Best Online Sports Management Degrees for Undergrads

Looking to become a sport professional? Let’s help you find the right degree for you.

Sports management is an emerging field, and many universities have adopted it as a major. Students learn about all the aspects of sports and how to apply them to their own life. They can also choose an area of specialization like exercise physiology or sports psychology. Online sports management degrees are becoming more popular because of the flexibility they offer.

They allow students to earn a degree without having to relocate or commute long distances to attend classes. So, why should you choose sports management? And which online sports management degrees are best? Let’s find out.

What Is Involved in Sports Management? And Why Get an Online Sports Management Degree?

Sports Management Degrees in the USA are some of the most profitable degree programs. If you look around, every school, gym, university, college, and the club has something sporty going on. Athletic programs, year-long Olympic camps, etc., all require people to run them.

Also, gyms and other fitness-related industries are worth $32 billion in the US. Therefore, earning a sports management degree and scoring a job in a major league like NFL or even a grounds manager guarantees a safe and secure future financially. As for why online? Here are a few reasons:

• Online degrees give you more headroom
• They offer flexible programs to match your work/weekly routines
• Continue working while studying for a better future/job

Thus, a good sports management degree online can turn the tables for you. Besides that, any online bachelor of sports science degree is perfect for athletes who want to take their careers to the next level. Or for those who are just looking for a new challenge outside of their current sports management career path.

Top 10 Sports Management Degrees Online

A good online degree program can be a very beneficial educational aspect for many people, especially those with full-time jobs. So if you’re looking for such a program, then, you’re in luck, because we have 10 such suggestions that are highly in demand in the current sports landscape in the US. Let’s talk about them.

1. BSc In Sports Event Marketing & Management

The first option on this list is the BSc in Sports Event Marketing and Management, which is one of the best degrees to equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully manage and promote sports events. This degree is especially ideal for you if you are passionate about sports marketing, event management, and promotion as it’ll teach you all the nooks and crannies of it.

The basics of this course will teach you how to promote sporting events while also learning how to create marketing strategies for these events. Besides all this, you will also get training on how to run a successful sporting event, as this degree is highly practical and offers many opportunities for internships.

Employment Growth Rate

• Sports marketing employment is projected to grow 13% from 2021-2031

Salary Range

• Sports marketing experts and managers earn a minimum of $51,000 a year

Job Titles

• Sports Marketing Manager
• Sports Marketing Expert
• Director of Marketing
• Director of Promotions and Marketing

What They Do

• Market the business through online
• Broadcast
• Printed channels

Top Universities 

• Franklin University
• Ohio
• Columbia University
• New York
• Troy University
• Alabama

2. Online Bachelor Of Science In Sport And Recreation Management

The online Bachelor of Science in Sport and Recreation Management program is designed for students who have an appetite for sport and would love to treat it as recreation and business. The program is designed to help students develop the skills necessary to be successful in the dynamic field of sports management.

This degree teaches students about the administration, psychology, and economics of sports. They will learn how to develop a marketing plan, work with budgets, and analyze data & more. Students will also learn how to manage organizational structures and personnel while developing leadership skills.

Employment Growth Rate

• Around 1.3% annual growth in 2021-2022

Salary Range

• Median salary from $38,000 to $210,000—depending on the seniority level

Job Titles

• Event Coordinator
• Park Manager
• Sports Coordinator
• Athletic Director
• Personal Trainer

What They Do

• Lead and manage sports organizations
• careers
• events

Top Universities 

• Temple University
• Philadelphia
• University of Minnesota
• Minnesota.

3. Online Bachelor Of Sports Analytics

Sports Analytics is one of the aspects of sports management that deals with analyzing the performance of sporting events, athletes, or training. This is a critical part of sports which is why the Bachelor of Sports Analytics is a very lucrative degree program. It’s offered by various universities, including the University of Massachusetts Lowell, and the program is ideal if you want to pursue a career in sports analytics– as the degree program consists of two majors:

• Professional Sports Analytics and Sports Data Analysis.

• Professional Sports Data Analysis

So, what do these programs teach you? The first option, the online degree with a Professional Sports Analytics major will give you an understanding of the industry, from business to sport management, as the goal of this remarkable degree is to teach you many elements. However, the most important factor it will teach you is a key aspect of sports, which includes analytics, such as evaluating players, evaluating organizations, being a part of team management, coaching, and various other areas where analytics are required.

