Online Master of Science in Sports Management (MS)
Develop career-relevant skills as you learn how organizational leaders make informed business decisions regarding scholastic, collegiate, and professional sports. This online master’s degree program at American Military University (AMU) examines how management principles apply to the world of competitive sports.
Program Overview
This online master’s in sports management is designed for students interested in how the sports industry operates from a business perspective. Courses explore the leadership strategies that drive organizational success within competitive sports.
The curriculum emphasizes career-readiness while students discuss business challenges in the context of sport. The program also addresses the complexities of sports management and helps prepare learners to navigate financial, legal, and marketing challenges that athletic organizations face.
Courses are led by faculty with direct experience in the sports industry. Faculty have worked for National Governing Bodies like USA Rugby®10, professional teams like the Denver Broncos®11 and Philadelphia 76ers®12, and coached collegiate sports at SEC Southeastern Conference®13 schools, among others. With such experience, these educators provide real-world insights into the modern sporting landscape. The master’s program also helps students get the inside track via the Learning from Legends program, where sport professionals co-teach some of the sports management courses alongside faculty.
To conclude the program, learners will choose between a capstone course and a hands-on practicum at a University-approved site.
Spanish-language learners will be able to complete the Sports Management program through select courses beginning in July 2026.
Select a Concentration for Your Master’s Degree in Sports Management
Students pursuing this master’s degree online at AMU can choose from one of several concentration areas to focus their education. Each concentration includes specialized coursework to deliver career-relevant knowledge and nurture leadership skills.
Select a concentration to learn more.
About the Concentration
Explores the strengths, weaknesses, and multiple roles of a successful coach in contemporary sports, including an analysis of the leadership style. Focuses on the contrasting responsibilities of a coach and assistant coaches and the levels of coaching relevant to these roles, as well as current ethical, management, and controversial issues in the field.
Program Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Analyze and discuss the complexities and issues of academic sports administration from a collegiate or interscholastic context.
- Assess the strengths, qualities and weaknesses of a successful coach, including an analysis of the leadership style and multiple roles required of coaches in contemporary sports.
- Select, predict, and evaluate current ethical, management, and controversial issues in coaching today.
- Compare and contrast the roles and responsibilities of a coach and assistant coaches and discuss the levels of coaching relevant to these roles.
About the Concentration
Analyzes the complexities of sports administration from an interscholastic context. Evaluates the role of stakeholders in the sports industry, such as associations, the community, and administration, as well as various administration styles and a comprehensive sports event management plan that includes promotions, leadership, human resources, and financial aspects.
Program Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Analyze and discuss the complexities and issues of academic sports administration from an interscholastic context.
- Assess and develop your leadership and management styles as a sports administrator.
- Assess and discuss the role of stakeholders in the sports industry including associations, the community, and discuss all related regulations and guidelines.
- Develop, design, and assess a comprehensive sports event management plan to include functional plans, training plans, legal, financial, accounting, public relationships, human resources, promotions and leadership.
About the Concentration
Examines the rapidly-growing and global sports business industry with an emphasis on leadership. Designed to develop the skills and effectiveness of future leaders interested in managing individuals, teams, and sport organizations. This specialization in sports business leadership studies critical topics within the industry including courses specifically focused on sports leadership, entrepreneurship, and sales and promotions Designed for those interested in professional, interscholastic or recreational leadership positions.
Program Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:
- Identify leadership styles and strengths and take steps to improve personal leadership capacity.
- Implement practices necessary to build highly effective teams.
- Apply theory to real-world problems.
- Develop the capacity to understand and analyze sport organization realities from multiple perspectives.
- Examine the leadership, management, scheduling, and financial issues associated with running a successful athletics program.
- Develop the ability to be creative and entrepreneurial in thinking and application.
Discover How This Master of Science in Sports Management Can Help You Pursue Your Goals
This online master’s degree program examines how sports managers apply their expertise to make informed decisions that support positive business outcomes. AMU’s curriculum provides an interdisciplinary overview of the sports industry, combining coursework in sports law, finance, marketing, and event management to support career-readiness.
