The Bachelor of Arts degree in Sport Management prepares students for careers as administrators and managers in athletic, health, and country club industries, as well as entry-level management positions in college and professional athletic organizations. Through this program, students are prepared for diverse roles in sport marketing and promotions, sales, marketing analysis, fan behavior, facility and event management and planning, financial management, leadership management, and business planning. The curriculum stays in tune with the sport industry. A minor in Business management is required.
- Health & Life Sciences Foundation
- Kinesiology Core
- Required Courses
- Business Management Minor
- 4-Year Plan
KINS 110 – Wellness & Fitness
3 credit hours
This course is designed to improve movement efficiency and provide knowledge of recreational activities. Included will be the effects of exercise on the body, basic nutrition, an introduction to relaxation and stress management techniques, and basic weight training principles. Offered fall & spring semesters.
KINS 160 – First Aid and CPR/AED
1 credit hour
This course is designed to provide the opportunity for students to learn current methods and concepts in administering First Aid and CPR to accident victims. American Heart Association certification may be obtained for Adult, Child & Infant CPR, and Adult, Child & infant AED. Students will demonstrate knowledge, both written and applied, in the concepts described above. This course is not available to be taken via remote learning. Lab fee required. Offered fall and spring semesters.
PSYC 102 – Intro to Psychology
3 credit hours
Introductory psychology with units in learning, human development, problem solving, perception, emotion, motivation, personality, social behavior, behavior disorders, and therapy.
PSYC 108 – Lifespan Psychology
3 credit hours
Human development from conception to death (child, adolescent, adult psychology). Emphasis on the plasticity, multidimensionality, multi-directionality, and historical embeddedness of human change.
BIOL 216 – Anatomy & Physiology
4 credit hours
A course designed for non-biology majors that study the structure and function of the human body. Includes how the various systems of the body work with homeostasis. Three lectures and one lab per week.
KINS 150 – Introduction to Kinesiology
3 credit hours
This course is designed to provide students with history, principles, career opportunities, and job requirements in the fields of sport, health and human performance. Offered fall & spring semesters.
KINS 218 – Prevention & Care of Sports Injuries
3 credit hours
Theory and practical application involving prevention, care and rehabilitation of athletic injuries. Required of all students seeking a coaching certification.
Prerequisite: BIOL 216
KINS 334 – Tests & Measurements in Kinesiology
3 credit hours
Theory and practical application involving prevention, care and rehabilitation of athletic injuries. Required of all students seeking a coaching certification.
Prerequisite: MATH 102 or higher
EXSC 390 – Exercise Science Practicum
1 credit hour, taken twice
A Kinesiology capstone course in which students will integrate knowledge and skills learned in the progression of their education. Students will conduct research and produce a presentation-quality manuscript and/or poster for display at a local, regional, or national conference.
Prerequisite: Senior standing
Pre/Co-requisite: KINS 334 or MATH 303
KINS 217 – Adapted Physical Education
3 credit hours
This course is designed to expose students to unique needs addressed in IDEA as they relate to physical education. Accommodations for assessment, activities and other elements necessary to successful inclusion are addressed.
SMGT 319 – Concepts of Coaching
3 credit hours
This course provides an overview of the concepts that are essential in the preparation of sport coaches in secondary schools. Students will evaluate the current theoretical perspectives in the field of sport psychology and critically evaluate the current research in coaching sports. Topics include: developing a coaching philosophy, evaluating theories in motivation, understanding team dynamics, communicating effectively, and improving player performance. Offered fall semester.
Prerequisite: Junior standing
SMGT 222 – American Sports History
3 credit hours
Examines the history of baseball, football, and other team and individual sports, with emphasis on the twentieth century.
Same as HIST 222
SMGT 351 – Paradigms in Sport
3 credit hours
A systematic assessment of contemporary sport programs focusing on the development and application of leadership skills across various sport platforms. Topics include a historical overview of sport, examination of necessary management skills, exploration of different sports and settings, and the progression of leadership expertise necessary for success in the industry. Offered every spring/fall; occasional summer.
Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of instructor.
356 – Pre-Internship
1 credit hour
This course will prepare students for an internship in a subsequent semester. Topics/activities include: Employer expectations, workplace etiquette, workplace attire, workplace behavior, resume and cover letter writing, mock interviews. Culmination of course is an interview with a prospective employer with the aim of securing an internship position. Failure to obtain an internship position will preclude registration.
357 – Internship
1-6 credit hours
Extensive work experience in an area related to student’s major field of concentration under the direct supervision of a regular faculty member and an on-site work supervisor. Approval of the faculty member, work supervisor, and division chair must be secured in advance of registration. This course may be taken more than once, for up to a total of 6 hours maximum credit per declared major. University guidelines specify a student must perform a minimum of 40 hours of meaningful work per credit hour earned. The division chair will oversee all internships credits.
SMGT 228 – Sports Communication
3 credit hours
An introduction and overview of the field of sport communication; specific topics include models of sport communication, print and electronic media, sport advertising, public relations, media relations, and employment opportunities. Students will write copy for various media) create content for their sport communication portfolio) as well as critically assess content created by other sport organizations.
SMGT 260 – Field Experience I
1 credit hour
An opportunity for students to survey pre-career opportunities, observe industry-relevant practices and content, and initiate professional networking. Course is repeatable once for credit;2 credit hours maximum.
