Last Updated: January 9, 2026

Study Sports Management in Tennessee

As a prospective sports management student in Tennessee, you can enjoy two distinct advantages. First, Tennessee has an extensive higher education system with colleges and universities throughout the state that provide easy access to degree programs. Second, you also have your pick of sports management programs, as numerous institutions offer studies in this field.

Better still, you can find bachelor’s and master’s degree programs at schools around the state. So, whether you are just starting out in college or coming back to get an advanced degree, you will find what you need in the Volunteer State.

The programs listed in this guide are among the most popular in Tennessee. Explore each one, compare and contrast them, and determine which degree works best for your future goals.

Accredited Sports Management Programs in Tennessee - Best Sports Management Degrees in TennesseeOnline

Sports Management Programs in Tennessee

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

  • University of Tennessee Southern
  • Middle Tennessee State University
  • East Tennessee State University
  • Tennessee Tech
  • Belmont University
  • University of Tennessee
  • Purdue Global
  • Southern New Hampshire University
  • American Public University

University of Tennessee Southern

Bachelor of Business Administration in Sports Management

The University of Tennessee Southern’s Bachelor of Business Administration in Sports Management is a popular option for Tennessee students just starting their college careers. This four-year program requires you to complete 120 credits to graduate. Roughly half of those credits are general education courses, while the other half are major-area studies in business and management.

Typically, the first two years in college are spent completing the general education classes referenced above. These courses examine broad-based topics such as:

  • Mathematics
  • Social Sciences
  • Natural Sciences
  • Language Arts
  • Arts and Humanities

You might also be required to take a foreign language class as well as communications and physical education courses. By and large, these classes are lower division (e.g., 100 or 200-level), though some of your general education classes might be more advanced 300 or 400-level courses.

Once you complete the bulk of the general education classes, you will begin taking more classes within your major. Major-area coursework is divided into four components: business core, required related courses, sports management professional core, and general electives.

The required business core courses focus on standard topics in this field, including the following:

  • Principles of Accounting
  • Introduction to Business
  • Principles of Economics
  • Business Communications
  • Business Ethics

You are also required to take a course entitled Computer Literacy II, which examines Microsoft Office programs and their usefulness in a business environment.

The required related sequence requires you to complete 8 credits. Six of those credits must be in the following classes: Foundations of Health, PE, and Sports and Research Methods in Human Performance. These classes help you build an understanding of the history and philosophical basis of sports and the methods by which you can study human performance.

Within the sports management professional core, you will study specific topics that prepare you for a career in this field. For example, the Sports Governance and Leadership class introduces you to the political element of sports. You will learn about leadership principles and ethical considerations, current issues in sports, and challenges in the sports management field as well.

Another key course is Sports Marketing. This class discusses how marketing strategies are developed and implemented in the sports field. You will learn how to conduct market research, develop fundraisers and promotions, and assess marketing programs for effectiveness, among other related activities.

There is a facilities management piece to this program, too. The Sports Facilities and Event Management class expands your skillset because typical business realms and analyzes the procedures used to manage and maintain a sports facility. Particular emphasis is given to event planning, facility development, and day-to-day operations of sports facilities.

Other classes within the major focus on the following areas:

  • Introduction to Sports Management
  • Sports Communication
  • Legal Aspects of Sports
  • Current Trends and Issues in Sports Management
  • Finance of Sports

The final coursework component of this degree is a sequence of eight general electives. You can choose these classes from any undergraduate field of study—they need not be focused on business or sports. These classes allow you to tailor your degree to your specific interests. So, for example, if you are interested in sports communications, you might take electives in broadcasting. As another example, you might take pre-law classes if you are interested in the legalities of sports.

The final aspect of this program is a Sports Management Internship. The internship occurs during the final semester of the program and lasts for 90 days. During that time, you will work in an approved sports setting where you will learn directly from an experienced sports marketing professional.

Your tasks during the internship will vary depending on your placement and career interests, but you can expect to participate in a wide range of daily activities, including those related to marketing, finance, management, accounting, and personnel.

The application for undergraduate admission to UT-Southern is available online. The requirements for admission as a first-time student are as follows:

  • Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
  • Submit high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college where you’ve earned credit.
  • Have a 17 composite ACT score or higher or a 920 composite SAT score and a cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or higher. Alternatively, you may have an 18 on the ACT or 960 on the SAT with a 2.5 GPA or higher.

