An associate degree in sports management provides entry-level career options. It covers introductory material and fundamental information in topics like physical education, management and business ethics, coaching and law. It also covers business-related courses like accounting and finance. The associate degree will provide the foundational information you need to continue your education.
A bachelor's degree in sports management provides the ability to select a number of specialties. These include fitness and wellness, risk management, marketing, accounting, sports management and business administration. This four-year degree plan prepares the student for occupations such as managing a sports-related business, managing an athletic organization at the professional or college level, or coordinating recreational programs.
A master's degree, either in business administration or sports management, can be vital for an aspiring sports agent. An MBA can open the door to careers in sports marketing, facility management or a job as an athletic director. The master's in sports management generally takes two years to complete and prepares the student for a management career at any level of sports This degree prepares the student to be a head coach or general manager.
There are two doctorate level degrees in sports management. The Ph.D. doctorate in sports management focuses of the research aspects of interscholastic athletics, sports leadership and sports marketing. It also focuses on the psychological and sociological aspects of sports. This degree is required if you want to teach sports management at the college or postgraduate level. The Ed.D. in sports management emphasizes sports medicine or olympism. Olympism studies the issues faced by the Olympic Games.