Last Updated: November 13, 2025

Study Sports Management in Indiana

Sports management has become a popular option for college students in recent years. This makes sense, given that the sports industry is worth billions of dollars in revenue each year.

As a college student in Indiana, you have your choice of many different options for getting your degree. No matter if you want a small program at a private college, a large program at a big public university, or something in between, Indiana’s higher education system can accommodate you. There are even on-campus and online options for completing degrees in this field.

This guide offers a detailed look at some of the popular sports management programs in Indiana. Explore each one, compare and contrast them as needed, and find a program that prepares you for your dream career!

Accredited Sports Management Programs in Indiana - Best Sports Management Degrees in Indiana Online

Sports Management Programs in Indiana

Listed below are some of the popular schools offering sports management programs in Indiana:

  • Indiana Tech
  • Indiana Wesleyan University
  • University of Indianapolis
  • University of Southern Indiana
  • Indiana State University
  • Purdue Global
  • Grand Canyon University
  • American Public University

Indiana Tech

Bachelor of Science in Sports Management

The Bachelor of Science in Sports Management from Indiana Tech is a 120-121 credit program that you can complete either on campus or online. In either case, you will need about four years to complete the program requirements.

One of the reasons Indiana Tech’s program is so popular is its experienced faculty. You will learn from industry leaders who have real-world experience in the academic, business, and professional aspects of sports management. With their guidance, you will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue an entry-level career in areas such as:

  • Collegiate athletics
  • Community sports
  • Professional sports governance
  • Youth sports
  • Sports marketing

Your education in this program includes traditional classroom learning combined with extensive experiential learning opportunities. You will have the chance to participate in field experiences and internships, both of which help you apply what you learn in class in hands-on settings.

The curriculum, which is based on principles from the North American Society of Sport Management, begins with general education core courses that focus on broad-based skill building and knowledge acquisition. For example, you will take numerous communications classes, including one each focusing on written communication, oral communication, and collaborative communication.

Other general education classes focus on areas like quantitative reasoning, quantitative analysis, and data analytics. Again, you must take one class in each area. Other required general courses focus on areas like leadership and global issues. In all, you must complete 30 general education credits.

Next, you’re required to complete a 27-credit sports management core. The courses within this part of the curriculum offer a detailed look at foundational concepts in this field. For example, you will take classes such as:

  • Introduction to Sports Management
  • History of Sports Business
  • Sports Facility and Event Management
  • Sports Marketing
  • Sports Economics and Financial Analysis

Furthermore, you will complete an Applied Skills in Sports Management class that examines a handful of critical issues. For example, you will discuss sports sales and its role in generating revenue for sports teams and related organizations. You will also examine ethical and policy issues, discuss international sports governance, and current trends in sports management.

Another required sports management core course is the Sports Management Field Experience. This class is the first of many out-of-class learning opportunities that allow you to further develop your skills in a recreational or sports program setting. For example, you might work part-time with a municipal recreation department to gain experience overseeing program development for youth sports leagues.

You must complete 18 free credits as part of your training, too. These credits can come from within the sports management field or related areas. You might, for example, take additional business or marketing classes to enhance your understanding of fundamental principles in those areas. Likewise, you might take physical education courses to get more experience in sports applications like coaching.

This program has an internship component, too. The internship is tailored to your interests and needs—you will consult with the supervising instructor to find a suitable placement where you can gain additional hands-on experience. While you might complete the internship at the same site as the field experience discussed earlier, your responsibilities and professional duties in the internship must be of a different nature.

The requirements to apply as a first-year student are as follows:

  • Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
  • Have a 2.0 cumulative high school GPA.
  • Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university from which you’ve earned credit.
  • Submit ACT or SAT scores if you wish.

Indiana Wesleyan University

Bachelor of Science in Sports Management

Indiana Wesleyan’s Bachelor of Science in Sports Management is a comprehensive business degree that examines the essential applications of business principles in a sports setting. You will take courses in a wide variety of fields, including marketing, sports information, sports administration, and communications, to name a few.

As a result of your studies, you will emerge as a graduate with a well-rounded understanding of the history, philosophy, and duties of sports management. Furthermore, you will have the leadership skills, business acumen, and marketing experience to become an effective manager or administrator who can lead organizations to a successful future.

