Accredited Sports Management Programs in Florida [2026] - Best Accredited Sports Management Degrees in Florida Online

Last Updated: January 9, 2026

Study Sports Management in Florida

Being a sports management student in Florida has its perks. On the one hand, Florida offers many different undergraduate and graduate programs in this field—many of which are available online. On the other hand, Florida is a sports paradise, with excellent year-round weather that makes sports and recreation of all kinds possible.

One of the difficulties of choosing a sports management program, though, is that there are so many choices in the Sunshine State. That’s where this guide comes in! Below, you will find detailed discussions of some of the popular sports management programs offered by Florida schools. Examine each one, compare and contrast them, and make an informed decision about which degree is right for you.

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

Sports Management Programs in Florida

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

University of Florida
Florida State University
University of Central Florida
Florida Atlantic University
St. Thomas University
Full Sail University
American Public University
Purdue Global
Southern New Hampshire University

University of Florida

Bachelor of Science in Sports Management

The University of Florida’s Bachelor of Science in Sports Management is a traditional 120-credit on-campus program that requires four years to complete. This program is also offered online to provide you with greater flexibility for finishing your studies.

The program’s focus is on two specific areas: management and leadership. As a result of completing this degree, you will have expertise in these and other areas that make you an attractive candidate for amateur, recreational, collegiate, and professional-level sports organizations. To that end, you will learn how to:

Apply business management principles in the sports industry
Lead initiatives that grow recreational and sports pursuits
Develop modern policies that enhance the sports experience for athletes and fans
Manage sports venues and lead service-related aspects of the fan experience

First, you must complete the University of Florida’s core requirements. These classes are necessary regardless of your major and focus on general academic topics like math, social sciences, science, and English. For example, you might take Basic College Algebra, General Psychology, Physical Science, and U.S. History.

Roughly 45 of the 120 credits needed to graduate fall under general education requirements. The remaining credits are within the sports management major and are either required or elective classes. For example, you are required to take Principles of Macroeconomics to gain a better understanding of topics like scarcity, fiscal policy, international trade, and economic development.

As another example, you will take Principles of Management, which examines how management-level workers devise solutions to critical organizational problems. For example, this class explores common business operation issues in the sports industry (e.g., managing sponsorships and business partnerships) and provides insights into utilizing modern approaches to solidifying the organization’s operational and financial health.

You will also take Introduction to Sports Management. This class is critical to your development as a managerial professional. You will be introduced to basic concepts in marketing, management, and finance. This course also explores legal principles at all levels of sports, including professional sports leagues.

Basic business classes are also part of this curriculum. For example, you are required to take the following:

Introduction to Financial Accounting
Sports Operations and Facility Management
Revenue Generation in Sports
Sports Business and Finance
Legal Issues in Sports

Many of the classes in this curriculum focus on marketing, too. Sports Marketing, for example, analyzes marketing case studies to address critical marketing problems in this field. You will learn about consumer behavior, digital marketing strategies, and comprehensive marketing planning, too.

These and other classes provide you with comprehensive training as a future management professional. From finance to marketing to human relations, the curriculum ensures you are a well-rounded student with the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in this industry.

Of course, you have the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills in a professional setting prior to graduation. The optional Internship in Sports Management places you in a public or private sports organization, where you will work alongside a mentor and learn the ropes of being a sports manager. While the specific activities you undertake during the internship depend largely on your placement, you can expect to assist with everything from branding activities to developing marketing plans to analyzing organizational data to develop long-term growth plans.

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

Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
Submit a list of all high school activities, clubs, sports, community service activities, and jobs you have held.
Provide details about your parents or guardian’s occupations and educational backgrounds.
Submit ACT, SAT, and/or Classic Learning Test (CLT) scores.

Florida State University

Bachelor of Science – Sports Management

The Sports Management degree at Florida State University is a Bachelor of Science program that allows you to utilize 12 credits of coursework to count toward a master’s degree if you wish. This arrangement allows you to complete your undergraduate and graduate degrees a full semester ahead of schedule. It’s also a less expensive option than getting both degrees separately.

