Sports Administration – Graduate Business Certificate
The Sports Management Certificate Program is available to individuals who wish to acquire additional credentials to pursue a career in sports management. A graduate business certificate broadens a student’s knowledge and skills by completing four courses in a specialized area.
Student’s will continue to explore what goes on behind the scenes of professional sports and will increase their sports management knowledge that they obtained during their undergraduate. We pride ourselves on furthering education and we are thrilled you’re interested in continuing yours with St. Thomas University.
The Graduate Certificate in Sports Administration requires 12 credit hours. Courses are offered in six 8-week terms during a calendar year. All courses are 3 hours of credit. The 4-course curriculum enables students to complete the certificate in as little as one semester.
Sports Management Graduate Certificate Highlights
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Students will be provided with the opportunity to meet, network, and learn from adjunct professors, alumni and guest speakers who will share their insight on the sports industries they represent.
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St Thomas University is a dedicated institution of learning and recognizes the passion students have for sports management. That is the reason why we started the nation’s first Sports Administration undergraduate program in 1973.
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Students will apply their love for sports and add onto their already existing foundation of knowledge preparing them to take on a larger leadership role in the professional sports community.
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Combines business principles and industry-specific aspects of managing in a collegiate or corporate environment.
Curriculum
Choose 4 courses from the following
SPO 717 Seminar/Principles of Sports Administration
SPO 719 Legal Aspects of Sports Administration
SPO 790 Supervised Internship
SPO 510 Sports Ethics
SPO 540 Sports Media and Public Relations
SPO 543 Sports Financial Management
SPO 544 Sports Marketing and Promotions
SPO 546 Facility and Event Management
SPO 547 Principles of Leisure Services
SPO 548 Sports Psychology
SPO 549 Athletic Fundraising
SPO 551 Negotiation in the Sports Industry
SPO 552 Governance of Intercollegiate Athletics
SPO 750 Issues in Sports Administration
SPO 755 Special Topics in Sports Administration
SPO 789 Directed Readings
Other Business and/or Management electives as available
Career Landscape
Management positions available in the following organizations: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, ATP, WTA, PGA, LPGA, MLS, NASL, NASCAR, NCAA, NAIA, as well as various events, governing organizations, and manufacturers in the sports industry will be accessible to those who earn a Graduate Certificate in Sports Management from St. Thomas University.
What Can You Do with a Sports Management Degree
Some of the Sports Management Jobs include but aren’t limited to:
- Athletic Director
- Sports Information Director
- General Manager
- Events Manager/Coordinator
- Fundraising/Major Gifts Director
- Business Operations Manager
- Advertising Director
- Marketing Director
- Facilities Director
- Sports and Wellness Director
- Financial Management Director
- Parks and Recreation Director
- Youth Sports Director
- Sports Advertising Sales Manager
- Athletics Communications Director
- Athletics Director for Compliance
- Compensation Consultant
- Customer Relations Director
- Media Relations Director
- Programs and Assessment Director
- Community Services Director
- Event Marketing Specialist
- Guest Services Manager
- Operations Coordinator
- Program Manager
- Sports Marketing Manager
- Sports Camp Director
Featured Alumni
Al Avila ’86, general manager of the Detroit Tigers, has been with the Tigers for 15 years. Under his leadership, the Tigers have won the American League Pennant in 2006 and 2012, and won four straight AL Central titles from 2011-2014
Andy Elisburg ’89, general manager and senior vice president of operations for the Miami Heat, joined the franchise in its inaugural 1988 season. For the past 21 years, he has been working in basketball operations, and has played an integral role in salary cap planning and basketball operations management, while overseeing the day-to-day operations at American Airlines Arena.
Dave Gettleman ’86, general manager of the New York Giants, has been a part of seven Super Bowl teams, including three winners. He was with Buffalo in 1990 and 1991, Denver in 1997, the Giants in 2000, 2007 and 2011, and Carolina in 2015. The Broncos and the 2007 and 2011 Giants both won the championship.
Featured Professors
- Dr. Seok-Ho Song, Sports Administration Professor and Advisor. Over 10 years of experience.
- Dr. Robert Epling, Associate Professor of Sports Administration and Advisor. Over 20 years of experience.
For questions, contact Dr. Ted Abernethy, Program Director, at 305-628-6630
Admissions Requirements
- Online Application
- Resume
- 2 letters of recommendation
- Official transcripts
- 2-page goal statement
- Interview with faculty members
