Last Updated: January 9, 2026

Study Sports Management in Washington State

The Pacific Northwest is a great place to live and learn. On the one hand, there are many outdoor recreation opportunities available in Washington to satisfy your need to be active. On the other hand, you can use your love of recreation to prepare for a career in sports management by pursuing a degree at one of Washington’s colleges or universities.

Fortunately for you, there are many different choices for getting an undergraduate or graduate degree in Washington State. Schools of all sizes, from one end of the state to the other, offer programs in this field; the difficulty is in deciding which one is best for your needs.

This guide offers insights into some of the popular sports management programs in Washington State—both undergraduate and graduate. Using the information provided below, you can compare and contrast each option and select a program that you feel prepares you best for your future.

Accredited Sports Management Programs in Washington State - Best Sports Management Degrees in Washington State Online

Sports Management Programs in Washington State

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

  • Gonzaga University
  • Central Washington University
  • Washington State University
  • Seattle University
  • University of Washington
  • Purdue Global
  • Full Sail University
  • Arizona State University Online
  • Grand Canyon University

Gonzaga University

Bachelor of Education in Sports Management

Gonzaga University’s Bachelor of Education in Sports Management is an on-campus program requiring at least 128 credits to graduate. Most students can complete these requirements in four years; however, you can take longer to finish the program if you desire.

One of the unique features of this program is the off-campus learning opportunities provided to you to supplement your classroom activities. You will be able to get experience working in sports promotion, youth sports, college athletics, club management, and many other areas prior to graduation. This real-world experience is invaluable in helping you understand how to apply what you’ve learned in sports settings.

Since this is an undergraduate program, a large portion of the credits you need to graduate fall under the realm of university core courses. These introductory classes facilitate your growth as a well-rounded, well-skilled student. The categories of coursework you are required to complete include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Writing
  • Reasoning
  • Communications and Speech
  • Mathematics
  • Scientific Inquiry

You must also take classes focusing on religion, literature, history, fine arts, and social and behavioral sciences.

Generally speaking, most of your coursework during your first two years in this program will be in the general education category. Then, the final two years of your studies will focus on sports management. One of the first sports management classes you will take is Introduction to Kinesiology and Sports Management. As its title indicates, this course gives you a broad overview of the sports management field with an emphasis on its relationship to kinesiology as a whole.

After learning the basics of sports management, you will take additional classes that fill in the gaps. For example, the Sports and Fitness in the Digital Age course examines how sports and fitness have changed with the advent of tools like smart watches to track health metrics as you work out. Similarly, you might discuss the pros and cons of online sports and fitness programs that allow people to take courses remotely.

Additional coursework focuses on wellness. A good example of this is the required Health and Wellness class. You will discuss the relationship between health and wellness, identify ways in which people can improve both, and examine the role of overall health and wellness in the sports field.

You will also take an Exercise and Sports Psychology class that examines the mental components of sports and fitness. This class is critical for your understanding of the athletic experience and how successes and failures on the field affect one’s state of mental health.

Additional required classes within this major include the following:

  • Sports Facility Management
  • Sports Sponsorship and Promotions
  • Administration of Sports and Athletics
  • Ethical and Legal Aspects in Sports
  • Health and Fitness Club Management

Other coursework focuses on your selected minor. Gonzaga offers numerous options, including Journalism, Economics, Management Information Systems, and General Business. Any of these minors complement the sports management major nicely.

Lastly, you are required to complete a two-part internship during which you will work in a sports-related organization. Each component requires you to complete at least 100 hours. The hours you accumulate can be in a wide range of activities, from promotion and marketing to administrative tasks to facilities management. Though you can request specific internship sites, the university must approve of the placement prior to you beginning work.

You can apply online if this program seems like a good fit. The admissions requirements for first-year students are as follows:

  • Have a diploma from an accredited high school.
  • Complete the following requirements in high school:
    • 4 years of English
    • 3-4 years of Math
    • 3 years of history and social studies
    • 2-3 years of a foreign language
    • 3-4 years of science
  • Official high school transcripts.
  • Official transcripts from every college or university from which you’ve earned credit.
  • Participate in an admissions interview, if required.