Another advantage of this combined pathway is that you graduate with an advanced degree. Though not all sports management positions require a master’s degree, having the added training and experience that comes with graduate studies certainly means you will be more qualified for higher-level positions in sports organizations upon graduation.

The first order of business for finishing this degree is to complete roughly 60 credits of general education courses. These undergraduate courses focus on knowledge and skill development in areas like math, science, communications, reading, and English composition. The remaining 60 or so undergraduate credits are a mix of major-area core courses and electives.

For example, this program requires you to take a Sports in Society class that examines the role of sports in society and society’s influence on the development of sports. Likewise, you will take a Diversity in Sports class that discusses modern issues facing sports, such as equity between men’s and women’s sports and equal pay. Other interesting core courses include the following:

Facilities and Event Management
Human Resource Management
Ethics in Sports
Sports Governance
Sports Law

This degree focuses on marketing, too. The required Sports Marketing class examines the unique marketing needs in this field. For example, you will discuss traditional marketing methods, such as print media, and its place in marketing and promotion at sporting events. Likewise, this course examines the role of digital media and social media in modern sports marketing, including the role of social media in helping fans feel more connected to their favorite teams.

You will also take more traditional business classes. A good example of this is Human Resource Management. This class analyzes modern approaches to human resources as they apply specifically to the sports world. For example, you might discuss how to recruit, train, and retain members of the coaching staff as a means of improving the team’s on-field performance. As another example, you might discuss how to properly onboard new employees so they are fully supported as they start their new positions and have the appropriate training to be successful in their jobs.

You must also complete 12 credits of non-departmental electives and 18 credits of sports management elective classes. The program offers many different electives to fulfill this requirement, from Sports in Film to Sports Finance to Sports History. Other options include the following:

Careers in Professional Sports
Issues in Sports Management
Cross-Cultural Sports
Issues in Global Management
International Sports Venues

You can also choose to complete a practicum or internship as part of the elective component of this degree. Field experiences like these can be invaluable for synthesizing what you have learned and applying it in a real-world setting. Just as importantly, participating in a practicum or field experience allows you to network with sports management professionals. Networking is an excellent way to get your foot in the door and find employment before you graduate. Having colleagues in the industry as you start your career will only make you more successful, too.

Once you complete the above requirements, you can move on to the graduate portion of the program if you desire.

You can apply to Florida State University online at any time. The following requirements for first-year students must be met to be considered for admission:

Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
Provide a resume or list of activities.
Submit an admissions essay.
Complete the Residency Declaration Form if you are a Florida resident.

University of Central Florida

Master of Science in Sports Business Management

The University of Central Florida’s Master of Science in Sports Business Management is a traditional two-year on-campus program that requires you to complete 45 credits to graduate. You can also opt to enroll in a dual-degree program and earn your Master of Science and MBA by completing just 51 credits.

During your time in this program, you will explore essential aspects of working as management in a sports setting. Your studies will include examinations of ethical and social issues, moral questions, and diversity initiatives. You will also take numerous classes focusing on critical business issues, like finance, marketing, and human resources, to name a few.

The program proceeds as a cohort—you will take each class with the same set of classmates for the duration of the program. The cohort model is beneficial to you for several reasons. First, you can more quickly build rapport with your classmates and form lasting connections with them. Second, the cohort model typically encourages more engagement from you and your classmates and creates a more interactive learning environment.

And, lastly, cohorts enable you to have a strong network of colleagues after graduation. The connections you make in class could very well lead to employment or collaboration with classmates as you move into the world of work.

The curriculum focuses on many different types of classes, including business core courses, sports business classes, and real-world projects. For example, the professional core sequence includes 18 credits that focus on basic business principles, such as:

Organizational Behavior and Development
Strategic Supply Chain and Operations Management
Managerial Accounting Analysis
Strategic Financial Management
Applied Business Research Tools

You must also take an Economic Analysis of the Firm course, which takes a professional and business-oriented approach to understanding economic science. On the one hand, you will learn how to apply economic principles—not just discuss them in theory. On the other hand, you will utilize team learning and case studies to develop a deeper sense of things like cost, profit, marketing, production, and so forth.

