Sports are a massive industry, and the field of sports management continues to grow each year. As interest in sports rises, so does the need for qualified professionals to manage teams, leagues, facilities, and other sports-related organizations. A sports management degree can help prepare you for an exciting and rewarding career in this popular industry.
While on-campus programs remain popular options, online sports management degrees have increased opportunities for working professionals and others who need flexibility.
The Growth of Sports Management Degrees
Before diving into online options specifically, it’s helpful to understand the expansion of sports management as an academic discipline overall. Sports have long been a cultural phenomenon and big business, but the field of sports management is relatively new. Some of the earliest sports management degree programs launched in the 1980s and 1990s as interest grew.
Since then, the number of sports management degree opportunities has skyrocketed at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. According to the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA), there were over 350 accredited undergraduate and graduate sports management programs globally as of 2022. The United States is home to the majority of these accredited programs.
This rapid growth stems from the continually expanding scope of the sports industry. Sports now represent a multi-billion dollar global business sector encompassing everything from professional teams to youth leagues, equipment manufacturing, venues, media, and more. As sports have become more commercialized and specialized, the need has increased for dedicated experts to oversee all aspects of sports operations, from marketing and business development to law, finance, analytics, and beyond.
Benefits of Online Sports Management Degrees
As the field of sports management has professionalized, so too have the education options. Where once on-campus programs sufficed, today’s sports industry demands a highly skilled and diverse workforce. This is where online sports management degrees excel in removing barriers to obtaining this in-demand credential. Here are some of the top benefits:
Flexibility
Perhaps the biggest advantage of online programs is flexibility. With virtual coursework delivered asynchronously, students can often complete assignments according to their own schedule. This makes online sports management degrees highly compatible with work, family, or other commitments that could preclude attending regular on-campus classes. Students are not confined by set class times or commutes.
Accessibility
Location is no longer a limiting factor for pursuing a sports management education thanks to online programs. Students from any state or country with an internet connection can earn a sports management degree from accredited online universities without having to relocate. This opens up sports leadership opportunities worldwide. It also lets students take advantage of programs they otherwise may not have been able to access due to proximity.
Cost Savings
Traditional university attendance involves not just tuition but also living expenses like housing, meals, transportation, and more. By completing the program virtually rather than needing to be on-campus, online degrees can offer tuition rates that are sometimes lower than brick-and-mortar equivalents. Students may also save money on relocation or living away from home. Even when costs are comparable between online and in-person choices, online students may still enjoy savings from the reduced life expenses associated with virtual schooling.
Program Variety
The volume and diversity of accredited online sports management degree options have exploded in recent years. Students now have their choice of program concentrations, levels of study, specializations, and more – from undergraduate certificates and associate’s degrees through master’s and doctoral pathways. Popular specialty tracks include sports marketing, sports analytics, sports law, sport facilities management, and sport coaching & administration. This variety lets students customize their education to targeted career goals.
Choosing the Right Online Program
With so many online sports management options, choosing the best-fit program requires careful evaluation of available schools and their unique strengths. Here are some factors to prioritize in the selection process:
Accreditation
Earning a degree from an accredited program is important for assuring quality and credibility with future employers or graduate schools. For sports management, accreditation through COSMA signifies meeting rigorous national standards. Only accredited programs will adequately prepare students and lead directly to career opportunities. Avoid unaccredited online offerings.
Curriculum & Concentrations
Review course catalogs to assess how programs cover core sports management subjects as well as specialized electives or tracks. The ideal curriculum aligns with prospective career goals. For example, an aspiring sports lawyer would prioritize sport law courses over pure coaching strategies. Concentrations allow tailoring studies to targeted professional domains.
Student Services
Online students need robust technical, academic, and career support services no matter their location. Check what services schools provide, like online tutoring, library resources, technology help, career advising/prep, academic counseling, and alumni networking tools. Comprehensive services maximize opportunity for success.
Faculty Credentials
The best instructors possess both educational expertise and real-world experience in sports. Check faculty profiles to ensure they include elite academic credentials plus relevant industry experience. This background lends practical lessons to virtual classrooms. If programs list adjunct instructors, find their bios too.
