ALL PROGRAMS

B.S. Sports Management Degree

ON-CAMPUS
Bachelor's in Sports Management
ALL PROGRAMS

B.S. Sports Management Degree

ON-CAMPUS
B.S. Sports Management Degree

Bachelor's in Sports Management

If you want the administrative and leadership skills to thrive in sports-related organizations, the Bachelor of Science in Sports Management at Indiana Wesleyan University was designed for you. This comprehensive sports business degree program provides students with exposure to critical functions in sports management, including fundraising, sports information, communication, administration, marketing, and promotions.  At our Christian university, you can learn how to integrate biblical principles with this bachelor's degree in sports management program.

Why Pursue My Bachelor’s in Sports Management at IWU?

There are several benefits to declaring your sports management major at IWU. This accredited BS in sports management degree program is taught by faculty with experience managing a variety of athletic organizations. We also provide student services, from tech support to tutoring, to help you succeed in this Bachelor of Science in Sports Management program. Students learn from expert faculty who will become mentors in the faith, integrating classroom learning with biblical truths for a Christ-centered environment that encourages spiritual growth.

What Will I Learn in this BS in Sports Management Program?

The courses in this sports management bachelor’s degree are designed to help students learn what it takes to manage successful sports and athletic-focused organizations. The student experience combines traditional classroom learning with interactive learning and an internship opportunity. Course topics cover facility management, sports leadership, business, health and wellness, ethics, law, marketing, and more.

What Makes IWU Different?

Education Pioneer

IWU has provided education for more than 100 years.

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Rooted in Christ

Faith-integrated curriculum and a commitment to changing the world.

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Superior Support

Center for Student Success for counseling, tutoring, and more!

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Tuition & Fees

IWU surpasses the national averages in a number of important educational benchmarks, including, but not limited to: higher than average graduation and career outcome rates. Plus, compared to the national average, IWU students receive their education with lower than average student debt!

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Indiana Wesleyan University

What You'll Study

Coursework for this BS in Sports Management program covers how to:

  • Develop an understanding of business-related topics, including organization, management, and marketing
  • Examine the psychosocial implications for sport, exercise, and injury
  • Develop legal insight for effective management and the avoidance of legal problems associated with sports and recreational activity
  • Apply biblical principles to your professional goals in sports management

Indiana Wesleyan University

Courses in this Program

These courses contain the program-specific knowledge. Upon completion, you should have the tools to conquer your new career with confidence. For a full list of courses and prerequisites required to complete your degree, please visit the course catalog. Click on a course below to view the description.

BUS-100,SMG-155,SMG-210,PHE-224,PSY-224,PHE-230,PHE-235,PHE-236,SMG-255,SMG-350,PHE-352,SMG-354,SMG-371,SMG-420,SMG-422,REC-460,SMG-480

After Graduation

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Potential Careers

  • Sports Administration
  • Facility Management and Design
  • Event Management / Public Relations
  • Sports-Related Business Owner
  • Athletic Director / Coach
  • Fundraising Coordinator

Work in Various Industries

  • Industry

Program Requirements

Because high academic achievement is required for admission to health professional schools, the Divisions of Health and Human Performance plus Natural Sciences have developed minimum criteria for the Pre-Health Care Sciences (Non-Nursing) Program designation on IWU degree audits and diplomas. Upon completion of the freshman year, students interested in maintaining the Pre-Health Care Sciences (Non-Nursing) Program designation must achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, complete a prescribed essay, and interview with the Pre-Professional Committee. The essay and interview are administered as part of the PMD-110 course (Preparing the Christian Health Professional, completed by the student in the spring of his or her freshman year). Students whose cumulative GPA drops below 3.0 are encouraged to investigate, with the help of their academic advisor, alternative career paths. If the student does not eventually achieve the minimum cumulative GPA, the Residential Academic Services Office will drop the Pre-Health Care Sciences (Non-Nursing) designation from the degree audit and diploma on graduation. Transfer students wishing to have the Pre-Health Care Sciences (Non-Nursing) Program designation on their degree audit and diploma will need to demonstrate that they meet the GPA requirements in core courses and overall completed courses based on applicable classes at previous accredited institutions. All subsequent decisions as to retention in the Pre-Health Care Sciences (Non-Nursing) Program will be based on IWU courses only. These students should enroll in PMD-110 at their earliest opportunity. 