Middle Tennessee State University

Bachelor of Science in Leisure and Sports Management

At Middle Tennessee State University, you can enroll in a Bachelor of Science in Leisure and Sports Management that’s available in a traditional on-campus format as well as online. This unique program prepares you for many different careers, from those in community recreation to wellness and fitness to professional sports.

Like the program described earlier, the one at Middle Tennessee requires you to complete 120 credits to graduate. While most students take four years to finish these requirements, you can speed up the process by taking an extra class each fall and spring or by taking a full load of classes each summer. Doing so can shorten the time needed to graduate by a year. Conversely, if you have work and family obligations that prevent you from studying full-time, you can enroll in this program part-time and take 4.5 years or more to finish.

First, you must complete the True Blue Core sequence of classes. These courses explore basic topics and help you acquire improved skills in areas such as:

  • Quantitative Literacy
  • Written Communications
  • Human Society and Social Relationships
  • Creativity and Cultural Expression
  • Scientific Literacy

Furthermore, you are required to complete coursework in Non-Written Communications and History and Civic Learning, too.

The rest of the required coursework is divided into four categories:

  • Major Requirements
  • Leisure and Sports Management Upper-Division Electives
  • Electives
  • Minor or Advised Electives

The Major requirements constitute the largest portion of the credits needed to graduate at 64. These classes focus on foundational and advanced topics in sports management and leisure. For example, you will take Finance and Administration of Leisure, Sports, and Tourism Studies to learn more about the duties and responsibilities of a management-level worker in this field.

As another example, you will take Program and Facility Planning in Leisure, Sports, and Tourism Studies to learn more about planning relevant programs and develop services that assist the public in their leisure-based activities.

Another interesting class that’s part of your major studies is Disabilities and Diversity in Leisure, Sports, and Tourism. The focus of this class is to examine the opportunities for disabled people to participate in leisure and sports activities. You will discuss issues related to accessibility, advocacy, and legislation. You will also explore modern attitudes related to the inclusion of disabled persons in sports.

Additional requirements for major-area courses include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Introduction to Leisure, Sport, and Tourism Studies
  • Field Studies in Leisure, Sports, and Tourism
  • Research and Evaluation of Leisure, Sports, and Tourism
  • Senior Seminar in Leisure, Sports, and Tourism
  • Principles of Management

You must also complete 15 credits of upper-division leisure and sports-related electives. You have a lot of leeway regarding the classes you take to fulfill this requirement. For example, you can take either Foundations of the Sports Industry or Introduction to the Tourism and Hospitality Industry. Likewise, you can take Legal Issues in Sports and Leisure or Outdoor Pursuits in Education.

Additional choices focus on the recreation aspect of this program. You can choose to take Youth Sports Programming and Administration or Seminar in Recreation and Tourism Impacts. Furthermore, you can take Principles of Outdoor Recreation or Sports Psychology and the Psychology of Coaching and Officiating. In other words, you can customize this portion of the program to meet your specific interests and career goals.

The remaining 24 credits of coursework come in the form of electives. Nine of those classes are free electives, which you can choose from any approved category. The remaining 15 credits are minor/advised electives that align with your chosen minor or area of emphasis.

This degree requires you to complete an internship, too. As noted earlier, an internship is an intensive field-based experience that allows you to gain real-world experience in the leisure and sports field. The internship is a 12-credit placement in which you work or volunteer 40 hours a week until you accumulate 480 total hours of contact time. If you enroll in the online program, the university will work with you to find an internship placement that’s near where you live.

You must meet the following criteria to enroll as a first-time student:

  • Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
  • Submit high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
  • Submit ACT or SAT scores.
  • Have a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher or have a composite ACT score of 22 or higher or a composite SAT score of 1100 or higher. Alternatively, you will be considered for admission with a 2.7 high school GPA plus a 19 on the ACT or a 990 on the ACT.

East Tennessee State University

Master of Science in Sports Management

The Master of Science in Sports Management from East Tennessee State University is a 33-36 credit program that requires about two years to complete. However, since this is an online program with asynchronous classes, you can work at your own pace. If your pace is faster than typical, you might be able to complete your studies in less than two years.

As a student in this program, you will complete core requirements, electives, and either a thesis or an internship. The core coursework includes 24 credits of studies in areas like Issues in Sports Management, The Financing of Sports, and Sports Management Research. Each of these classes gives you insights into different aspects of working in the sports industry.

For example, Issues in Sports Management discusses current issues in this field. In particular, you will discuss concerns for future sports management workers as well as the daily duties and responsibilities you can expect to have in this career.

