The sports industry is a multi-billion-dollar business — and it needs skilled, business-savvy professionals who can manage it. GCU's ACBSP-accredited B.S. in Sport Management gives you the business foundation, marketing expertise, legal knowledge, and leadership skills to build a career in sports at every level — from local athletics to professional leagues to the rapidly growing esports industry.
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Sport Management at GCU isn't just about loving sports — it's about understanding the business behind them. You'll complete the full 45-credit Business Core alongside Sport Management-specific courses in principles, marketing, law, research, and society — so you graduate with both genuine business acumen and sports industry expertise. That combination is exactly what employers across professional sports, collegiate athletics, fitness, and sports media are looking for.
GCU's Sport Management curriculum goes beyond the basics. SM311 Legal Aspects in Sport gives you a working knowledge of contract law, athlete rights, liability, and dispute resolution in sports — critical knowledge for anyone working above entry level in the industry. SM416 Research in Sport builds the research and analytical skills you'll use to make data-informed decisions in any sports organization.
The global esports industry generates billions in revenue annually — and it needs business professionals just like any other sector. GCU's Sport Management program includes Introduction to Esports (SM215), covering the history, structure, stakeholders, and career landscape of competitive gaming. Whether you want to work in esports operations, event management, content creation, or sponsorship sales, GCU prepares you for this emerging and high-growth field.
The B.S. in Sport Management includes a required internship that gives students direct experience in the sports industry. Students complete at least 120 hours at an approved site, applying their classroom learning to real operations, events, marketing, administration, and other business functions under the supervision of industry professionals. The experience helps students develop professional connections, explore career possibilities, and strengthen their preparation for employment after graduation.
The B.S. in Sport Management is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) — a nationally recognized quality standard for business education.
Sports is one of the world’s most exciting industries — and one of the most competitive to break into. GCU’s B.S. in Sport Management is designed to give you every advantage.
The program combines the full Business Core with Sport Management-specific coursework covering the principles, marketing, law, social dimensions, and research methods of the industry. You’ll study sport through multiple lenses — as a business, a cultural institution, a legal landscape, and a rapidly evolving media ecosystem — so you graduate with a genuinely sophisticated understanding of how sports organizations operate and what they need from their professionals.
The curriculum reflects where the sports industry is headed, not just where it’s been. Alongside foundational coursework, you’ll find courses in esports, sports marketing, event management, and sport & exercise psychology — areas of growing employer demand that most sport management programs haven’t caught up with yet.
GCU’s location in Central New Jersey is a genuine advantage. You’re within easy reach of professional sports franchises across the NJ-NYC-Philadelphia corridor — including NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS, and collegiate athletics at major universities — as well as the sports media companies, marketing agencies, and athletic brands that support them.
A required internship connects students’ academic preparation with hands-on experience in the sports industry. Through at least 120 hours at an approved site, students apply what they have learned, gain exposure to professional environments, and develop experience aligned with their career interests.
The B.S. in Sport Management is accredited by ACBSP.
GCU’s B.S. in Sport Management is a great fit if you:
The sports industry employs millions of people in roles that go far beyond coaching and playing. Here’s where a Sport Management degree from GCU can take you.
| Career | Entry Salary | Mid-Career Salary | Experienced Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sports/Entertainment Managers | $42,000–$55,000 | $81,100 | $100,000–$130,000+ |
| Marketing Managers (Sports) | $55,000–$70,000 | $158,200 | $180,000+ |
| Event Planners / Coordinators | $40,000–$52,000 | $63,800 | $80,000+ |
Job Outlook
The sports and entertainment industry continues to expand globally, driven by media rights growth, esports, sports betting, fitness culture, and women’s sports. Entertainment and sports occupations are projected to grow 10% from 2023 to 2033 — faster than average. The esports industry alone is projected to reach $10+ billion globally, creating substantial new demand for sports business professionals.
To earn this degree, students must successfully complete at least 120 credits, including General Education requirements and the major requirements below.
