Sport Management Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BUSINESS CORE | ||
| See Business Core Requirements | ||
| Required Courses: | ||
| SPT 250 | Introduction to the Business of Sports | 3 |
| SPT 450 | Contemporary Issues in Sport Management | 3 |
| Select four courses below from List A and List B, with at least three from List A: | 12 | |
| List A: | ||
| Economics of Sports | ||
| Sports Entrepreneurship | ||
| Sports Marketing | ||
| Business of Global Sport | ||
| Sports Analytics | ||
| Financial Management in the Sport Industry | ||
| Sports and the Law | ||
| Selected Topics in Sport Management | ||
| Independent Research and Study | ||
| List B: | ||
| Sports in American Life | ||
| International Business Tour | ||
| Sports Communication | ||
| Gender and Sport | ||
| Sport Psychology | ||
| Sport Management Internship | ||
| Total Credits | 18 | |
- 1
The internship SPT 491 must be in a sports organization and be approved by the Director of the Business of Sports Program. Examples include sports teams, sports arenas and stadiums, college sports programs, sports leagues, sports agencies and sports media organizations.
Additional Note:
- For graduation, students must achieve an overall GPA of 2.0 or better in the major, with no course grade less than "C-" in any of the six courses required for the major.
Academic Plan of Study
The following educational plan is provided as a sample only. Rider students who do not declare a major during their freshman year; who are in a Continuing Education Program; who change their major; or those who transfer to Rider may follow a different plan to ensure a timely graduation. Each student, with guidance from his or her academic advisor, will develop a personalized educational plan.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Credits | |
| CBA 110 | Business in Action 1 | 3 |
| CIS 185 | Information Systems Essentials 1 | 3 |
| CMP 120 | Seminar in Writing and Rhetoric | 3 |
| MSD 105 | Quantitative Methods for Business 2 | 3 |
| Liberal Arts Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CMP 125 | Seminar in Writing and Research | 3 |
| ECO 200 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| MKT 200 | Marketing Principles | 3 |
| MSD 205 | Business Statistics | 3 |
| SPT 250 | Introduction to the Business of Sports | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ACC 210 | Introduction to Accounting | 3 |
| BDA 201 | Introduction to Business Analytics | 3 |
| ECO 201 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| MGT 201 | Fund Management & Org Behavior | 3 |
| Sport Management Major Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ACC 220 | Managerial Uses of Accounting | 3 |
| CBA 236 | Career Planning | 3 |
| COM 290 | Professional/Strategic Speech | 3 |
| FIN 220 | Introduction to Finance | 3 |
| Liberal Arts Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BUS 300 | The Legal and Ethical Environment of Business | 3 |
| CBA 212 | Business Communications | 3 |
| Primary Major Requirement | 3 | |
| Leadership Elective | 3 | |
| Liberal Arts Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CIS 385 | Management Information Systems | 3 |
| MSD 301 | Operations Management | 3 |
| Sport Management Major Elective | 3 | |
| Primary Major Requirement | 3 | |
| Liberal Arts Elective 4 | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| BUS 400 | Strategic Management and Policy | 3 |
| Primary Major Requirement | 3 | |
| Sport Management Major Elective | 3 | |
| Primary Major Requirement (International Business) 3 | 3 | |
| Free Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| SPT 450 | Contemporary Issues in Sport Management | 3 |
| Primary Major Requirement | 3 | |
| Primary Major Requirement | 3 | |
| Sport Management Elective (International Business) 3 | 3 | |
| Free Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours for Graduation | 120 | |
- 1
CIS 185 Information Systems Essentials and CBA 110 Business in Action can be taken in the Fall or Spring of Year 1.
- 2
Students may be required to take MSD 104 Intro to Quantitative Methods based on placement. MSD 104 counts as a 3 credit Free Elective.
- 3
Students are required to complete 6 credits of International Business which can be fulfilled as major courses or as Free Electives.
- 4
Students must take four liberal arts electives; 3 credits must be in Natural Science, 3 credits must be in Social Science, 3 credits must be in Humanities, and 3 credits can be any course offered by the College of Arts and Sciences.
Courses and Descriptions
AMS 211 Sports in American Life 3 Credits
Literary, sociological, and psychological views of sports in 20th-century American life are examined, focusing on sports as a symbol and reflection of our ideals and tensions.
CBA 315 International Business Tour 3 Credits
Provides students with the opportunity to observe various international business environments outside of the United States. Students should gain a better appreciation of how culture, history, and politics influence organizational dynamics, business functions, and business customs.
Prerequisite(s): Junior or senior standing and permission of instructor.
COM 347 Sports Communication 3 Credits
Critically examines the symbiotic relationship between the mass media and professional sports franchises and major college athletic programs. This course deals with the workings and processes behind executing the proper techniques of sports information and media relations, as well as an analysis of the culture of sports in modern society. Students will develop a practical focus on sports information and promotion, including the role of the sports information director and events promoter, with emphasis on advanced concepts of public relations, publicity and marketing.
Prerequisite(s): COM 240 or permission of instructor.
ECO 326 Economics of Sports 3 Credits
The overall objective of this course is to deepen student understanding of microeconomic principles by applying microeconomic concepts to the analysis of professional and amateur sports. This course will utilize concepts from many different microeconomic specialties, (primarily Industrial Organization, Labor Economics and Public Finance). The tools from these different microeconomic fields will be used to explain and analyze the operation of professional sports teams and leagues in the U.S. with an emphasis on baseball, football, basketball and hockey. International comparisons will be made between professional sports in the U.S. and the rest of the world. The course will also analyze the not-for-profit sports sector, focusing on college sports and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Prerequisite(s): ECO 201.