Other courses focus on specific applications of sports management. On the one hand, you will take Sports, Esport, and Recreation Marketing that offers insights into leading varying types of sports organizations. This course examines intercollegiate athletics as well as professional athletics applications. Likewise, you will discuss amateur sports, public sports, and interscholastic sports, too.

On the other hand, Sports Communication and Media Relations helps you understand your role as a manager when dealing with the media. For example, you will learn about the commercial aspects of information management, including how to effectively communicate with varying audiences. You will also explore the use of emerging communication technologies that can help you promote your message to stakeholders.

As noted earlier, you must complete elective courses to supplement the required coursework. Depending on the track you choose, you will need to take one or two electives. Your advisor must approve these classes to ensure they align with your educational and career goals.

The final component of this program is your choice of a thesis or an internship. The thesis option includes a detailed independent research project on a topic of your choice (which must be approved by the graduate faculty chair and committee). In addition to conducting research, you must also compile a research paper and defend it to your thesis committee prior to earning your degree.

The non-thesis option is an internship in sports management. This 400-hour internship is completed over the course of ten or more weeks, which works out to 40 clock hours per week. Given that this is a full-time placement, you cannot be employed elsewhere. You do, however, have input regarding where you are placed—the university will work with you to ensure your internship placement aligns with your future goals.

Ensure you meet the following requirements prior to applying:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
  • Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.5 or higher.
  • Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
  • Submit any other documents as required by the program.

Tennessee Tech

Master of Arts in Exercise Science – Concentration in Sports Management

Tennessee Tech’s Master of Arts in Exercise Science offers a concentration in Sports Management that prepares you for various professional positions in this field. The focus of this program is to help you develop higher-level professional skills. That is, rather than discussing theoretical perspectives, you will spend more time learning about the practical outcomes that result from your work.

This program requires you to complete 33 credits to graduate. In many cases, students can complete these requirements in one or one-and-a-half years. However, you can enroll part-time and take two or more years to finish the degree.

The curriculum is divided into three parts: core required courses, research project courses, and concentration required courses. The first component includes two classes: Seminar in Exercise Science and Assessment in Physical Education. The seminar course examines how to be successful in an online master’s degree program. You will get an orientation to the program and the online learning platform. An examination of your personal strengths, APA requirements, and using electronic libraries also occurs.

Meanwhile, the Assessment in Physical Education class teaches you how to apply measurements and evaluation procedures in sports and related areas. For example, you might learn how to collect data on athlete’s performances and use that information to help them improve their on-field product.

The research project courses include nine credits in the following areas:

  • Research Methods
  • Qualitative Research in Exercise Science
  • Capstone Project

The first two classes listed above prepare you for conducting research by teaching you how to find journal information, how to make proper citations, and how to write appropriate research hypotheses. Likewise, you will learn about the historical philosophies that underlie qualitative research, how to design appropriate research studies, and the ways you can collect and analyze data.

You will use the skills you acquire in the research-related classes to conduct a thorough capstone project. The capstone allows you to synthesize what you’ve learned in the degree program and apply to a quantitative or qualitative research project. In addition to conducting research, you must compile your findings in a project that you present to your classmates and professor.

Another 18 credits of coursework are required for the sports management concentration. These classes address a number of key issues, including the following:

  • Leadership and Management in Sports
  • Legal, Ethical, and Risk Management Issues in Sports
  • Administration and Supervision in Sports
  • Sports Marketing and Promotions
  • Design and Management in Leisure and Sports Facilities

By completing these classes, you will have a fully developed understanding of your role as a future manager in the sports industry. These courses improve your leadership abilities, your communication skills, and your understanding of sports marketing. Furthermore, you will learn the ins and outs of managing facilities and developing programs and events for customers.

An internship is required to complete this degree. You must complete at least 120 hours of supervised work in an approved sports management setting. You will use your knowledge of key sports management areas to make positive contributions to the organization for which you work. Having hands-on field experiences like this is invaluable for your development as a professional and can help you gain employment after you graduate.

The admissions requirements are as follows:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
  • Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher (you might be granted provisional admission with a 2.5 GPA).
  • Provide two letters of recommendation from references who are familiar with your academic potential.
  • Submit a letter of intent that outlines the outcomes you hope to achieve by being a student in this program.
  • Provide a writing sample.
  • Participate in a face-to-face or virtual interview as required.

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

As of January 2026, sports management professionals in Tennessee earn an average annual salary of approximately $125,000. More experienced professionals in Tennessee earn well over $150,000 per year.

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