Bachelors Degree in Sports Management Online

Earning an Online Sports Management Bachelor Degrees might be perfect for sports fans who want to turn their passion into a lifestyle. Sports management bachelors programs cover areas like sports facilities management, player representation, ticket sales, and more. They also address key business topics like finance, marketing, and economics. And that’s just the beginning.

Online Sports Management Bachelor Degrees

What Are Online Sports Management Bachelor Degrees?

These are undergraduate programs that may focus on the business of sports – from managing college athletics departments to marketing for professional teams! Here are some features that online sports management bachelors programs may have in common:

  • They may consist of approximately 120 credit hours (depending on the program).
  • A degree is typically earned in approximately eight semesters or four years (depending on the student and the program).
  • Programs feature courses in sports management, business, and general education.
  • Degree programs may require students to pursue a sports management internship.
  • Finally, the can be earned partly or entirely online (more about that, later).

Areas of Focus

You may find various types of online sports management undergraduate programs, with slightly different areas of focus. Two common ones may be:

  • Bachelor of Science or B.S. in Sports Management
  • Bachelor of Arts or B.A. in Sports Management

It’s generally a good idea to request information on programs you are interested in, so you can compare them side by side.

What You May Learn in Online Sports Management Bachelor Degrees?

Depending on the program, you may study everything from sports marketing to ethics and legal issues in sports. Programs teach classes so students can discover how sports organizations are run, while studying the theory and practice of sports administration. Degree programs may even talk about the history of sports, and how sports affect our society.

Sample Courses

Here’s a sampling of possible courses you might find in online sports management bachelor degrees:

  • Sport facility design and management
  • Sport finance
  • Sports issues and trends
  • Administration and organization in sports
  • Sports communications
  • Personnel management in sport
  • Sociology of sport

You may also take some general business courses, like:

  • Financial accounting
  • Principles of management
  • Marketing
  • Microeconomics
  • Macroeconomics

And finally, your prospective bachelors program may also require general education courses, like:

  • College algebra
  • Intro to psychology
  • College composition
  • Computer problem-solving
  • Natural science

Choose a Minor

Some online sports management undergraduate programs may also offer prospective minors, like coaching, business, or even journalism. Keep in mind that any minor you pursue may have additional course requirements. For example, if you wanted to minor in sports outreach, you might have to pursue courses like sports mentoring, global sports outreach, and more.

And, some programs may require students to pursue an internship…even if you are an online student! Pursuing an internship may be a great way to learn more about a particular sports management role, or potentially learn the ins and outs of an organization. 

What Can You Do with an Online Sports Management Bachelor Degrees?

Some sports management and business roles that may require a bachelor’s degree include the following:

  • Coach i
  • Scout 
  • Athlete Marketing Agent ii
  • Director of Athletics iii
  • Facility manageriv
  • Business or Operations Manager
  • And more!

Did You Know?

47% of coaches and scouts said they needed a bachelor’s degree. iii

Why Earn a Sports Management Bachelors Degree Online?*

Pursuing an online bachelors degree in sports management may be a perfect alternative to traditional, campus-based learning…especially for busy, working students! Business programs were the most popular online undergraduate programs in 2016. And, 90% of students who took both online and in-person courses said their online courses were as good or better.

Here are a few potential benefits of earning a sports management bachelors degree online.

They're great for “nontraditional” students. – Whether you work full-time, you’re a busy parent, or you have a schedule that doesn’t permit on-campus courses, online learning may be a great fit. You may be able to study sports management at the time that works best for you – whether that’s late at night or between quarters.

Save yourself the commute. – If you don’t live near a campus that offers sports management programs, and you’re unable to move, pursuing an online bachelors degree in sports management may be the perfect path. You could potentially take sports management courses from a college or university across the state (or country!) from the comfort of home.

You don’t want to miss out. – In 2016, most online students said optional internships were “attractive” or “very attractive.” Fortunately, sports management internships and other traditional “in person” experiences may be part of some online programs. Ask your prospective school’s program rep to find out more!

Get to know peers and faculty. – Sports-related career paths, like coaching and scouting, may require good communication and interpersonal skills.i Not to worry! Online programs may use technology like message boards, learning management systems, and other cool tech tools to help students talk and collaborate.

Evaluating Online Sports Management Bachelor Degrees

Here are some factors worth considering as you explore online sports management undergraduate programs that may be perfect for you:v

Accreditation - According to the U.S. Department of Education, accreditation indicates that a college or university may meet acceptable quality standards. And, if you qualify for federal student aid, it is usually important to pursue your bachelors program at a school that is accredited by a nationally recognized accreditor. For more information about accreditation and what it may mean for your prospective bachelor’s program, you may wish to visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website.vi

Fun Fact

COSMA, the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation, specifically accredits sports management programs.

Academics – It may seem obvious, but look for reputable online sports management bachelor degrees programs that offer courses of interest to you. Whether you want to pursue a potential coaching career path, study sports marketing, or something different, try to find a college or university with related majors, minors, and coursework. That might mean checking out a few prospective sports management programs to see what subjects they feature.

Admission requirements – Various online bachelors degree in sports management programs may have different enrollment requirements. Some criteria for admission may include past academic performance and GPA, interests and activities, SAT scores, and your personal background. Before applying, check to make sure you meet the requirements!

Program features and resources – Perhaps you are hoping to pursue an internship, or maybe career counseling services are important to you. Try making a list of features that you hope to find in a prospective online bachelors degree in sports management program.

Reputation – Check out stats like retention rate and graduation rate for the school you’re interested in. You may also want to ask about graduate outcomes, and alumni who have achieved career satisfaction. These stats may only part of the picture, but they may help you evaluate your prospective college or university’s reputation.

Step Up to the Plate!

Pursuing an online sports management bachelors program may be an awesome path for sports enthusiasts with big dreams. But what’s the next step? For starters, you can check out our sponsored listings for online bachelors degree in sports management programs that may be perfect for you. See a program that interests you? Just click “Request Info” to learn more and get calls from recruiters.


[i] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/entertainment-and-sports/coaches-and-scouts.htm#tab-4 [ii] https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/13-1011.00 [iii] https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/27-2022.00 [iv] https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/11-1021.00 [v] https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/prepare-for-college/choosing-schools/consider[vi] https://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/accreditation.html *Clinefelter, D. L. & Aslanian, C. B., (2016). Online college students 2016: Comprehensive data on demands and preferences. Louisville, KY: The Learning House, Inc.