Last Updated: January 9, 2026

Study Sports Management in Louisiana

Louisiana’s extensive higher education system offers the advantage of being able to study in virtually every corner of the state. This convenience is supplemented by online programs that you can complete from the comfort of your own home.

Regardless of whether you study in person or online, you can get a solid education in sports management in Louisiana. Schools of all sizes offer programs that introduce you to this field. And with many graduate degree programs throughout the state, you have plenty of choices for advancing your education and your career, too.

This guide discusses some of the popular sports management programs in the Bayou State. Keep reading to learn more about each program and its requirements so you can choose the best program for your future.

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

Sports Management Programs in Louisiana

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

  • University of Louisiana at Lafayette
  • Louisiana State University at Alexandria
  • Louisiana State University
  • Southeastern Louisiana University
  • Centenary College of Louisiana
  • University of Louisiana at Lafayette
  • Grand Canyon University
  • American Public University
  • Full Sail University

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Sports Management Concentration

The Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette offers a concentration in Sports Management that prepares you for any number of entry-level careers in the sports and entertainment industry. This interdisciplinary degree explores topics raging far and wide, from wellness and fitness to sports management to finance and many others.

You must complete 120 credits to earn this degree. By and large, most students need four years to finish these requirements. However, you can graduate in three years or less by taking additional classes and enrolling in summer session courses. Conversely, you can study part-time and earn your degree in as many as seven years. This program is flexible either way to meet your needs.

A large portion of the required credits, at least initially, fall into the general education category. These classes, like those listed below, help you develop essential academic and professional skills:

  • Introduction to Academic Writing
  • Applied College Algebra
  • Biological Principles and Issues
  • American Literature
  • Cultural Anthropology

You will take many other general education courses, too. For example, you must complete six credits of English, six credits of math, six credits of social and behavioral sciences, and nine credits of natural sciences. Again, this is just a sampling. And since many courses are approved to fulfill these requirements, you have the latitude to enroll in the courses that most interest you.

The remainder of your coursework is mostly major-area courses in sports management. For example, you will take an Introduction to Sports Management class that offers a cursory look at all aspects of this field, from possible careers to marketing to law to public relations.

Furthermore, you’re required to take Technology in Health and Kinesiology. This class explores the fundamentals of computers and software and how their use in sports management can help you streamline tasks, analyze data, and improve the productivity of the organization.

Many of the courses you need to take for this degree focus on central topics in business. Examples include the following:

  • Introduction to Managerial Accounting
  • Fundamentals of Economics
  • Principles of Marketing
  • Business Finance
  • Management of Behavior and Organizations

Of course, you will also take many courses that hone in on specific sports management topics. A good example of this is the Event Management class. Unsurprisingly, this course examines the theoretical aspects of event management, including the planning and evaluation aspects of events. You will discuss further topics, too, such as vendor management, market research, communications, and fundraising.

Another aspect of your training focuses on research and statistics. Courses like Measurement and Evaluation in Kinesiology and Elementary Statistics discuss everything from hypothesis development and testing to correlation and regression to inferential and descriptive statistics. You will also learn how to conduct t-tests, use linear regressions, and utilize confidence intervals.

Additional coursework examines organizational, professional, and legal issues. For example, the Organization and Administration class explores program development from a policy and procedure standpoint. Moreover, you will learn how to address organizational problems pertaining to leadership, organizational management, and regulatory issues.

The remaining coursework takes a look at other important topics and issues in sports management, including:

  • The Legal Environment of Business
  • Advanced Professional Sales
  • Business-to-Business Marketing
  • Sales Management
  • Legal Issues in Sports and Physical Activity

The final element of this program is an internship in recreation. The internship is your opportunity to see firsthand how professionals implement their skills in a sports organization setting. On the one hand, you will work side-by-side with an experienced sports manager who will model professionalism and help you develop your skills even further. On the other hand, you will be a valued team member who makes contributions to the organization that enable it to work more effectively, efficiently, and profitably.

The admissions requirements for first-year students are as follows:

  • Have a high school diploma or its equivalent. In-state students must complete 19 units of the Louisiana Core 4 curriculum with a 2.5 GPA or higher. Out-of-state students must complete 17 or more units of Core 4 Courses with a 2.5 GPA or higher and have a 23 on the ACT or 1130 on the SAT.
  • Have an unweighted high school GPA of 2.0 or higher.
  • Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
  • Submit official transcripts from any colleges where you’ve already earned credit.
  • Submit official ACT or SAT scores (for out-of-state students only).

