Last Updated: November 13, 2025

Study Sports Management in South Carolina

A career in sports management isn’t just an opportunity to work in a rapidly growing and exciting field. Instead, it represents the ability to pursue a passion and help shape the future of sports at the amateur, collegiate, and professional levels.

In South Carolina, your path to becoming a sports manager can run through any number of undergraduate and graduate programs. What’s more, you can focus your studies on many different areas of sports, from facilities management to global sports business to sports administration.

If you’re not sure what program is right for you, this guide will help. Below, some of the popular programs in South Carolina are explored in detail. Learn about the degree requirements, specific courses you will take, program admissions requirements, and more!

Accredited Sports Management Programs in South Carolina - Best Sports Management Degrees in South Carolina Online

Sports Management Programs in South Carolina

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

  • Columbia College
  • Clemson University
  • Winthrop University
  • University of South Carolina
  • Coastal Carolina University
  • Grand Canyon University
  • Southern New Hampshire University

Columbia College

Bachelor of Science in Global Sports Business and Leadership

Columbia College’s Bachelor of Science in Global Sports Business and Leadership is a unique four-year program that allows you to learn at home and abroad. On the one hand, you will get a traditional college experience by taking classes on campus at Columbia. On the other hand, a key component of this program is the study abroad experience, during which you will acquire real-world skills in an international setting. 

These and other features of this program make it one-of-a-kind—literally. This is the only such program in the nation. 

You can choose from four concentrations:

  • Media Relations
  • Equity and Social Justice
  • Athlete Wellness Management
  • Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Management

Regardless of which concentration you choose, you must complete a series of general education courses. These classes, which highlight fields of study from major liberal arts areas, are required of all undergraduate students.

For example, you’re required to take credits in math, science, and social sciences. Likewise, you will need to complete courses in English, arts and humanities, and communications. Electives—which you can choose from any undergraduate area of study—are also required.

Typically, general education classes and free electives comprise roughly half of the credits needed to graduate—in this case, roughly 60 credits. These classes are, for the most part, taken in the first two years of the four-year program.

The remainder of the coursework is done within the major. Given that this program focuses on sports business and leadership, you will find that your classes are highly interdisciplinary.

For example, the Introduction to Global Sports Business and Leadership class forms the foundation of your studies by examining topics like business management, finance, marketing, and organizational leadership. Furthermore, you’re likely to study areas such as:

  • Business communication
  • Leadership styles
  • Management styles
  • International sports organizations
  • Sports law and governance

Regarding the leadership component, this and other classes will help you understand how to develop critical leadership qualities in yourself and also how to promote the development of those qualities in others. Moreover, you will learn how to put your leadership skills into action in various settings, from youth sports to collegiate sports to professional sporting events.

Another essential class in this program is Sports in American Life and Pop Culture. This class offers context to the importance of sports in everyday life. You will analyze this impact by examining film, literature, TV, radio, and other elements of modern pop culture. In doing so, you will be able to examine the social and cultural components of sports, including the role sports have played in bringing about social change (e.g., Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in 1947 as a precursor for desegregation). 

There is a modern element to this program as well. A good example of this is the Esports: Competing in the Global Digital Arena course. The rise of Esports in recent years has only added to the appeal of sports in general. This class examines the history of Esports, current issues in this field, and evaluates the financial, social, and economic impacts of this kind of digital entertainment on the larger sports industry.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. You must meet the following requirements to be admitted:

  • Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
  • Complete a high school curriculum that includes two units of English, two units of lab science, two units of the same foreign language, three units of math, and one unit of history, social science, advanced math, or natural science.
  • Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
  • Submit a letter of recommendation from your high school counselor and one core area teacher if you wish.
  • Submit ACT or SAT scores if you wish.

Clemson University

Bachelor of Science – Sports and Recreation Management

The Bachelor of Science in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management with an emphasis in Sports and Recreation Management from Clemson University focuses on numerous fields. Not only will you get detailed instruction in recreation for health and well-being, but you will also learn about social justice in recreation, recreation management and administration, and sports management in the community, to name a few.

You must complete at least 120 credits to earn this degree. Most students can finish the program in four years, though there is enough flexibility in the program to accommodate shorter or longer timelines. For example, you can shave a semester off your timeline to graduate by taking an extra class in each of your first four semesters of study.