Cost & Financial Aid
Upfront and total projected costs should factor heavily into decisions. Compare tuition rates, expenses, and available scholarships or grants among leading online options. Discuss financing strategies with academic advisors too if seeking assistance. Cost burden ultimately impacts long-term value and return on investment from the degree.
Core Skills Builders for Online Success
Certain aptitudes lend themselves well to thriving in online learning environments. Developing these skills upfront increases potential for rewarding experiences and outcomes in virtual sports management education.
Time Management
Without rigid class schedules, online students must self-motivate, prioritize assignments, and structure independent study time. Strong time managers leverage scheduling tools to balance coursework, other commitments, and fulfill deadlines consistently without reminders.
Self-Discipline
Online school requires self-motivation to participate actively without face-to-face oversight. Students need perseverance to complete readings and assignments independently as required, proactively reach out for help as needed, and actively engage with peers and instructors remotely.
Written Communication
Much interaction happens through writing in online forums. Students share effectively by communicating clearly, concisely, and professionally in all messages, from initial class introductions through substantive discussions and final essays or reports.
Technology Proficiency
Running virtual classes demands mastery of learning management platforms, videoconferencing tools, collaborative software, and other technologies as core pathways of interaction. Students optimize the digital learning experience through confident technology navigation and troubleshooting skills.
Timely Feedback
Instructors appreciate prompt responses from students to maintain virtual discussion momentum. More active online communicators view feedback as a collaborative learning process, not criticism, by welcoming instructor comments and applying them productively to future efforts.
Career Outcomes
With applied skills and a passion for sports, online sports management graduates enjoy diverse and rewarding career options. Just a sampling of potential career paths includes:
- Sport Marketing Manager – Developing promotional campaigns and community outreach strategies
- Athletic Director – Overseeing entire athletic department operations and strategic planning
- Facility Manager – Directing event planning, booking, and operations for sports complexes
- Sports Agent – Representing elite athletes professionally in contract negotiations
- Sport Event Coordinator – Managing logistics for tournaments, championships and other competitions
- Sports Information Director – Overseeing communications, media relations and content strategy
- Sports Data Analyst – Leveraging analytics to inform strategic business decisions
- Sports Lawyer/Agent – Providing legal counsel to athletes, teams and leagues
- College Athletic Coach – Training and developing student-athletes in multiple sports
- Youth Sports Administrator – Managing recreational, community and school sports programs
Graduates also pursue entrepreneurial paths like sports facilities or retail ownership, sports apparel/gear design, or starting sports technology or media companies. Online sports management degree holders work for professional franchises, colleges, governing bodies, performance brands and more.
FAQs About Online Sports Management Degrees
Here are answers to some common questions:
Are online sports management degrees as respected as on-campus programs?
Yes, as long as the online program is accredited like COSMA accredited options. Employers value degrees primarily based on accreditation, not delivery format. Online graduates demonstrate equivalent competencies to traditional counterparts.
Can I obtain scholarships for online study?
Absolutely. Many accredited online programs offer merit-based and need-based scholarships. Additionally, outside scholarship databases include opportunities for nontraditional and online students. Speak with program advisors about available funding.
How much self-discipline is really needed?
Online learning requires significant self-motivation compared to attending live classes regularly. Strong time management and an internal drive to complete readings and assignments independently on a planned schedule are essential traits. The asynchronous flexibility also means taking initiative to regularly engage peers and instructors.
Do online degrees limit career options?
No, an online degree from an accredited program confers the same credentials as an on-campus degree. As long as the degree is from a reputable school, it will provide the same qualifications and open the same career opportunities regardless of delivery format. Employers evaluate candidates based on their qualifications rather than how the degree was earned.
How long does it take to complete an online program?
Completion times for online sports management programs vary depending on several factors:
- Degree level (associate, bachelor’s, master’s, etc.)
- Enrollment status (part-time vs. full-time)
- Previous credits transferred in
- Program structure (accelerated courses available)
Most bachelor’s programs can be completed full-time in 2-4 years or part-time in 3-5 years. Master’s degrees usually require 1-2 years full-time or 2-3 years part-time. However, many accredited online programs offer flexible scheduling and year-round courses that may allow for accelerated completion in less overall time. Discuss unique program timelines with advisors.