ohio state sports management phd

Top 10 Ph.D Programs in Sport Management

Earning a Ph.D in Sports Management is a great way to stand out in this competitive field. Jobs for sport management professionals with their Ph.D exist in facility management, sports marketing, sports law, or education. Earning a sports management Ph.D is a natural progression for students who already have a career in athletics and business and are looking for professional advancement. Sports minded professionals will find advanced education and training in sport management very rewarding.

Methodology

To identify the top 10 best sports management Ph.D programs, we started with a search on College Navigator to find out which schools offered these programs in an online format. We also consulted NASSM, the North American Society for Sport Management, which keeps a list of universities offering Ph.D Sport Management programs in the U.S. We compared student to faculty ratios, average graduate tuition rates, graduation rates, and accreditations using College Navigator. While graduation rates are provided only for first time undergraduate students, we felt this was still important to consider for our list an indicator of the level of support students receive while earning their degree. To be considered for our list, schools must hold regional accreditation, feature hands on training and internship or field experiences, and have a curriculum taught by doctorate level faculty. Where there are ties, we favored the school with the lower graduate tuition rate. From our list, we created a rating system as seen below to select our top 10 doctorate programs in sport management.

Student to Faculty Ratio

• 15:1 or less= 2 Points
• Greater than 15:1= 1 Point

Average Graduate Tuition Rate

• Less than $10,000 per year= 2 Points
• More than $10,000 per year= 1 Point

Overall Graduation Rate

• Less than 50 percent = 1 Points
• Greater than 50 percent = 2 Point

Below are 10 schools that offer the best sports management PhD degree programs. Students learn advanced skills and benefit from professional training in sport management.

Related Resource: Can I Earn a Specialized Sports Marketing Degree?

Ranking the Top 10 PhD Programs in Sports Management

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#10 – University of Northern Colorado-Greeley, Colorado

Ph.d. in sport and exercise science: sport administration.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 17:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $10,867/year in-state and $19,620/year out-of-state Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission Overall Graduation Rate: 52 percent Points: 4 As one of the first Ph.D. programs in sport management in the country, the University of Northern Colorado has trained some of the top industry experts. UNCO values independent research and encourages students to work with a faculty advisor to pursue individual research interests. Courses cover areas like consumer behavior, marketing, research, public relations, facility management, and finance. Through this comprehensive curriculum, students in this top sports management PhD program will be prepared to work in academia or research, or be successful as a top level sport administrator.

#9 – University of Connecticut-Storrs, Connecticut

Ph.d. in sport management.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 16:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $16,300/year in-state and $38,212/year out-of-state Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education Overall Graduation Rate: 84 percent Points: 4 The top sport management Ph.D. program at the University of Connecticut is a concentration within the Learning, Leadership, and Education Policy Program (LLEP). Students experience a mix of classroom, research and field experiences lead by expert level faculty with experience in the sport industry. Courses cover Organizational Theory in Sport, Organizational Behavior in Sport, and Research in Sport Management. Students can gain additional experience and training by applying for a limited number of assistantships within the department or in the Division of Athletics.

#8 – University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Massachusetts

Phd in sport management.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 17:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $14,014/year in-state and $29,529/year out-of-state Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education Overall Graduation Rate: 82 percent Points: 4 At the intersection of sport and business lies the top Doctorate in Sport Management from the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. This full-time, four-year residential program prepares students for a successful career in academia. Areas of study include sport marketing, sport law, sport finance, sport sociology, and sport economics. Students complete 48 credits of coursework, pass a qualifying and comprehensive exam, and teach for three years at Isenberg. During the last years in the program, students will research and complete a dissertation.

#7 – The Ohio State University-Columbus, Ohio

Phd in kinesiology, sport management.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 19:1 Average Net Price: $11,560/year in-state and $35,144/year out-of-state Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission Overall Graduation Rate: 86 percent Points: 4 The College of Education and Human Ecology at The Ohio State University features a Ph.D. in Kinesiology with a focus in sport management. This customized program includes one-on-one mentoring from faculty, contributing to the field through individual research, and engaging in unique professional development opportunities. Coursework covers areas like sports marketing, sport organization theory, business of college sport, and research methods.

