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Study online in a unique interdisciplinary program to earn your Master’s in Sport Management.
Build the leadership skills to pursue a fast-paced career in the sports industry with a master’s degree from Colorado State University. Gain in-depth knowledge that you can apply immediately to jobs in recreational, intercollegiate, or professional sports. Through a targeted, interdisciplinary curriculum and direct professional experience, you will prepare for a sports career in areas such as: business development, sales, marketing, communications, event coordination, community outreach, or facilities management.
Whether you’re a recent graduate or already working in the industry, CSU welcomes students from diverse academic and professional backgrounds to apply.
Like all of CSU’s regionally accredited online graduate programs, this degree will allow you to expand on the knowledge you gained during your undergraduate studies. Explore and discuss a wide range of topics with your instructors and fellow students, including:
In as little as 12 months, you can develop the research skills, creative problem-solving ability, and strategic thinking required to achieve success in a sport management career.
As a professional degree within CSU’s College of Liberal Arts, this fully online graduate program offers a unique interdisciplinary curriculum. Go beyond foundational topics like management and business fundamentals as you push yourself to explore more challenging areas of study. Students in this program will:
CSU's Online Sport Management program was ranked 4th in the nation by SportsDegreesOnline.org in 2024.
Before completing this degree, you will choose one of four tracks: Generalist, Business Foundations, Marketing, or Sport Media and Communications. Program tracks allow you to focus your learning and build the knowledge that will be the most beneficial in your current or future career.
Colorado State University has teamed up with the Colorado Rockies to foster the next generation of sport management professionals with the Colorado Rockies Sport Management Institute at CSU.
Situated within the College of Liberal Arts, CSU established the Sport Management Institute in 2014 with a focus on developing capable, well-rounded leaders that benefit from a humanities-based approach. Beginning in 2022, CSU has partnered with the Rockies to offer CSU students an even more impactful academic experience.
By connecting a top research university with an iconic sports franchise, the Institute offers an innovative program that includes both an undergraduate minor and a master’s degree, each designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to pursue a career in the sports industry.
During the beginning of the spring semester, the Rockies will travel up to Fort Collins and hold a career fair exclusively for Institute students. Heads from various Rockies departments will share details on upcoming entry-level positions with the Rockies for the upcoming season.
CSU and the Rockies welcome Institute students interested in learning about what it’s like to work in Major League Baseball by hosting an annual Business of Baseball Day, where students can meet members of the Rockies front office and learn about the organization. This event will include an interactive Q&A with various department representatives.
The Rockies will consult on various topics relevant to operations of a professional sports team, including the opportunity for student teams to co-create case studies and other projects.
Paid, part-time employment positions with the Colorado Rockies will be offered during the summer months to 8-10 CSU students that have been part of the Sport Management program for at least one full year. Students accepted into a position will receive:
CSU student Abbey Kelleher knew when she walked into the Colorado Rockies conference room to pitch her group’s project to the marketing team that there was no way she was going to strike out.
"This experience for me was something I will not take for granted," said Kelleher, a junior business management and innovation major and sport management minor. "I feel that the opportunity to work on and present an idea to the Rockies themselves for consideration was truly an honor and a privilege."
Dr. Goldsmith is an assistant professor and Interim Director of the Sport Management Program at Colorado State University. His primary line of inquiry in the field of sport management has been focused in the area of organizational behavior and ethical decision-making. He has spent a majority of his effort investigating the role of antecedent conditions and cost-benefit analysis towards whistleblowing intention in sport. He has published in journals such as Sport Management Review, Leisure Sciences, and International Journal of Sport Management.
"Most of the learning I had was based on real-life experiences, everyday issues, and how different ideas and perspectives put together can solve issues. I had two internships. One was with CSU Athletics, where I learned how to use software that collates data about community engagement and participation. The second was with CSU women’s basketball team as a graduate assistant. I learned how organization, collaboration, leadership, and communication are very important in setting up a team for success."
"There’s so much planning and execution on the backend of sport administration. I enjoy making an impact and creating a path where sport is enjoyable and safe for athletes and all stakeholders. The M.S.M had already prepared me for that journey."
