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:
- Demonstrate effective information literacy and communication skills with valid and reliable research.
- Apply ethical standards as required by sports management professionals.
- Evaluate differences between sports management, sports marketing, and sports finance within the firm.
- Differentiate between the legal system and sports compliance and its impacts the areas of amateur and professional sports.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the use of strategic planning, marketing, facilities management, and sports analytics in college, professional, and recreational sports.
- Recognize the diversity and societal impact of sports in the past and present day society.
Curriculum - General Education Requirements
Social Science (6 credits)
All Sports Management majors are to take PSY 101.
English Composition (12 Credits)
Humanities (6 credits)
| BBM 319 | Business Ethics | 3 |
| VMG 313 | Aesthetics of Film | 3 |
| DSN 110 | Fundamentals of Drawing | 3 |
| TEC 215 | Basic Photography | 3 |
| COM 245 | Writing 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 205 | Introductory Survey of Mathematics | 3 |
Natural Science (3 or 4 Credits)
(See Program Requirements)
Computer Operations (3 Credits)
| CTA 326 | Integrating Excel into Business Problem Solving | 3 |
Critical Analysis (3 Credits)
| PHI 100 | Introduction to Critical Thinking | 3 |
Citizenship (3 Credits)
All College of Business students are to take HUM 381.
Business Core (33 credits)
Choose one of the following:
| BBM 411 | Operations and Systems Management | 3 |
| BBM 370 | Global 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 301 | Legal and Ethical Issues in Sports | 3 |
| SPM 302 | Sociology of Sport | 3 |
| SPM 305 | Sports Management I | 3 |
| SPM 306 | Sport Media Relations | 3 |
| SPM 405 | Sports Management II | 3 |
| SPM 406 | Sport Facilities Management and Planning | 3 |
| SPM 407 | Sports Marketing and Promotions | 3 |
| SPM 408 | Financing Sport Operations | 3 |
| SPM 490 | Sports Management Internship I | 3 |
| SPM 491 | Sports Management Internship II | 3 |
Sports Management/BBM/BMK/NFP/HRM/FIN/ACC Electives (9 credits)
Recommended electives in this category are as follows:
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:
Suggested Program Sequence
Freshman
1st Semester
| ENG 121 | English Composition I | 3 |
| PHI 100 | Introduction to Critical Thinking | 3 |
| Natural Science Elective | 3 or 4 credits |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| FYE 101 | First Year Experience Seminar | 3 |
| OR | |
| Free Elective | 3 |
2nd Semester
Sophomore
1st Semester
2nd Semester
Junior
1st Semester
2nd Semester
| BBM 411 | Operations and Systems Management | 3 |
| OR | |
| BBM 370 | Global Business Management | 3 |
| SPM 406 | Sport Facilities Management and Planning | 3 |
| SPM 490 | Sports Management Internship I | 3 |
| ENG 310 | Research Writing | 3 |
| Humanities Elective | 3 |
Senior
1st Semester
| BBM 301 | Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| SPM 407 | Sports 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 402 | Strategic Management | 3 |
| SPM 408 | Financing Sport Operations | 3 |
| SPM 491 | Sports 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 301 | Intro to Nonprofit Agencies | 3 |
| NFP 302 | Management of the Nonprofit Organization | 3 |
| NFP 303 | Foundations of Fiscal Management for Nonprofit | 3 |
| NFP 304 | Advocacy and Public Policy | 3 |
Program specific requirements (3 credits)
| SPM 309 | Sports and Athletics Fundraising | 3 |
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
The following courses or their equivalents are prerequisites for a degree in Sports 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
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.