Part of the reason this program draws so many students is that it is designed with help in mind. Indiana Wesleyan offers tutoring help and tech support to make learning simpler and more effective. Furthermore, the faculty in the sports management program have management experience in sports settings and can impart their wisdom in a way that helps you become a more knowledgeable practitioner.

Like the program discussed earlier, this one also requires you to complete a series of general education classes. As is common for all undergraduate degrees, these classes are introductory-level and address many different fields of study. For example, you will likely take classes in all of the following areas:

  • Natural Science
  • Social Science
  • Language Arts
  • Mathematics
  • Humanities and the Arts

In fact, you will likely take more than one class in each of the areas listed above. Between the required courses and free electives, you will need around 80 credits to apply toward your degree. Fortunately, there are many other fields of study you can explore as part of the general education requirements and elective components.

For example, let’s assume you’re interested in working at the college sports level. That being the case, you might take elective classes in business administration, sports coaching, or business management. Alternatively, let’s say you want to use your degree as a stepping stone for a career in sports broadcasting. In that case, taking electives in radio and TV broadcasting, digital media, and sports writing would be good options.

As for the sports management-focused coursework, you are required to complete 41 credits. Many of these classes are lower-division and broad-based, such as the following:

  • Foundations of Business
  • Introduction to Physical Education, Sports, and Wellness
  • Computers and Technology in Physical Education and Sports
  • Psychology of Sports and Exercise
  • CPR and First Aid

Other higher-division classes are more acutely focused on specific topics. A good example of this is Sports Law and Risk Management. As the name indicates, this class examines laws relevant to the sports world and evaluates ways for sports organizations to minimize risk. Topics of discussion include crisis management, liability for injuries, and issues of the right to participate, to name a few.

Another example is Ethics and Character Development in Sports. Naturally, this class analyzes the role of sports in the positive development of athletes. You will examine issues such as personal ethics, personal responsibility, and reasoning skills. Furthermore, you will discuss important current issues in sports administration, including legal, moral, and ethical considerations sports managers must make in carrying out their day-to-day duties.

There is a facilities management component to this program as well. The Facilities Design, Planning, Maintenance, and Scheduling course helps you understand your role in event planning. You will discuss everything from design considerations for sports and recreational facilities to equipment lists for events to schedule construction and maintenance to ensure events don’t overlap.

Other required sports management courses are as follows:

  • Sports Management
  • Administration of Physical Education and Athletics
  • Sports Marketing, Promotion, and Fundraising
  • Senior Seminar in Health and Human Performance

This program also has multiple experiential activities, including two Professional Experiences in which you work in a sports or recreation setting (e.g., YMCA, elementary school, fitness facility) to see how the principles you learn in class are applied in the real world. Likewise, you must complete a three-credit internship that gives you extensive experience in practicing your sports management skills. As is common for field experiences, you will work with the school and your supervising faculty member to find appropriate placements.

You can apply to Indiana Wesleyan online at any time. The criteria for admission are as follows:

  • Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
  • Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university from which you’ve earned credit.
  • Once admitted to Indiana Wesleyan, you must complete your first year of studies with a 3.0 or higher, submit an essay, and participate in a personal interview with the Pre-Professional Committee within the Division of Health and Human Performance to be considered for admission to the sports management program.

University of Indianapolis

Master of Science in Sports Management

At the University of Indianapolis, you can advance your education and training in sports by completing a Master of Science in Sports Management. This program is multifaceted and allows you to customize your training to fit any number of potential career paths. With studies in public relations, finance, sports governance, and oversight, the possibilities are limitless for a graduate of this program.

A key advantage of this program is that it is accredited by the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA). This accreditation demonstrates the University of Indianapolis’ commitment to developing a sports management program aligned with industry standards. On top of that, this program mixes traditional classroom learning with real-world projects and relevant research opportunities to give you as well-rounded an education as possible.

You must complete 33 credits to earn your diploma. Though the standard curriculum requires 21 months to complete, an accelerated 12-month track is available. In either case, you must take six classes and complete a two-part internship.

The coursework begins with Foundations of Athletic Administration. You will primarily discuss intercollegiate athletics and the principles and procedures involved in overseeing college-based athletic programs. As part of your studies, you will examine operating regulations, bylaws, and compliance issues. You will also discuss academic support programs for athletes, leadership issues, and diversity management, to name a few.

There is a facility management component as well. The Event and Facility Management class explores various strategies for planning and executing successful athletic events. You will learn how to manage large teams of workers, manage facility scheduling and maintenance, and critically evaluate events after the fact to find pain points and reasons for success.

