Sport Management, Bachelor of Science

Program Purpose

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

Program of Study

Students receive a broad-based, personalized education in sport management. The program, which integrates theory with practical internship requirements, develops students for the opportunities available in sport management. In addition to the sport 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 Sport 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 sport management professionals.
  3. Evaluate differences between sport management, sport marketing, and sport finance within the firm.
  4. Differentiate between the legal system and sport compliance and its impacts the areas of amateur and professional sport.
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of the use of strategic planning, marketing, facilities management, and sport analytics in college, professional, and recreational sport.
  6. Recognize the diversity and societal impact of sport in the past and present day society.

Minimum Grade Policy

Students pursuing a degree in Sport Management are required by College of Business policy to attain a minimum grade of “C” for all program core courses. For the purpose of this policy, program core courses are all Sport Management courses. These courses are designated by the prefix “SPM.”

Curriculum - General Education Requirements

English Composition (12 Credits)

ENG 121English Composition I

3

ENG 122English Composition II

3

ENG 131Public Speaking

3

ENG 310Research Writing

3

Humanities (6 credits)

BBM 319Business Ethics

3

VFP 313Aesthetics of Film

3

DSN 110Fundamentals of Drawing

3

TEC 215Basic Photography

3

COM 245Writing for the Media

3

Culinary Arts Elective

3

Drama Elective

3

Ethnic Studies Elective

3

Fine Arts Elective

3

Foreign Language Elective

3

History Elective

3

HUM
Humanities Elective

3

Literature Elective

3

Music Elective

3

Philosophy Elective

3

Religion Elective

3

*BBM 319 is required.

Social Science (6 credits)

ECO 105Fundamentals of Economics

3

PSY 101Introduction to Psychology

3

All Sport Management majors are to take PSY 101.

Mathematics (3 Credits)

MAT 205Introductory Survey of Mathematics

3

Natural Science (3 or 4 Credits)

Natural Science Elective

3 or 4 credits

Computer Operations (3 Credits)

CTA 326Integrating Excel into Business Problem Solving

3

Critical Analysis (3 Credits)

PHI 100Introduction to Critical Thinking

3

Citizenship (3 Credits)

HIS 381Contemporary Global Issues

3

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

SPM 400Seminar in Sport Analytics

3

FIN 305Financial Management

3

HRM 311Human Resource Management

3

MAT 312Business Statistics

3

Choose one of the following:

BBM 411Operations and Systems Management

3

OR

BBM 370Global Business Management

3

Sport Management Program Core (30 credits)

SPM 301Legal and Ethical Issues in Sport

3

SPM 302Sociology of Sport

3

SPM 305Sport Management I

3

SPM 306Sport Media Relations

3

SPM 405Sport Management II

3

SPM 406Sport Facilities Management and Planning

3

SPM 407Sport Marketing and Promotions

3

SPM 408Financing Sport Operations

3

SPM 490Sport Management Internship I

3

SPM 491Sport Management Internship II

3

Sport Management/BBM/BMK/NFP/HRM/FIN/ACC Electives (9 credits)

Recommended electives in this category are as follows:

PSY 353 Sports Psychology

SPM 200 Science of Coaching

SPM 210 Sport in America

SPM 304 Current Issues in Sport Management

SPM 309 Sport and Athletics Fundraising

SPM/BBM/BMK/HRM/NFP/FIN/ACC Elective

3

SPM/BBM/BMK/HRM/NFP/FIN/ACC Elective

3

SPM/BBM/BMK/HRM/NFP/FIN/ACC Elective

3

Free Electives (9 credits)

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

SPA 301 Practical Spanish I

SPA 302 Practical Spanish II

Note: Students may use their free electives to complete the following certificates:

Sport Analytics Certificate

Sport Media Certificate

Nonprofit Management Certificate

Free Elective

3

Free Elective

3

Free Elective

3

Students with less than 16 transfer credits are required to take FYE 101 as one of their electives.

