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Online Master’s in Sport Business Degree Program
Classes Begin: March 30, 20262 years
Fully Online
45
Drexel University is Regionally Accredited
Master of Science in Sport Business
Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business’s online Master’s in Sport Business prepares you to lead in the constantly changing sports industry. Whether your goal is to work with college athletes as an athletic administrator, or your interests lie in the business side of sports, you’ll be given the tools and connections you need to stand out in the job market. The curriculum covers sport media, economics, marketing and sales, law, and event management, giving you a solid foundation across the industry.
To help support your MS in Sport Business, you have the option of adding a graduate minor. Minors are available in areas like athletic administration and business analytics.
Any of the online business degrees can also be paired as a dual degree such as an MBA/MS Sport Business, or an MS Business Analytics/MS Sport Business, with shared coursework usually through elective credits.
MS in Sport Business Program Features
- Learn from industry-leading faculty who have deep-rooted connections
- An optional summer residency features tours, guest speakers, and industry networking opportunities
- Get unique exposure to franchises in all four major league sports teams as well as other international sport organizations
- The online format enables you to learn on your own schedule from anywhere, so you’ll have more time to commit to your career and personal life
What is an MS in Sport Business?
An MS in Sport Business is designed to help you land your dream job in today’s multi-billion-dollar sport industry. By seamlessly integrating the sports application of law, economics and finance, marketing, media, and promotions with a top-notch business curriculum, the Drexel LeBow program offers a practical foundation for careers in professional or college sports, or with sport marketing firms, sport agencies, and other sport organizations.
In this program, you’ll have the opportunity to:
- Utilize economic analysis and the latest technology to study sports markets, league organization, the finance of sport, and more
- Develop the ability to plan, design, implement, and evaluate sport programs
- Explore human resources, policy development, and the management functions necessary for the effective management of sport organizations
- Develop an understanding of the legal standards, principles, and practices within the world of sports
What are the Requirements and Skills Needed for an MS in Sport Business?
The admissions criteria for this master’s degree includes a bachelor’s degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution and an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. It’s also recommended that you have at least two years of prior work experience, even if it is not in this field.
How Can I Afford an MS in Sport Business?
While the cost of earning a master’s degree can be daunting, Drexel’s LeBow College of Business is committed to making it affordable for qualified applicants. Please visit the tuition page to learn more about scholarship opportunities available for this program as well as other cost savings programs.
How Long Does It Take to Earn a Master’s Degree in Sport Business?
Drexel LeBow’s online MS in Sport Business degree is a 45-credit program, with the option of transferring up to 15 quarter credits from an accredited institution. The program can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. You can earn your degree in as little as 24 months.
What Can You Do with a Master’s Degree in Sport Business?
Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to pursue a variety of positions within sports organizations in finance, analytics, marketing, media, management, operations, events, sales, sponsorships, and more. Some common job titles include:
- Athletic Director
- Salary Cap Analyst
- Sports Agent / Advisor
- Sports Marketing and Promotions Manager
What Salary Can You Earn with a Master’s Degree in Sport Business?
Once you’ve earned your degree, you’ll command a competitive sports management salary. Salaries vary based on location and job title, but here are some sample job titles and national salary averages:
Job Title
Annual Median Wage*
Athletic Director
$88,250
Salary Cap / Financial Analyst
$97,700
Sports Agent / Advisor
$135,950
Sports Marketing and Promotions Manager
$129,050
*Data from www.workinsports.com
Related Programs
Drexel University offers a variety of Graduate Minors that can be added to any master's degree program.
State restrictions may apply to some programs.
This program is not currently AACSB accredited.
Curriculum
This program is organized into four 10-week quarters per year (as opposed to the traditional two semester system) which means you can take more courses in a shorter time period. One semester credit is equivalent to 1.5 quarter credits.
You may transfer up to 15 quarter credits from an accredited institution.
