The sports industry is one of the largest industries in the US, and the entertainment industry and sports industry are integrating with each other. In order to pursue a professional career in these industries, you need specialized tools and various skills that a master's in sports entertainment business degree may be able to provide. The master's degree in sports entertainment business program is designed to help you become competent in this profession by providing you with a broad perspective in sports management courses integrated with an entertainment business curriculum.
Admission Requirements for a Master's in Sports Entertainment Business Degree Program
Admission requirements and prerequisites may differ depending on the university at which you are applying. Generally, most universities require the applicant to fulfill the following criteria:
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Official transcripts from all previous institutions attended, including high school
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A four year bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college
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Letters of recommendation, with at least one from a professional and one from an academic person
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Letter of intent
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Resume
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GMAT or GRE test scores
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A minimum GPA of 3.0 or above, this condition greatly varies from university to university
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Proof of English language proficiency
Applicants with prior work experience in a related field and display competency and responsibility in their roles may be given preference during the admission process by the university's admission office.
Curriculum and Coursework
The curriculum of a master's degree program in sports entertainment business emphasizes several areas of the field such as venue management, marketing techniques, and developing the interest of the audience. Coursework may vary from university to university, but core courses may include:
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Entertainment Marketing
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Marketing Information Management for Sports and Entertainment
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Sports and Entertainment Economics
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Sports and Entertainment Risk Management
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The Sales Process
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Marketing Basics of Sports and Entertainment
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Global Distribution for Sports
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Entertainment Distribution
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Market Research Process
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Managing the Information
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Promotional Planning
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Sports Marketing
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Sponsorship
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Business Ethics in Sports and Entertainment Marketing
Career Prospects
After you have successfully completed your sports entertainment business master's degree program, you may come across several career prospects and opportunities. As a master's degree prepares for positions above entry-level jobs, you may seek management positions in this industry. Some opportunities that may be available include an administrative service manager, advertising manager, promotions manager or marketing manager in several capacities; various titles may include:
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Stadium Director of Promotions
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Athletics' Administrator
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Sports Marketing Manager
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Entertainment Administrator
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Director of Sports Information
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Entertainment Promotion Specialist
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Athletic Promotion Specialist
Potential employers may include the likes of:
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Sports teams or organizations
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Media entertainment organizations
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Public relations organizations
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Facilities and venue organizations
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Resort operations
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Sports media organizations
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary of administrative service managers was $81,080 per year in 2012. The BLS projected that the number of people working in this capacity would increase by 12 percent between 2012 and 2022, which is about as fast as the average of all occupations.
A master's degree may enhance your chances of promotion to high-level managerial positions, but there will be other factors that could play an important role as well.