Take Your Passion for Sport to the Next Level
Elevate Your Game – and Your Career
Davis & Elkins College is proud to announce its first-ever graduate program – the Master of Science in Sport Management, debuting in Fall 2026. This accelerated, one-year degree is designed for aspiring professionals ready to lead in the dynamic world of sport and recreation.
Building on the strong foundation of D&E’s popular undergraduate program in Sport Management, which emphasizes coaching education along with business, marketing, management, finance, and accounting, the new master’s program expands upon this success. It is specifically designed to meet the evolving demands of professional and amateur athletics – equipping graduates with advanced business fundamentals, leadership insight, and strategic management skills to thrive in both for-profit and non-profit sport organizations.
Why Pursue Sport Management at D&E?
Hands-On Learning & Professional Partnerships
Students in the program will gain real-world experience through internships and collaborations with partners at the local, state, and national levels. With strong support from D&E’s administration and faculty, the program integrates applied learning opportunities that prepare students for the realities of the sports industry.
You’ll build your professional network while working alongside sport administrators, coaches, marketing professionals, and industry leaders who are shaping the future of athletics.
Global Impact, Competitive Edge
The global sports market is projected to reach billions of dollars by 2030, and professionals with advanced management and business expertise are in high demand. The D&E Master of Science in Sport Management gives graduates a competitive edge in this expanding market by combining contemporary coursework with ethical leadership, financial acumen, and innovative problem-solving.
Program Overview
The Master of Science in Sport Management provides students with a comprehensive understanding of sport as both a business and a cultural force. The program blends theory with practice, preparing graduates for leadership roles through hands-on learning, strategic case studies, and applied research.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of, and practical engagement with:
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Sport Law & Governance: Laws and regulations impacting athletics, including personnel, discrimination, facilities, supervision, and student-athlete welfare.
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Marketing, Branding & Fan Experience: Issues surrounding publicity, commercialization, and social media engagement.
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Fundraising & Sponsorship: How donors, sponsors, and partners influence the financial success of sport organizations.
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Business Operations & Finance: Core accounting, purchasing, and budgeting skills for sport business management.
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Ethical Leadership: Moral and ethical issues shaping today’s sport environment.
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Facilities & Event Management: Planning, inspections, and needs assessments for safe and effective sport facilities.
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Strategic Innovation: Formulating proposals to enhance revenue, operations, publicity, marketing, and management.
Career Outcomes
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 30,000 new coaching and scouting positions are expected to be created between now and 2029. Overall job growth in sport management and related fields continues to outpace the national average, offering graduates exceptional opportunities across diverse career paths.
Graduates will be prepared for roles such as:
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Coaching and Athletics Administration
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Sport Marketing and Public Relations
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Facility and Event Management
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Fundraising and Development
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Recreation and Fitness Enterprises
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Business Operations in Sport and Recreation
With a program that can be completed in just one calendar year, students will see a faster return on their educational investment and be positioned to enter or advance in their careers sooner.
Launch a Career in Sport Management
Applications open November 3, 2025, for the inaugural Fall 2026 cohort. Join a program that’s shaping the next generation of sport leaders — at the intersection of business, athletics, and innovation.
Requirements for Admission:
- Completed application
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 in the most recent degree earned
- Official college transcript(s)
- Current professional resume (must be uploaded at the time of application submission)
- Two letters of recommendation
- Written personal statement of professional and personal goals
- GMAT or GRE not required
- The official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score is required for international students unless they have earned a baccalaureate degree from an English-speaking institution
Apply now and shape the future of sport.
Program Director
