Last Updated: January 9, 2026

Study Sports Management in Illinois

Few college majors offer as much excitement as sports management. After all, with the appropriate education and training, you can use your experience to find a job with a sports organization that allows you to have a front-row seat to the action.

As an Illinois student, you have many options for getting your degree. Whether you want a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree, schools across the state have something to offer. What’s more, you can get your degree on-campus or online, giving you even more flexibility for how you move ahead toward a career.

This guide offers insights into some of the popular sports management programs at colleges and universities in Illinois. Explore each one, compare and contrast them, and select a program that aligns best with your future goals.

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

Sports Management Programs in Illinois

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

  • University of Illinois
  • Northern Illinois University
  • Illinois State University
  • Aurora University
  • Northwestern University
  • DePaul University
  • Purdue Global
  • Full Sail University
  • American Public University

University of Illinois

Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Sport, and Tourism

The Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Sport, and Tourism from the University of Illinois is available with a concentration in Sports Management that prepares you for entry-level work in any number of recreational and sports settings. This on-campus degree requires 128 credits to graduate. Most full-time students can complete these requirements in four years or less.

One of the benefits of this program is that you can choose more than one concentration. For example, in addition to selecting the Sports Management focus, you can add Recreation Management or Tourism Management to the fold. Doing so requires more time to graduate; however, you will have an expanded skill set that could help you find employment once you finish your studies.

The first step in completing this undergraduate program is to complete the University of Illinois’ general education requirements. You will need 36-42 credits to finish this part of the curriculum, which is comprised of studies in the following fields:

  • English Composition
  • Communications
  • Quantitative Reasoning
  • Humanities and the Arts
  • Social Sciences
  • Natural Sciences and Technology
  • Foreign Language
  • Cultural Studies

From there, you will begin the core course sequence for the major. These lower-division introductory courses help build a foundation of understanding of essential concepts in recreation, sport, and tourism management. For example, the Leadership in Recreation, Sport, and Tourism class identifies current theories and practices that enhance your ability to be a leader in this field. Similarly, Management in Recreation, Sport, and Tourism facilitates your growth as a leader who can solve problems, practice ethically, and manage teams of diverse workers.

Speaking of ethics, you’re required to take Ethical Issues in Recreation, Sport, and Tourism. This class examines common ethical considerations in this field, from discriminatory issues to coaching ethics and many points in between. You will also discuss journalism and the media, education, and business-related ethical issues.

Other lower-division courses you will complete include the following:

  • Recreation, Sport, and Tourism in Modern Society
  • Orientation to Recreation, Sport, and Tourism
  • Marketing in Recreation, Sport, and Tourism
  • Facility Management in Recreation, Sport, and Tourism
  • Research Methods and Analysis

Upper-division classes build on the courses discussed above to provide you with advanced insights into the practice of sports management. For example, you will take HR Management in RST, which explores the principles of human resource management. You will learn about the nature of the supervisory relationship, the purpose of HR oversight, and operational patterns of HR management in various recreational and sports settings.

You will also take a class called Event Management in Recreation, Sport, and Tourism. This class is part one of a capstone experience in which you learn specialized management techniques that allow for successful event planning. The second part of the capstone focuses more on the implementation measures needed to host a successful event.

The remaining coursework includes 12 credits of electives in the recreation, sport, and tourism field and another 16-20 credits of free electives. You must also take three sports management-specific classes:

  • Foundations of Sports Management
  • Legal Aspects of Sports
  • Sports and Development

The final component of this degree is a 12-credit internship during which you must accumulate at least 400 hours of work experience in a 10-week span. The internship will take place in a setting that relates to your major and will provide you with hands-on work experience where you can practice your sports management skills and acquire new knowledge.

You must meet the following requirements to be considered for admission:

  • Have a high school diploma or its equivalent (or be a current high schooler).
  • Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university from which you’ve earned credit.
  • Provide ACT or SAT scores (though this is an optional step).

Northern Illinois University

Bachelor of Science in Sports Management

At Northern Illinois University, you can complete a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management and begin your career in the recreation and sports field. In fact, this degree prepares you for many different careers, including event management, sports education, and finance, to name a few.

This program is experiential, meaning you will complete traditional coursework while also participating in an internship that gives you much-needed real-world experience prior to graduation. Northern Illinois University has partnerships with many different sports management organizations, including professional teams, where you can apply what you’ve learned in a fast-paced, yet supportive learning environment.