"I wanted to make a career change and I wanted to improve my knowledge of the sport industry. A master’s degree will separate me from others seeking a career in sport management. I learn something new every week from my classmates and I think about sport management from a different perspective now. I loved that I was able to learn from professors with different backgrounds. I have learned so much from all my classes."
“I pursued this degree because I aspired to work for a professional sports team. I also wanted to advance my knowledge of the sports industry and learn how to be a successful manager. Taking classes such as Sport Law, Sport and Communities, and Sport Facility and Event Management, I was able to build on my undergraduate education and dive deeper on subjects I had prior knowledge about. Through my coursework and on-site experiences, I learned several different leadership styles. Being knowledgeable and skilled does not necessarily translate into being a successful leader, and I want to make sure I exhibit both in a managerial position.”
“This program has been a great experience! Every one of my instructors have been incredibly knowledgeable. They have high expectations, and they teach great leadership skills. The instructors also understand the demands that someone working full time or competing in college athletics have while working in a master’s program. It is important that nearly every class placed great value in social equity issues within sports, which is also very important to me.”
The online Master of Sport Management program is a professional degree that prepares you for leadership in the sports and athletics industry. To earn this degree, you must complete:
Before completing this degree, you will select one of four tracks: Generalist, Business Foundations, Marketing, or Sport Media and Communications. Program tracks allow you to focus your learning and develop skills that will be the most beneficial in your current or future career.
This track provides you with a broad base of sport management knowledge, including facility and event management, sport marketing, and risk management. Note that the generalist track does not require electives.
This track provides you with a specialized set of knowledge, including finance, marketing management, and business analysis.
Choose a minimum of two courses from the following list:
This track provides you with a specialized set of knowledge, including marketing management, marketing strategy, and sport marketing.
Choose a minimum of three credits from the following list:
Choose a minimum of six credits from the following list:
This track gives students the opportunity to take a set of courses specifically designed to enhance their knowledge of public relations, sports communications, content creation, new media, promotions, marketing communications, and best practices relevant to the exchange of information across stakeholder groups of industries of sport.
Select a minimum of 12 credits from the following:
Select a minimum of 4 credits from the following:
A minimum of 34 credits are required to complete this program.
| Fall semester | August 1 |
| Spring semester | December 15 |
| Summer semester | May 1 |
Start your application online and upload materials directly into the online system. You can save your progress and return any time.
Apply NowApplicants to the Master of Sport Management program must meet or exceed the following criteria:
Note that meeting the minimum department standards does not ensure admission to the program. Admission to Colorado State University graduate programs is based on multiple factors, including prior academic and professional experience, and the statement of purpose.
Prepare the materials below and upload when you apply online.
Complete the online graduate application form and pay the nonrefundable application processing fee (payable online). As soon as you have completed the required information, please submit your application. Your application will not be reviewed until it is complete and all required materials have been received.
CSU's Graduate School offers several application fee waiver opportunities. Visit their website to determine if you are eligible for a waiver.
Under "Program" choose one of the following:
Request one official transcript of all collegiate work completed from all institutions attended. Transcripts from Colorado State University are not required. Transcripts must be received directly from the originating institution to be considered official.
Please Note: Students may be unconditionally admitted and registered in their first semester of courses with an unofficial transcript. Official transcripts must be submitted, prior to or during your first semester, before you can register for your second semester of graduate work. Failure to meet this condition will result in your dismissal from the Graduate School.
Electronic (preferred): Digital Transcripts must be submitted by the originating institution using a secure service such as parchment, eScrip-Safe, the National Student Clearinghouse, or e-Quals. Transcripts received via emails are considered unofficial. Use institution code 4075 for Colorado State University or gradadmissions@colostate.edu if the secure service requires an email address.
Mail (if necessary) Graduate Admissions Colorado State University – Office of Admissions 1062 Campus Delivery Fort Collins, CO 80523-1062
View your application status at any time to ensure your application checklist is complete or to check on updates.
Once your complete application, including supporting materials, is received, the department admission committee will review your application and notify you of their decision.
Proof of English language proficiency is required for applicants from countries or United States territories where there are official languages other than (or in addition to) English. This includes the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico.
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