The other major, Sports Data Analysis, provides students with an understanding of the data that is generated in any sport-from soccer to baseball to football and more, and it’ll teach you basics of analysis, such as by using database programming languages like SQL or Python.

Employment Growth Rate

• Expected to grow 40.1% in 2022-2023

Salary Range

• Median of around $52,000 to $107,000—depending on seniority

Job Titles

• Sports Statisticians
• Sports Data Analysis Experts
• Statistical Commentary/Journalism
• Sports Market Research Analysts
• Sports Marketing Manager

What They Do

• Analyzing sports
• Data of other teams
• Marketing data

Top Universities 

• Arizona State University
• Arizona. Maryville University
• St. Louis
• University of Mississippi
• Mississippi.

 4. Online Bachelors In Broadcast Journalism

The Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism is another excellent online sports management program. What makes it so great for you? Well, it has various essential courses that’ll help you kickstart your career in the rapidly evolving world of sports broadcasting.

Think about it, broadcast journalism is the process of gathering and distributing information through any electronic medium– and that’s exactly what sports leagues and organizations need today.

So, what exactly will you learn with an online bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism degree? You’ll learn about the history, theory, and practice of sports broadcasting through lectures and hands-on experience as well as through internships and workshops.

The reason why this program is on this list is that these online sports management degrees and programs are specifically designed with a curriculum that includes courses on sports broadcast journalism, television production, and digital media.

Employment Growth Rate

• Around 6% employment growth is projected from 2020-2030

Salary Range

• Average base salary of $64,000 per year

Job Titles

• Event Director
• Sports Broadcast Manager
• Sports Reporter
• Sports Production Manager

What They Do

• Handling and managing sports broadcasts across various departments

Top Universities 

• The University of Massachusetts
• DePaul University
• Drexel University.

5. Online Bachelors of Science In Sports Management

Online Bachelor of Science In Sports Management programs are designed for students who have demanding work and family schedules. With an online degree, you can take classes at your own pace without the need to commute or attend classes on a fixed schedule.

Usually, an online Bachelor of Science in Sports Management is a program that offers students the opportunity to study sports management in its entirety. The programs are designed for students who are interested in pursuing a career in sports management and are looking for a higher education degree.

The curriculum includes courses such as Sports Marketing, Sports Management Principles, Sports Finance, Sports Law, Sport History, and Culture.

Employment Growth Rate

• Average job outlook expected at 10% throughout 2021-2031

Salary Range

• The median pay for early-level sports management professionals sits at $46,000

Job Titles

• Athletic Development Specialists
• Athletic Directors
• Team Directors
• Coaches & Scouts.

What They Do

• Managing teams
• broadcasts
• events
• athletic development in colleges
• universities etc.

Top Universities 

• University of Nicosia
• Southern New Hampshire University
• Ashford University.

6. Online Bachelor of Sports Science

The sixth option and another excellent choice is an Online Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Science, which you can easily earn from any accredited university or college. There are many reasons to choose this degree, but the main one is the fact that this program will allow you to specialize in one area or explore different areas within the field of sports, such as coaching, biomechanics, physiology, nutrition, or sports psychology.

The online Sports Science degree is a new and exciting field of study that has emerged as a result of the rapidly expanding sports industry and it has an exciting future ahead. Besides that, the Sports Science degree also focuses on the use of technology in areas such as health and fitness, so professionals in sports management can improve performance at all levels of specific sports.

Employment Growth Rate

• The job outlook forecast reckons it’ll be around 12% from 2019-2029

Salary Range

• Sports Science majors earn a median of $49,000 per year

Job Titles

• Exercise Expert
• Personal Trainer
• Team Coach/Mentor
• Sports Agent
• Sports League Manager
• Sports Wellness Coordinator

What They Do

• Train teams and individuals
• Manage and plan sporting events
• Understand analyze and plan sports strategies

Top Universities 

• South Dakota State University
• California Baptist University
• Concordia University.

7. Online BSc in Sports Rehabilitation

The Online Bachelor of Science in Sports Rehabilitation is a four-year degree program that prepares students for careers in the sports rehabilitation field. Students usually learn the science of Sports Rehabilitation Therapy, including anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and pathology.

They will also learn how to teach and coach sports at different levels. These courses are designed for anyone who wants to work in the field of sports rehabilitation or for those who want to pursue a career as a professional athlete.

Moreover, Sports Rehabilitation is a very broad field that covers topics such as physiology, biomechanics, psychology, and nutrition.

