Last Updated: January 9, 2026

Study Sports Management in Michigan

With the popularity of sports, wellness, fitness, and related areas, choosing to study sports management in college is a smart choice. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth in this field is predicted to be 11 percent in the coming years, which is much faster than average.

In some cases, you can begin a sports management career with a bachelor’s degree. Usually, the careers you qualify for with an undergraduate education are entry-level. But with experience, you can move up the ladder to higher-paying positions with greater responsibilities. Of course, you can also pursue a graduate degree in sports management to assure yourself of better job opportunities.

This guide includes some of the popular sports management programs in Michigan—both bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees. Survey each one, compare your top picks, and select the program that will help you realize your career goals!

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

Sports Management Programs in Michigan

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

  • Eastern Michigan University
  • University of Michigan-Dearborn
  • Wayne State University
  • Central Michigan University
  • Adrian College
  • Grand Valley State University
  • Purdue Global
  • American Public University
  • Southern New Hampshire University

Eastern Michigan University

Bachelor of Science in Sports Management

The Bachelor of Science in Sports Management from Eastern Michigan University prepares you for a future career in all levels of sports, from amateur and high school sports to professional athletics. With the education you get in this program, you might pursue careers in facility operations, athletic administration, media relations, or sports marketing, to name a few.

This four-year program is primarily an in-person degree. However, some online classes are offered to give you a little more flexibility in terms of scheduling. During your time in the program, you will need to complete at least 120 credits to earn your diploma.

The first step in earning your degree is to complete general education requirements. Credits are required in a variety of subject areas:

  • Effective Communication
  • Quantitative Reasoning
  • Humanities and the Arts
  • Natural Sciences
  • Social Sciences
  • Global Awareness
  • U.S. Diversity

Furthermore, you are required to take two courses that involve learning beyond the classroom. For example, you might enroll in a sports performance class, volunteer to complete community service, or participate in a job shadowing class. You can also conduct undergraduate research to fulfill this requirement.

The next component of this program’s curriculum is the 42-credit major sequence. These courses focus on sports administration and related areas, including business. You will begin by taking three foundation courses: Foundations of Sports Management, Sports in Society, and Foundations of Sports Leadership. These classes explore the fundamental principles of sports management, its underlying principles, and various applications of sports management.

From there, you will complete core coursework that gives you deeper insights into the day-to-day functioning of a sports manager. For example, you will take a Sports and Event Planning course that introduces you to the intricacies of developing, planning, and marketing events of all kinds. You will learn planning theories that promote successful events, while also learning how to apply your learning in settings from high school to college and beyond.

You will also take a Sports Economics and Finance class. This course is an important part of the curriculum because it teaches you essential economic and financial theories. You will use your knowledge of these areas as a sports manager, specifically as you guide the development of sports organizations to ensure financial stability and long-term success on the field.

Additional core courses examine topics such as:

  • Sports Facilities
  • Sports Risk Management
  • Introduction to Research in Sports Management
  • Sports Governance, Regulation, and Policy
  • Sports Ethics

Furthermore, you are required to complete fieldwork that gives you hands-on experience working in a sports-related organization. In fact, you must complete 9 credits of fieldwork to ensure you have ample opportunities to apply what you’ve learned in your courses.

This major also requires you to complete a minor. Most minors require roughly 21 credits and are available in various fields, including Communications, Entrepreneurship, and General Business. Other options include Marketing, Public Relations, and Interdisciplinary Leadership.

You must meet the following requirements to qualify for admission:

  • Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
  • Have a high school GPA of 2.0 or higher. You must have a GPA of 2.5 or above to apply without taking the ACT or SAT.
  • Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
  • Submit transcripts from every college or university from which you’ve earned credit.

University of Michigan-Dearborn

Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management

The University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management focuses on three major areas of sports: theoretical knowledge, ethical frameworks, and practical skills. Within these broad areas, you will develop skills related to many aspects of sports management, from sports governance to sports regulations to stress management, and e-sports management.

This on-campus program has a traditional structure. You will complete at least 120 credits to graduate, roughly one-third of which are general education courses. As discussed earlier, these classes give you insights into major academic fields and help you develop into a well-rounded and well-informed student.

