Grand Canyon University Sport Management

Grand Canyon University, in Phoenix, Arizona, is a private, Christian university with both online and on-campus education options. GCU offers a Bachelor of Science in sport management that aims to impart knowledge of business best practices and marketing skills with an emphasis on applying them to the world of professional sports.

Managing an athletic organization requires a combination of technical skills and interpersonal finesse. GCU’s required courses for earning a BS in sport management address these needs with an array of courses, including:

  • Managerial Accounting: This course will teach you to do cost-benefit analyses, and make financial decisions based on gathered data and quantifiable prior experience.
  • Organizational Behavior:Rallying your team and organizing them towards a common objective will be easier with the business psychology and group behavior knowledge you’ll gain from this course.
  • Sports Law:Knowing the law, and how it affects the sporting industry and your organization specifically, is crucial for anyone at a high level of management in a sports organization.

These are just a few of the courses that contribute to the broad base of skills taught in GCU’s sport management program.

Available Online Programs

Facts About Grand Canyon University

Founded by Arizona Southern Baptists in 1949, GCU was originally intended to provide a local option for Baptists who wanted to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree without leaving their home state of Arizona. Some other facts about GCU are:

  • Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
  • Divided into six schools: The College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Doctoral Studies, the College of Education, the College of Fine Arts and Production, the College of Nursing, and the Ken Blanchard College of Business, which has been recognized as a strong school for entrepreneurs by Fortune magazine.
  • Because of GCU’s Baptist background, students are required to take a Christian Worldview class as part of the general education requirements for earning a bachelor’s degree at the university.
  • GCU’s Bachelor of Science in sport administration includes introductory classes in economics, finance, organizational psychology, and accounting, as well as specific sports marketing, management, and business classes. The entire program is 120 credit hours.

The Best Online Sports Management Degrees

For those looking to begin or advance a career in sports management, there are several accredited online colleges that offer degrees in the subject. For beginners, bachelor's degrees are available. For graduate students wishing for more in-depth study, master's degrees and MBAs in sports management are also available. The following schools offer online degrees in sports management and similar subjects.

Ashford University — The bachelor's degree in sports management from Ashford University will prepare its students for managerial positions in the sport and recreation industry, including gymnasium management, athletics equipment merchandising, and professional sports management. Specialties offered within this program include sports marketing, sports finance, sports project management, sports entrepreneurship, and sports information systems.
Post University — The bachelor's degree in sports management from Post University prepares its students for administrative, management, and marketing careers in the sports industry. Because the program can be completed entirely online, working adults will find the scheduling flexibility of the program to be one of its greatest strengths.
Southern New Hampshire University — Southern New Hampshire University's MBA in sport management and MS in sports management degree programs teach its students to become adept in the business and marketing side of the sport industry. For these programs, no GMAT or GRE is required, but applicants must have a bachelor's degree.
Northcentral University — Northcentral's M.Ed. in athletic administration will provide you the skills and education necessary for K-12 athletic administration. Northcentral also offers a more advanced PhD degree in athletic administration that provides students with knowledge on comprehensive educational concepts necessary to direct athletic programs and sporting events.
Liberty University — Liberty's MS in sports management provides students with an understanding of the sports and recreation industry. The program is extremely relevant in today's sports environment covering controversial topics in the social and ethical issues that face the industry. Students will be prepared for various managerial positions in sports, fitness, and athletic marketing and merchandising.

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