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Sport Management M.S.M

12
Months to Earn Your Masters
95%
CSU Online Grad Students have Plans Related to their Career
93%
Grad Students would choose CSU Online Again
#7
Best Online Sport Management Graduate Program, bestmastersprograms.org
Degree Overview Open Accordion

Study online in a unique interdisciplinary program to earn your Master’s in Sport Management.

Earn your Master’s in Sport Management online

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.

Study in a collaborative online program as you gain professional skills

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:

  • Selfless leadership and inclusive excellence
  • Globalization of the sports and athletics industry
  • Sports law, governance, policy, and ethics
  • Marketing, media relations, and corporate communications
  • Risk management

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.

Why choose an online sport management master’s program?

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:

  • Dive into the ethics, policies, and laws that shape the modern sports landscape
  • Learn data-driven analysis methods that inform strategic decision-making processes
  • Examine modern cultural perspectives and concepts of social responsibility
  • Sport Management Ranking Badge
  • Gain the knowledge to pursue future leadership opportunities
  • Receive regular guidance and insight from distinguished scholar-practitioners

CSU's Online Sport Management program was ranked 4th in the nation by SportsDegreesOnline.org in 2024.

Customize your learning experience

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.

Partnership with Colorado Rockies Open Accordion
Macots Cam and Dinger stand together at Coors Field with a Colorado Rockies Sport Management Institute badge graphic overlay

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.

About the Institute

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.

Academic Opportunities for Institute Students

Annual Career Fair at CSU

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.

Annual Business of Baseball Day

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.

Curriculum Integration

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.

Seasonal Employment Positions: In-Game Entertainment and Event Operations Crew

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:

  • A paid, part-time position with the Colorado Rockies
  • Class credit to be allocated towards CSU coursework
  • Experience in a professional sports organization
  • Networking opportunities across Colorado Rockies various departments

Related Articles

MSM students

Sport management students embrace opportunity to pitch ideas to Colorado Rockies

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."

Read the full story on Source

Faculty Open Accordion
Albert Bimper

Andrew Goldsmith, Ph.D.

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.

Read more about Dr. Goldsmith.

Hear from Our Students Open Accordion
Upe Atosu

Upe Atosu, M.S.M Graduate

"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."

Read the full story on Source


John Atkins

John Atkins, M.S.M Graduate

"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."

Read the full story on Source


Olivia Knoll

Olivia Knoll, Event Operations Assistant

“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.”



Frank Martinez

Frank Martinez, Middle School Head Football and Basketball Coach

“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.”


Curriculum Open Accordion

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:

  • All required core courses, including:
    • Internship (2-4 credit hours)
    • Capstone project (2 credit hours)
  • Selected elective courses based on your chosen track

Choosing a Program Track

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.

Generalist Track (30-32 cr.)

Business Foundations Track (30-32 cr.)

Sport Marketing Track (33-35 cr.)

This track provides you with a specialized set of knowledge, including marketing management, marketing strategy, and sport marketing.

Core Courses (24-26 cr.)

Marketing Elective Courses (3 cr.)

Choose a minimum of three credits from the following list:

Sport Management Elective Courses (6 cr.)

Choose a minimum of six credits from the following list:

Sport Media and Communications Track (34-36 cr.)

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.

Core Required Courses:

Journalism and Media Communication Elective Courses

Select a minimum of 12 credits from the following:

Sport Management Elective Courses

Select a minimum of 4 credits from the following:

A minimum of 34 credits are required to complete this program.

How to Apply Open Accordion

Application Deadlines

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 Now

1Review Admission Requirements

Applicants to the Master of Sport Management program must meet or exceed the following criteria:

  • A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • A 3.0 GPA on all undergraduate coursework
  • No GRE is required. However, recent TOEFL examination results are required for international applicants.

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.

2 Prepare Application Materials

Prepare the materials below and upload when you apply online.

  • Official transcripts from all previous universities attended
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Statement of purpose (please explain how this degree will help you reach your career goals)
  • Current resume

3 Complete Online Application

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:

  • Sport Management (M.S.M.) - Distance
  • Sport Management/Business Foundations (M.SM.) - Distance

4Request Transcripts

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

Check Your Application Status

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.

For International Applicants

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.

Learn more about English language proficiency requirements.

Questions?

We love learning about your goals and answering any questions you have.

Tandi Hawkey
Prospective Student Support Coach
Schedule Time to Talk

Program Details

Courses
Credits
30
Tuition
$800 per credit*
Same in-state tuition for all.
Learn more about financial aid and scholarships Tuition/fees are just part of the cost to attend CSU. Learn more about the full Cost of Attendance
Degree Awarded
Master of Sport Management
Time Frame
FA or SP start: 18 Months
SU start: 12-21 Months
Admission Reqs.
  • Undergraduate degree from an accredited four-year institution.
  • 3.0 GPA on all undergraduate coursework

Application Dates

Fall semester
August 1
Spring semester
December 15
Summer semester
May 1

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