For example, you are required to complete coursework in quantitative reasoning, which helps you develop crucial skills like analysis and problem-solving. You are also required to take courses in natural sciences to gain an appreciation for the natural world, human development, and sustainability, to name a few.

Other general education courses examine topics like interpersonal communication, U.S. history, and philosophy. You might take classes like physical education, English composition, and art appreciation, too.

Before you begin your major studies, you must complete two pre-major classes: Personal Health and Wellness and Introduction to Psychology. The former discusses common health problems, health-related attitudes, and behaviors that improve overall wellness. The latter examines the human condition, how and why people behave the way they do, and the methods by which behavior can be changed.

You must complete a minimum of 44 credits within the sports management major to graduate. These classes are largely required, though some elective options enable you to customize your learning.

One of the first classes you will take is Introduction to Sports Management. This course analyzes key sports management and leadership concepts. You will learn about the history of sports management, international sports, and leadership concepts. Likewise, you will discuss diversity issues in sports, address sustainability concerns, and explore sports-related research as well.

Other introductory coursework includes the following:

  • Introduction to E-Sports Management
  • Stress management
  • Introduction to Public Health or Introduction to Social Work
  • Student-Athlete Development, Health, and Wellbeing
  • Sports Governance, Regulation, Law, and Policy

Upper-division courses within this major take a look at specific topics in management. For example, the Inclusion and Ethics in Sports class evaluates how diversity, equity, and inclusion impact the sports experience for athletes and fans alike. You will examine differences based on gender, physical ability, race, and many others, and how diversity is an asset to developing a richer sports landscape.

As another example, you will take Psychology in the Workplace, which focuses mostly on industrial-organizational psychology principles. More specifically, you will learn about the value of strong leadership within organizations and the benefit of stress and health-related programs in the workplace. Furthermore, you will study concepts like performance appraisals, job design, and issues of motivation, too.

Rounding out the coursework portion of this program is your choice of an upper-level elective in an approved undergraduate field and your choice of two required communication classes: Risk and Crisis Communication or Negotiation and Conflict Management.

The final aspect of this degree is a Sports Management Internship. This six-credit field experience can be completed online or in person. In either case, you will work closely with a mentor in a sports-related setting to provide managerial input on a variety of issues. You will learn essential skills—like effective leadership—while also developing a deeper understanding of fundamental managerial concepts.

You can apply to the University of Michigan-Dearborn online at any time. The requirements for first-year admission are as follows:

  • Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
  • Have a 3.0 high school GPA or higher (for guaranteed admission) or a 660 score on the GED.
  • Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university from which you’ve earned credit.
  • Submit letters of recommendation as requested.
  • Complete admissions essays as requested.
  • Submit ACT or SAT scores if you wish.

Wayne State University

Master of Arts in Sports Administration

The Master of Arts in Sports Administration from Wayne State University is designed to accommodate your needs, whether your undergraduate degree is in a sports-related field or not. There are other flexible features in this program, too, namely, that it’s an online program with no on-campus requirements.

This degree requires you to complete 30 credits of coursework. Typically, two years are needed to finish these requirements. However, you might be able to complete the program in one calendar year by taking classes in the spring, summer, and fall semesters.

The bulk of your classes come in a required course sequence of 24 credits. This portion of the curriculum begins with Introduction to Sports Administration, which explores administrative job opportunities in a range of sports-related fields. For example, you will identify the structure of key administrative positions, their general duties and responsibilities, and the qualifications typically required for each position.

A Sports Marketing course is also required. Broadly speaking, this class gives you insights into marketing materials and techniques that are effective for sports applications. You will learn how to conduct market research, explore the importance of sponsorships in sports, and examine sports markets around the country.

You are required to take a risk management class as well. Risk Management in Physical Education and Sports analyzes various liability risks involved with management positions in sports. On the one hand, you will learn how to identify risks and mitigate their potential impact on the organization. On the other hand, you will learn about litigation and the processes required to address complaints against you, your employees, or the organization as a whole.

Two more classes are included in the required sequence. First, you will take Sports Finance to learn about the intricacies of financial management, administration, and planning. Second, you will take Concepts of Management in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, which evaluates the many responsibilities of managers in sports-related positions. Your studies will specifically address management styles, goal-setting, policy-making, and leadership principles.

