
Sport Management, BS
Academics

- Every graduate finishes the program having completed an internship experience that strengthens their résumé and skills.
- WVU School of Sport Sciences was recently recognized as 1 of the best in the country by Newsweek.
- Accelerated bachelor’s to master’s program, allowing students to earn both degrees in 4 years and setting them ahead of competitors.
- Strong partnership and collaboration at the highest level of NCAA Division I with WVU Athletics, as well as the local minor league baseball team.
- An established program since 1981 provides a robust Mountaineer alumni network, giving students access to mentorship, industry insights, and exclusive internships, and job opportunities.
- Classes taught by full-time faculty who have experience in the sport industry including the NFL, NCAA, Big 12, ACC, Big East, American Athletic Conference, National Federation of High Schools, and sport event operations.
- Our program allows students to choose their minor areas of study, ensuring a learning experience that is both customizable and career focused. With additional support from our Student Support Services, who provide personalized curriculum mapping and success coaching opportunities to help students develop their soft skills necessary to succeed in higher education and thrive in the industry, graduates leave ready to lead, innovate, and make an impact in 1 of the most exciting industries today.
Sport Event Management
SM 137
This course is designed to introduce the concepts, principles, and practices related to sport event management and explore contemporary challenges and trends.
Contemporary Issues in Sport Management
SM 287
Explore issues and trends across the contemporary sport management landscape, including emergent problems and solutions related to the business and leadership of sport. Examine personal strengths, weaknesses, skills, motives, and goals in critical decision-making and conflict resolution in sport management scenarios.
Sport Finance and Economics
SM 370
The purpose of this course is to provide financial and economic overview of professional, collegiate, and recreational sports. Students will learn financial structures of sport organizations and various economic principles applied to the sport industry.
Sport in the Global Market
SM 375
An examination of the role of sports within the broader process of globalization. Its impact on culture, politics, economics, and how these influences shape today's sport.
Management of Sport Organizations
SM 485
The purpose of this course is to facilitate a full understanding of management theory within sport organizations. This class will demonstrate the value of applying management concepts and theories with sport organizations. Finally, this class will explain the importance of contemporary management tactics, and their relevance to the skill sets needed for students planning a career in sport related professions.
Sport Marketing and Sales
SM 486
The study of marketing principles as they relate to sport organizations. Specific attention is focused on the marketing planning process, marketing informational systems and internal marketing.
WVU Graduate School
The WVU sport management master’s program is ranked in the top 40 in the country according to Sport Business Management Postgraduate Course rankings.
Study Abroad
Spend a semester abroad in the Netherlands through our partnership with The Hague University of Applied Sciences or join faculty-led trips over the summer to explore the global sport industry in places like Canada, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, and Spain.
GOAL LLC
GOAL LLC: The Living, Learning Community for students interested in the study of sports business.
Careers
Students go on to pursue careers as athletic directors at the college and high school levels, general and operation managers in professional sport organizations, marketing managers, public relations managers, compliance officers, coaches, sport officials, and more.
Get Involved
Students can get involved with the Sports Management Club or 1 of the WVU Intramural and Rec Club sports.
Industry Growth
Employment of entertainment and sports occupations plans to grow by 10% through 2026, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Applied Human Sciences Building

Baseball Biomechanics Center

Big 12 Athletic Facilities
WVU supports student-athlete development with modern training facilities and competition venues. Milan Puskar Stadium is the center for Mountaineer football, featuring a high-capacity game-day environment. The Coliseum Complex anchors indoor competition, including basketball, with updated seating and video.
WVU’s practice facilities, including the Caperton Indoor Facility, offer year-round training spaces. Additionally, the Athletic Performance Center centralizes strength and conditioning, sport-specific training, and support services for Olympic-sports programs.
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