The first two years or so in this program will largely consist of completing general education requirements that are necessary for all undergraduate degree-seeking students. These introductory courses help mold you into a well-rounded, well-informed student. General education courses usually encompass studies in areas such as:

  • Natural Science
  • Math
  • Social Science
  • Art and Humanities
  • English Composition

Furthermore, you will take classes emphasizing cross-cultural awareness, oral communications, and technology.

The bulk of your studies during the third and fourth years of this program are within the sports and recreation management major. Among the first classes you will take within the major is The Profession and Practice in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management. As you’d expect, this class offers a basic look at this industry, including its historical development, current trends, and professional competencies.

You’re also required to take Conceptual Foundations of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism. This course focuses specifically on the background of recreation and related fields, including its philosophical and theoretical bases. Likewise, you will discuss the nature and scope of careers in this area as well as the social and behavioral components of recreation and sports.

Other lower-division coursework you’re required to complete include the following:

  • Foundations of Management and Administration in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management
  • Distributed competency Integration in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management
  • Program and Event Planning in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism
  • Professional Preparation for Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management
  • Recreation Policymaking

As you progress through the program, you will take upper-division classes that focus on more specific topics in this field. For example, Behavioral Concepts in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism analyzes why people behave the way they do in sporting environments. For example, you might discuss the tribalist nature of sports fandom and how people from all walks of life come together in support of a sports team regardless of demographic factors that might separate them.

As another example, the Recreational Sports Facility and Venue Management class gives you a look behind the curtain at the unseen aspects of a job in this field. Not only will you come to an understanding of the sheer amount of work required to host a sporting event, but you will also learn how to plan events, organize staff, troubleshoot problems, and evaluate the success (or failure) of events.

This degree further requires you to take Recreation and Amateur Sports Management or Commercial Recreation. The Sports Management course examines critical topics like facility management, legal and ethical issues, and finance considerations. The Commercial Recreation course takes a look at elements of running a recreation-based business, such as marketing, operations management, and sports and recreation programming.

The remaining coursework needed for this degree includes an additional Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management elective plus 15 additional free electives from any undergraduate field of study.

Your studies conclude with practicum and internship experiences. First, you will complete a two-part practicum, during which you will get your first taste of hands-on work in this field. In most cases, practicums are a lot like job shadowing—you will spend a lot of time observing your supervisor and others as they conduct their daily business. However, you will have opportunities to make basic contributions to the workplace, particularly toward the end of the practicum.

The internship takes the experience to another level. Where the practicum is just 80 hours total, the internship is a 10-week, 400-hour intensive work experience. You will, with the help of your advisor, select an appropriate internship site where you will work in a supervised sports or recreation setting. During your time in the internship, you will be a valuable team member and make positive contributions to the inner workings of the organization.

The requirements for admission as a first-year student are as follows:

  • Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
  • Have a competitive class rank and GPA.
  • Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
  • Provide official SAT or ACT scores if you wish.

Winthrop University

Master of Science in Sports and Fitness Administration

Winthrop’s Master of Science in Sports and Fitness Administration focuses specifically on leadership and administrative aspects of managing sports and fitness facilities. As part of your training, you will develop an understanding of what it means to manage personnel and develop and deliver effective programs for clients.

Furthermore, you will learn how to use your knowledge and skills to promote sports and fitness at the organizational and community levels. With this degree, you can pursue employment in many different areas, including the following:

  • Strength and conditioning
  • Marketing
  • Facility management
  • Personal or athletic training
  • Wellness

Additional requirements focus more specifically on sports management. For example, the Global Sports Management class requires you to study how sports organizations are managed throughout the world. Doing so helps you understand the similarities and differences in management styles in different countries while also helping you acquire improved multicultural skills that will benefit you as you seek employment in such a globalized industry.

As another example, you must take a Socio-Ethical Issues in Sports class that examines critical current issues in this field. For example, you might evaluate the ethical dilemmas presented by the recent Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) movement in American college sports. Alternatively, you might explore social justice issues and how sports organizations can help move social justice movements forward.