Louisiana State University at Alexandria

Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a Concentration in Sports Management

Louisiana State University at Alexandria offers a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a Concentration in Sports Management that helps you use your passion for sports as a vehicle for pursuing a career you love. The degree requires you to take at least 120 credits, which typically takes about four years of study.

This program is designed to help you develop all the skills necessary for your success in this field. As such, your coursework will help you:

  • Become a critical thinker.
  • Learn how to critically analyze information.
  • Advance your written and oral communication skills.
  • Develop key business skills, like organizational leadership.

You will acquire these skills in the context of a comprehensive education that begins with general education classes. As outlined earlier, general education courses are introductory-level classes that examine topics like math, science, social studies, and English. More specifically, you might take classes like Introduction to Psychology, Interpersonal Communication, English Composition I and II, and U.S. History Since 1865.

The general education coursework is much broader, though. In fact, roughly half of the credits you need to graduate fall under the realm of general education classes. By and large, you will complete these classes in the first two years of your undergraduate studies.

Then, the final two years of your bachelor’s program are spent focusing mostly on sports management. Numerous lower-division requirements will be taken first, such as:

  • Personal and Community Health
  • Human Anatomy
  • Principles of Conditioning
  • Introduction to Sport and Leisure Administration

Other classes discuss more detailed and advanced topics. For example, Psychology of Sports and Exercise examines the individual factors that might influence a person’s sports performance. What’s more, you will study factors that impact how athletes prepare for events, how they deal with adversity, and how they adhere to strict guidelines for physical and mental health.

As another example, Sports Organizational Behavior and Leadership analyzes the interplay between people’s personality characteristics and their job duties. You will look at things like organizational dynamics and interpersonal relationships while also discussing common organizational problems that arise in a typical sports setting.

There is a marketing component to this program as well. The Sports Marketing class introduces you to essential marketing methods for sports, such as digital and print media. In particular, you will examine effective marketing strategies for multi-sport clubs, college athletics, and professional organizations.

Other required classes in the sports management area include the following:

  • Ethical and Legal Issues in Sports
  • International Sports Management
  • Sports Facility Management
  • Financial Accounting
  • Introduction to Business

The remaining courses are electives in kinesiology. You must complete two courses to fulfill this requirement.

Finally, you will complete a two-part, two-semester internship in kinesiology. You will be placed in an appropriate sports-related setting where you will work part-time throughout both semesters. Typically, this involves around 15 hours of work per week. Your specific job duties will depend on your interests and internship location, but you can expect to participate in organizational activities related to marketing, management, finance, and related areas.

You can apply to Louisiana State University at Alexandria online at any time. The criteria for admission as a first-year student are as follows:

  • Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
  • Complete the Louisiana TOPS University Curriculum with a 2.75 cumulative high school GPA or higher. You can also qualify for admission by having a 3.0 cumulative high school GPA and completing the Louisiana Jumpstart Curriculum.
  • Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
  • Submit official transcripts from any colleges or universities where you’ve earned college credit.

Louisiana State University

Online Master of Science in Sports Management

The Online Master of Science in Sports Management from Louisiana State University is a 36-credit program designed with flexibility in mind. You can work at your own pace (within reason, of course) and complete assignments when it’s most convenient for you. Many students complete the degree in just one year or three academic semesters. However, you can study part-time and take longer to finish your studies if you wish.

This program, which is accredited by the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA), offers an innovative and forward-thinking curriculum. What’s more, you will study with thoughtful leaders in sports and entertainment whose real-world expertise will benefit your growth and development as a future professional.

Your coursework is divided into three sections: Sports Management Core, Sports Management Electives, and Restricted Research Electives.

The Sports Management Core encompasses essential studies in key areas. For example, the Administrative Problems in Kinesiology class examines common issues that might arise as a manager in a sports setting. Staff disagreements, facility issues, and financial difficulties are just a few examples of topics you might explore in this class.

You will also take a course on Social Issues in Sports. Athletics has long been a vehicle for social change, and this class takes a deep look at that history and how sports are continuing that tradition in modern times. You will learn about issues related to culture and race, gender and sexuality, and many other areas that influence sports and are influenced by sports, too.

Additional core coursework is required in the following areas:

  • Organizational Behavior and Development in Sports
  • Financial Issues in Sports
  • Sports Law
  • Economic Issues in Sports

Next, you must complete 12 credits of sports management electives. This part of the program is critically important because it allows you to tailor your studies to your specific interests and goals.

