Sport Management Online Degree Courses

Curriculum Details

19 courses in the major
124 credit hours (57 in the major)
Complete internships
8-week terms

Methodist University’s online Bachelor of Science in Sport Management program features a comprehensive curriculum that introduces you to the trends impacting sports in the U.S. and abroad. Our expert faculty members incorporate experiential learning opportunities into the online courses, and you’ll complete hands-on internships to gain valuable experience for your career.

Complete the online Sport Management degree to get on track for leadership roles in athletics, facilities management, events coordination, and other fields. Although the average duration is three years, eligible students can finish faster by transferring up to 93 of the 124 credit hours required for graduation. As a sign of our quality curriculum, this program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Core Courses

Credits

ACC 1510 Principles of Financial Accounting Credit Hours: 3

Fundamentals of financial accounting, with an emphasis on understanding the use of the accounting information system and analyzing and interpreting financial accounting information. Required of all accounting, business, financial economics, and marketing majors, and usually taken in the sophomore year. Prerequisites: completion of 12 semester hours or permission of the instructor, department chair, or school dean

ACC 1520 Principles of Managerial Accounting Credit Hours: 3

Completion of fundamentals of financial accounting, with an emphasis on analysis and interpretation of business operations, and an introduction to managerial accounting. Required of all accounting, business, financial economics, and marketing majors, and usually taken in the sophomore year. Prerequisites: ACC 1510, MAT 1050 or higher, or permission of the instructor, department chair, or school dean

BUS 1510 Management and Organization Credit Hours: 3

Survey of the management functions of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling within both structural and behavioral contexts. Emphasis is given to individual behavior, interpersonal relationships, small groups, inter-group relations, leadership, and change within the various structures of contemporary formal organizations. Also, involves the study of organizational structure including the design of centralization, formalization, and complexity. Student teams are used to study course content through case studies and to experience the dynamics of team membership.

BUS 2160 Statistics for Business and Economics Credit Hours: 3

Inferential statistics using business and economics data. Principal topics: probability, hypothesis testing, regression and correlation, and time series and forecasting. Prerequisite: MAT 1050 or permission of the instructor, department chair, or school dean

BUS 3320 Managerial Finance Credit Hours: 3

Management of funds from the corporate perspective, with emphasis on security valuation, risk analysis, financial forecasting, capital budgeting, capital structure components and their costs, and dividend policy. Prerequisites: ACC 1520, BUS 2160, and ECO 1520, or permission of the instructor, department chair, or school dean.

BUS 3520 Business Law I Credit Hours: 3

The organization and theory of the American legal system and its relationship with the business environment, including contracts, tort law, and parts of the Uniform Commercial Code and its provisions concerning sales, the law of agency, and employment law. Prerequisites: ENG 1020 or ENG 1040 or permission of the instructor, department chair, or school dean.

BUS 3750 Human Resources Management Credit Hours: 3

Traditional functions of personnel administration: recruitment, selection, development, compensation, personnel planning, employee morale and the impact of legislation upon the personnel process. Prerequisite: BUS 1510 or permission of the instructor, department chair, school head, or college dean

BUS 3910 Negotiation Credit Hours: 3

In this class, students will learn how to become an expert negotiator and how to create value for yourself and your organization. This highly interactive and fast-paced learning experience includes not just the theory but also actual negotiation practice throughout the semester so you can learn by doing. You will develop more sophisticated negotiation and mediation skills, learn how to avoid common negotiation pitfalls, and become prepared to conduct a wider range of complex negotiations in life with confidence.

BUS 4700 Business Strategy Credit Hours: 3

A capstone course conducted with case method. Examination of external and internal environments of business. Analysis of the formulation and implementation of organizational strategy, both in private and not-for-profit sectors. Integration of prior studies in accounting, economics, management, marketing, law, and behavior. This course includes administration of a major field test in business as the required exit exam for all seniors in the Reeves School of Business. Prerequisites: BUS 3320 or permission of the instructor, department chair, school head, or college dean. Additionally, only students who have earned 87 credit hours or more are able to register for this course.

ECO 1510 Principles of Macroeconomics Credit Hours: 3

Aggregate income measurement and analysis, fiscal and monetary policy, inflation, unemployment, and other current issues.

ECO 1520 Principles of Microeconomics Credit Hours: 3

Price theory applied to product and resource markets with emphasis on pricing and output decisions under various market conditions.

