The Bachelor of Science degree program in Sport Management provides students with the knowledge and practical experience necessary for a career in sport management. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to seek employment in a variety of organizations, including professional sport organizations, collegiate sport, business, and non-profit organizations.
Students receive a broad-based, personalized education in sport management. The program, which integrates theory with practical internship requirements, develops students for the opportunities available in sport management. In addition to the sport management curriculum, the program includes a strong business management component, providing students with the skills necessary to succeed in the corporate areas of this field. The degree program offers students a variety of hands-on experiences which enhance their opportunities for career choices. Also, the general education requirements provide a well-rounded academic foundation.
In addition to achieving the Wilmington University undergraduate graduation competencies given in the Academic Information section of this catalog, upon completion of the Sport Management program, the graduate will be able to:
Students pursuing a degree in Sport Management are required by College of Business policy to attain a minimum grade of “C” for all program core courses. For the purpose of this policy, program core courses are all Sport Management courses. These courses are designated by the prefix “SPM.”
Curriculum - General Education Requirements
English Composition (12 Credits)
Humanities (6 credits)
| BBM 319 | Business Ethics | 3 |
| VFP 313 | Aesthetics of Film | 3 |
| DSN 110 | Fundamentals of Drawing | 3 |
| TEC 215 | Basic Photography | 3 |
| COM 245 | Writing for the Media | 3 |
| | Culinary Arts Elective | 3 |
| | Drama Elective | 3 |
| | Ethnic Studies Elective | 3 |
| | Fine Arts Elective | 3 |
| | Foreign Language Elective | 3 |
| | History Elective | 3 |
| HUM | Humanities Elective | 3 |
| | Literature Elective | 3 |
| | Music Elective | 3 |
| | Philosophy Elective | 3 |
| | Religion Elective | 3 |
Social Science (6 credits)
All Sport Management majors are to take
PSY 101.
Mathematics (3 Credits)
| MAT 205 | Introductory Survey of Mathematics | 3 |
Natural Science (3 or 4 Credits)
| | Natural Science Elective | 3 or 4 credits |
Computer Operations (3 Credits)
| CTA 326 | Integrating Excel into Business Problem Solving | 3 |
Critical Analysis (3 Credits)
| PHI 100 | Introduction to Critical Thinking | 3 |
Citizenship (3 Credits)
Business Core (33 credits)
Choose one of the following:
| BBM 411 | Operations and Systems Management | 3 |
| OR | | |
| BBM 370 | Global Business Management | 3 |
Sport Management Program Core (30 credits)
| SPM 301 | Legal and Ethical Issues in Sport | 3 |
| SPM 302 | Sociology of Sport | 3 |
| SPM 305 | Sport Management I | 3 |
| SPM 306 | Sport Media Relations | 3 |
| SPM 405 | Sport Management II | 3 |
| SPM 406 | Sport Facilities Management and Planning | 3 |
| SPM 407 | Sport Marketing and Promotions | 3 |
| SPM 408 | Financing Sport Operations | 3 |
| SPM 490 | Sport Management Internship I | 3 |
| SPM 491 | Sport Management Internship II | 3 |
Sport Management/BBM/BMK/NFP/HRM/FIN/ACC Electives (9 credits)
Recommended electives in this category are as follows:
PSY 353 Sports Psychology
SPM 200 Science of Coaching
SPM 210 Sport in America
SPM 304 Current Issues in Sport Management
SPM 309 Sport and Athletics Fundraising
| | SPM/BBM/BMK/HRM/NFP/FIN/ACC Elective | 3 |
| | SPM/BBM/BMK/HRM/NFP/FIN/ACC Elective | 3 |
| | SPM/BBM/BMK/HRM/NFP/FIN/ACC Elective | 3 |
Free Electives (9 credits)
Note: Spanish fluency can be of great value in a number of sport management positions. Students should consider the following courses for their elective choices:
SPA 301 Practical Spanish I
SPA 302 Practical Spanish II
Note: Students may use their free electives to complete the following certificates:
Sport Analytics Certificate
Sport Media Certificate
Nonprofit Management Certificate
| | Free Elective | 3 |
| | Free Elective | 3 |
| | Free Elective | 3 |
Students with less than 16 transfer credits are required to take FYE 101 as one of their electives.