You have the opportunity to customize your learning with two elective classes. The program offers numerous options to fulfill this requirement, including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Legal Issues in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation
  • Media Design and Communication
  • Youth Sports and Recreation
  • Interscholastic Athletic Directing
  • Sports Event Management

Another elective option is Fieldwork in Sports Administration and Management. This course provides you the opportunity to learn from a mentor supervisor in a public or private sports setting. This class is repeatable for up to eight credits, so you can gain a significant amount of on-the-job experience.

Even if you don’t choose to take the fieldwork course as an elective, you will still get valuable real-world experience in the Internship in Sports Administration. The university works with you to find an appropriate professional placement in your area of specialization.

So, for example, if your career goal is to work as an administrator in college athletics, you might be placed in the Wayne State athletic department where you will work with the Director of Sports Operations. Conversely, if you envision yourself working in marketing in a professional sports setting, you might intern with a local professional sports team’s marketing department.

The value of this internship cannot be understated. Not only is it an opportunity to apply your learning in a real-world environment, but it’s also your chance to see the inner workings of a sports organization. The insights you gain—along with additional knowledge and skills—will prove invaluable as you progress from being a student to being a professional.

The graduate application for admission to Wayne State is available online. You must meet the following criteria to apply:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
  • Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher for regular admission (a GPA of 2.5-2.74 earns you qualified admission.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
  • Provide a current professional resume.
  • Submit a one-page personal statement.

Adrian College

Master of Arts in Sports Management

Adrian College’s Master of Arts in Sports Management is yet another popular option for completing your degree in Michigan. This 36-credit program can be completed in two years of traditional full-time studies (nine credits each semester). However, you have the freedom to enroll as a part-time student if your current work and life obligations prevent you from attending school full-time.

This program offers another layer of flexibility with three different format choices. You can complete this degree in person, online, or by mixing the two in a hybrid format. Furthermore, Adrian College allows you to begin taking graduate-level courses for this degree before you graduate with your bachelor’s. This can help save you time and lead to graduating in 1.5 years or less.

Once enrolled, you will complete two types of coursework: core classes and electives. The 18-credit core sequence begins with the Foundations of Sports Administration. This class introduces you to key topics in this field, such as management theories, applications of organizational management, and leadership issues. You will also have opportunities to examine relevant research and integrate your learning into your personal theory of management.

Another key course is Sports Ethics. As the name indicates, this class examines current ethical, legal, and moral issues in sports. You will discuss acceptable behavior from athletes, fans, and coaches, explore sportsmanship issues, and analyze problems like cheating, drug use, and violence among athletes.

Next, the Sports Marketing class gives you insights into the details and planning required for a successful marketing campaign. On the one hand, you will learn how to organize, conduct, and analyze marketing campaigns. On the other hand, you will compare and contrast how different professional organizations handle marketing.

Two additional required core classes explore highly different topics. First, Leadership and Communication facilitates the development of improved leadership skills, an expanded understanding of ethical issues in sports, and instills in you appropriate interpersonal communication and public speaking skills.

Second, the Sports History class offers context regarding the development of the modern sports industry. You will analyze how sports have changed over the years at the collegiate and professional levels. Likewise, you will discuss how sports has played a pivotal role in social reform, such as Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in professional baseball in 1947.

The remaining coursework includes 18 elective credits. These classes—which you choose from an approved list—allow you to focus on areas that interest you about sports. If you are interested in management, you might take Sports Finance and Advanced topics in Sports Management. If you think coaching is the direction you want to go, you might take Advanced Coaching, Youth Sports, or Intercollegiate Sports.

Other elective options include the following:

  • Sports Sales
  • Sports Law
  • Sports and Gender
  • Sports Issues
  • Facility and Event Management in Sports

Lastly, you must choose between completing a thesis or participating in an internship. The thesis track is a good option if you intend to continue your education in a doctoral program. The research experience you will gain by completing a thesis will set you up for success in higher-level independent research as a doctoral candidate.

On the other hand, if you are completing this degree to enter the job market, an internship is a prime choice. With the hands-on experience you get in an internship, you will be able to develop on-the-job skills that nicely complement your classroom learning.

The requirements for graduate admission are as follows:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution. If you are already an Adrian College undergraduate student, you are eligible for provisional admission upon completing at least 90 undergraduate hours with a 3.0 GPA or higher.
  • 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.

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