To earn a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management, students must successfully complete 120 credits which includes the business core, which is 45 credits in accounting, business, and economics coursework, plus additional courses in sport management as follows:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Business Core Courses 4 | ||
| AC171 | Principles of Financial Accounting | 3.0 |
| AC172 | Principles of Managerial Accounting | 3.0 |
| EC181 | Principles of Macroeconomics 1 | 3.0 |
| EC182 | Principles of Microeconomics 1 | 3.0 |
| BU121 | Quantitative Business Concepts 1,2 | 3.0 |
| CAR200 | Internship Prep & Career Development | 1.0 |
| BU213 | Mgmt Theory & Org. Behavior | 3.0 |
| BU221 | Business Statistics & Probability | 3.0 |
| IS224 | Introduction to Business Analytics | 3.0 |
| FIN235 | Introduction to Finance | 3.0 |
| MK241 | Principles of Marketing | 3.0 |
| BU242 | Managerial Communications | 3.0 |
| or CM251 | Intercultural Communication | |
| or CM252 | Organizational Communication | |
| IS320 | Management Information Systems | 3.0 |
| BU351 | Internship 3 | 2.0 |
| BU491 | Business Strategies & Policy | 3.0 |
| Sport Management Courses | ||
| SM213 | Principles of Sport Management | 3.0 |
| SM241 | Sport Marketing | 3.0 |
| SM311 | LegalAspectsinSport 4 | 3.0 |
| SM375 | Sport in Society | 3.0 |
| Elective Sport Management Courses | ||
| Select two of the following (at least one must be an ES-designated course): | 6.0 | |
ES211 | Theory of Coaching | |
ES310 | Sport & Exercise Psychology | |
ES315 | Sports in Society | |
ES325 | Wellness Program Management | |
ES326 | Wellness Program Practices | |
ES360 | Administrative Aspects of Sport | |
MK246 | Social Media Marketing | |
SM215 | Introduction to Esports | |
SM416 | Research in Sport | |
SM417 | Special Events Management | |
SM451 | Sport Management Internship | |
| Total Credits | 60.0 | |
Course may also satisfy a General Education requirement.
BU121 Quantitative Business Concepts may be waived if the student has achieved a B or better in MA109 College Algebra, MA110 Precalculus, or MA115 Calculus I.
A sport management student is required to identify and search for internship opportunities in sport management.
SM311 LegalAspectsinSport satisfies the BU211 Business Law requirement from the Business Core.
Admissions Requirements First-Year Students
Note: Student athletes are encouraged to apply early and connect with the GCU Athletics department during the admissions process. GCU competes in NCAA Division II through the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC).
Transfer Students
Internship Prerequisite
By the time you earn your B.S. in Sport Management from GCU, you’ll be able to:
Q: Do I have to be a current or former athlete to study Sport Management? A: Not at all — though many students in the program are athletes or sports enthusiasts. What you need is a genuine interest in the business of sports and a desire to build a career in the industry. The program is open to any student who wants to combine business training with sports-specific expertise.
Q: What kinds of internships do Sport Management students complete? A: Students have interned at professional sports franchises, collegiate athletic departments, sports marketing agencies, event management companies, sports media outlets, esports organizations, and fitness and recreation facilities. Dr. Jeongwon Choi serves as dedicated Internship Coordinator for the Sport Management program, working individually with students to help identify and secure placements that align with their career goals. The internship requires a minimum of 120 hours at an approved site.
Q: What is esports, and why is it part of this program? A: Esports — competitive video gaming at an organized level — is now a multi-billion-dollar global industry with its own leagues, teams, sponsors, media deals, and live events. SM215 Introduction to Esports gives you a working knowledge of this industry: its history, structure, key stakeholders, and career landscape. Whether or not you’re a gamer, understanding esports is increasingly essential for anyone planning a career in sports business.
Q: Can I work in professional sports with this degree? A: Yes — the B.S. in Sport Management is specifically designed to prepare graduates for careers in professional and collegiate sports organizations. The business core ensures you can function in finance, marketing, operations, or management roles, while the sport-specific courses give you the industry context and knowledge that sports employers look for. The internship gives you the foot-in-the-door experience that matters most.
Q: What’s the difference between Sport Management and Exercise Science at GCU? A: Sport Management focuses on the business, operations, marketing, and legal dimensions of the sports industry. Exercise Science, Wellness & Sports focuses on the physiological, health, and fitness aspects of sport and physical activity — more aligned with careers in athletic training, fitness programming, coaching science, and pre-professional health fields. The two programs have some overlap in elective coursework, and students can take electives from either program to complement their primary major.
Q: Is GCU a good place to study Sport Management if I’m also a student athlete? A: Yes — and many Sport Management majors at GCU are student athletes. GCU competes in NCAA Division II and the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC), with 15 varsity sports teams. Being a student athlete while studying sport management gives you an inside perspective on athletics administration that non-athlete classmates don’t have — and that’s a genuine advantage when you’re pursuing jobs in sports organizations.
Q: Can I add a minor to my Sport Management degree? A: Absolutely. Popular minors that pair well with Sport Management include: Marketing, Communication, Business Administration, Leadership, Exercise Science, and Esports. The Esports Minor (18 credits) is a particularly strong pairing for students interested in the gaming industry.
Q: What is the GPA requirement to stay in the program? A: A minimum 2.3 GPA overall and in the major is required to remain in the program beyond the sophomore year. A 2.5 GPA in all major courses is required for graduation.
Q: When should I apply? A: GCU uses rolling admissions, so you can apply any time. Priority deadlines are November 1, January 1, and March 1. Applying early gives you the best access to merit scholarships, housing, and financial aid.
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