Sport Management Graduate Degree Overview

Program Mission & Description

The mission of the WSU Sport Management graduate program is to prepare students for a variety of careers as managers/administrators in the sport industry and for further graduate study in sport management, and to conduct research aimed at developing the body of knowledge in sport management.

The Sport Management graduate faculty are dedicated to meeting students’ needs as current and future leaders in a variety of sport settings within the sport industry. Given the growing economic and political significance of sport worldwide, there is a strong need for well-educated and professionally trained sport managers to ensure that sport is managed and delivered for the greater good of our global society. With that as our goal, the program provides a balanced integration of practical experience, theory, research, and policy.

Learning Objectives

Our graduate program trains students to:

1. Incorporate an understanding of ethical, legal, and socio-cultural issues in managerial decision making and policy determinations in sport
2. Employ sound principles of strategic planning, financial management, risk management, and human resource management in sport
3. Apply a fundamental knowledge and practical understanding of sport marketing, communication, and event management principles
4. Utilize critical thinking and abstract reasoning skills in analyzing sport management issues and in managerial planning and decision making
5. Demonstrate information literacy and oral, written, and group communication skills
6. Develop research skills in sport management