Build your expertise in the business of sports
Advance with applied learning, industry access, and career-building experiences. In the University of Kansas online master’s in sport management* program, coursework emphasizes real-world practice in every class, collaboration with peers, faculty-led networking, and hands-on application across professional, intercollegiate, scholastic, and nonprofit sport settings.
Built for working professionals, the program is structured with eight-week mini-terms and offers three starts per year. Students complete 36 credits and prepare a professional portfolio aligned to North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM) competencies.
Get the credentials and connections you need to outperform the rest—join the Jayhawks today, and put the strength of the KU name behind you.
*This program is a Master of Science in Education (M.S.E.) degree in health, sport management, and exercise science with an emphasis in sport management.
Program details
- 12 courses, 36 credits, 8 weeks per course
- Graduate in as few as 2 years
- Online courses aligned with NASSM competencies
- Internship requirement
- Extensive student support resources
- No GRE requirement for admission
Real-world experience that sets you apart
Global study away: See sport management in action
Experience the international side of sports business through KU's exclusive Study Away program.* This opportunity allows students to travel, volunteer at premier tournaments, and perform roles ranging from player hospitality to sponsor area setup and more. You will help manage key aspects of game-day setup operations with a local professional sports team and spend time with the general manager and executive staff before the game.
From working with Arsenal Football Club in London to managing operations at the PGA Tour's Tournament of Champions in Hawaii, you'll gain hands-on experience that employers value. Previous destinations include:
- New Zealand's premier tennis tournament
- Professional basketball operations in Auckland
- European football clubs in London, Dublin, and Paris
- PGA Tour events in Hawaii
- For more information, or to apply, please visit KU’s global sport management page.
*Program availability and location are subject to change each year. The study abroad program will earn you three credit hours and can replace HSES 896 Capstone in Sport Management or HSES 880 Internship in Sport Management. Exceptions may apply.
Kick off your dream career in sport management
Through interactive learning, collaborative projects, one-on-one mentorship, and career programming, the University of Kansas master’s in sport management* will help you build relationships with classmates, expert faculty, and an alumni network that spans pro teams, collegiate athletics, agencies, and sport nonprofits.
Join us to experience:
- North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM) aligned curriculum
- Industry simulations and projects via Jayhawkville’s real-world scenarios
- A required, customizable internship
- One-on-one alumni mentorship and connections
*This program is a Master of Science in Education (M.S.E.) degree in health, sport management, and exercise science with an emphasis in sport management.
Take the Next Step
Guided by industry insiders: one-on-one mentorship for all students
From the start of the program, each student has the opportunity to match with an alumni mentor who knows the sport industry firsthand. Mentors offer practical support tailored to your goals: reviewing resumes and portfolios, sharing networking strategies, making introductions when appropriate, and providing candid feedback on projects and interviews. Meetings with your mentor are virtual and flexible, so you can connect from anywhere and keep momentum between courses. These relationships help turn classroom projects into real introductions and next steps—often the bridge to that first role or the next promotion.
The KU sport game plan
What you’ll learn
Who you’ll meet
How you’ll grow
Professional immersion through internships
Put theory into practice with supervised internship experiences in your chosen area of sport management. Work directly with industry professionals while building your network and resume. Students gain valuable experience through:
- Professional team operations
- Collegiate athletic departments
- Sport marketing agencies
- Event management companies
Connect with our team
Mentorships, study abroad opportunities and internships are just some of the ways KU will set you up for career success. For more details, Jeremiah, our admissions outreach advisor and KU alum, is here to share his expertise. Working one-on-one with you, he can help you figure out how your career goals pair with the sport management program, guide you through the application process, and answer all of your questions.
Master the Business of Sports
Ready to transform your passion for sports into a rewarding career? Join the ranks of successful KU sport management alumni making their mark across the sports industry.