#6 – University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Michigan

Student to Faculty Ratio: 11:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $23,890/year in-state and $48,204/year out-of-state Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission Overall Graduation Rate: 93 percent Points: 5 The School of Kinesiology at the University of Michigan features a Doctorate in Sport Management designed for educators, researchers, and sport management professionals. Students in this top sport management doctorate program contribute original research to the field through a dissertation project. To help offset the cost of tuition, UM offers financial assistance in the form of assistantships (both research and teaching) and fellowship opportunities. Sports management degree coursework covers areas like financial management for the sport industry, managing a professional sport franchise, and strategic management.

#5 – Florida State University-Tallahassee, Florida

Phd sport management.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 21:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $9,684/year in-state and $24,116/year out-of-state Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges Overall Graduation Rate: 83 percent Points: 5 The College of Education at Florida State University offers a top Ph.D. in Sport Management focused on four theme areas which include Legal and Policy Issues in Sport, Management in Sport, Sport Marketing, and Sport Media and Culture Studies. Students complete a seminar series, being immersed in current trends and research in each of the theme areas of the program. The curriculum includes extensive training in research, preparing students to become an active researcher. Students also gain valuable instructional experience by shadowing a faculty member to learn to teach undergraduate sport management courses.

#4 – Louisiana State University-Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Sport management ph.d..

Student to Faculty Ratio: 20:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $9,132/year Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges Overall Graduation Rate: 68 percent Points: 5 The School of Kinesiology at Louisiana State University features an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Sport Management which allows students to tailor the program to meet their professional interests. Students complete core courses, independent studies, and elective courses that cover a wide variety of sport management related concepts and issues. Faculty serve as mentors to help students reach their full potential in both research and academia.

#3 – Indiana University-Bloomington, Indiana

Sport management doctoral program.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 16:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $9,501/year in-state and $31,932/year out-of-state Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission Overall Graduation Rate: 79 percent Points: 5 The Doctorate in Sports Management program at Indiana University was designed to meet the demand for an increase in professors and researchers in the field. Students have the opportunity to explore individual areas of interest within sport management through elective coursework and seminars. Admission to the program is highly competitive. Future students should have a solid background and interest in research.

#2 – University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, Arkansas

Doctor of philosophy program in health, sport and exercise science, with a concentration in recreation and sport management.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 18:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $7,752/year in-state and $21,032/year out-of-state Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission Overall Graduation Rate: 66 percent Points: 5 Students with a passion for both recreation and sport management should explore the top Ph.D. in Sport Management from the University of Arkansas. The program features a concentration in Recreation and Sport Management that prepares students for careers in education, management, and research. This top sport management doctoral program is rich with experiential learning. Students complete independent research projects, internship experiences, conduct presentations, and publish their work in professional journals. To complete their degree, students must pass both oral and written examinations, a thesis, and a dissertation.

#1 – Texas A&M University-College Station, Texas

Ph.d. in kinesiology with an emphasis in sport management.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 20:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $6,677/year in-state and $18,700/year out-of-state Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges Overall Graduation Rate: 82 percent Points: 5 Texas A&M University offers our top choice for a Ph.D. in Sport Management. The Department of Health and Kinesiology has offered a leading sport management Ph.D. program for over 30 years. The curriculum follows four primary areas including scholarship of sport management, scholarship of theoretical specializations, methods of inquiry, and teaching and career preparation. Faculty are industry experts with experience working in marketing, finance, diversity, sport development, legal issues in sport, and leadership. Opportunities for professional development are available through the Center for Sport Management Research and Education and the Laboratory for Diversity in Sport.

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Sports Degrees » Sport Programs » Doctorate in Sports Degrees

Doctorate in Sports Degrees

A Doctorate, or PhD in Sports Management (or related field), can elevate your credentials and expertise in a specific area by showing completion of education at the highest level. While a PhD is a more rare degree program than an undergraduate or graduate one, there are still 50+ universities across the United States and beyond to choose from that offer a Doctorate in Sports Management, either as a stand-alone degree or as a specialization.

There are 26 different states in the U.S. that offer a PhD in a Sports Management related field. In this guide, you will find specific information on some of the top Doctor programs in Sports, both on campus and online.

Consider a sponsored online program currently accepting applications.

Click for more 100% online sports programs that are taking applications for 2024.

Sport Management as a Concentration at the Doctorate Degree Level

While a PhD in Sports Management alone is an option, like at Louisiana State University, another common setup you will see as you research programs is for Sports Management to be listed as a concentration underneath a broader PhD program umbrella.