Central Washington University

Bachelor of Science in Sports Management

The Bachelor of Science in Sports Management from Central Washington University prepares you for a future entry-level career in the sports industry. The program has a number of specializations to target your training to the specific area of sports in which you are interested. These specializations include the following:

  • Recreation Management
  • Sports Business
  • Sports Coaching
  • Sports Communication

One of the benefits of pursuing a degree like this is that you can pursue many different career paths. For example, you might work in the compliance department of a college athletics program, in marketing or sales for a semi-professional sports club, or as a coach in a youth sports league. There are many other options, too.

Of the approximately 120 credits you need to graduate, roughly one-third fall under the category of general education classes. As described earlier, these introductory-level courses help you develop skills in areas such as math, science, natural science, and social science. You might also take courses in communications, physical education, foreign languages, and wellness.

Eighty-one credits are specifically in the sports business realm. The required core coursework is reflective of this focus on sports business. For example, you will take courses like Accounting, Introduction to Sports Management, and Professional Development in Sports Management. Furthermore, you are required to take Leadership and Ethics in Sports, Diversity in Sports, and Governance and Policy in Sports Organizations.

One of the most important core classes you will take is Recreational and Collegiate Sports Management. This class helps you build fundamental leadership skills that make you a quality leader. You will also explore practical matters, like purchasing materials and supplies, managing personnel, and managing facilities as well.

Speaking of facilities, the Sports Facilities and Events Management core course is an essential part of your development. As a future sports business professional, you have to understand how sports and entertainment facilities are run. This class explores topics like event planning, materials acquisition, personnel assignments, and vendor agreements, among others.

You must also complete 20 credits of sports business specialization courses. Each class is worth five credits and explores a different detailed topic:

  • Organizational Management
  • Introduction to Sports Business Analytics
  • Principles of Marketing
  • Sports Marketing and Sponsorship

The remaining coursework is comprised of 15 elective credits. You are free to choose from about a dozen approved classes, each of which examines a specific sports business topic. For example, you might take Leadership in Business Organizations if you are interested in honing your leadership skills.

Alternatively, you might take Professional Sports Operations if your future plans include working in the front office of a sports team. As another example, the Sponsorship and Promotion in Sports Business elective is a prime choice if you are interested in marketing and helping sports organizations improve their bottom line.

As is typical of programs like this, you must also complete fieldwork in the form of a sports management internship. This course is available for 1-12 credits, depending on your needs. While you are in the internship, you will work with an onsite mentor who will show you the ropes of the daily operations of a sports business. You will have opportunities to apply what you have learned in real-world situations, such as working with the organization’s marketing team to develop new promotions.

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

  • Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
  • Have a 3.0 high school GPA or higher for guaranteed admission. You may also be required to submit a personal statement if your GPA is 2.50-2.99. Your application will be reviewed, and your academic experience will be evaluated, if your GPA is 2.00-2.49. You must also submit a personal statement in this case.
  • Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college where you’ve earned credit.

Washington State University

Master of Arts in Education in Sports Management

At Washington State University, you can complete a Master of Arts in Education in Sports Management that gives you the flexibility of a thesis or a non-thesis option. It’s a two-year degree that requires full-time, on-campus studies for the duration of the program. Since you are required to attend full-time, the program offers graduate assistantships to help offset the cost of earning your degree.

During your time in the program, you are required to complete 34 credits. The vast majority of the credits required for the non-thesis track fall within four categories:

  • Research Core
  • Theoretical and Social Foundation of Education Core
  • Sports Management Core
  • Sports Management Electives

You must take one research core course. You have your choice of three options: Research Methods, Foundations of Qualitative Research, and Educational Statistics. In each case, you will learn the value of data in the decision-making process and develop a better understanding of how to utilize research for the benefit of the organization.

Next, you will take one theoretical and social foundation course. Again, you are given a number of options for completing this requirement. For example, you can take Motivation Theories, Philosophy of Education, or Social Foundations of Education. Other options include Theoretical Foundations of Learning and Instruction, Values and Ethics for Education Leaders, or Introduction to College Student Development.

The sports management core includes four required classes:

  • Marketing Sports Events and Programs
  • Administrative Concepts in Sports Organizations
  • Law and Risk Management in the Sports Industry
  • Sports Media and Communications

Clearly, the courses listed above examine different aspects of sports management. This is purposeful—these classes help you develop key skills that allow you to address critical issues in modern sports organizations. For example, the law and risk management course discusses common legal and ethical issues you might encounter and outlines appropriate measures to mitigate risk from those issues.

As another example, the sports media and communications class emphasizes the importance of partnerships with media outlets for broadcasting games and raising community awareness of the organization.