Students learn how to:
- Apply management theory to contemporary sports industry practices
- Analyze the impact of legal and ethical issues in the sporting enterprise
- Evaluate qualitative and quantitative data to assess financial challenges/opportunities in the sports industry
- Develop marketing strategies to enhance the viability of sports-related enterprises
- Examine structural barriers in the sports industry
This online master's program centers on the specific business management practices that shape modern sports organizations. Learners examine the principles that industry leaders apply to the real-world challenges of overseeing teams and coordinating athletic events. Coursework strengthens career-relevant skills as students explore the financial, marketing, and legal aspects of sports management.
Graduates may have potential career opportunities as:
- Sports, fitness, or recreation program managers, who may work within military or federal organizations and manage sports programs to support readiness and morale
- Morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) program managers, who oversee MWR programs, including sports, fitness, and recreation activities
- Athletic or recreation operations managers, who coordinate operations and resources to support athletic departments and/or recreational activities
AMU’s program may also serve as a stepping stone for further study in sports management or a related discipline.
AMU’s online MS in Sports Management program closely examines the business functions that define the sports industry today. Students build career-relevant skills as they learn how organizational leaders manage day-to-day operations and navigate key responsibilities, such as budgets, marketing, and communications. Coursework also addresses the legal and ethical frameworks that shape the sports management field.
Learners will demonstrate the ability to:
- Analyze organizational structures and policies governing sports, fitness, and recreation programs
- Evaluate ethical, legal, and risk management considerations related to sports and recreational activities
- Develop programming, scheduling, and resource plans supporting sports and recreation initiatives
- Apply sports management principles to support morale, welfare, and recreation programs within military or federal organizations
- Create content to engage sporting stakeholders and grow brands
- Analyze budgets and financial data to support accountable management of sports or recreation programs
- Prepare pitch decks and presentations to meet stakeholder needs
Ready To Get Started?
“ Military experience provides a great foundation for servicemembers’ transition into the sports industry. This degree program bolsters their skill sets, helping turn their passion for sports into a career. ”
Explore AMU’s Curriculum for the MS in Sports Management
Students in this online master's degree program discuss how to apply the principles of event management, marketing, and finance to support the success of sports organizations.
AMU’s curriculum also helps sharpen leadership skills through degree concentrations that further explore the roles of decision-makers within the sports industry. To conclude the program, students may either complete a capstone course or gain real-world experience through a practicum at an approved sport organization.
Build Lasting Connections While You Pursue Your Master’s in Sports Management Online at AMU
American Military University hosts more than 100 online clubs and communities that bring students and faculty members together outside of the virtual classroom. Sports management students may be especially interested in the University’s Sports Experience & Events Network and the APUS Gaming & Esports Club. AMU also engages its sports management community through our LinkedIn page and our Voices in the Field podcast.
Learn more about student activities and other ways you can get involved when you pursue this online MS in Sports Management.
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Learn MoreAMU’s Online Master’s Degree Program Provides an Affordable Education in Sports Management
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Learn MoreApply to AMU’s Master’s Degree Program in Sports Management Today
AMU’s online sports management degree program is designed to provide an accessible learning experience for active-duty servicemembers and students who are balancing their schoolwork with other commitments. The program consists almost entirely of online courses. Learners may submit weekly assignments and participate in class discussion forums from anywhere with internet access.
There are no set login times, and the University welcomes new students all throughout the year.
Review our admission requirements and submit your application today.
- No Entrance Exams No GRE® or GMAT®4 required for undergraduate programs
- No Application Fee For undergraduate courses
- Courses Start Monthly Enroll now, start next month
- All AMU master's degree/graduate certificate programs require a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an institution whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA®). Please read all graduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation.
- There is no fee to complete the AMU admission application for this program. View steps to apply.
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Learn More About Pursuing a Sports Management Master’s Degree Online at AMU
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