At Ohio State University, the Doctorate degree offered is in Philosophy with a specialization in Sport Management. At Indiana University, the Doctorate degree listed is in Human Performance.

5 of the Top Online Doctorates in Sport Management Updated for 2024

#1 troy university, phd in sport management.

Troy's Ph.D. program in sport management was the first to be offered online in the country. This program focusing on enhancing your critical thinking and research-based skills required in the contemporary sport industry. Troy boasts a highly regarded faculty that includes the man referred to as the “Father of Modern Sport Management,” professor Packianathan Chelladurai. Website

#2 Concordia University

Tuition: $9,100.

Concordia is an interdisciplinary degree program designed for students who aim to pursue academic, clinical, leadership, or research roles in the fields of health promotion, exercise science, kinesiology, and human performance. An online degree with classes beginning every eight weeks, a tuition guarantee, and small class sizes provides maximum flexibility, even for the working professional. Website

#3 University of Houston

Phd in kinesiology.

UH focuses on four areas of kinesiology: motor behavior, exercise physiology, sport and fitness administration, and obesity studies. A unique guiding philosophy of this program is that students and advisors work closely together to develop a course of study that meets the student's professional goals. As part of the application process, prospective students are required to identify their field of study as well as potential professors with whom they share common scientific interests who will support their admission. Website

#4 East Tennessee State University

Doctor of education in global sport leadership.

ETSU's 60 credit Doctorate of Education in Global Sport Leadership is unique for two reasons. Though attained 100% online, this program has a requirement to attend an international sport event. This program does not have a traditional dissertation. Instead is a Doctoral Capstone Project, which provides the opportunity to display learning gained throughout the entire program into one, seamless project experience. Website

#5 Northcentral University

Phd. ed. in sport and athletic management.

Northcentral's Phd. Ed. in Sport and Athletic Management includes 20 courses with lectures that do not follow a strict class schedule and no group assignments giving a much more independent learning environment. The faculty is 100% educated at the doctoral level so you can be assured you are receiving instruction and advice from faculty who have been where you are. Website

View more featured 100% online sports degree programs that are taking applications for 2024.

12 Common Courses For Sports Management Doctorate Programs

It's helpful to have a clear understanding of what you want to do with your degree after successful completion in order to select a curriculum that best suits your career goals and aspirations. With this in mind, pay close attention to some of the example course offerings within each program overview. Does one sample of courses stick out to you as more closely aligned with your vision than another?

Introduction to Sport Management

Provides an overview of the basic organizational and business structure of the sport, fitness, and leisure industries. Areas of coverage include professional, Olympic, and intercollegiate, as well as the exercise/fitness promotion business sector. This course is intended to provide a foundation for upper level courses.

Organizational Behavior in Sport

Sport finance.

An introduction to the principles of finance and how they can be apply to the sports industry. Covers such issues as financial statements, time value of money, investment valuations, risk, and budget management. This is particularly crucial to facility and team management careers.

Sport Marketing

Applying fundamental concepts in marketing management to managerial decision making in the sport industry including customer acquisition and orientation, consumer (or fan) behavior analysis, market segmentation strategies, market research methods, brand management, and the marketing mix. Final projects in this class typically involve the development of a comprehensive strategic marketing plan as part of a team to simulate the corporate environment.

Sports & Media

Studies the relationships that exist between the media and sports in America, including the role newspapers, magazines, radio, and television play as commercial enterprises in the coverage and production of sporting events. Economic and legal issues as they pertain to the administration of sports programs are also of particular interest.

Society & Sport

Complex social issues are analyzed through the lens of sport, giving way to a thought-provoking understanding of the importance and value of different cultures within their greater communities. Cultural components are explored including gender, race, ethnicity, religion, and socioeconomic class. Sport is examined through the paradigm of different cultures within the U.S. and throughout the world.

Sport Psychology

Studies the behavioral, affective, and cognitive reactions to sport settings by athletes and fans. Also examines techniques and methods for reaching peak performance in athletes by using the context of applied, clinical, educational and experimental sport psychology.

Facility Management

Analyzes the process of designing, managing, and selecting sites for various sport facilities. Focuses on event planning and management for sport and special events and explores the beneficial economic impacts of sport facilities and events on cities and regions.