The remaining coursework is a 12-credit sequence of elective classes. The program offers a range of options for completing these credits, including classes on ethics, social and cultural issues, and sports in higher education. You can also take classes in sports governance, sports policy, or current issues in sports management. An additional option—special topics in sports management—is available for as many as six credits.

To complete the non-thesis track, you are required to participate in an independent study project. The project allows you to research topics that interest you. You will work with an independent study mentor to develop a plan of study and outline activities and goals for the semester.

Furthermore, you must also take a comprehensive exam. The purpose of the exam is to gauge your understanding of fundamental topics in this field. You will be provided with a narrative case study that explores a problem that must be solved. Your role is to provide solutions based on your training. You will take a written exam, which takes place on two consecutive days for four hours each day. Once the written exam is complete, you will participate in a 60-minute oral exam.

You must meet the following criteria to apply:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution.
  • Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
  • Submit a current curriculum vitae or resume.
  • Submit a letter of intent in which you discuss your academic and professional experiences as well as your current or desired career.
  • Provide three letters of reference.

Seattle University

Master of Business Administration in Sports and Entertainment Management

At Seattle University, you can prepare for an advanced position in a sports organization or ready yourself for doctoral studies by completing the Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Sports and Entertainment Management. The university offers this program in a traditional on-campus format as well as an optional online track for greater flexibility.

Regardless of whether you study in person or online, you must complete 48 credits to graduate. Doing so typically requires two years of studies that focus on managerial decision-making, moral and ethical challenges in sports, inclusivity, leadership, and other key issues in business and management.

The requirements for this degree fall into three categories: core coursework, elective coursework, and an internship. The core coursework begins with a Business Ethics and Social Responsibility class that explores the moral issues that might arise in your career. You will discuss ethical principles, ethical reasoning, and common dilemmas that will test your ethics as a professional.

Numerous business-related classes are also required. For example, you are required to take the following:

  • Finance for Business
  • Economics for Business
  • Introduction to Business Analytics
  • Introduction to Sports and Entertainment Management
  • Legal Issues in Sports and Entertainment

Other required coursework explores the value of developing working relationships with other organizations. For example, the Corporate Partnerships and Community Engagement class takes a look at methods you can use to foster relationships with sponsors and the community at large. Doing so enhances the sports experience for the community. It also gives the organization a chance to develop long-term relationships with advertisers, promoters, and other partners.

Another required course you will take is Sports Business Analytics. This class focuses on the analytical techniques you can use to solve real-world business challenges with data. You will learn various analytics models, develop an understanding of how to interpret data, and acquire the ability to communicate the results of data analytics to stakeholders.

The elective component requires you to take one class. You can either take Developing Leadership in Sports and Entertainment or Technology in Sports and Entertainment (or a different elective approved by your advisor). The former focuses on leadership foundations and fosters the development of your personal leadership style. The latter examines the role of technology in sports and how to invest in the right technologies to help sports organizations achieve their goals.

You will complete your studies by taking part in an internship. The internship is an integrative experience that combines your classroom studies with the application of your knowledge and skills in a hands-on environment. Your internship placement will be determined by working with the program to find a suitable match. Then, during the internship, you will work with a mentor who shows you the ropes of working within the organization.

Typically, the internship involves numerous learning experiences. However, you might focus specifically on a given area of sports management. For example, assume your internship is with a minor-league baseball team and that you are particularly interested in marketing. In that case, you might work with the team’s marketing department to develop a new promotion to increase fan attendance, like a bobblehead night or another type of giveaway.

Wherever you complete the internship, you must demonstrate a high-level understanding of sports management. Likewise, you will demonstrate your skill set as a future professional by helping the organization address critical problems and plan for future success.

The requirements for admission are as follows:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in your last 60 semester credits of undergraduate and post-baccalaureate work.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
  • Submit a current resume.
  • Submit a 400-word essay in which you describe how this program will help you achieve your professional and personal goals.
  • Provide two letters of recommendation.

You may also optimally submit a letter of intent or a personal statement in support of your application to this program. Likewise, GMAT or GRE scores can be submitted if you wish (though this is a required step if your degree was ungraded or if it is not from a four-year program).

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

As of January 2026, sports management professionals in Washington State earn an average annual salary of approximately $169,000. More experienced professionals in Washington State earn well over $200,000 per year.

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