SMGT 321 – Sports Marketing
3 credit hours
Marketing concepts applied to the sports industry with application emphasis on the amateur and collegiate levels. Topics covered include the traditional marketing mix, services marketing, public relations, and event planning. Students also will utilize case studies and individual and team projects in learning how to market sporting events.
Same as BUSI 321
Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of instructor.
SMGT 445 – Sport Facility & Event Management
3 credit hours
This course examines the fundamental knowledge, skills, and concepts pertaining to the planning, organization, publicity, and management of sporting events. Additionally, the course will address the ongoing operation, maintenance, development, and planning of sport and leisure facilities.
Prerequisite: Sport Management majors only; others by permission of instructor.
SMGT 454 – Fundamental Legal Topics in Kinesiology
3 credit hours
This course focuses on safety, negligence, and liability in sport. Designed to help ADs, coaches, educators, facility managers, program directors, etc., develop the knowledge and skills to recognize and eliminate dangerous situations before they become problematic. Offered spring semester.
Prerequisite: Sport Management majors only; others by permission of instructor.
Six hours from the following
Theory of Coaching Sports Courses
The following 2 credit hour theory courses include the theory, organization, methods and techniques of coaching these sports. Each course is designed as preparation for public school coaching. Lectures and practical work with the various athletic teams are included. Also included will be ethics education for coaches of all sports.
SMGT 240 Theory of Coaching Wrestling
SMGT 241 Theory of Coaching Football
SMGT 242 Theory of Coaching Basketball
SMGT 243 Theory of Coaching Baseball
SMGT 244 Theory of Coaching Softball
SMGT 245 Theory of Coaching Golf
SMGT 246 Theory of Coaching Volleyball
SMGT 248 Theory of Coaching Track and Field
SMGT 250 Theory of Coaching Soccer
SMGT 251 Theory and Practice of Officiating
Students will obtain proficiencies in the fundamentals, techniques, rules, procedures, and professional attitudes required of officials for football, basketball, baseball, softball, and volleyball. Offered fall & spring semesters.
SMGT 251 – Theory and Practice of Officiating
2 credit hours
Students will obtain proficiencies in the fundamentals, techniques, rules, procedures, and professional attitudes required of officials for football, basketball, baseball, softball, and volleyball. Offered fall & spring semesters.
SMGT 260 – Field Experience I
1 credit hour
An opportunity for students to survey pre-career opportunities, observe industry-relevant practices and content, and initiate professional networking. Course is repeatable once for credit;2 credit hours maximum.
Required courses:
BUSI 130 Contemporary Business
3 credit hours
Overview of the foundations of business including, but not limited to, business ethics, terms of ownership, management, organization, production, human resources, finance, and marketing. The case-study method of analysis also will be introduced. Offered every spring.
SMGT 319 – Concepts of Coaching
3 credit hours
This course provides an overview of the concepts that are essential in the preparation of sport coaches in secondary schools. Students will evaluate the current theoretical perspectives in the field of sport psychology and critically evaluate the current research in coaching sports. Topics include: developing a coaching philosophy, evaluating theories in motivation, understanding team dynamics, communicating effectively, and improving player performance. Offered fall semester.
Prerequisite: Junior standing
SMGT 222 – American Sports History
3 credit hours
Examines the history of baseball, football, and other team and individual sports, with emphasis on the twentieth century.
Same as HIST 222
BUSI 230 – Principles of Management
3 credit hours
Introduction to the management discipline designed to provide a basic understanding of both theory and practice encompassing the planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling functions.
Prerequisite: LDRS 102; BUSI 130 recommended
Six hours from the following:
BUSI 240 – Entrepreneurship & Innovation
3 credit hours
This course is designed to instruct students on the process of formulating, planning, and implementing a new venture. Students are exposed to detailed descriptions of ‘how to’ embark on a new venture in a logical manner. The final project will be a business plan that could serve a new venture or significant new product line to an existing organization.
Prerequisites: BUSI 230 and Junior standing.
BUSI 332 – Operations Management
3 credit hours
Study of the operations environment including production methods, scheduling, inventory control, facility location and layout, quality concerns, materials management, and JIT philosophies.
Prerequisites: BUSI 230 and junior standing; MATH 303 recommended.
BUSI 334 – Marketing Management
3 credit hours
Introduction to the ways in which companies plan, price, promote, and place their goods and services to present and potential customers.
Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of instructor
BUSI 336 – Human Resource Management
3 credit hours
Study of the organization, selection, development, compensation, and utilization of the human resources of the firm; also surveys labor-management relations and development.
BUSI 230 recommended
BUSI 338 – Financial Management
3 credit hours
Introduction to corporate financial planning and tools of financial analysis which may be used to manage working capital, administer capital budgeting, and evaluate the capital structure of a profit-oriented firm.
Prerequisites: BUSI 202, and Junior standing; MATH 303 recommended.
BUSI 345 – Organizational Behavior
3 credit hours
Analysis of the behavior of people in organizations, drawing upon the disciplines of Psychology, Sociology, and Business Administration. Applications are studied in the context of effective management of organizational behavior and the important inter-relationships between needs and expectations of the individual, the organization, and society.
Same as SOCI 345
Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of instructor
BUSI 349 – International Business
3 credit hours
Study of business in a global economy with the major complexities involved including the effects of different social systems, governmental influences on trade, financial exchange rates, and corporate relationships and policies.
Same as ECON/PLSC 349
Prerequisite: Junior standing