Additional studies are required in the following areas:

  • Sports and Fitness Promotion
  • Financial management for Sports and Fitness
  • Advanced Sports Event Management
  • Legal Issues in Sports and Fitness Administration
  • Sports and Fitness Facility Management

This 100 percent online degree explores other aspects of sports management, too. For example, the Research Methods in Sports and Fitness class discusses key elements of conducting academic research—data collection, data analysis, academic writing, and reporting. These skills aren’t just important for academics. Instead, you can use scholarly research skills in your day-to-day career as a sports manager. For example, you might collect data regarding the effectiveness of a particular marketing campaign and use that data to analyze its effectiveness.

Additionally, you will take a Management and Leadership in Sports Management course that enhances your ability to be an effective leader. You might, for example, develop improved communication skills that enable you to more effectively guide and direct the activities of people under your supervision.

This program gives you the choice of two tracks. First, you can complete your coursework and participate in a Practicum in Sports and Fitness. This option places you in an approved organization where you will learn the ropes of managing a sports entity from an experienced supervisor. This is a suitable option if you intend to seek employment after you graduate.

Second, you can opt to complete a research thesis. The six-credit thesis is a two-semester project that requires you to complete original research that adds to the body of knowledge in this field. You must also outline your research and findings in a detailed academic paper and defend your work in an oral presentation.

No matter which track you choose, you must complete 36 credits to graduate. Most students can complete these requirements in two years of full-time graduate study.

You must meet the following requirements to be admitted:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution.
  • Have a 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA or higher.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
  • Submit a personal statement in which you discuss your educational and professional background, volunteer experiences, and other credentials that qualify you for this program. You must also address why you believe this program will help you achieve your career goals.
  • Provide a current curriculum vitae or resume.
  • Provide two letters of recommendation.

University of South Carolina

MBA – Sports Entertainment Management MBA

The Sports Entertainment Management MBA at the University of South Carolina is yet another unique program available to you as a South Carolina student. In this case, you earn two degrees in just two years: a Master of Sports and Entertainment Management and a Master of Business Administration. You’re able to do this because 12 of the credits needed to graduate apply to both degrees.

The Master of Sports and Entertainment Management focuses on the following fields:

  • Venue Management: Principles and Practices
  • Management in the Sports and Entertainment Industry
  • Advanced Sports and the Law
  • Principles of Sports and Entertainment Marketing
  • Sports and Entertainment Finance

Alongside these classes, you must also take either Statistical Methods I or Quantitative Methods. These classes ensure you have the skills necessary to collect, organize, and evaluate data collected in the process of academic research. You will gain enhanced research skills in the Business Research and Analytics class for Hospitality, Retail, and Sports Management.

This master’s degree offers you the option of a professional or thesis track. The former requires detailed research on an approved topic in this field. You will spend a great deal of time working on your thesis—six credit hours, in fact. The remaining credits are electives and required coursework. The latter option entails 21 credits of coursework, 15 elective credits, and a comprehensive final exam.

Meanwhile, you will acquire a deep understanding of general business principles in the MBA program. Naturally, the MBA curriculum focuses on areas like Managerial Accounting, Corporate Strategy, and Global Finance. In fact, many of the required classes have a global perspective: Global Marketing and Global Economics are two examples.

Additionally, you will take classes like Managing Human Capital, which trains you to oversee small and large staffs in a business environment. You will learn how to align talent with corporate goals, recruit qualified workers, and develop effective compensation packages to incentivize the best people to apply.

You will get additional training in research, too. The Quantitative Methods course explores various decision analysis techniques you can employ to make sound business decisions. You will also study basic statistics, regression analysis, project management, and decision theory, among other key topics.

The MBA component of this degree also includes elective studies. You can use the elective courses to tailor your degree to your specific interests. Fortunately, the university offers a wide range of elective options to choose from. In fact, there are dozens of courses you can take to fulfill this requirement, including:

  • Marketing Research
  • Organizational Misconduct
  • Social and Digital Media Strategies
  • Applied Econometrics
  • Sales: Process, People, and Performance

You can apply to the University of South Carolina online. The application requirements are as follows:

  • 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’ve attended.
  • Provide a current resume.
  • Provide a statement of career objectives.
  • Submit two or more letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a current or former professor.
  • Submit official GRE or GMAT scores unless you apply for a waiver.

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

As of June 2025, sports management professionals in South Carolina earn an average annual salary of approximately $70,000. More experienced sports management professionals in South Carolina earn well over $110,000 per year.

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