Top 10 Reasons to Get a Sport Management Degree 

Going to college and deciding on your future career is a big decision, so it’s important to explore all the reasons for earning your Bachelor of Science in Sport Management Studies at PennWest California.

Your PennWest California sport’s management degree can put you on the path to top jobs and salaries, help you build a strong career trajectory and enable you to study a field you’re truly passionate about.  

Here’s a closer look at the top 10 reasons to earn your sport management studies degree – and choose PennWest California:

  1. Be ready to compete:The field of sports management equips professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to support sport marketing agencies, intercollegiate athletic departments, professional sports organizations, sports equipment manufacturers and many more operations throughout the vast sports industry. According to Forbes magazine: The sports market in North America was worth $60.5 billion in 2014. It is expected to reach $73.5 billion by 2019. 

    The four-year, on-campus program at PennWest California blends theoretical knowledge of sports management with practical, hands-on experience, so you'll acquire the skills that are in high demand by employers in today's sports business environment.

  2. Get a well-rounded foundation.  Undergraduate sport management studies majors at PennWest California are required to complete a 70-hour practicum class of observation/work in an approved sports management environment. The practicum class involves working in a major sports management setting (e.g., Heinz Field, PNC Park, community clubs or game day activities) to experience behind-the-scenes operations of major sporting events. Students also are required to complete a supervised 400-hour internship as the capstone experience. 

    Sports management is an interdisciplinary subject, which gives student comprehensive and in-depth industry knowledge by completing a range of courses, including:  

    •  Ethics in Sport Management: Ethical problems, dilemmas and conflicts in sports will be discussed, as well as coaching practices, funding practices, management problems and social (cultural) roles.

    • Sport Marketing: A study of basic marketing science as it applies to all realms of the sport industry, this fundamental course introduces students to the depth and breadth of marketing principles and practices as they apply to the sport industry.

    • Sales Techniques in the Sport Industry: This course provides practical professional sales techniques and philosophies used in several areas of sports, including personal selling, ticket sales and sponsorships. The dynamics associated with building and fostering relationships necessary for consumer loyalty and a vibrant sport organization are also examined.

    • Facility and Event Management: Students gain basic knowledge of the facility planning process, as well as how to manage specific sport facilities and the events staged in these facilities.

    • Sports Communication: An examination of the interrelationship between sports and media in today's society. This course draws on theories of rhetoric and social criticism by examining the media's role in telling the story of sports and in shaping and reinforcing cultural values.

    • Legal Aspects of Sport: To enhance the student's knowledge about the legal system as it pertains to sport law, this course covers basic legal concepts concerning both contract law and tort law in sport. Students get a sound foundation so they are better able to recognize legal liability exposure in the sport workplace.

    • Finance and Economics of Sport: Designed to provide a detailed examination of the relationship between sport finance, economic and corporate sponsorship in sport. Topics covered include the theoretical premise of sponsorship, alignment marketing, strategic communication through sponsorship and fundraising, and determining the value of an organization and its activities, as well as the evaluation of sponsorship activities.

  3. Choose to specialize.In the undergraduate sport management studies program , you also can choose from a specialized area of concentration in professional golf management, which provides in-depth business learning about golf course operations.

  4. Count on a solid career:Graduates of PennWest California's sport management studies program have found employment within all sectors of the sport management profession, including professional sports, minor league sports, amateur sports, community and recreational sports, and for-profit and nonprofit organizations.

    The bachelor's degree in sport management from PennWest California prepares students for a wide range of careers, including:

    For example, recent graduates have found jobs with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Penguins, Johnstown Tomahawks and Washington Wild Things; the IceoPlex at Southpointe and Colorado Rapids Soccer Club; Nike and GNC; Pittsburgh Sports League; and the Soccer Shots children's program, British Swim School and St. Albans School.

  5. Be ready for graduate study:PennWest California students also can choose graduate-level study to further prepare for coaching, management and other professional positions in the competitive sports industry. To develop specialized skills and knowledge, students go on to PennWest California’s Master of Science in Sport Management Studies and select from three concentration options:

  1. Get unique access. PennWest California’s unique PGM program integrates courses in business, sport management and golf management, while offering exceptional internship opportunities throughout the world of golf. Students get access to premier golf events and experiences worldwide, including:

    • Professional Tournaments: The Masters, Wells Fargo, U.S. Open, Senior Open, Women's Open, World Golf Championships and PGA Tour events.
    • Private Clubs: Vineyard Golf Club (Mass.); Oakmont Country Club (Pa.); Oak Hill (N.Y.), Scioto Country Club (Ohio), Valley Club at Montecito (Calif.); Seminole Golf Club (Fla.), Promontory (Utah) and more.
    • Resorts: Bandon Dunes (Ore.), The Greenbrier (W.Va.), The Broadmoor (Colo.), Nemacolin Woodlands Resort (Pa.), The Breakers-Palm Beach (Fla.) and Omni Resorts.
    • Industry: Titleist, Callaway Golf, Taylor Made, Golf Galaxy, GolfTec, FootJoy, PGA Sections and U.S.G.A.
    • International golf courses in Asia, Europe and South America.
  1. Join the golf industry. Every year, 100% of PennWest California's professional golf management graduates go directly into a wide range of professional positions, while alumni advance in their careers in such roles as:

    • PGA Golf Professionals at clubs including Burning Tree (D.C.), St. Clair Country Club (Pa.), East Hampton Golf Club (N.Y.), Sea Island (Ga.), Inverness (Ohio), Red Stick (Fla.), Colleton River (S.C.). North Shore (N.Y), and The Club at Nevillewood (Pa.).
    • Competitors on the ReMax World Long Drive, many Mini Tour events, and the Malaysian golf team.
    • Supervisor posts at Laurel Valley Golf Club, Pittsburgh Field Club, Firestone Country Club and more.
    • Head Golf Coaches, Carnegie Mellon University, Byrn Athyn College and Upper St. Clair High School.
  1. Benefit from volunteer experience: Beginning in the very first semester, students in the sport management degree program get volunteer work experience while completing the Practica in Sport Management course. Volunteer opportunities are provided at a variety of on-campus and off-campus sites that offer a wide range of sport business experiences. For example, students may volunteer with PennWest California athletics, local high school athletic programs, area YMCAs, the Pittsburgh Marathon, Special Olympics and more.

     
  1. Test-drive a career with an internship: After completing all required coursework for the sport management major, PennWest California students undertake a 12-credit internship that mirrors a full-time position in the sport business industry. Students select the site for this capstone experience, which in many cases leads to career opportunities, including full-time employment. Students also are encouraged to attend conferences, workshops and other professional development events within the sport management field.

     
  1.  Study with a recognized leader. PennWest California has built a reputation for strong academics, great value and standout online and on-campus programs. Our undergraduate and graduate degrees are regularly ranked among the best college programs in the nation, including these recognitions: 

    • Consistently named one of the best schools in the Northeast by The Princeton Review for 13 years.
    • #12 Top Online College for Bachelor's Degree, 2017, GuideToOnlineSchools.com.
    • Best Online Programs, Bachelor's Degree Programs, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, S. News & World Report.

You have many reasons to build a strong future. Start by earning your bachelor’s in sport management studies degree from PennWest California. Apply now!   

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