As discussed earlier, the first order of business is to complete the general education requirements. This portion of the degree, which includes about 50 credits, focuses on broad areas of study like the following:

  • Mathematics
  • Natural Sciences
  • Social Sciences
  • English Composition
  • Communications

Furthermore, you’re likely to take classes in physical education, art, humanities, and foreign languages.

Another component of the curriculum is the non-departmental requirements. These courses focus on broad business-related topics. For example, you must take Fundamentals of Accounting, which examines basic accounting concepts, accounting systems, and financial statements. Likewise, you will take Principles of Management to get a basic understanding of the roles of managers and their responsibilities in the day-to-day operation of an organization.

The portion of your studies includes a course in Principles of Microeconomics as well. This class offers an introductory look at the market mechanisms that control resources and the distribution of income. Some of the topics you will study include labor unions, monopolies, and oligopolies. You will also have class discussions about current economic issues.

The remaining five non-departmental required classes are as follows:

  • Principles of Marketing
  • Principles of Selling
  • Introduction to Business Information Systems
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Basic Statistics, Elementary Statistics, or Introduction to Probability and Statistics

The final aspect of this program’s coursework focuses on sports management. These classes, which include Introduction to Sports Management, Sports Sales and Sponsorship, and Communication Strategies in Sports, explore far-reaching topics that inform you of every aspect of this field.

For example, the Sport: Culture and Society course offers insights into the unique interaction of sports and culture. You will learn how sports impact society in the U.S., identify the social processes that affect sports, and the value of sports in the U.S. economy.

As another example, you will take Psychological Aspects of Sports and Exercise. This course is necessary because it sheds light on the mental health benefits of sports. Furthermore, you will learn how to use recreation and sports to help with rehabilitative processes and preventative medicine.

The coursework in this part of the curriculum also includes studies in marketing. A good example of this is the Promotion and Marketing of Sports Programs. As the name indicates, this class examines current best practices for promoting sporting events. You will learn critical marketing strategies and develop the ability to organize complex promotional events as well.

Other sports management-focused courses you’re required to take include the following:

  • Finance in the Sports Industry
  • Sports Management Strategies
  • Professional Development and Careers in Sports Management
  • Sports Event and Facility Management

You must also take three credits of departmental electives.

The final component of this program is a six-credit internship. Program representatives will help you find an appropriate internship placement that aligns with your interests and career goals. During the internship, you will work full-time and receive direct supervision from an onsite supervisor. Though your specific responsibilities will vary depending on your placement, you can expect to participate in marketing, management, human resources, and event planning activities.

You must meet the following criteria to apply as a first-year student:

  • Complete a high school curriculum that includes four years of English, three years of math, two years of science, two years of social studies, and one year of foreign language, art, or music.
  • Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university from which you’ve earned credit.

You are guaranteed general admission if your high school GPA is 3.0 or higher. You must go through a holistic application review process if your GPA is lower than this.

Illinois State University

Master of Science in Kinesiology and Recreation – Sports Management

If you want a higher degree, Illinois State’s Master of Science in Kinesiology and Recreation – Sports Management is a popular option that’s available both on-campus and online. The 33-credit program requires a full calendar year of studies to complete, whether you’re in the traditional in-person program or the online program.

All of your courses are taught by full-time faculty members—you will not have classes with graduate or doctoral assistants. Moreover, each faculty member has relevant hands-on experience working in the sports industry, so you can draw on their expertise to expand your learning that much further.

On top of that, Illinois State has a large group of accomplished alumni who are currently employed in the sports industry. You can learn from their experience working in amateur, collegiate, and professional sports organizations, as well as sports agencies. Their input from the leading edge of sports management will be invaluable to your growth and development.

The program’s curriculum includes numerous components. First, you will complete a two-course core sequence: Statistics in Applied Science and Technology and Introduction To Research Methodology. These classes dive into inferential and descriptive statistics as well as research design and development. You will use the skills you learn in these classes as a basis for future research in this program.

