In Sport Management, you’ll explore all aspects of the sport industry. Today more than ever, sport is woven into the social, cultural, and economic fabric of society. Sport is business. Sport is entertainment. Sport has endless educational and career opportunities awaiting those who have passion for the industry. If the world of sports is where your passions lie, Falk College’s Department of Sport Management is for you. Our professionally focused programs allow students to hone their interests in such areas as sport administration; sport business, finance and sales; sport marketing and promotion; facility and arena management; event planning; sport communications and community relations; athletic compliance and sport law, and sport analytics. Sport Management students have the opportunity to take part in experiential learning trips to Lake Placid, Los Angeles, Australia, Europe and Boston, among others. Students meet with industry professionals and sport entities to gain first-hand knowledge of what it’s like to work in the industry.
Why this degree makes a difference in society today…tomorrow…
Sport is a universal component in the worldwide economy. An increased emphasis on global sport continues to spur demand for graduates of our Sport Management program. A career in sport provides limitless opportunities to make your mark on the industry and make your dream career a reality. Graduates can position themselves as leaders at the forefront of the sport industry for years to come.
Sample Courses
Core coursework includes sport law, technology, sales, marketing, communications, data analysis, event management, research methods, professional development, and finance. Sample courses include:
- Principles of Sport Management
- Technology in Sport
- Sport Finance
- Sport Communications
- Sponsorship and Promotion
- Managing the Sport Organization
- Research Methodology
- Sport Law
What Our Students Are Saying
Our Facilities
Falk College’s Milton Conrad Technology Lab doubles as a student classroom and computer lab that meets the latest programming trends in event and sport venue operations, and provides students live game-day production experiences. Students train to operate live events using equipment identical to what is found at major sport venues, such as ribbon boards and a scoreboard systems controller.
Senior Capstone
As a part of their Sport Management degree requirements, during one of their last two semesters, students must complete a 12-credit Senior Capstone Experience to gain valuable hands-on experience in the sports industry before graduation. The Capstone planning process begins during a student’s first year in the sport management program. The process concludes with SPM 455—Capstone Experience in the senior year during the fall or spring semesters, or summer. The Capstone is a full-semester internship with a specific sport entity typically in a location outside of Syracuse. The Capstone Experience requires the students to work within a sport related organization for a minimum of 540 hours over the course of one semester, gaining experience in areas such as sales, marketing, finance, event management, administration, communication, or law, among many others. The student will gain hands-on experience in a variety of areas under the supervision of qualified sport industry professionals. The faculty and staff in the Department of Sport Management have deep connections in the sport industry, which result in an ever-growing list of Capstone partners. Senior Capstone placements have included:
- Comcast-Spectacor, ESPN, Turner Sports and other sport news agencies
- Octagon, IMG, Wasserman, Steiner Sports Marketing and other sports marketing agencies
- Madison Square Garden and other sport complexes
- MLB teams
- Major League Soccer
- National Hockey League
- NFL teams and National Football League
- Companies such as Under Armour, AEG
- U.S. Olympic Committee
Study Abroad
Broaden your perspective and enhance your resume with a study abroad experience during your college experience. Consistently ranked among the top 25 international education providers in the U.S., Syracuse Abroad has more than 100 programs in 60 countries. Sport management majors most often go abroad to centers in Florence, London, and Madrid. World Partner programs including CEA Prague, the University of New South Wales, and the University of the West Indies are also available. Summer programs of interest may include Australia: Sport, History, and Culture, Sociological Perspectives of Sport (Madrid), and Olympic Odyssey (London, Paris, Lausanne, and Athens).
Careers
The Falk College’s Department of Sport Management (SPM) at Syracuse University incorporates studies in liberal arts with professional requirements and general electives, providing students with the tools to pursue careers and graduate study in sport. Falk College offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Sport Management, a Bachelor of Science degree in Sport Analytics, a Master of Science in Sport Venue and Event Management, and a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Intercollegiate Athletic Advising and Support. Students learn from courses and hands-on experiential opportunities in sport business and finance, sales, marketing, law, promotion, technology, communications, research methods, data analysis, event planning and facility management to obtain a bachelor of science degree. Students are encouraged to complete a minor outside of sport management and sport analytics. When considering a career path in sport management or sport analytics, the following information is helpful:
- A bachelor degree is sufficient for entry-level positions.
- An advanced degree is essential for some business management positions, and supervisory roles in sports organizations.
- A Ph.D. is recommended for college teaching.
- A J.D. degree may be useful in becoming a professional athlete’s agent, general counsel for an organization or other such positions.
- Useful skills in the field include writing and research, communication and public speaking, time management and organization, technology and social media, problem solving, decision making, and critical thinking.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential for any career path in sport management.
- As the sport industry transforms into a global enterprise in countries like India, China, Russia and South America, multilingual students will be highly sought to fill positions.
Ask any sport management graduate and industry practitioner and they will tell you gaining relevant hands-on experience is critical if you aspire to land a job in the sport industry after graduation. The field of sport management is extremely competitive. Consequently, it is critical for students to begin building their personal portfolio of related experiences as early as possible to develop sports leadership experience. To further help achieve their career pursuits students are encouraged to join a sport management-specific student organization at SU, including the Sport Management Club, Women in Sports and Events, SPM Sales Club, Sport Professionals of Color, the Sabermetrics Club or ’Cuse Crew. Students also volunteer to work events at the Carrier Dome, Syracuse Athletics, or one of the professional baseball, hockey, or soccer teams in Syracuse.
What can you do now to prepare?
Because the sport management industry is extremely competitive, many students begin building their portfolios with related internship and volunteer experience as early as high school. Students interested in sport management find it helpful to supplement their classes with the following hands-on experience:
- Participate in sports organizations and clubs, or assist through volunteer work with events or clinics.
- Help administer youth sports camps and clinics.
- Volunteer for school, professional, or amateur sports teams, camps, clinics, and events such as road races, triathlons, and golf tournaments.
- Help with the development and organization of community sporting events and fundraisers.
Student Organizations
Sport Management majors are involved in unique programs through their academic coursework and innovative research projects led by our faculty, including:
- ‘Cuse Crew, which allows students to become general managers of SU Olympic sports teams;
- Sabermetrics Club, which studies advanced baseball statistics and competes in national competitions;
- SPM Club, which is the largest student-run organization on campus, with special events including the annual Charity Sports Auction to benefit local charities;
- SPM Sales Club, which partners with SU Athletics to sell tickets to SU games;
- Syracuse University Athletics with on-campus internships in athletic communications, marketing, special events, team sport managers, development and facilities management.
- Women in Sports and Events (WISE), a national organization focusing on leadership, special events and networking skills. Syracuse University is honored to be the inaugural collegiate chapter of WISE.
Learn more about Sport Management student organizations
Getting Admitted
Applying is easy and only takes minutes using a Common Application. Learn more about application requirements and deadlines:
Are you a current Falk College or Syracuse University student interested in transferring into the Sport Management program?
Learn more about the Sport Management, B.S. Intra-University Transfer (IUT) Process
Learn More:
For additional admissions information, contact the Office of Admissions at falk@syr.edu, or fill out our online form: