A student being superimposed in front of a cider-colored background with two people talking on the sidelines during a game.

Pursue Your Passion for Sport through Business

The athletic industry needs people like you that love the game and have the skills to run and manage important activities both on and off the field. If you have a passion for sports and a mind for business, IUP's Bachelor of Science in Sport Administration will prepare you to hit the ground running.

Prepare to Rise above the Competition

With IUP's BS in Sport Administration program, you’ll build a strong foundation through coursework in event and facility management, sport law, sport marketing, sport communication, sport analytics, and sport finance.

You’ll also get a solid business education through IUP’s Eberly College of Business, with courses including Accounting Principles I, Human Resource Management, Principles of Marketing, and Professional Selling and Sales.

You’ll gain hands-on education through two internship courses. Past IUP students have completed internships with the following sports organizations, along with many other minor league and college athletic departments:

  • Baltimore Ravens
  • DC United
  • FC Dallas
  • Oakmont Country Club
  • Penn State Athletics
  • Philadelphia Eagles
  • Philadelphia Union
  • Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Pittsburgh Penguins
  • Pittsburgh Pirates
  • Pocono Raceway
  • Quail Hollow Country Club
  • Tiger Woods Foundation
  • University of Pittsburgh Athletics
  • Watkins Glen Raceway

IUP’s BS in Sport Administration program follows guidelines set by the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation.

Imagine Your Future

In the BS in Sport Administration degree track, you’ll develop the operational and management skills needed to work in high school and college athletic departments, coaching facilities, community recreation organizations, minor and major league franchises, commercial sports facilities, the YMCA system, the golf and resort industries, and in other athletic and sports-related groups.

Employment Projections for Sports-Related Professions

2021-2031, per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics

Coaches and Scouts

20%

Much faster than average

Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners

18%

Much faster than average

Recreation Workers

10%

Faster than average

Sports Management Professionals

13%

Much faster than average

Classes and Requirements

As a student in the BS in Sport Administration program, you'll have the opportunity to build your education plan in ways that go along with your specific career interests. With advice from your program advisor and a carefully planned choice of free electives, you can earn a minor or certificate that gives you a more competitive edge in the sport administration job market.

Minors and certifications include business administration, economics, marketing, communications, Coaching Certification, exercise science, special event/tourism, and pre-law, among others. Students must earn a grade of C or better in KHSS 292 to take KHSS 351, KHSS 445, KHSS 460, and KHSS 465.

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.

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Christina Nellis

Christina Nellis ’10, Sport Administration

As a sport administration major, we were required to have two internships before graduating. My second internship with the Pittsburgh Pirates allowed me to get my foot in the door and build my career from there.

Sport Management Minor

The 18-credit Sport Management Minor makes it possible for you to blend your passion for sports with your major course of study. With an education in how the business behind athletics and sport works, you have a valuable complementary academic credential that can offer a competitive advantage in the job market.

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.

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Athletic Coaching Certificate

If you’re interested in coaching athletes in your sports career, we recommend that you pursue IUP’s Athletic Coaching Certificate. You’ll earn a variety of certifications, including CPR, the American Sport Education Program Coaching Certificate, and Certified Special Olympics Coach. To obtain certification, students will be required to take courses during the winter and summer academic sessions.

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.

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Sport Administration Club

An education at IUP includes plenty of opportunities for fun and participation in helpful extracurricular activities. Students in the BS in Sport Administration track are encouraged to become members of the IUP Sport Administration Club. You’ll improve your skills and understanding of the field through fundraising and volunteer activities that carry weight on your resume.

In the past, club members have organized their own Mud Run 5K, and activities have included participation in events for the:

  • Indiana County Special Olympics
  • Indiana County YMCA
  • Landmark Securities
  • Muscular Dystrophy Association of Pittsburgh

Clubs and Activities

Health and physical education/K-12 Teacher Education majors can engage in activities outside of the classroom, deepening their commitment to an area of expertise.

Sport Management Club

The Sport Management Club sponsors various events that help students improve their skills and understanding of the field.

The Exercise Science Club

The Exercise Science Club gathers students engaged in this track to support their studies and help them learn about professional trends.

The Health, Physical Education, and Sports Majors Club

The Health, Physical Education, and Sports Majors Club helps majors with their studies by inviting professionals to speak.

Health and Physical Education Living-Learning Community

The Health and Physical Education Living-Learning Community is ideal for students who live on campus. By sharing the Suites on Maple East with fellow health and physical education majors, you can form friendships and easily collaborate on projects.

James G. Mill Center for Health and Fitness

Here is where you can keep yourself fit. Enjoy the personal and clean atmosphere, work with accommodating staff, and experience the biomechanically-correct equipment.

Pennsylvania Sport Business Conference

IUP hosts the annual Pennsylvania Sports Business Conference, an event that attracts students, sport practitioners, and academic professionals. Participants have opportunities for professional networking and career development, and they take part in various scholarly events within the sport industry.

The Pennsylvania Sport Business Conference is committed to:

  • Enhancing collaboration between academic research and the sport industry.

  • Enriching the educational experience of students interested in sport industry career development.

  • Facilitating networking opportunities with experts in academia and the sport industry.

  • Preparing students for a future career in the sport industry.

  • Providing a platform to further knowledge in the sport industry.

To learn more, visit the Pennsylvania Sport Business Conference.