Accreditation

Because high academic achievement is required for admission to health professional schools, the Divisions of Health and Human Performance plus Natural Sciences have developed minimum criteria for the Pre-Health Care Sciences (Non-Nursing) Program designation on IWU degree audits and diplomas. Upon completion of the freshman year, students interested in maintaining the Pre-Health Care Sciences (Non-Nursing) Program designation must achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, complete a prescribed essay, and interview with the Pre-Professional Committee. The essay and interview are administered as part of the PMD-110 course (Preparing the Christian Health Professional, completed by the student in the spring of his or her freshman year). Students whose cumulative GPA drops below 3.0 are encouraged to investigate, with the help of their academic advisor, alternative career paths. If the student does not eventually achieve the minimum cumulative GPA, the Residential Academic Services Office will drop the Pre-Health Care Sciences (Non-Nursing) designation from the degree audit and diploma on graduation. Transfer students wishing to have the Pre-Health Care Sciences (Non-Nursing) Program designation on their degree audit and diploma will need to demonstrate that they meet the GPA requirements in core courses and overall completed courses based on applicable classes at previous accredited institutions. All subsequent decisions as to retention in the Pre-Health Care Sciences (Non-Nursing) Program will be based on IWU courses only. These students should enroll in PMD-110 at their earliest opportunity. 