So, for example, let’s say you want to use this degree to pursue a career in event or facilities management. In that case, taking the Facilities Management course makes sense. This class discusses common issues pertaining to facilities and event management, such as building and grounds maintenance, staffing issues for events, and policies and procedures for the upkeep of athletic and entertainment facilities.

Now let’s assume you are more interested in the policy side of sports. That being the case, it makes sense to take the Governance and Policy Development in Sports class. This class explores the procedures organizations undertake to establish rules and regulations for employees, athletes, coaches, and other stakeholders within the organization.

Other elective options include the following:

  • Sports Seminar
  • Sports Administration
  • Sports Psychology
  • Current Topics in Sports Management

You can also propose other coursework to fulfill the elective requirement. You must get approval from your advisor prior to enrolling in other courses, though.

Lastly, you will need to take two restricted research electives. The program offers four options for this component of the degree: Special Topics in Kinesiology, Qualitative Research in Kinesiology, Introduction to Research Methods, or Independent Study. Whichever classes you take, you must demonstrate mastery of basic research skills, such as collecting, organizing, and analyzing data.

You can apply to this program anytime online. You must meet the following requirements to be accepted to this program:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
  • Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
  • Provide three letters of recommendation, at least one of which must be from a current or former employer.
  • Submit a statement of purpose in which you discuss your reasoning for enrolling in the sports management program. You must also outline your personal and career goals and explain your commitment to academic and professional excellence.
  • Submit official GRE or GMAT scores. You must get a 295 or higher on the GRE or a 560 or higher on the GMAT. You can request a test waiver to eliminate this requirement.
  • Submit a current resume.
  • Provide a detailed personal statement.

Southeastern Louisiana University

Master of Science in Health and Kinesiology – Concentration in Sports Management

At Southeastern Louisiana University, you can complete a Master of Science in Health and Kinesiology with a Concentration in Sports Management that leads to careers in event management, sports marketing, sports leadership, and many other related areas.

This on-campus program requires you to complete 33-36 credit hours to graduate. The timeline to complete these credits varies. In some cases, students finish in a year by taking a full load of classes in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. In other cases, students take two or more years to finish the degree on a part-time basis.

Whatever the case, you will take part in a rigorous curriculum and be challenged by faculty members who have real-world experience in the sports business. Likewise, you will take classes that enhance your knowledge and understanding of key topics ranging from health and wellness to kinesiology to business.

You have two options for earning this degree: a 30-credit thesis track or a 30-credit non-thesis track. The thesis track includes six credits of thesis research to be completed during the final two semesters of study. Essentially, a thesis is a detailed research project. In addition to conducting academic research, you must summarize your findings in a scholarly paper and defend your findings in an oral presentation to your thesis committee. This route is especially popular for students who are interested in research-heavy careers in sports or who want to continue their education in a doctoral program.

Conversely, the non-thesis track omits the thesis requirement and substitutes it for two elective courses in sports management. Working with your advisor, you will choose which classes to take, so you have the freedom to customize your learning to your specific interests, needs, and goals. This track is especially attractive to students who want to enter the workforce after graduation.

Both tracks require you to complete two courses in statistics and research. You have two options to fulfill both requirements. The statistics requirement can be met by taking Statistical Methods in Health Studies or Statistical Methods in Kinesiology. In either case, you will learn how to use non-parametric and parametric statistics to evaluate data in health and kinesiology studies.

The research requirement can be fulfilled by taking either Introduction to Health Research or Introduction to Kinesiology Research. Again, both options focus on the procedures and techniques you must undertake to conduct scholarly research in this field.

The thesis and the non-thesis tracks alike require numerous sports management classes as well. Some of these classes discuss basic topics, such as:

  • Sociocultural Issues in Sports and Physical Activity
  • Sports Marketing and Media
  • Legal Issues in Sports and Fitness
  • Managing Events and Facilities in Sports and Fitness

You will, likewise, take a class called Financial Management in Sports that touches on everything from budgeting to financial problem-solving to revenue generation. Additionally, the Sports Administration course provides a comprehensive look at relevant laws and ethical considerations, sociological issues, governance, and media relations, to name just a few.

Does this program seem like a good fit for you? If so, you can apply online at any time. The admissions requirements are as follows:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree or higher in health, sports management, kinesiology, or a closely related field.
  • Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.5 to 2.99 for provisional admission and 3.0 or higher for regular admission.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.

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