Suggested Program Sequence

Freshman

1st Semester

ENG 121English Composition I

3

PHI 100Introduction to Critical Thinking

3

Natural Science Elective

3 or 4 credits

PSY 101Introduction to Psychology

3

FYE 101First Year Experience Seminar

3

OR

Free Elective

3

2nd Semester

BBM 201Principles of Management

3

ECO 105Fundamentals of Economics

3

ENG 122English Composition II

3

MAT 205Introductory Survey of Mathematics

3

HIS 381Contemporary Global Issues

3

Sophomore

1st Semester

BAC 101Accounting I

3

BBM 320Business Communications

3

ENG 131Public Speaking

3

CTA 326Integrating Excel into Business Problem Solving

3

SPM 305Sport Management I

3

2nd Semester

BAC 102Accounting II

3

HRM 311Human Resource Management

3

MAT 312Business Statistics

3

SPM 301Legal and Ethical Issues in Sport

3

SPM 302Sociology of Sport

3

Junior

1st Semester

SPM 306Sport Media Relations

3

BBM 319Business Ethics

3

FIN 305Financial Management

3

SPM 400Seminar in Sport Analytics

3

SPM 405Sport Management II

3

2nd Semester

SPM 406Sport Facilities Management and Planning

3

SPM 490Sport Management Internship I

3

ENG 310Research Writing

3

HUM
Humanities Elective

3

BBM 411Operations and Systems Management

3

OR

BBM 370Global Business Management

3

Senior

1st Semester

BBM 301Organizational Behavior

3

SPM 407Sport Marketing and Promotions

3

Free Elective

3

SPM/BBM/BMK/HRM/NFP/FIN/ACC Elective

3

SPM/BBM/BMK/HRM/NFP/FIN/ACC Elective

3

2nd Semester

BBM 402Strategic Management

3

SPM 408Financing Sport Operations

3

SPM 491Sport Management Internship II

3

Free Elective

3

SPM/BBM/BMK/HRM/NFP/FIN/ACC Elective

3

Sport 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 Sport Management. Nonprofit sports agencies includes organizations such as the YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, First Tee, and local and county Parks and Recreations offices.

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)

SPM 309Sport and Athletics Fundraising

3

Total concentration courses are five courses equaling 15 credits.

Sport Management Completion Degree

What is a Completion Degree?

A completion degree is a personalized version of a bachelor's degree created exclusively for students who have completed an associate degree at an accredited institution. Completion degrees are available for most Wilmington University Bachelor of Science degrees. A student who expects to transfer a completed associate's degree should communicate with a Wilmington University academic advisor before registering for courses. A transcript with documentation of the conferred degree must be received by Wilmington University to confirm eligibility.

Curriculum

Transfer students who hold an associate degree from a partner institution are required to take the following Sport Management courses.
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.

Sport Management Core

BBM 319Business Ethics

3

BBM 320Business Communications

3

BBM 402Strategic Management

3

FIN 305Financial Management

3

MAT 312Business Statistics

3

PSY 101Introduction to Psychology

3

SPM 301Legal and Ethical Issues in Sport

3

SPM 302Sociology of Sport

3

SPM 305Sport Management I

3

SPM 306Sport Media Relations

3

SPM 400Seminar in Sport Analytics

3

SPM 405Sport Management II

3

SPM 406Sport Facilities Management and Planning

3

SPM 407Sport Marketing and Promotions

3

SPM 408Financing Sport Operations

3

SPM 490Sport Management Internship I

3

SPM 491Sport Management Internship II

3

The following courses or their equivalents are prerequisites for a degree in Sport Management:
ENG 122 English Composition II

MAT 205 Introductory Survey of Mathematics

BAC 101 Accounting I

BAC 102 Accounting II

CTA 326 Integrating Excel into Business Problem Solving

ECO 105 Fundamentals of Economics

BBM 201 Principles of Management

BS to MSM Accelerated Option

BS to MSM Accelerated Option

Benefits

*Complete your B.S. and M.S. in Management in less time

*Tuition cost savings

*Flexible choice of concentrations

The accelerated option provides the opportunity for qualified students to substitute up to four courses in their undergraduate program with up to four graduate business courses.  Successful completion of the MSM course(s) by an undergraduate student will apply towards the 120-credit requirement for their bachelor’s degree, as well as towards the 36-credit requirement for the M.S. in Management degree.

A B.S. degree is earned upon the completion of 120 credits. Completing Graduate courses while pursuing the B.S. degree will fulfill the requirements for both programs. Students are considered an undergraduate student until their B.S. degree is conferred. At which time they will be eligible to complete the necessary forms for the transition into the MSM Program.  For more information contact Wilmington University Office of Advising at: advisingncfrontdeskstaff@wilmu.edu

To qualify for the accelerated option, the COB student must:

  1. Declare the accelerated option upon undergraduate acceptance to Wilmington University (including transfer students and change of major students).
  2. Earn 75 credits during their undergraduate program before taking the accelerated option classes in the MSM program.
  3. The student must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 while enrolled in the accelerated option. The 3.0 GPA coincides with the MSM minimum grade requirements.
  4. Complete all required prerequisites for courses taken before starting the master’s courses.
  5. The Program Chair reserves the right to deny a student academic approval for the accelerated option based on the above criteria.

The accelerated option eligible undergraduate business programs:

Business Management

Marketing

Organizational Leadership

Sports Management

The above undergraduate programs align well with the following MSM program concentrations:

MSM (Traditional no concentration)

MSM in Business Communication

MSM in Health Care Administration

MSM in Marketing Management

MSM in Nonprofit Management

MSM in Organizational Leadership

MSM in Sport Management

MSM in Management Information Systems

MSM in Public Administration