Sports Sponsorship & Promotions

Provides both a theoretical and applied understanding of the values and limits to sponsorship-linked marketing. Various areas of sponsorships exist including contract negotiations, branding, product placement, and advertising. This course takes an integrated marketing communications perspective and treats sponsorship as just one contributing factor to an overall communications strategy by a team or organization.

Sport Organization Strategy

Studying the links between the organization, its strategy and the overall environment. This class synthesizes core sports management theories and principles from core courses in the functional areas of marketing, management, sponsorship, and finance to provide a total enterprise perspective on strategy. Courses in strategy typically rely heavily on client-specific issues and case studies to achieve learning objectives.

Legal Issues in Sport

Course overview of legal aspects affecting sport, recreation, and fitness industries. Can include employment contracts, leases, waivers, tort liability for coaches, administrators, employees, and independent contractors; 14th Amendment Due Process and Equal Protection; product liability; and statutory regulation including Title IX, ADA, Anti-Trust, and IRS code.

Sports Economics & Public Policy

Course provides an introduction to the economics of sports and its incorporation of public policy. Much of modern sport is organized along commercial business lines and is subject both to the laws of economics but also the regulatory framework imposed upon it by local, state, and federal governments.

5 of the Top On-Campus Programs

#1 indiana university – doctor of human performance – sport management.

• Location – Bloomington, Indiana
• Annual Tuition Cost – In-State: $10,500 / Out-of-State: $30,600
• Program Overview – recommended for students looking to work in the academic field of sports management. 90 credits, 20-30 credits of dissertation work
• Courses Offered – Epidemiology, Foundations of Public Health, Statistics in Public Health, electives in a variety of areas such as Business and Communication

#2 Louisiana State University – Doctor of Sport Management

• Location – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Annual Tuition Cost – In-State: $12,500 / Out-of-State: $29,400
• Program Overview – with a strong focus on sport management courses, LSU’s program relies heavily on independent studies and mentorship. 77 credits, 9 credits of dissertation work
• Courses Offered – Administrative Problems in Kinesiology, Social Issues in Sport, Organizational Behavior in Sport, Facilities Management

#3 University of Connecticut – Doctor of Philosophy – Sports Management

• Location – Storrs Mansfield, Connecticut
• Per Credit Tuition Cost – In-State: $525 / Out-of-State: $1,300
• Program Overview – as part of UConn’s Department of Educational Leadership, this degree focuses more on the social justice and organizational changes within the arena of sports management through research and theory. 45 credits, 15 credits of dissertation work
• Courses Offered – Educational Policies and Procedures, Qualitative Methods, Current Research in Sport Management, Organizational Learning

#4 Florida State University – Doctor of Philosophy – Sport Management

• Location – Tallahassee, Florida
• Per Credit Tuition Cost – In-State: $480 / Out-of-State: $1,100
• Program Overview – very sports-focused with deep dives in the areas of business, management, marketing and sports research. 56 credits, 24 credits of dissertation work
• Courses Offered – Globalization, Sport Marketing, Sport Media Culture Studies, Sport Marketing, Management in Sport

#5 Ohio State University – Doctor of Kinesiology – Sport Management

• Location – Columbus, Ohio
• Annual Tuition Cost – In-State: $12,800 / Out-of-State: $37,300
• Program Overview – this degree program is comprehensive of the physical nature of sport and the body mixed with a comprehensive overview of the wider world of sport and its effect on human nature. 57 credits, 6 credits of dissertation work
• Courses Offered – Women in Sport History, Sport and Sexuality, Behavioral Methods, Advanced Physiology

Careers and Work Beyond your Doctorate

Now is a very exciting time to be educated and consequently working in sports. Sports is a global language understood and shared by so many people! Equally as wide and diverse are the many career path options available to you with completion of a post-graduate degree in the area of Sports Management. These are just a few areas to consider after successfully defending your dissertation, but the sky is the limit!

Corporate Careers

Sport organizations such as the United States Golf Association or the United States Tennis Association that oversee the growth and administration of their respective sports across the country at the elite amateur level require marketing professionals, tournament directors, sponsorship liaisons, rules officials, and sports information directors.

Professional Sports

Team management requires a lot of diverse backgrounds from facilities management to equipment experts to marketing and promotional specialists.