Suggested Program Sequence
Freshman
1st Semester
| ENG 121 | English Composition I | 3 |
| PHI 100 | Introduction to Critical Thinking | 3 |
| | Natural Science Elective | 3 or 4 credits |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| FYE 101 | First Year Experience Seminar | 3 |
| OR | | |
| | Free Elective | 3 |
2nd Semester
| BBM 201 | Principles of Management | 3 |
| ECO 105 | Fundamentals of Economics | 3 |
| ENG 122 | English Composition II | 3 |
| MAT 205 | Introductory Survey of Mathematics | 3 |
| HIS 381 | Contemporary Global Issues | 3 |
Sophomore
1st Semester
2nd Semester
Junior
1st Semester
2nd Semester
| SPM 406 | Sport Facilities Management and Planning | 3 |
| SPM 490 | Sport Management Internship I | 3 |
| ENG 310 | Research Writing | 3 |
| HUM | Humanities Elective | 3 |
| BBM 411 | Operations and Systems Management | 3 |
| OR | | |
| BBM 370 | Global Business Management | 3 |
Senior
1st Semester
| BBM 301 | Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| SPM 407 | Sport Marketing and Promotions | 3 |
| | Free Elective | 3 |
| | SPM/BBM/BMK/HRM/NFP/FIN/ACC Elective | 3 |
| | SPM/BBM/BMK/HRM/NFP/FIN/ACC Elective | 3 |
2nd Semester
| BBM 402 | Strategic Management | 3 |
| SPM 408 | Financing Sport Operations | 3 |
| SPM 491 | Sport Management Internship II | 3 |
| | Free Elective | 3 |
| | SPM/BBM/BMK/HRM/NFP/FIN/ACC Elective | 3 |
Sport Management with a Concentration in Nonprofit Management
The nonprofit industry is one of the fastest growing employers. The industry is seeking out marketers, HR professionals, and managers with an interest in strategic planning within the nonprofit industry. This nonprofit concentration will focus on the following content areas: Introduction to nonprofits, fiscal management, advocacy and public policy, and one specific identified nonprofit course in the student’s program. There are four core courses in the concentration and one specific program course or an internship. Two of the courses are shared between the College of Behavioral Science and the College of Business. This is a concentration for bachelor’s degrees in Business Management, Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management, and Sport Management. Nonprofit sports agencies includes organizations such as the YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, First Tee, and local and county Parks and Recreations offices.
Core requirements (12 credits)
| NFP 301 | Intro to Nonprofit Agencies | 3 |
| NFP 302 | Management of the Nonprofit Organization | 3 |
| NFP 303 | Foundations of Fiscal Management for Nonprofit | 3 |
| NFP 304 | Advocacy and Public Policy | 3 |
Program specific requirements (3 credits)
| SPM 309 | Sport and Athletics Fundraising | 3 |
Total concentration courses are five courses equaling 15 credits.
Sport Management Completion Degree
What is a Completion Degree?
A completion degree is a personalized version of a bachelor's degree created exclusively for students who have completed an associate degree at an accredited institution. Completion degrees are available for most Wilmington University Bachelor of Science degrees. A student who expects to transfer a completed associate's degree should communicate with a Wilmington University academic advisor before registering for courses. A transcript with documentation of the conferred degree must be received by Wilmington University to confirm eligibility.
Curriculum
Transfer students who hold an associate degree from a partner institution are required to take the following Sport Management courses.
The College of Business programs require a minimum grade of "C" for program core courses. Students receiving a grade lower than "C" in any required program core course must retake that course.
Sport Management Core
The following courses or their equivalents are prerequisites for a degree in Sport Management:
ENG 122 English Composition II
MAT 205 Introductory Survey of Mathematics
BAC 101 Accounting I
BAC 102 Accounting II
CTA 326 Integrating Excel into Business Problem Solving
ECO 105 Fundamentals of Economics
BBM 201 Principles of Management
BS to MSM Accelerated Option
BS to MSM Accelerated Option
Benefits
*Complete your B.S. and M.S. in Management in less time
*Tuition cost savings
*Flexible choice of concentrations
The accelerated option provides the opportunity for qualified students to substitute up to four courses in their undergraduate program with up to four graduate business courses. Successful completion of the MSM course(s) by an undergraduate student will apply towards the 120-credit requirement for their bachelor’s degree, as well as towards the 36-credit requirement for the M.S. in Management degree.
A B.S. degree is earned upon the completion of 120 credits. Completing Graduate courses while pursuing the B.S. degree will fulfill the requirements for both programs. Students are considered an undergraduate student until their B.S. degree is conferred. At which time they will be eligible to complete the necessary forms for the transition into the MSM Program. For more information contact Wilmington University Office of Advising at: advisingncfrontdeskstaff@wilmu.edu
To qualify for the accelerated option, the COB student must:
- Declare the accelerated option upon undergraduate acceptance to Wilmington University (including transfer students and change of major students).
- Earn 75 credits during their undergraduate program before taking the accelerated option classes in the MSM program.
- The student must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 while enrolled in the accelerated option. The 3.0 GPA coincides with the MSM minimum grade requirements.
- Complete all required prerequisites for courses taken before starting the master’s courses.
- The Program Chair reserves the right to deny a student academic approval for the accelerated option based on the above criteria.
The accelerated option eligible undergraduate business programs:
Business Management
Marketing
Organizational Leadership
Sports Management
The above undergraduate programs align well with the following MSM program concentrations:
MSM (Traditional no concentration)
MSM in Business Communication
MSM in Health Care Administration
MSM in Marketing Management
MSM in Nonprofit Management
MSM in Organizational Leadership
MSM in Sport Management
MSM in Management Information Systems
MSM in Public Administration