Graduate Certificate in Sports Management

Professional and collegiate sports – while fun and exciting – are serious business. They comprise a multi-billion dollar industry that offers a variety of career paths.

The Providence College Graduate Certificate in Sports Management is a 3-course, graduate-level program offered by the School of Business in conjunction with the School of Professional Studies’ Higher Education program. It explores various elements of this growing industry and helps prepare students to excel within it. This program develops the management knowledge and skills needed to lead sports organizations, as well as businesses that serve and interact with them.

Taught by PCSB faculty recognized as experts in their field, the Graduate Certificate in Sports Management includes a sports-related internship* and two electives. These courses provide students with a focused, foundational education in the management, marketing, history, and leadership of sports business at the professional and collegiate levels.

Providence College graduate business certificate programs are flexible, featuring a variety class meeting times, and can usually be completed within a year. Generally, these courses meet at 4 p.m. or at 7 p.m. during the week. However, there are several accelerated graduate business courses that may include a few weekend days or meet during the winter or summer terms.

*With permission, the internship can be replaced with an additional elective based on relevant work experience.

Who Should Enroll?

Those interested in beginning or advancing a career in professional or collegiate sports management, whether in organization management, marketing, data analytics in sports, or advertising/sponsorship with sports organizations, should enroll in the Graduate Certificate in Sports Management.

Takeaways

Upon completing the Graduate Certificate in Sports Management, participants will:

• Understand the interaction among multiple facets of the sports business industry
• Identify and assess potential issues and opportunities for the industry
• Learn how sports-related organizations serve their multiple constituencies
• Apply marketing theory and techniques to achieve the goals of a sports organization
• Acquire hands-on experience in the sports industry

Courses

The Graduate Certificate in Sports Management program is a 3-course, 9-credit hour program consisting of a required sports-related internship and two electives. The internship may be replaced with an additional elective based on relevant work experience. Typically, this program can be completed within a year. Specific course meeting times can be found in the Semester Course Offerings schedule.

Requirement

MBA Internship: Sports Internship
Internships often are completed over the summer. More information will be provided once you are accepted into the program. Students have the option to take MBA 699, for credit. The internship may be replaced with an additional elective based on relevant work experience. Please contact the MBA Office for more information.

Electives (Choose 2):

MBA 770:  The Business of Collegiate Sports
This course prepares provides a foundational preparation for those students who aspire to a leadership position within intercollegiate athletics.  The course explores the relationship between leadership and organizational climate in intercollegiate athletics and develops a comprehensive in-depth understanding and strategic skill-set to thrive in intercollegiate athletics.  The course focuses on sport governance, sport compliance, legal aspects of equity in intercollegiate athletics, human resource strategies in intercollegiate athletics, sport finance, ethics, marketing, public relations, facilities and event management, and much more with the inclusion of leaders in the industry as guest speakers. Offered in the fall semester.

MBA 770:  The Business of Professional Sports
The estimated size of the sports industry in the United States in 2018 was $539.7 billion dollars.* Various factors – teams, leagues, broadcasters, sponsors, players’ unions, facilities – all play a critical role within the sports ecosystem. This course will help students gain a better understanding of the business of sports as well as the opportunities and challenges that the industry faces in years to come. *Source: Plunkett Research Ltd. Offered in the spring semester.

MBA 770: Special Topics
Other electives will be offered based on industry changes and developments. Previous offerings have included:

• The Marketing & Analytics of Sports
• Sport Sponsorship and Activation

Credits

Students will register for the sports internship and two elective courses that, once completed, will count toward the Graduate Certificate in Sports Management. Students who successfully complete the certificate program may use their nine graduate credits toward their MBA degree. Admission into the PC MBA Program and GMAT/GRE waiver consideration will be reviewed for up to one year after certificate completion.*

Fee

The program fee is the same as all graduate courses. See updated fee information. Courses must be paid for, in full, at the time of registration each semester.

Applying

Start your application by clicking on the button below and creating an account. The form will then walk you through the process, but if you have any questions, please call us at 401-865-2294 or email us at pcsb-grad@providence.edu.

Prospective students will need to submit the following materials to complete the application process:

• Completed online application form (recommended first step)
• A personal statement on why do you want to pursue a Graduate Certificate in Sports Management?
• An explanation of your professional experience in the sports-field or where you plan to take a sports-related internship (and when) in order to gain professional sports experience.
• Updated resume
• All official transcripts from colleges or institutions attended

Faculty

All graduate-level courses are taught by PC’s award-winning faculty. Learn more about each department’s faculty:
Accountancy Faculty
Finance Faculty
Management Faculty
Marketing Faculty

Location

The state-of-the-art Ryan Center for Business Studies at Providence College, Providence, Rhode Island.

Applying Credits to the PC MBA Program

Students will register for three courses that, once completed, will count toward the Graduate Certificate in Sports Management. Students who successfully complete the certificate program may use their nine management credits toward their MBA degree. Admission into the PC MBA Program and GMAT/GRE waiver consideration will be reviewed for up to one year after certificate completion.*

*Expedited admission into the PC MBA Program is dependent upon completion of an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0, and the completion of the Graduate Certificate in Sports Management program with a GPA of 3.3 or higher.

About the MBA Program

The MBA degree is management-focused and designed to help students develop critical thinking skills, analyze data, and solve business problems.The MBA Program provides students with both the knowledge and practical experience needed to be competitive in today’s workforce. The program has a reputation of helping job seekers enhance their careers, while also achieving their educational and personal goals. Learn more about the MBA Program.

For More Information

For more information, please contact us at pcsb-grad@providence.edu.