Sports Management, Bachelor of Science

Purpose

The Bachelor of Science degree program in Sports Management provides students with the knowledge and practical experience necessary for a career in sports management. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to seek employment in a variety of organizations, including professional sports organizations, collegiate sports, business, and non-profit organizations.

Program of Study

Students receive a broad-based, personalized education in sports management. The program, which integrates theory with practical internship requirements, develops students for the opportunities available in sports management. In addition to the sports management curriculum, the program includes a strong business management component, providing students with the skills necessary to succeed in the corporate areas of this field. The degree program offers students a variety of hands-on experiences which enhance their opportunities for career choices. Also, the general education requirements provide a well-rounded academic foundation.

Program Competencies

In addition to achieving the Wilmington University undergraduate graduation competencies given in the Academic Information section of this catalog, upon completion of the Sports Management program, the graduate will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate effective information literacy and communication skills with valid and reliable research.
  2. Apply ethical standards as required by sports management professionals.
  3. Evaluate differences between sports management, sports marketing, and sports finance within the firm.
  4. Analyze how the legal system impacts the fields of amateur and professional sports.
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of strategic planning in budgeting, marketing, and promotions in athletics at the college and professional levels, and in public and recreational organizations.
  6. Recognize the diversity and societal impact of sports in the past and present day society.

Curriculum

General Education Requirements (27 credits)

CTA 226Integrating Excel into Business Problem Solving

3

ECO 105Fundamentals of Economics

3

ENG 121English Composition I

3

ENG 122English Composition II

3

ENG 131Public Speaking

3

HUM 360Human World Views: 3500 BCE–1650 AD

3

HUM 361Human World Views: 1650 AD–Present

3

MAT 121College Math I

3

PHI 100Introduction to Critical Thinking

3

Humanities Elective (6 credits)

Natural Science Elective (3 credits)

Social Science Electives (6 credits)

Select two courses from the following:

PSY 101Introduction to Psychology

3

SOC 101Introduction to Sociology

3

History/Political Science Elective

Business Core (33 credits)

BAC 101Accounting I

3

BAC 102Accounting II

3

BBM 201Principles of Management

3

BBM 301Organizational Behavior

3

BBM 320Business Communications

3

BBM 402Strategic Management

3

MIS 320Management Information Systems

3

FIN 305Financial Management

3

MAT 122College Math II

3

MAT 308/SCI 308Inferential Statistics

3

Choose one of the following:

BBM 411Operations and Systems Management

3

HRM 311Human Resource Management

3

Sports Management Program Core (30 credits)

The College of Business programs require a minimum grade of “C” for program core courses. Students receiving a grade lower than “C” in any required program core course must retake that course.

SPM 301Legal and Ethical Issues in Sports

3

SPM 302Sociology of Sport

3

SPM 305Sports Management I

3

SPM 306Sport Media Relations

3

SPM 405Sports Management II

3

SPM 406Sport Facilities Management and Planning

3

SPM 407Sports Marketing and Promotions

3

SPM 408Financing Sport Operations

3

SPM 490Sports Management Internship I

3

SPM 491Sports Management Internship II

3

Sports Management Business Electives (6 credits)

Recommended electives in this category are as follows:

PSY 353Sports Psychology

3

SPM 200Science of Coaching

3

SPM 210Sports in America

3

SPM 304Current Issues in Sports Management

3

SPM 309Sports and Athletics Fundraising

3

Free Electives (9 credits)

Note: Spanish fluency can be of great value in a number of sports management positions. Students should consider the following courses as their elective choices:

SPA 301Practical Spanish I

3

SPA 302Practical Spanish II

3

SPA 306

Suggested Program Sequence

Freshman

1st Semester

CTA 226Integrating Excel into Business Problem Solving

3

ENG 121English Composition I

3

MAT 121College Math I

3

PHI 100Introduction to Critical Thinking

3

 

Social Science Elective

OR

FYE 101First Year Experience Seminar

3

2nd Semester

BBM 201Principles of Management

3

ECO 105Fundamentals of Economics

3

ENG 122English Composition II

3

SCI
Natural Science Elective

Social Science Elective

Sophomore

1st Semester

BAC 101Accounting I

3

ENG 131Public Speaking

3

MAT 122College Math II

3

MIS 320Management Information Systems

3

SPM 305Sports Management I

3

2nd Semester

BAC 102Accounting II

3

BBM 320Business Communications

3

 

BBM 411Operations and Systems Management

3

OR

HRM 311Human Resource Management

3

 

MAT 308/SCI 308Inferential Statistics

3

SPM 301Legal and Ethical Issues in Sports

3

Junior

1st Semester

SPM 306Sport Media Relations

3

HUM 360Human World Views: 3500 BCE–1650 AD

3

FIN 305Financial Management

3

SPM 405Sports Management II

3

SPM 302Sociology of Sport

3

2nd Semester

HUM 361Human World Views: 1650 AD–Present

3

SPM 406Sport Facilities Management and Planning

3

SPM 490Sports Management Internship I

3

Free Elective

Humanities Elective

Senior

1st Semester

BBM 301Organizational Behavior

3

SPM 407Sports Marketing and Promotions

3

Social Science Elective

SPM/Business Elective

SPM/Business Elective

2nd Semester

BBM 402Strategic Management

3

SPM 408Financing Sport Operations

3

SPM 491Sports Management Internship II

3

Free Elective

SPM/Business Elective

Sports Management with a Concentration in Nonprofit Management

The nonprofit industry is one of the fastest growing employers. The industry is seeking out marketers, HR professionals, and managers with an interest in strategic planning within the nonprofit industry. This nonprofit concentration will focus on the following content areas: Introduction to nonprofits, fiscal management, advocacy and public policy, and one specific identified nonprofit course in the student’s program. There are four core courses in the concentration and one specific program course or an internship. Two of the courses are shared between the College of Behavioral Science and the College of Business. This is a concentration for bachelor’s degrees in Business Management, Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management, and Sports Management.

Core requirements (12 credits)

NFP 301Intro to Nonprofit Agencies

3

NFP 302Management of the Nonprofit Organization

3

NFP 303Foundations of Fiscal Management for Nonprofit

3

NFP 304Advocacy and Public Policy

3

Program specific requirements (3 credits)

Students can choose ONE of the following 5 courses:

BMK 339Marketing for Nonprofits

3

FIN 331Finance for Nonprofit

3

HRM 361HRM in Public and Nonprofit Organizations

3

NFP 307Fundraising for Nonprofits

3

SPM 309Sports and Athletics Fundraising

3

Students may substitute any program specific course for an alternate NFP course of their choosing or an internship.

Total concentration courses are five courses equaling 15 credits.