MKT 1510 Principles of Marketing Credit Hours: 3

Study of marketing: models of buyer behavior, functions, channels of distribution, promotion strategies, and pricing policies. Emphasis is on the use of marketing variables in decision-making.

MKT 3800 Advertising & Promotion Credit Hours: 3

A study of promotion planning from an integrated marketing communication perspective with an emphasis on advertising. Prerequisite: MKT 1510 or permission of the instructor, department chair, school head, or college dean.

MKT 4200 Professional Selling and Sales Management Credit Hours: 3

This course focuses on developing relationships and powerful interpersonal communication skills, understanding buyer motives and sales psychology, adding value to clients through long-term relationships, opening and closing sales, and meeting objectives. This course also explores professional selling practices with a focus on selling processes and sales management, from developing sales territories, setting goals, forecasting, and quotas to recruiting, training, and motivating sales teams.

SMA 1010 Introduction to Sport Management Credit Hours: 3

The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of the sport industry that introduces the student to the fundamental knowledge and skill sets required of the sport manager to solve sport business problems. Focus will also be placed on understanding career options in the sport industry and preparing for employment. Identifies necessary competencies for sport managers.

SMA 2250 Sport Governance Credit Hours: 3

The purpose of this course is to expose students to various governing bodies in professional and amateur sport. Students will study the organizational structure and policy functions of various governing entities. There will be an examination of sport as a cultural product and the relationships within sport affecting sport organizational structures with emphasis given to the dynamics of sport organizations.

SMA 3220 Event Management Credit Hours: 3

The purpose of this course is to explore the roles and functions of facility and events managers. It examines a variety of public assembly and privately managed sport facilities; the steps and skills required to effectively plan, organize, lead, and evaluate an event, and facilities to meet the needs of sports organizations. Experiential Learning course with MU Athletic Department.

SMA 3540 Legal Issues in Sports Credit Hours: 3

A study of legal principles as applied to professional and amateur sport organizations and participants. An overview of contract law, tort law, constitutional law, administrative law, antitrust law, collective bargaining, and arbitration as it relates to the sport industry. Class presentations on current legal issues are required. Prerequisite: SMA 1010

SMA 3600 Facility Management & Operations Credit Hours: 3

Students will explore the sport and hospitality industries from concept and development to management and operation with examples from sports venues such as golf courses, tennis facilities, water sports and spas. The course covers facility planning, staffing, front and back of the house management, physical plant maintenance and sustainability practices. Prerequisite: SMA 1010 or permission of the instructor

SMA 4220 Sport Administration Credit Hours: 3

The purpose of this course is to understand the issues related to the administrative tasks of planning, managing, budgeting, and operating various types of sports programs. Topics covered include the administration and planning of high school, college, and professional sports programs. Prerequisite: SMA 1010

SMA 4230 Sport Marketing, Sales & Promotion Credit Hours: 3

The purpose of this course is to develop promotions, marketing, and sales skills within the context of sport management. This provides a comprehensive study of promotions and marketing practices in the industry. Analysis of sport sponsorship, retention strategies and evaluation methods, plus fundraising and promotion of sports services and products to the sports consumer. Prerequisite: SMA 1010

SMA 4500 Sport Finance & Economics Capstone Credit Hours: 3

The purpose of this capstone course is to provide a financial and economic overview of professional, collegiate, and recreational sports. Students will study the different methods and means by which sport and recreation are financed. Students will explore the financial structures of sport organizations and various economic principles applied to the sport industry. Prerequisite: SMA 1010, BUS 3320, and 75 earned credit hours or permission of instructor

SMA 4900 Internship in Sport Management Credit Hours: 3

The purpose of this course is to provide an experiential learning opportunity through placement with organizations in either the private or public sectors. Students are responsible for securing an internship prior to the start of classes. The student is assigned duties and responsibilities approved by the Director of Internships. The student is to be under the direct supervision of a working professional at their internship site and will be evaluated by both their internship supervisor and the course instructor. Students are expected to acquire relevant skills and develop a professional network to prepare for entry-level employment in their major. Weekly class contact and written assignments are required to include a final project or report encompassing the internship experience. Classroom instruction covers professional development skills such as goal setting, office culture, networking, etiquette and communication, conflict management, change management, relevancy, and transitions.

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