Program FAQs

Our divisional faculty have decades of expertise in Athletic Training, Exercise Science, Physical Education, and Sport/ Recreation Management. The average tenure of our faculty is over 10 years at IWU with our most senior faculty member in his 27th Their impact and influence have been on the high school, collegiate, and professional levels of their professions. Additionally, we utilize a specialized group of adjunct faculty to ensure that students learn from leaders in their field. These amazing educators teach specific lecture, practical, professional, and clinical courses.
Contact 765-677-6901 Choose 1 and then ask for the Financial Aid office.
A sincere and invested connection with faculty and professional mentors is a critical component for professional acclimatization. The wisdom and experience provided by these individuals can be significant and impactful on an early career professional. Strong relationships with these professionals can open previously closed doors and connect graduates with future opportunities.
  • Students majoring in Exercise Science have multiple options to pursue upon degree completion. While some of the careers listed below require graduate school, others can be achieved immediately following graduation.
    • Athletic Trainer, Exercise Physiology, Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab
    • Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, Speech Pathologist
    • Biomechanics, Nutritionist/ Registered Dietician
    • Physician’s Assistant, Researcher, Kinesiotherapist, Personal Trainer
    • Strength and Coordinating Coach, Corporate/ Adult Fitness
    • Wellness Centers/ Health Agencies, Fitness Leadership
    • Group Exercise Instructor, Chiropractor
    • Wellness Centers/Health Agencies, Fitness Leadership
  • Students majoring in Sport Management also have multiple options to pursue upon degree completion. While some of the careers listed below require graduate school, others can be achieved immediately following graduation.
    • Sports Marketing and Promotions Facility, Management and Design
    • Event Management/ Public Relations, Sports Information Director
    • Athletic Director/ Coach, Sports Agent/ Ticket Sales, Owning/Managing a Sports-related Business
    • Risk Management, Operations of Recreational Sports Programs
    • Fundraising Coordinator, Compliance Director, Sports Administration
  • Students majoring in Sport Ministry have the unique opportunity to couple Ministry with the global language of sport. Opportunities are robust within the following area:
    • Church Sports Ministry, Sport Camps, Youth Sport Ministries
    • Sports Chaplaincy, Individual Sports Coach Training
    • Mission Organizations, Sports Marketing and Promotions Facility, Management and Design
    • Event Management/ Public Relations, Sports Information Director
    • Athletic Director/ Coach, Sports Agent/ Ticket Sales
The curriculum of our majors and programs is largely based off industry accreditation standards which ensure students enrolled in our programs get high-quality education. We recognize our bias towards our own courses and institution, so we have pursued additional evidence of our efforts to provide students with the best preparation for their careers. External accreditation confirms our opinions that we offer excellent majors, minors, and programs. Both our Athletic Training program and Exercise Science program currently enjoy the maximum 10-year accreditation awards from their respective accreditors (CAATE & CAAHEP).
Students have earned graduate school placements at institutions around the country for athletic training, chiropractic medicine, medical schools, physical therapy, physicians’ assistant, occupational therapy, and positions within the recreation and sports management sphere. Jobs have been secured at every level of employment. Employer feedback is very important to our program faculty! We use this important information to continually modify curriculum and program structure to ensure our students keep pace with a rapidly changing employment landscape.
Many times, the steps taken post-graduation are planned for during a senior seminar type course during the final year of undergraduate education. Professional acclimatization is a taught, evaluated, and rehearsed skill developed through intentional planning between faculty and students as well as within the advising process.
It is encouraged that prospective and incoming students keep a broad perspective on where and with whom these experiences may occur. There are so many informative parts of their education that will shape their pursuit of the various types of clinical/practical/internship type opportunities. We, HHP faculty, take advising very seriously and meet with students one-on-one each semester to ensure a mutually agreeable course and practical progression is planned and successfully completed. This is an ongoing process that evolves as students’ complete coursework and develop priorities through each experience.
Depending on the program, yes, in-person education and practical training is imperative to achieve many of the post-graduation career goals. Many of these requirements can be met locally, both on campus and within the Grant County community. Should the opportunity present itself at a greater distance from campus, the supervising faculty advisor and student can navigate the logistics of that potential experience and make informed decisions.
IWU offers two 14-week semesters, fall and spring, as well as a 3 ½ week “May” term and various summer terms. Summer terms can be for the month of June and/or the month of July as well as a summer term that lasts both June and July combined.
A lot of that depends on the number of courses being taken that semester as well as the type of courses enrolled in. Some lecture and lab based courses take considerable additional time outside of class to be successful. Additionally, if the student is active in campus groups and extracurricular activities, their schedule and time commitments can vary broadly.
Most students will complete our majors/minors/programs within the traditional 4-year timeframe. However, there are many students who choose to extend their time at IWU to ensure they complete multiple majors/minors/programs as well as fulfill extracurricular investments. Some students opt to accelerate their curriculum and finish prior to the 4-year mark. This is rigorous and necessitates the student can handle to increased load and expectation of completing a degree “early”.
Students will be assigned an advisor(s) and provided a curriculum map that shows the necessary degree requirements. Students should keep in mind that this is an ever-changing plan. While a 4-year plan is somewhat prescriptive, it is rarely the final template for each individual student. There are numerous factors that impact this plan. CLEP courses, AP courses from high school, a transfer course(s) from another institution, taking coursework over the summer months, etc., will all potentially impact what each semester might result in actuality.
IWU boosts multiple robust resources for student thriving. The Center for Student Support, IT-Help Desk, Health Center, and Career Center are all available to students based on their individual needs. Academic advisors through both The Center for Academic Thriving and individual academic departments/ divisions are available and willing to meet with students on a scheduled basis to ensure their questions are answered and needs are met to be successful during their time at IWU.
As already mentioned, students are assigned academic advisors through both The Cener for Academic Thriving and individual departments/ divisions. Meeting and interacting regularly with these seasoned professionals provide both time and guidance to develop a student’s professional progression and acclimation into their intended discipline.
Students within the Exercise Science and Sports Management programs are required to have two professional experiences as well as a dedicated internship. These placements have historically been all over the country depending on the students’ interests as well as faculty and student connections with leaders in their field. They are in-person and range from semester-long to summer-long experiences depending on the placement.
However, this process isn’t concrete and never will be. Individual course(s) from other institutions can be considered for certain program requirements and if approved, are approved for a set amount of time before a course from a specific institution needs to be re-evaluated. Additionally, accreditation standards may impact the ability of a external course to be considered for an IWU program. This evaluation process is initiated by the registrar’s office and coordinated with the divisional and individual program leadership.
No
Yes, and they are traditionally accomplished through the advising process during the senior year of the students’ undergraduate education. They are included within a major/ program course which can be completed during the fall and/or fall and spring semesters.
We are confident students can get an excellent education in the areas we have listed above at many different institutions. The difference in our programs at IWU is that we will approach these professions and disciplines from a Kingdom perspective. We truly believe our students are World Changers and their impact on people can influence them to come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Our faculty are committed to creating an environment that blends faith and learning seamlessly.
Students who are serious about learning and are actively pursuing God’s plan for their lives will do very well in IWU programs. Progressing into professional occupations and positions doesn’t happen by default just by earning a undergraduate degree. It will take time and investment, as well as a willingness to commit to rigorous academic program standards.
  • Get your graduate degree at IWU! IWU offers a Master’s in Athletic Training, Master’s in Sports Leadership, Doctorate in Physical Therapy, and Doctorate in Occupation Therapy. Each program is fully accredited and is either housed on the traditional IWU-Marion campus or fully online.
  • The Human Performance Lab (RWC 240) houses a robust array of exercise physiology and biomechanics equipment along with dedicated space to conduct research initiatives. This laboratory has grown immensely since its initial construction in 1999 with 2 major construction renovations to ensure high-quality student learning is ongoing and meeting current industry expectations. Students have daily access to learn from state-of-the-art resources during their undergraduate preparation that they will more than likely encounter in graduate school and/ or their occupational positions.
Faith and Learning are a non-negotiable part of life at IWU. Faculty, Staff, and Administrators are called to this place and weaving our Christian walk and life into our vocations is an expectation.

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Discover the way forward in the exciting and dynamic field of sports management. Learn more about this BS in Sports Management program at IWU!

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