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. Differentiate between the legal system and sports compliance and its impacts the areas of amateur and professional sports.
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of the use of strategic planning, marketing, facilities management, and sports analytics in college, professional, and recreational sports.
  6. Recognize the diversity and societal impact of sports in the past and present day society.

Curriculum - General Education Requirements

Social Science (6 credits)

ECO 105Fundamentals of Economics

3

PSY 101Introduction to Psychology

3

All Sports Management majors are to take PSY 101.

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

VMG 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

Humanities Elective

3

Literature Elective

3

Music Elective

3

Philosophy Elective

3

Religion Elective

3

*BBM 319 is required.

Mathematics (3 Credits)

MAT 205Introductory Survey of Mathematics

3

Natural Science (3 or 4 Credits)

(See Program Requirements)

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)

HUM 381/HIS 381Contemporary Global Issues

3

All College of Business students are to take HUM 381.

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 Sports 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

BBM 370Global Business 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/BBM/BMK/NFP/HRM/FIN/ACC 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)

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

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

Suggested Program Sequence

Freshman

1st Semester

ENG 121English Composition I

3

PHI 100Introduction to Critical Thinking

3

Natural Science Elective

3 or 4 credits

Social Science Elective

3

OR

FYE 101First Year Experience Seminar

3

2nd Semester

BBM 201Principles of Management

3

ECO 105Fundamentals of Economics

3

ENG 122English Composition II

3

MAT 205Introductory Survey of Mathematics

3

Social Science Elective

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 305Sports Management I

3

2nd Semester

BAC 102Accounting II

3

HRM 311Human Resource Management

3

MAT 312Business Statistics

3

SPM 301Legal and Ethical Issues in Sports

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 Sports Analytics

3

SPM 405Sports Management II

3

2nd Semester

BBM 411Operations and Systems Management

3

OR

BBM 370Global Business Management

3

SPM 406Sport Facilities Management and Planning

3

SPM 490Sports Management Internship I

3

Free Elective

3

Humanities Elective

3

Senior

1st Semester

BBM 301Organizational Behavior

3

SPM 407Sports 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 491Sports Management Internship II

3

Free Elective

3

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

3

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. 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)

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.

Sports Management Completion Degree

Curriculum

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

Sports Management Core

BBM 320Business Communications

3

BBM 402Strategic Management

3

FIN 305Financial Management

3

MAT 312Business Statistics

3

SPM 301Legal and Ethical Issues in Sports

3

SPM 302Sociology of Sport

3

SPM 305Sports Management I

3

SPM 306Sport Media Relations

3

SPM 400Seminar in Sports Analytics

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

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.