Next, you will complete 27 credits in the sports business management core. Naturally, these classes focus specifically on the business of sports management. For example, you will take Revenue Generation Strategies to learn how to increase profits for athletic-focused organizations. As another example, you will take Sports Law, which examines relevant legal considerations, like contract law, torts, athlete rights, intellectual property, and so forth.

Likewise, you are required to take a course on Sports Industries in the U.S. This class examines the many different opportunities and challenges facing sports in the modern age. You will look at issues like diversity in sports, equal pay, and protections for athletes’ health. You will also discuss opportunities to bring sports to new areas, such as programs that facilitate youth sports programs in urban areas.

The remaining sports business management courses include, but are not limited to, the following:

The Global Environment of Sport
Advanced Sports Business Topics
Leadership in a Global Sports Environment
Destination Planning for Events
Implementing Change and Innovation

You will also have opportunities throughout the program to participate in experiential learning activities. For example, a second-year class trip is offered, during which you will see firsthand how sports management principles are applied in a real-world setting.

You can apply to the University of Central Florida online at any time. You must meet these criteria to apply:

Have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
Have a 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA or higher.
Submit official transcripts from every college or university you have attended.
Provide a current resume.
Submit a video essay.
Submit a written essay.
Submit competitive GMAT or GRE scores.

It’s also recommended that you have some professional experience in this field. Likewise, all finalists for admission must participate in an interview with the admissions committee.

Florida Atlantic University

MBA in Sports Management

The MBA in Sports Management from Florida Atlantic University is yet another popular option for getting an advanced education in this field. You have the option of completing this degree on campus or online. In either case, the program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), which is a prestigious accreditation that signals the rigor of this program and its value for preparing you to work in this field.

The in-depth curriculum is practitioner-oriented. As such, you will have ample opportunities for out-of-classroom learning experiences in recreational, entertainment, and sports settings. Moreover, you cannot work outside of the sports industry while you are in the program. This requirement ensures that you gain practical hands-on experience in this field while you are getting your degree.

This 40-credit program is divided into two components: a 28-credit core MBA sequence and a 12-credit sports management sequence. The MBA core begins with classes like Financial Accounting Concepts, Communication Skills for Business Professionals, and Leadership and Executive Forum. These foundational courses ensure you have a grasp of essential concepts that will help you be a more effective MBA leader in sports. Other core courses include the following:

Global Environment of Management
Advanced Analysis of Accounting Data
Marketing Management in a Global Environment
Advanced Financial Management
Management of Information Systems and Technology

You are also required to take an Operations Management course, which explores common managerial problems you might encounter on the job. Furthermore, you will discuss decision-making processes that enable you to address issues that threaten the smooth daily operation of a sports organization.

Next, you will take sports management core courses that focus on topics like Sports Law, Sports Marketing, and Financial Aspects of Sports Management. You will also take a Sports Business Analytics class that analyzes different data analysis approaches you can use to enhance business operations and team operations as well. Additionally, the required Managing the Sports Enterprise class offers a general overview of the factors impacting operations in the sports business.

You must choose one sports management specialization elective, too. You have two options. First, you can take Management of Sport, Entertainment, and Convention Venues, which offers a deep examination of facilities management. Second, you can choose to take Management and Administration of Intercollegiate Athletics, which examines the operations of college athletic departments as well as the marketing, finance, and human resources aspects of running a major college athletics program.

This program has a unique feature called MBA Sport Industry Talks. This lecture series brings sports professionals to the classroom to share their experiences and expertise with you. Past speakers have worked in organizations such as Major League Baseball, the Association of Tennis Professionals, the National Football League, and the National Basketball Association, to name a few.

The following requirements must be met to apply:

Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. You do not need to have an undergraduate degree in business to apply.
Have a 3.0 GPA or higher for the last 60 credits of undergraduate study.
Have at least one year of experience working in a sports-related setting.
Submit a current resume.
Submit a personal essay in which you discuss your future career plans, any experience you have in this field, and why you want to be part of this program.

Select applicants will also be invited to participate in an interview.

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

As of January 2026, sports management professionals in Florida earn an average annual salary of approximately $110,000. More experienced professionals in Florida earn well over $150,000 per year.

Popular Accredited Sports Management Programs in Florida [2026]