of Parks, Recreation, Exercise, and Sport Science (PRESS). EKU has alumni working in many roles in campus recreation and public recreation departments around the country. This new department will serve to strengthens the already close relationship between these academic areas and create new career opportunities.
Dr. Jon McChesney, Department Chair of PRESS, echoes this sentiment noting there has not been a better time to “join the dynamic world of sport management with a degree from EKU!” Dr. McChesney also notes that the global market in sport management is growing at over 5% and is projected to be a $512 billion dollar industry in 2023. “You will find our faculty to be engaging and vested in your career preparation. Jobs are diverse, exciting, and EKU will prepare you well for this awesome career field,” said McChesney.
Interested in joining the growing and dynamic world of sport management?
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