Employment Growth Rate

• The employment growth rate depends, such as 18% for physical therapists, 16% for trainers, and 16% for occupational therapists

Salary Range

• The pay scale depends, but averages around $50,000-$59,000 per year

Job Titles

• Personal Trainer
• Team Therapist
• Remedial Coach
• Rehab Manager
• Clinical Therapist
• Strength Instructor
• Conditioning Coach
• Fitness Coach

What They Do

• Train athletes for strength help them rehab after an injury or promote practices to prevent injuries

Top Universities 

• Hesston College, Hesston
• Hesston
• Loras College
• Dubuque
• Georgia Southern University.

8. Online Bachelor’s in Exercise Science

The online degree in Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science  is a challenging and rewarding degree program that will prepare you to work in the field of exercise science. This major is designed for students who want to pursue careers in health, fitness, and wellness.

Or who want to pursue graduate studies in exercise physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, sports medicine, or other related fields. Considering that exercise is a vital element of sports management in any sport, it’s one of the best sports management degrees you can get.

The bachelor’s degree program can also be used as a preparatory step for professional schools such as physical therapy, physician assistant studies (PAS), occupational therapy (OT), dental school, and other allied health professions. So, a career change into those fields won’t be difficult.

Employment Growth Rate

• The employment rate will rise 13% until 2028

Salary Range

• Fitness instructors or team coaches usually earn $31,000-$60,000

Job Titles

• Personal Coaches
• Team Managers
• Team Coach
• Team Directors
• Fitness Instructor
• Strengthening Coach

What They Do

• Their expertise lies in the art and science of exercise. So, their job is to provide healthy habits to athletes and keep them injury free

Top Universities 

• Maryville University
• California Baptist University
• Penn West California.

9. Online Bachelor Sports Turf Management

The turf grass management industry is exactly as the name suggests– a field that deals with managing turfs, grass quality, golf courses, stadiums, etc. This field is always growing and in demand as long as field sports continue to expand. The Online Bachelor Degree in Sports Turf Management will equip you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in this industry.

So, what will this online sports management degree teach you? This program in any university will usually cover topics such as turf grass management, ground management, event management, golf course maintenance, and more. So, what you will learn is how to manage sports fields and golf courses while also learning how to create effective strategies for managing grounds, stadiums, upkeep arenas, and domes.

Employment Growth Rate

• Sports Turf Management employment is projected to climb by 9% by the year 2028

Salary Range

• Sports Turf Management experts make $38,000 to $97,000 per year. Depending on the expertise and seniority, the top earners also account for up to $215,000 per year.

Job Titles

• Stadium Manager
• Stadium Director
• Ground Management
• Pitch/Course superintendent
• Ground Maintenance Supervisor

What They Do

• Manage stadiums
• Grounds
• Turfs for competitive sports
• Closed-roof including arenas

Top Universities 

• Clemson University
• Delaware Valley University
• Rutgers University.

10. Online Bachelor in Nutrition and Dietetics

The Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics is another great option, and even though it’s the last option on this list, it should be a priority for those who are looking for a nutrition degree that prepares students for careers in dietetics, food, and nutrition for sports athletes. These courses in online sports management degrees across universities are usually designed to provide students with the skills necessary to become a Registered Dietitian or Certified Nutritionist.

What exactly will you learn then? The curriculum teaches you about the nutritional needs of individuals and how to meet those needs through diet therapy, as well as the management of a variety of diseases by means of dietary intervention.

Employment Growth Rate

• The growth rate is projected to spike up 11% between 2020-2030

Salary Range

• The median salary is around $51,000 to $61,000 per year

Job Titles

• Team Nutritionist
• Personal Trainer
• Personal Dietetics Expert.

What They Do

• Handle and manage the nutrition of a person, and help them dietetically.

Top Universities 

• Eastern Michigan University
• Kansas State University
• Huntington University of Health Sciences.

Conclusion

These are the best sports management programs available online you can take today. If you’re a fan of specific sports, then some of these programs offer specialization in that particular sport. Such as American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) certificate granted by some universities.

So, pick the program that ensembles your interest the most. Whether it’s management from behind a desk or involvement in the action/sports itself, choose something that suits you the most.

Feature image: Unsplash.com

Find Sports Management Schools and Degrees

What Are The Best Sports Management Programs Of Colleges In California?

Top Sports Management Schools In Ohio With High Acceptance Rate

Best Sports Management School Programs In North Carolina

Which Are The Best Colleges For Sports Management In Florida?

Best Sports Management Schools in Michigan with Degree Programs