Collegiate Athletics

A degree in sport management can afford you opportunities either on or off university campuses. The National Collegiate Athletics Association has a centralized headquarters employing compliance directors, marketing managers, regional directors, and sport-specific and championship oversights. At the conference level, each individual conference (such as the American Athletic Conference, the Big 10, or the Southeastern Conference) has many of the same job titles as the NCAA headquarters but they operate to serve a smaller number of institutions and can therefore cater their attention to the specific needs of their member affiliates.

On-campus jobs can vary from the top down. There is typically one Vice President for Athletics with many Associate or Senior Athletics Directors under him or her who oversee different departments such as Athletic Training, Marketing and Communications, Compliance, etc. At the middle-management level sport management degrees can help you land jobs as a development officer, sports information director, compliance officer, or director of operations for one or more teams.

Coaching or Recruitment

Perhaps one of the most practical applications of an advanced degree in sport management is as a coach or recruitment specialist. There are several agencies here in the United States and also abroad that exist to help educate, promote, and secure scholarships for their perspective student-athlete clients. Coaching, of course, is the purest form of sport management! Engaging with student-athletes, developing their skills, and helping them to achieve success on and off the field of play while managing all of the behind-the-scenes administrative work like uniforms, equipment, travel, and budget are all skills that can be enhanced by a sports management degree.

Sports Degrees by Level

• Bachelors degrees in sports
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Sport Program Areas

• Athletic Administration Degrees
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Sport Industry

Campus: Columbus

College: Education and Human Ecology

Sport industry prepares students for supervisory, leadership and administrative positions in the sport and leisure industry and/or graduate programs in sport humanities, sport management and sport law. It combines social science and humanities disciplines to provide students with the needed theory and practice for entrance into the sport and leisure industry. 

The program informs students of the constantly changing themes, issues and practices that the industry confronts. Students comprehend the social, economic, political and legal issues that contour and shape the development of the industry. The major explores the connections of sport and exercise to the larger society, its historical settings and meanings, its ethical underpinnings, and its racial, gender and social class composition.

Get started

Upon admission to the university, students are enrolled into the College of Education and Human Ecology as a pre-major. After completion of the major admission requirements, students are automatically placed in the major. For major admission, students are required to complete 12 credit hours and attain a 2.75 GPA.

This program provides students with the theory and practice needed for entrance into the sport and leisure industry. Students take courses in legal aspects of sport and physical activity, organization and administration of public recreation, and sport and leisure service delivery and promotion.

Sample curriculum

Freshman Year:  History of Sport in 19th Century America    

Sophomore Year:  History of Sport in 20th Century America     The Sport Industry      Leadership and Programming in the Sports Industry     College Sports     Coaching the Young Athlete     Women’s Sport History    

Junior Year:  Sport Marketing and Promotion     Sport and Pop Culture     Legal Aspects of Sport     Sport and Social Values     Sport and Sexuality     Internship     

Senior Year:  Research: Sport Industry     Elective courses Group A option courses Group B option courses

Study abroad

Travel to Milan and Barcelona for an introduction to the European model of sport management, marketing and law. In this education abroad program, students gain an understanding of the changing context of sports in a global society. Find out more information at  ehe.osu.edu/international/osu-students/ehe-study-abroad-programs/ .

The Global Option in Education and Human Ecology  is an option for students in good academic standing on any Ohio State campus. In this program, students develop their ability to communicate with and work alongside individuals from other cultures through education abroad programs and globally themed course work.

Honors and Scholars

The College of Education and Human Ecology Honors Program offers students rigorous course work and opportunities to work closely with faculty to design and complete a research project. Students in this program also have access to smaller classes, priority scheduling and unique housing opportunities.

The Ohio State Scholars programs feature close-knit, residential communities for students who share common interests. Sport industry students may find the Sport and Wellness Scholars Program  to be a good fit with their interests.

Student organizations

The Sports and Society Initiative is an organization that provides people with opportunities to talk about contemporary issues in sports and how they relate to society. It also provides access to events and activities related to sports.

Possible careers

Careers include collegiate/professional sports marketing, entrepreneurship, fitness management, goods/services/sales and marketing, recreational sports, and entry level positions in sports organizations. Students also have the desire to pursue graduate opportunities such as business or law upon graduation from the sport industry program.

Salary estimates

On average, the starting salary for a sport industry graduate ranges from $20,000 to $40,000, depending on the student's career field. 

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Master of athletic training.

