A student being superimposed in front of a hot-pink background showing a football player talking to trainers on the field during a game.

Transform Your Love of Sports into Leadership off the Field

As someone who loves the excitement of athletic competition, you already know there’s more to the world of sports than what you see on the playing field. Winning championships and building legacies depend on the people who manage the multiple moving parts of any successful sports organization. IUP’s Sports Management MS will prepare you to take on the fast-paced business and management challenges in the sports management industry.

 

Put Your Passion to Work

With a master's in sports management, you'll be prepared for the many opportunities available in the sports industry. With the practical, industry-specific skills and the knowledge you'll gain, you'll be ready to function in a management capacity right out of the gate—and achieve success in any professional organization.

Imagine Your Future

This is an exciting time to work in sports management. Opportunities are available across a broad spectrum of positions, including:

  • College and athletic departments
  • Commercial sports facilities
  • Community recreation organizations
  • Golf courses
  • Minor and major league sports franchises

The sports and entertainment industries are growing at a record pace. The rate of employment in these industries is projected to grow by 13 percent between 2021 and 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. The increasing popularity of sports and a strong public demand for more movies and television shows is driving employment growth in these fields.

Job openings increase 2021–31

95,500

Classes and Requirements

IUP’s Sports Management MS program is a rigorous course of study designed to prepare you to succeed. Your classes will position you for a wide variety of sports management roles:

  • Coaching
  • Facility management
  • Fundraising
  • Governance
  • Sponsorships
  • Sports marketing

Customize Your Education

You can choose from three sport science tracks, depending on the direction you're aiming for. And you have the option to select a 36-credit thesis curriculum or 36-credit non-thesis curriculum.

Each year, a number of assistantship opportunities are available. In these positions, you can work with sports professionals in the area and gain valuable hands-on experience outside of the classroom.

Full Academic Catalog Listing

The course catalog is the official reference for all our degree and course offerings. Check it out for a full listing of the classes available and requirements for this degree.

  • Loading...

Program Innovation, Real-World Success Elevate Each Class

The Kinesiology, Health, and Sport Science faculty members bring decades of real-world experience to the classroom. Prior to arriving at IUP, they coached athletic teams, operated fitness training centers, and learned first-hand the rigors of working with hospitals to rehabilitate injured athletes and cardiac patients.

Their excellent advisory assistance will help you choose a lasting career in coaching, fitness center management, corporate wellness, or other sports-industry sectors.

  • Our professors continue to expand their scholarly achievements by presenting research at regional and national events.
  • IUP professors have established innovative programs, such as the home school program and Special Needs Activity Program, which give you opportunities that enhance your résumé.
  • Guidance is a key ingredient our professors bring to your graduate program, helping you make the right choices so you can excel as you complete your degree.
  • Active participation in academic and professional circles allows our professors to build a network of potential internship sponsors.
Jordan Albright

Jordan Albright ’12, Sport Management

The ability to have sport management courses with a minor in business administration makes the curriculum well-rounded and offers great options post-IUP.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted into the Sports Management MS program, you must have the following:

  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
  • Minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.4 (on a 4.0 scale) if the bachelor’s degree was earned more than five years ago.
  • Minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.6 (on a 4.0 scale) if the bachelor’s degree was earned five or fewer years ago.

International applicants are not required to submit GRE or GMAT scores, but they must have a minimum required TOEFL score of 540 (paper-based), 207 (computer-based), and 76 (internet-based). International graduate condition admission also is available.