Sports Management Schools in Arkansas: Campus or Online Degree Programs?
Looking for a sports program in Arkansas? Let’s help you figure out what’s best for you.
A sports management program can be an outstanding way to get started in the sports business. To understand the administration and management aspects of sports, it’s important to find a good degree. That’s why many people look for a sports management degree in Arkansas.
If you’re from the Natural State and wish to find sports management jobs in Arkansas, then you might be looking for a good program too. That’s why this article is for you, as we’ll talk about online degrees in Arkansas as well as on-campus ones.
Which one should you choose, and which one has more merits or demerits? Let’s find out.
Reasons To Choose an Online Degree
An online degree has a myriad of benefits. For someone who doesn’t like traveling, online degrees are a lifesaver, and they provide much more comfort. That’s why around 2.8 million students in the United States, or around 15%, are enrolled in online studies.
The same study by Forbes suggests that post-graduate students prefer it even more—with 60% being enrolled in online programs. However, in Arkansas ratio comparatively have only around 31% opting for online in undergraduate degrees. Students mostly prefer on-campus degrees.
Source: Rise of Online Learning – Forbes
So if you’re someone who likes to work from the comfort of their homes, then an online sports management degree can prevent a lot of hassle for you. It prevents you from having to travel to school. It also lets you take the courses at your own pace.
And it let’s you do it all without having to leave work or other obligations on a class day.
Pros:
- Flexibility and at-your-pace courses
- Studying from the comforts of home
- No need to travel or spend time in traffic
- Access to a wide range of universities
Cons:
- No socializing or face-to-face studies
- Technical issues might arise, i.e., broken P.C./Laptop, bad internet, etc.;
- Issues with self-discipline
Reasons To Choose On-Campus Degree
On-campus degrees are preferred by those who love the old-school style of education. It’s also a great way of socializing, and a lot of students get accustomed to reaching out to their teachers and friends. Moreover, on-campus degrees also grant access to various other resources.
This means access to libraries, books, and whatnot. According to the Department of Education, around 12 million or 60% of all students are enrolled in on-campus programs. And that should tell you the state of on-campus studies.
However, the number has significantly declined since 2010, when it was around 21 million. You can thank Covid for some of the online enrollments. Now, technology also plays a major factor in it but you can opt for an on-campus degree if you love socializing.
On the other hand, Arkansas universities and colleges ensure on-campus gives you better access to school personnel, teachers, friends, classmates, etc. And they allow you to use facilities provided by the school like sports events, gyms, libraries, etc. The University of Arkansas alone in 2022 welcomed around 30,000 students for on-campus studies for over 7000 subjects. That’s why you should choose an on-campus degree.
Pros-
- Easier access to teachers and tutors
- Better admittance to resources like library, gym, et cetera.
- Socializing and developing people skills
- Easier to work or collaborate on projects with fellow students
Cons-
- Rigid timing and structure
- Having to travel—sometimes far for some students
- A bit more expensive than online degrees
Top 3 On-Campus Sports Management Schools in Arkansas
Here are some of the best on-campus schools in Arkansas for sports management:
1. University of Arkansas – Fayetteville, Arkansas
The University of Arkansas is one of the leading institutions in the state. It offers only on-campus degrees, and two of those are in the University of Arkansas sports management faculty:
- Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Sport Management
- Master of Education Recreation and Sport Management
The Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Sport Management is an extensive degree that focuses on the business element of the sport. That’s why the focus on management and sports marketing by UARK makes it an incredible choice.
Then you have the Master of Education in Recreation and Sport Management. This is an ideal on-campus program for graduate students who wish to either switch to the sport or continue studying sports management at a master’s level.
Moreover, masters can then go on to take the University of Arkansas sport management Phd.—should they continue to pursue a doctorate.
2. Arkansas Tech University – Russellville, Arkansas
Arkansas Tech University is another great on-campus-only institution that has many superb programs. However, it’s the sports bachelor program here that should have your attention:
The Bachelor in Recreation and Sport Management teaches you management and critical thinking for sports organizations. This is the type of degree that helps you learn financial, marketing, and problem-solving skills in sports. And it’s an on-campus program, so you learn directly from the best.
3. Henderson State University – Arkadelphia, Arkansas
Henderson State University, in the city of the same name, is one of the top academies in Arkansas. And the on-campus sports program you’ll find here is called:
The Sport Administration Bachelor of Science is focused on learning the administration intricacies of sports. That means you’ll learn to administer sports facilities, teams, marketing, broadcasting, etc.
Top 2 Online Sports Management Schools in Arkansas
Now let’s talk about the online sports management degree in Arkansas. There are a few institutions that offer online degrees, but here are the two best ones:
1. Arkansas State University – Jonesboro, Arizona
Arkansas State University is one of the most prominent names in the United States. That’s why it’s one of the few institutions that offers both online and on-campus sports degrees. The online degrees are called:
First, the sports management online bachelor’s degree is an online program focused on management. That’s why ASU suggests the roles that students of this degree can expect would be event management, marketing management, facilities administrator, and athletic managers.
The Master of Science in Sports Administration is a post-graduate program of the same ilk. However, it focuses on higher levels of administration, such as sports organizations, team management, et cetera.
2. Southern Arkansas University – Magnolia, Arkansas
Southern Arkansas University is one of the top institutions that offer online programs. The online sports program here is
This online program is available as both major and minor undergraduate programs. However, the minor students will have to take it with a business administration program, as opposed to sports. Regardless of the path students take, it’s one of the best majors/minors available in the U.S. today, and it’s online.
Conclusion
These are the benefits and demerits of both online and on-campus programs. At the end of the day it comes down to personal preference and choice. Some students would prefer an online program, while others would opt for an on-campus program. However, the ability to travel, affordability, and whether a program is available nearby or not also play a vital role in this choice.
Feature image: unsplash.com
Logos of universities; wikipedia.com
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