A related course is Revenue Generation in Athletics. Part of the job of a sports manager is ensuring the organization has a means of generating income. Events are a great way to do this. You will learn how to utilize events, alongside ticket sales, promotions, and sponsorships, to improve the bottom line of intercollegiate athletic departments.

A large part of a sports manager’s job is communicating with others. As a result, you’re required to take a Strategic Management class that explores topics such as:

  • Sports information
  • Media relations
  • Writing for press
  • Managing press conferences
  • Roles and responsibilities of communication personnel

The final two classes in this program cover Risk Management and Human Resource Management. The Risk Management class analyzes the legal aspects of this field, including managing liability for injuries suffered by student-athletes. Meanwhile, the Human Resource Management class gives you insights into effective strategies for leading and managing a team of employees. You will learn how to interview prospective employees, provide training, and evaluate their on-the-job performance.

The final component of this program is a two-part internship. You will spend two semesters working in a sports management setting, where you will hone your skills in all aspects of the job, from communications to leadership to understanding financial and business practices. You are allowed to complete the 300 hours in the internship in your current employment setting, if applicable. Moreover, you can choose to complete both internship opportunities in the same setting or get experience in two different settings if you wish.

You can apply to the University of Indianapolis online if this program aligns with your goals. You must first meet the admissions requirements, which are as follows:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution.
  • Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher to be considered for full admission. You may still apply and gain provisional admission with a lower GPA.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
  • Provide two letters of recommendation from academic or professional references.
  • Submit a three-page personal statement that outlines your educational and career goals.

University of Southern Indiana

Master of Science in Sports Management

Another popular graduate-level option you might consider is the Master of Science in Sports Management from the University of Southern Indiana. This online program requires you to complete 30 credits of coursework. You will gain essential insights into critical aspects of sports management by completing rigorous classes with faculty who have extensive experience in this area.

The flexibility of this online program is one of its greatest strengths. But another key feature is the 4+1 option. If you pursue this track, you can be admitted to the Master of Science program as an undergraduate student. Doing so enables you to earn credits for both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees simultaneously, which allows you to complete both degrees in just five years. You must earn at least 90 undergraduate credits and have a 2.5 GPA or higher to qualify for the 4+1 track.

The bulk of the coursework in this program is required courses. In fact, 27 of the 30 credits are required. You will begin with classes like the following:

  • Contemporary Issues in Sports and Exercise
  • Sports Facility and Event Management
  • Dimensions of Diversity and Society in Sports Organizations
  • Sports Marketing
  • Sports Budgets and Fiscal Practices

As you can see, the areas of inquiry are quite broad. This is reflective of the many duties you will have as a sports manager. With training in these areas, you will have the necessary competency to manage a sports organization from a business, financial, and public relations standpoint.

However, your training doesn’t end there. You will also take a Sports Law class that familiarizes you with legal issues within sports and recreational settings. For example, you will discuss risk management, negligence, torts, and government regulations and compliance.

You’re also required to take a Research Methods and Statistics in Sports Management class that discusses critical problems in this field. You will survey current and historical research and learn how to interpret it, including through the use of statistical analysis. Moreover, you will explore basic terminology in business statistics, statistical functions, and the application of statistics in academic research.

The final two classes—Strategic Sports Communication and Leadership Skills and Innovation—round out your training. The communication course explores methods you can use to manage the messaging to stakeholders within and outside the organization. For example, you will learn how to work with media outlets to create campaigns that generate excitement for an upcoming event.

The leadership class, on the other hand, focuses more on developing the skills necessary to adapt to rapid changes within the organization and industry as a whole. The class discusses topics like project management, improving work engagement, and effective decision-making, among many others.

You must also take one elective class to complete this degree. The university offers nearly a dozen options, including:

  • Athletics in Higher Education
  • Special Topics in Sports Management
  • Marketing Strategies
  • Organizational Behavior
  • Fundraising and Volunteer Administration

You can submit an online application to apply to this program. You must first meet the following admissions requirements:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
  • Submit a current curriculum vitae or resume.
  • Provide the names and contact information of three references.

How Much Can You Earn With a Sports Management Degree in Indiana?

As of May 2025, sports management professionals in Indiana earn an average annual salary of approximately $64,077. More experienced professionals in Indiana earn well over $125,000 per year.

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