| Business Core | ||
| BUSN 501 | Measuring and Maximizing Financial Performance | 3.0 |
| ORGB 511 | Leading in Dynamic Environments: A Personal, Relational, and Strategic Approach | 3.0 |
| STAT 601 | Business Statistics | 3.0 |
| Sport Business Core | ||
| SMT 601 | Sports Industry Management | 3.0 |
| SMT 602 | Sport Law | 3.0 |
| SMT 603 | Sports Marketing | 3.0 |
| SMT 605 | Sports Economics | 3.0 |
| SMT 606 | Social Issues in Sport | 3.0 |
| SMT 608 | Sport Media & Public Relations | 3.0 |
| Experiential Component | 3.0 | |
| Choose one of the following: | ||
|
BUSN 615
|
Graduate Internship | |
|
INTB 790
|
International Business Seminar and Residency | |
|
MGMT 680
|
Leading for Innovation | |
|
MGMT 715
|
Business Consulting | |
|
MIS 652
|
Business Agility and IT | |
|
ORGB 640
|
Negotiations for Leaders | |
|
SMT 621
|
Leadership in Sport Management | |
|
SMT 630
|
Sports Industry Practicum | |
| Electives or Graduate Minor* (Choose Five) |
15.0 | |
|
BLAW 646
|
Legal Issues in New Ventures | |
|
ECON 650
|
Business & Economic Strategy: Game Theory & Applications | |
|
FIN 601
|
Corporate Financial Management | |
|
FIN 642
|
Business Conditions and Forecasting | |
|
FIN 648
|
International Financial Management | |
|
MKTG 601
|
Marketing Strategy & Planning | |
|
MKTG 606
|
Customer Analytics | |
|
MKTG 607
|
Marketing Experiments | |
|
MKTG 622
|
Buyer Behavior Theory | |
|
MKTG 630
|
Global Marketing | |
|
MKTG 654
|
Corporate Brand & Reputation Management | |
|
OPR 601
|
Managerial Decision Models and Simulation | |
|
POM 610
|
Supply Chain Management I | |
|
SMT 609
|
Sports Ticket Sales & Strategies | |
|
SMT 612
|
Development & Fundraising Strategies in Sport | |
|
SMT 615
|
Introduction to the College Sport Industry | |
|
SMT 618
|
NCAA Compliance | |
|
SMT 622
|
Labor Relations & Collective Bargaining in Sport | |
|
SMT 626
|
Globalization of Sport | |
|
SMT 627
|
Sports Tournaments & Events | |
|
SMT 629
|
Managing Coaches & Teams | |
|
SMT 635
|
Sport Facilities & Event Management | |
|
SMT 645
|
Gridiron Glory | |
|
SMT 648
|
Gender Equity in High School & College Sports | |
|
SMT 650
|
Sports Contracts | |
|
SMT 655
|
March Madness: The Economics, History, & Social Impact of the NCAA Basketball Tournaments | |
|
SMT T680
|
Special topics in Sport Management | |
|
STAT 610
|
Statistics for Business Analytics | |
|
STAT 632
|
Datamining for Managers | |
|
STAT 634
|
Quality & Six-Sigma | |
| Total Credits | 45.0 | |
* Additional Elective Options are available, please see your academic advisor.
Admissions Criteria
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 preferred
- Two years of prior work experience is recommended
Required Documents
With multiple ways to submit documents, Drexel makes it easy to complete your application. Learn more by visiting our Completing Your Application Guide.
- A completed application
- Official transcripts from all universities or colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions (including trade schools) attended
- One letter of recommendation
- A 1,000 word personal essay including:
- Information regarding your background and experience in the sports industry
- A summary of your professional career interests and goals
- A discussion of your personal strengths
- Resume
- Additional requirements for International Students
Optional Documents
To make your application more competitive, you may elect to submit graduate level placement exam scores, like GRE or GMAT. If scores are submitted they will be considered as part of your application package.
Tuition
The tuition rate for the academic year 2025-2026 is $1265 per credit.
For the academic year 2025-2026, students enrolled in an online graduate academic program will be charged a graduate online program fee of $125 per year.
- This program is eligible for Financial Aid.
- Special tuition rates available for Drexel University Alumni, Military members, and members of our Partner Organizations
- These rates apply only to new online students and students being readmitted.
- Tuition rates are subject to increase with the start of each academic year in the fall term.
- All students must contact applyDUonline@drexel.edu within the first two weeks of the term to request tuition savings for which they qualify.
- Special rates cannot be combined. If you qualify for more than one special rate, you'll be given the one with the largest savings.
- When receiving special tuition plans, you may not be able to combine them with other tuition benefits that may be available from Drexel University.
Academic Calendar
2025-2026 Academic Year
Term
Classes Begin
Classes End
Exams Begin
Exams End
Fall 2025
September 22, 2025
December 6, 2025
December 8, 2025
December 13, 2025
Winter 2026
January 5, 2026
March 14, 2026
March 16, 2026
March 21, 2026
Spring 2026
March 30, 2026
June 6, 2026
June 8, 2026
June 13, 2026
Summer 2026
June 22, 2026
August 29, 2026
August 31, 2026
September 5, 2026
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