Which Sports Management Schools in Oklahoma State is the Best
Sports management is one of the most sought-after programs in the United States. So, which Oklahoma school is the best for sports management?
Sports management college degrees in Oklahoma have become a popular program to pursue among high school students in the United States. That’s because the degree has a lot of possible career directions. Students can end up working with their favorite athletes or teams.
Or, they could work for their favorite sports organization in a sport they love. But that’s only one side of things. Sports management jobs in Oklahoma, much like other states, are quite easy to find— with a growth rate of around 18%.
Why Choose a Sports Management Degree?
The motivation behind choosing a sports management degree is quite a straightforward one. If you like to get paid well and you would like to work in a sport that you like, then getting a sports degree is a ticket to it.
Besides that, the sports management school degrees in Oklahoma themselves aren’t that difficult to get—nor do they require a lot of work. That means if you’re out of high school, you can pick a program that’ll be straightforward for you. Or if you’re an undergraduate student, then you can pick a graduate sports management school program in Oklahoma to switch from your current bachelor’s degree.
Keep in Mind When Selecting a Sports Management School in Oklahoma
It’s safe to say that Oklahoma has a relatively dense population which makes it a robust place to have sports events, meets, and hence demand for skilled people to manage such activities.
When selecting your school for your management degree, try to find one that offers specialized skills as opposed to general skills in management. There is nothing wrong with generic but specialized sports management degree puts you at the top spot when you enter the industry.
Similarly, a sports management degree school near Oklahoma is better than one that is in the outlying state. This is more of a logistics reason rather than quality, and the cost of associated with this factor can derail your budget.
Lastly, a top pick don’t necessarily mean acceptance in your favorite Oklahoma sports management school. Keep room for such rejections by applying for backup universities that offer similar programs.
Top 5 Oklahoma Sports Management Schools
Finding a good school in the Oklahoma sports management category may not be that difficult. But it’s important to pick the right program for you. We have picked five such schools that are ideal for helping you score the sports management jobs in Oklahoma:
1. The University of Oklahoma – Norman, Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is the jewel of all sports management schools in Oklahoma and is widely considered one of the best in the nation. It has great degree options, and one of them happens to be the sports business administration program:
The B.B.A. in Sports Business is an incredible option for those looking to work in sports as a business. That’s why it has programs such as:
- Introduction to Business Ethics
- An Introduction to the Business of Sports
- Business and Professional Basics I and II
As you can tell, it has these programs to help students understand the business side of sports. Thus, making it one of the best options to learn sports management at Oklahoma State.
2. Oklahoma State University – Stillwater, Oklahoma
Oklahoma State University is another great university and one of the best institutions in Oklahoma—as well as the United States. That’s because it has incredible programs like this one:
The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Sports Management concentration is another business-oriented sports program. The curriculum in this degree indicates the priorities of the program, as it includes courses such as:
- Managing Behavior and Organizations
- Management and Ethical Leadership
- Strategic Sport Management
- Consumer and Market Behavior
As you can judge by these four courses in the program, it focuses on the business side of sports—making it an ideal option for those with a mind for it.
3. Southern Nazarene University – Bethany, Oklahoma
Southern Nazarene University is one of the picturesque institutions of Oklahoma, and it’s because of its beautiful red structure. But it’s the two of the best sports management degree programs in Oklahoma that should interest you more:
The B.S. Sports Management program focuses on key essentials to managing sports. That means you will learn about marketing, broadcasting, team management, turf management, et cetera. The point of this degree is to help you understand the business side of sports.
And if you’re a graduate, you can always opt for the M.A. in Sports Management and Administration. Thus, this is one of the few universities in Oklahoma that provides both bachelor’s and master’s programs for sports.
4. Southeastern Oklahoma State University – Durant, Oklahoma
Southern Oklahoma State University is one of the best in terms of leniency and flexible programs. It has both online and on-campus programs. But the two sports programs here are completely online:
- Bachelor of Science in Recreation Sports Management Online
- Master of Science in Sports Administration
The B.S. in Recreation Sports Management focuses on recreational sports and managing events, teams, et cetera. That’s why the courses include Sports Law, Facilities Management, etc.
Whereas the graduate program, M.S. in Sports Administration, focuses on courses such as Sports in Society, Administration of Athletics, etc.
5. Rogers State University – Claremore, Oklahoma
Rogers State University in Claremore, Oklahoma, is the last name on this list of the best sports management schools in Oklahoma. But that doesn’t mean it’s any less worthy than the rest of the names here. The university is outstanding and offers an incredible bachelors sports management program:
Now, students can choose either the Fitness Management concentration or the Sports Business option. That means the first will focus on the fitness/athletic side, whereas the latter focuses on managing and marketing sports. Thus, it comes down to the preference of students.
Finding Sports Management Jobs, Employment Rate & Salaries in Oklahoma
Oklahoma has plenty of opportunities for sports management careers today. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are around 14000 jobs in the state, with a 3% employment rate. That means there are around 8.7 jobs per thousand people.
Source: B.L.S. Employment and Wage Statistics
Now there are various starting salaries for sports managers and other sports professionals in Oklahoma. For instance:
It’s important to understand that these are starting salaries of the jobs mentioned above. To understand the median salary in sports, we’ll have to take a look at B.L.S.’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics:
And as you can see, the median wage for sports and media occupations in the state of Oklahoma is around $49,000 per year.
What’s Next?
The next thing you can do is get enrolled in one of the top sports management universities in Oklahoma mentioned above. It comes down to your preference, graduation status, location, affordability, etc. So, consider all of those things and pick one of these programs as they are cherry-picked from the best.
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Feature image from Unsplash
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