Preparing graduates to provide health care for sports, work and life

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The Division of Athletic Training at Ohio State's School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences has transitioned the Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training (BSAT) to a Master of Athletic Training (MAT) degree to prepare the next generation of athletic trainers in accordance with new national guideline requirements. The first MAT cohort began in Summer 2023.

Ohio State Athletic Training is a flagship program with a well-established international reputation for excellence. This is a program where everyone knows you by name and every instructor is invested in your personal and professional success. Our graduates' board exam performance at the BSAT level consistently places us in the top tier among programs nationally and there are few programs that can offer the variety and quality of opportunities that you will find here.

Admitted students will be expected to exemplify program pillars of oral and written communication, problem solving, and critical thinking. Integrated within the curriculum are the professional behaviors from the National Athletic Trainer's Association professional values, which promote clinicians who act with Integrity and are Caring, Compassionate, Competent, Respectful, and Accountable.

Join our legacy of excellence and leadership in the field as part of the Ohio State Buckeye Athletic Training family.  

Program Accreditation Information and Outcomes

Ohio State University's Master of Athletic Training is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), 2001 K Street NW, 3rd Floor North, Washington, DC 20006, phone: 512-733-9700 . Our substantive change Level of Degree Change request was approved July of 2023 for a 5-year accreditation period. Our next comprehensive accreditation review is slated for 2028-29. We are no longer accepting students into the CAATE accredited Bachelor of Science in athletic training program. The last undergraduate cohort is expected to graduate in May 2025. 

Ohio State's Athletic Training program information and outcomes are available on the CAATE website .

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Our mission is to provide exceptional entry-level graduate education that develops professional Athletic Trainers who can deliver outstanding patient centered care; develop as independent practitioners engaging in evidence-based decision making; and collaborate with various healthcare professionals to improve patient outcomes.

Our vision is to work as a team to prepare a diverse group of healthcare professionals who will advocate for inclusive health care and define the practice of Athletic Training through research, innovation, leadership, and service. 

Our values serve as a compass for our actions and describe how we conduct ourselves.

• LEADERSHIP – we work to create, share and realize a vision for the future
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• Successful completion of a capstone project: There are two master's degree program plans: thesis or non-thesis, both marking the culmination of the student’s learning and representing a substantial effort by the student.

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OHIO's Sports Administration Programs

Accredited sports administration programs designed to fit your life and career goals.

Ohio University is home to the world’s best programs for future leaders in sport. We have been leading in the world of sports business education for more than 50 years with more than 1,900 alumni working in every sector of sports business. We offer an in-person two year program in which students earn both an MBA and their Master of Sports Administration; a fully online, highly flexible Master of Athletic administration; and the nation’s No. 1 ranked Online Master of Sports Administration, which combines online courses with brief in-person residencies that help students build life-long connections in the industry. 

Choose the Right Sports Administration Program for You

Our range of Sports Admin degrees makes it easy to fit an advanced business degree into your life, ensuring you can meet your responsibilities while growing your career.

Master of Sports Administration (MSA) and MBA Dual Degree

This two-year program combines the rigor of OHIO’s One-Year MBA program with the top-ranked MSA program. Through classroom and practical learning experiences, students are prepared for leadership positions in the sports industry. OHIO’s approach allows for knowledge building in the classroom and application with live clients and with sports organizations.

Online Master of Sports Administration

OHIO's OMSA is designed for working sport professionals to advance their education without putting their career on hold. We offer several residency and experience options to ensure students have several opportunities to connect with alumni, faculty and other Sports Ad students during the program.

Online Master of Athletic Administration

Ohio University’s Master of Athletic Administration online (MAA) program specializes in developing professionals for careers in athletic administration, specifically as interscholastic athletic directors. You’ll learn to infuse your passion for serving student-athletes into a career in athletic administration, as our online courses for athletic administration show you how to build highly efficient and supportive athletic departments.

Compare OHIO's Sports Administration Programs

Explore our sports administration programs to determine which is right for you. Whether you're a recent college graduate or an experienced sports professional interested in professional, collegiate or interscholastic sports, you’ll find a program you need with our College of Business.

* Most students in the Dual MBA/MSA program accept graduate assistantships that go toward lowering tuition costs.

Earn the professional growth you deserve

With a degree in sports administration or athletic administration from Ohio University, you will not only have the new skills you need to lead in the world of sport – you’ll also join a Bobcat network that spans the globe with alumni working in countless organizations across professional, intercollegiate and interscholastic athletics as well as corporate sports organizations, sports media, and sports entertainment. 