ENT 210 Sports Entrepreneurship 3 Credits
Sports Entrepreneurship will introduce students to entrepreneurship in the sports industries as they explore opportunities and challenges for new ventures in this sector. Using an industry's business model, students will identify competitive advantages and understand what is required for startup success.
GSS 333 Gender and Sport 3 Credits
Typical thoughts of sport include ticket prices, player salaries, team rosters, and league standings; rarely is it viewed from a gender perspective. This course will go beyond the examination of Title IX to better understand the relationship between masculinity, femininity and sports. This course will examine various aspects of gender and sport, including media and gender representation, race and ethnicity, drugs and violence, men and masculinities, sexualities, policy and politics, the feminist critique of sport, the initiation rites and hazing in college sports, sports wagering, and the internationalization of sport, including but not limited to the Olympics and Paralympics.
MKT 280 Sports Marketing 3 Credits
The course focuses on the unique challenges of marketing sports at a variety of levels: youth, college, professional, and international. The challenges of attracting and retaining fans and participants as well as of building and maintaining strong brand identity are at the heart of the course content. By evaluating case studies and examining current issues in sports marketing, students will gain an understanding of what it means to be a professional marketer of a sports organization and/or event.
Prerequisite(s): MKT 200.
PSY 283 Sport Psychology 3 Credits
This survey course will focus on the social and psychological factors related to performance and participation in sport and exercise, health, and injury rehabilitation settings. Two general questions will be explored: (a) how do social and psychological variables influence performance and participation in physical activity pursuits? And (b) how does physical activity participation affect the psychological well-being of the individual? To better understand these questions, this course will overview theoretical and methodological approaches to a variety of sport and exercise psychology topics, including: socialization, motivation, group processes, competition, and performance enhancement. This course counts towards the fulfillment of the Disciplinary Perspectives element of the CLAS general education curriculum.
SPT 250 Introduction to the Business of Sports 3 Credits
This course is designed to introduce the student to the business of sports. Business principles, such as management, marketing, law, finance and economics will be applied to the business of sports. The course will also explore the various career opportunities in the world of sports.
SPT 320 Business of Global Sport 3 Credits
The course explores the diverse challenges and issues facing the managers of sport enterprises in the context of the global marketplace. Issues of governance, cross-cultural interactions and business activities will be examined as they relate to modern sport at the international level. By evaluating case studies and examining current issues in the field, students will gain an understanding of the relationships and responsibilities associated with being a business professional in the global sport industry.
SPT 322 Sports Analytics 3 Credits
This course will address the theory, development, and application of analytics in sports. Analytics refers to the use of statistical techniques and visualizations to measure performance and make decisions. Students will learn about the application of analytics in sports for purposes of strategy, player performance, team management, sports operations and fantasy competitions. Classwork will consist of readings, lectures, discussions, presentations from guest speakers, and hands-on labs. Students will work on projects related to the use of analytics in the various professional sports leagues and college sports.
SPT 325 Financial Management in the Sport Industry 3 Credits
This course is designed to build upon earlier knowledge from courses in economics, accounting and finance that emphasizes the sports industry and the challenge for financial managers in areas such as stadium/arena financing, financial analysis and valuation. Business models and their financial implications for media and sports related enterprises as well as the business of college athletics will also be covered.
SPT 355 Sports and the Law 3 Credits
Examines the legal, ethical, economic, social and managerial issues related to sports. Topics include liability issues, contracts, employment discrimination, antitrust law, and constitutional law. This course is cross-listed as LAW 355. Students may not get credit for both SPT 355 and LAW 355.
SPT 444 Selected Topics in Sport Management 3 Credits
This course is offered occasionally with topics and prerequisites set by the Business of Sports Program faculty. This course can be used as an elective for the Sport Management major, Sport Studies minor, or as a free elective. This course is graded on a letter grade basis.
Prerequisite: SPT 250.
SPT 450 Contemporary Issues in Sport Management 3 Credits
This course will address the theory, development, and application of analytics in sports. Analytics refers to the use of data and quantitative methods to measure performance and make decisions. Students will learn about the application of analytics in sports for purposes of strategy, player performance, team management, sports operations, and fantasy competitions. The class will consist of lectures, discussions, and guest speakers from the sports industry. Students will work on projects related to the use of analytics in the various professional sports leagues and college sports.
Prerequisite: SPT 250, senior standing, and completion of 15 credit hours in business of sports coursework or permission of instructor.
SPT 490 Independent Research and Study 1-4 Credits
Topic to be approved by the professor and chairperson. Available for juniors and seniors. No more than 12 credits allowed toward graduation, which may be counted as a business or free elective.
Prerequisite(s): Junior standing, 9 credits in Sport Management courses (including SPT 250) and permission of instructor.
SPT 491 Sport Management Internship 1-3 Credits
This course provides the student with the opportunity to supplement and apply their classroom work in a supervised employment setting with participating sport-related companies. Requirements include a journal with a log of weekly activities and a paper summarizing their experiences, submitted to the internship supervisor. Evaluation will also include a report by the company on the intern’s performance. Students will receive a letter grade based on their internship performance, as well as their performance on the journal and final reflection submissions. Sports related internships can be used to satisfy an elective requirement for the Sport Management Major, Sport Studies Minor and business or free electives.
Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor.