— Bryan Flannery, MS in Sport Management (’20) and public relations manager for the New York Liberty
Developed by established faculty with global experience in athletics, the online Master of Science in Sport Management degree invites students to benefit from Adelphi University’s accessible industry connections, strong alumni network and national reputation for excellence. Adelphi’s sport management alumni hold positions in nearly every professional organization in the tri-state area, and we are ready to set our students up for long-term success.
Adelphi’s MS in Sport Management program is offered online and on campus in Garden City, NY, and its flexible curriculum allows you to pursue a specialization or choose a general track. Our convenient online format allows working professionals to try their hand at designing facilities, planning international tournaments and exploring sponsorship and promotional guidelines.
Customize Your Sport Management Degree: Optional Specializations
Students in the online MS in Sport Management program may complete a general track or choose from two specializations. Each specialization area consists of five classes (15 credit hours) that delve into new and creative aspects in Sport Marketing and Athletic Administration.
Gain a well-rounded background in vital skills for leadership in sport organizations. In the general track you can:
- Customize your curriculum to fit your interests and career goals
- Explore cutting-edge strategies in sport marketing and athletic administration
- Build a holistic understanding of sport management challenges and opportunities
Visit the curriculum page to view the course list and descriptions.
Develop the skills to promote brands in today’s complex, fast-paced marketing landscape. The sport marketing specialization explores:
- Promotion, advertising, and sales management strategies
- Evaluation tools to measure campaign effectiveness
- Brand equity analysis and long-term development
- Communication techniques for public relations
- Licensing and merchandising
- Sponsorships
Courses in the Sport Marketing Specialization include:
- SMP 645 – Sport Licensing and Merchandising (3 credits)
- SMP 659 – Analysis of Sport Branding Strategies (3 credits)
- SMP 647 – Public Relations in Sport (3 credits)
Visit the curriculum page to view the sport marketing specialization course list and descriptions.
Athletic administrators and directors supervise every aspect of a university or college program, including coaches, operations, staff, and budget. In the collegiate athletic administration specialization, students prepare for these responsibilities by learning to:
- Apply administrative theory to issues in intercollegiate and interscholastic athletics
- Organize intramural and recreational sports programs
- Maintain compliance with state and federal laws
- Communicate strategic messages
- Plan and fund sports events
- Manage sports facilities
Example courses in the Collegiate Athletic Administration Specialization include:
- SMP 636 – Athletic Administration (3 credits)
- SMP 648 – Sport Facility and Event Management (3 credits)
- SMP 617 – Intramural and Recreation Management (3 credits)
Visit the curriculum page to view the collegiate athletic administration specialization course list and descriptions.
Sports Internship Opportunities Internship Opportunities
—Victoria Chiesa, MS in Sport Management (’17) and Senior Manager of Brand Strategy at USTA Foundation
As an MS in Sport Management student, you’ll have the option to earn up to 6 credits toward your degree by completing an internship at a sport organization in your area. These exciting internships allow you to apply what you’ve learned in your classes to help solve real-world business problems, develop hands-on skills, and discover what it’s like to work behind the scenes for a professional franchise, collegiate athletic program, or nonprofit.
A dedicated enrollment specialist will help you find the right fit by leveraging Adelphi’s relationships with sport organizations throughout the New York tri-state area and across the nation. You’ll expand your own professional network as you make connections that can shape the next stage of your career.
Who Can Benefit From a Sports Management Master’s Degree?
—Olivia Franks, MS in Sport Management (’20) and Hockey Operations at New York Islanders
The online MS in Sport Management program is designed for individuals with busy lives who want to expand their knowledge, hone their skills and begin, advance or change careers in the field. Our students come from diverse educational and professional backgrounds. They include but are not limited to:
- Current and former coaches and athletes
- Marketing and communication professionals
- Recent college graduates
- Career changers
Adelphi MS in Sport Management Program Benefits
This online sports management master’s program is designed to provide students with hands-on learning experiences, ensuring they can apply what they learn directly to their current and future athletic roles.
- Become familiar with sport marketing, public relations, mass media and technology while gaining proficiency in market analysis, budget preparation and business management.
- Receive expert assistance from dedicated Adelphi faculty and staff when planning for a sport management career.
- Become a WorkInSports.com member for a reduced rate and gain access to actionable career advice and tips, exclusive videos, interviews with sports industry experts and more.
- Leverage Adelphi’s location in the sports industry hub of New York and its nationwide connections to participate in an optional internship working at a sports organization.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
As an online sport management master’s student at Adelphi, you will:
- Become familiar with sport marketing, public relations, mass media, and technology while gaining proficiency in market analysis, budget preparation, and business management.
- Learn from well-connected and distinguished faculty members with diverse professional backgrounds who provide a personalized and supportive learning experience.
- Receive expert assistance from dedicated Adelphi faculty and staff when planning your sport management career.
- Gain an advantage in the field by graduating from a high-ranked school with a strong alumni network and national reputation for excellence.
- Enjoy flexible entrance requirements regardless of your experience or background — no GRE required.
- Become a WorkInSports.com member at a reduced rate and access actionable career advice, exclusive videos, and interviews with sports industry experts.
- Leverage Adelphi’s location in the sports industry hub of New York and its nationwide connections to participate in an optional internship and gain real-world experience in sport organizations.
The program comprises 36 credits and can typically be completed in 2 years by taking two seven-week courses at a time. Rolling admissions allow you to start in the fall, spring, or summer terms. Visit the admissions page to view upcoming start dates.
Yes. You can earn up to 6 credits through an optional internship lasting up to 16 weeks. Adelphi provides personalized placement support, with past internship opportunities at organizations such as the US Open, BSE Global, and the New York Islanders.
Sport management focuses on marketing, sales, public relations, and media in sports organizations, while sports administration emphasizes athletic program operations such as budgeting, staffing, scheduling, and facilities management.
In short, sport management leans toward external-facing business roles, whereas sports administration centers on internal program leadership. Learn more about how each aligns with your career goals.
A master’s in sport management opens the door to a wide range of career opportunities on the business side of sports. Whether you’re passionate about working with professional teams, organizing major sporting events, or building community programs, this degree provides the foundation to turn that passion into a career.
Graduates of the MS in Sport Management degree pursue roles like:
- Athlete Representation/Agent
- Athletic Administrator
- Digital Media Manager
- Director of Media and Community Relations
- Events/Venue Manager
- Marketing & Engagement Manager
- Sport Marketing Director
- Strategic Partnerships Manager