More than 85 percent of our 1,400 graduates are employed in key positions across the sports industry.

In addition, our Business Academic Advising & Career Services  center offers a variety of expert, personalized career services specifically for business students and alumni. With OHIO's Career Acceleration Team (GradCAT), you will also have access to four months of support from a dedicated team that includes a personal career coach, a branding expert and a career concierge. Our alumni benefit from a proprietary technology platform and one free coaching session each year – for life.

Benefit from OHIO's Quality and Value

When you choose Ohio University, you're choosing a school that has been consistently recognized for providing a top-notch education, no matter the modality. Ohio University is consistently ranked in the top 2% of American public universities by U.S. News & World Report . Our PMSA and MBA/MSA Dual Degree have consistently been ranked the #1 online postgraduate sport business program in the world by SportBusiness Group.

Our Sports Administration programs are accredited by the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA), a specialized accrediting body that promotes and recognizes excellence in sport management education in colleges at the baccalaureate and graduate levels.

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Sport Management, Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology

Ohio State's PhD sport management program puts you in a position to become a leader in the field. You will have opportunities to customize your studies, master your research skills and get the encouragement to follow your passions, wherever they lie. This flexible program allows you to get involved with several types of research and get exposed to many different interdisciplinary areas at Ohio State. 

Program Features 

One-on-one, personalized support from internationally renowned faculty members, and guidance from those outside of sport management 

Create a big network of people inside and outside the university 

Inspire students through teaching 

Present at conferences and get recognized by experts when you publish in peer-reviewed journals 

Be completely immersed in a sports city 

Current Students Spotlight

Our students make essential contributions to the vibrant intellectual community of our program. Click below to learn more about some of our students’ interests and accomplishments.

Student profiles

Career Paths 

Funding Options 

Key to teaching, research and learning in the college, associateships provide students with professional experience and financial support. 

These financial awards are made by Ohio State to students based on academic merit through a university-wide competition. 

The college annually awards scholarships to its students to support their academic goals. 

Graduate program costs can depend on a variety of factors such as residency, number of credit hours, and number of semesters enrolled. The Graduate Admissions website provides an estimate of annual costs for Ohio residents, domestic non-residents, and international students. The Registrar’s Office provides more in-depth information about Tuition and Fees .

Degree Requirements

Prerequisites

Master’s degree. Test scores: GRE

Expected time to degree

Deadline to apply

for funding consideration; then rolling admissions until cohort filled

Applications for the next admissions cycle will open September 1

Program start

Autumn Semester 

View Sport Management (KINESIO-PH, PSN) Curriculum Sheet

Mode of Instruction

While some courses may be offered online, this degree requires in-person learning on the Columbus campus.

Prospective students are encouraged to complete an inquiry card so we can share information about virtual info sessions, opportunities to connect graduate students, program news and the admissions process.

Application checklist

View application checklist

Apply to Ohio State

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PhD Specialization in Organizational Behavior

The primary goal of the Management and Human Resources PhD program is to develop top-class researchers in the field of management, with specializations in the areas of entrepreneurship, human resource management, international business, organizational behavior and strategic management. The specialization in Organizational Behavior (OB) is devoted to understanding individuals and groups within an organizational context. OB focuses on attributes, processes, behaviors, and outcomes within and between individual, interpersonal, group, and organizational levels of analysis. Major topics include: Individual characteristics and processes (e.g., personality, motivation, emotions); Interpersonal processes (e.g., trust, social exchange, networks); Group/team characteristics and processes (e.g., diversity, cohesion, conflict); organizational processes and practices (e.g., leadership, work design, socialization); Contextual influences (e.g., culture, climate); and the influence of all of the above on individual, interpersonal, group, and organizational outcomes (e.g., performance, creativity, stress, turnover).