Next in the sequence of classes is an 18-credit sports management core. These classes explore numerous topics relevant to this industry, such as:

  • Facility and Event Management in Sports and Recreation
  • Fiscal Management in Sports and Recreation
  • Principles of Sports Law
  • The Sport Industry

Additionally, you will take a Marketing of Sports and Recreation class that discusses essential marketing principles. For example, you will discuss product development, media relations, and sponsorship opportunities in sports. You will also learn how to conduct market research and develop effective marketing plans.

There is an Advanced Topics in Sports Management class as well. The purpose of this class is to analyze common issues that arise for sports managers in the modern industry. You might, for example, evaluate the issue of rising costs associated with running a sports organization and how best to pass those costs on to fans without alienating them with significantly more expensive tickets.

In addition to these sports management core courses, you must also complete at least 3-6 credits of cognate courses. These classes are in sports management and related fields and must be approved by a faculty advisor prior to enrollment.

The final piece of this degree is a culminating experience. You can choose to complete any of the following:

  • 6-credit thesis
  • 3-credit independent study
  • 3-6 credits of professional practice
  • 3 credits of practicum and a 3-credit Practicum in Sport Management class

Whatever option you choose, you will rely heavily on your experiences in your courses and the research skills you acquired early on. If you intend to seek employment after graduation, the professional practice or practicum options might be the best option, as both provide real-world experience you can use to prepare for your career. However, if you intend to continue your education in a doctoral program, the thesis track is likely the best choice.

You must meet the following requirements to be considered for admission:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
  • Have a 3.0 GPA or higher in your final 60 credits of undergraduate coursework or graduate study.
  • Provide unofficial transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
  • Submit a current resume.
  • Submit a career goal statement in which you explain why you wish to study at Illinois State and how the sports management program will help you achieve your career goals.
  • Provide the contact information for three references.

Aurora University

MBA in Sports Management

The MBA in Sports Management from Aurora University blends graduate-level business studies with an examination of sports management-specific theories and principles. The result is a degree that prepares you to be a leader in a competitive market with a complete toolkit of skills that promote your success.

This program requires you to complete 36 credits. Normally, this would require 1.5-2 years of full-time studies. However, this is an accelerated program that allows you to finish your degree in just one year. There is a ten-week summer term, two eight-week terms in the fall, and two eight-week terms in the spring.

The curriculum begins with 24 credits of required MBA courses. These classes explore essential business topics, such as:

  • Marketing Management
  • Leadership and Organizational Behavior
  • Budgeting and Financial Management
  • Operations Management
  • Ethics and Decision-Making

You’re also required to take a Strategic Management course and a class on Human Resource Management. The first class focuses on successful strategic practices and analytical approaches that improve your managerial skills. The second class explores the fundamental concepts of human resources, including social behavior in the workplace, individual responsibility, and motivation. This course examines training issues, compensation, and labor issues as well.

There are four sports management courses necessary for this degree. You will start with Networking and Career Options in the Sports World. This is a critically important class because it informs you of the many career possibilities that lay ahead. What’s more, you will have opportunities to meet with professionals from many areas of sports management, including game operations, governance, public relations, and analytics, to name a few.

The Sports Ticket Sales class is an interesting addition to this degree that focuses on the common tactics used to sell tickets to events. You will learn how to market events, utilize discounts and promotions, and how to best represent yourself and the organization when selling. The Sports Partnership Marketing Sales class builds on your experience in the ticket sales course by teaching you how to use sales skills to prospect for sponsors. You will also learn how to develop sponsorship proposals.

The final class needed for this degree is Interdisciplinary Relationships in the Sports World. The purpose of this class is to examine the role of managers, administrators, and coaches in collegiate sports. You will learn the value of collaboration with other professionals and partnerships with athletic companies and explore the macro and micro impacts of interdisciplinary relationships in a college sports setting.

This program further requires you to complete an MBA internship. The internship is designed to help you transition from being a student to being a practitioner. You will work in a supervised sports management setting where you will be responsible for day-to-day activities in running the organization. This may include developing marketing materials, working on budgetary items, and devising sponsorship programs for the organization.

You can apply to Aurora University online at any time. The admissions criteria are as follows:

  • Have an undergraduate degree 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 resume.
  • Provide letters of recommendation if required.
  • Participate in a faculty interview if required.

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

As of January 2026, sports management professionals in Illinois earn an average annual salary of approximately $144,500. More experienced professionals in Illinois earn well over $165,000 per year.

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