10 Reasons to Choose to Study at OSU

• High Productivity: Our program was ranked #4 in the 2021 TAMUGA management research productivity ranking ( http://www.tamugarankings.com/rankings/2021-2/ ).
• Strong Student-Faculty Ratio: Our PhD program, with 13 faculty members specializing in Organizational Behavior/Human Resources (OB/HR) and a selective cohort of 5-7 doctoral students, ensures personalized attention and mentorship. This structure offers students abundant opportunities to collaborate with a diverse faculty, each contributing unique expertise and skills.
• Benjamin Campbell, Associate Editor at Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal
• Tracy Dumas, Senior Editor at Organization Science
• Jia (Jasmine) Hu, Associate Editor at Journal of Applied Psychology
• Kaifeng Jiang, Associate Editor at Personnel Psychology
• Howard Klein, Editor-in-chief at Human Resource Management
• Tanya Menon, Associate Editor at Management Science
• Raymond Noe, Former Associate Editor at Journal of Organizational Behavior
• Bennett Tepper, Former Associate Editor at Academy of Management Journal
• Steffanie Wilk, Former Senior Editor at Organization Science
• Editorial Board Representation: Our OB/HR faculty members serve on the editorial boards of numerous top-tier outlets, including Academy of Management Journal (2 faculty), Journal of Applied Psychology (3 faculty), Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes (4 faculty), Personnel Psychology (2 faculty), and Journal of Management (4 faculty).
• Five of our esteemed faculty members - Jasmine Hu, Timothy Judge, Howard Klein, Raymond Noe, and Bennett Tepper - have been honored as Fellows of the Academy of Management and/or the Society for Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Each of these distinguished scholars has amassed nearly or over 10,000 citations on Google Scholar.
• Three of our faculty members - Timothy Judge, Howard Klein, and Raymond Noe - hold high rankings on the list of "Most-cited Authors in Popular Industrial-Organizational (I-O) Psychology Textbooks," as per the study by Aguinis et al., 2017.
• Jasmine Hu, Kaifeng Jiang, Timothy Judge, Raymond Noe, Bennet Tepper were recognized as “ World’s Top 2% of the most-cited scholars and scientists ” (2022) 
• Timothy Judge holds the distinction of being the most highly cited academic in the field of business and management among those whose first publication appeared between 1990 and 1999 according to a recent study by Dr. Harzing.
• Jasmine Hu, Timothy Judge, and Bennett Tepper have been recognized as among the most productive and most-cited leadership scholars, as noted in studies by Arici et al., 2021, and Zhao and Li, 2019.
• Our faculty have frequently earned prestigious recognitions such as the 'Best Paper' award (most recently won by Kathleen Keeler in Academy of Management Review in 2021), and the 'Best Reviewer' award (most recently bestowed upon Hun Lee in Journal of Applied Psychology in 2022).
• Our faculty have utilized their expertise to author textbooks in the OB/HR field (e.g., Timothy Judge and Raymond Noe).
• Two of our faculty members, Jasmine Hu and Robert Lount, have been recognized as "Best 40 Under 40 Business School Professors" by Poets and Quants.
• Successful Alumni: Our recent OB/HR alumni hold tenure-track positions at research-intensive institutions, including Sarah Doyle (University of Arizona), Hee Man Park (Penn State University), Seunghoo Chung (Hong Kong Polytechnic University), Carrie Zhang (Wayne State University), and Yuhan Zhan (Florida International University).
• The Fisher Leadership Initiative ( FLI ): With Tim Judge as the executive director, FLI provides additional resources and opportunities for conducting research.
• Networking Opportunities: Our faculty, highly esteemed and well-connected within the field, can assist students in expanding their professional networks. We organize social and professional gatherings on a regular basis.
• Vibrant Location: Columbus is frequently acclaimed as one of the most livable cities in the United States, particularly favored by Millennials and Young Professionals. It is celebrated for its diverse business landscape, dynamic neighborhoods, and an exciting fusion of arts, culture, and culinary delights  (Sources:  Far & Wide , Forbes , NYTimes ,  CommercialCafe ,  ExperienceColumbus ).
• Affordable Living and Strong Financial Support: Residing in Columbus is relatively cost-effective, with the cost of living being lower than the national average. OSU offers a competitive financial support package for PhD students. Furthermore, we have increased the PhD student stipend in 2023, further enhancing the financial benefits of our program.

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Public Policy and Management Doctor of Philosophy

The PhD in Public Policy and Management prepares individuals for university careers in teaching and research, and for research roles in government, nonprofit organizations, and other settings. The curriculum provides graduates with an ability to combine techniques and theory from several disciplines to address public sector problems and to advance knowledge of public policy and management through teaching and research.

For more information about the program, please visit the doctoral webpage on the John Glenn College of Public Affairs website.

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