Online Master’s in Sports Management Empowering Leadership and Innovation in the Business of Sports
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Degree Options
Online,* 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Next Start Dates: January 19, 2026 | March 23, 2026 | May 18, 2026
If you want a career that energizes you and connects with your love for sports, then this is the field for you. Whether you dream of working with avid sports fans or planning trips for traveling athletes, a sports administration master’s degree can help you get there.
Liberty University’s online Master of Science (MS) in Sports Management degrees are designed for sports enthusiasts like you who have a desire to lead athletes both on and off the field. Our sport management master’s programs can give you an edge as you pursue a career in the multi-billion-dollar sports industry.
If you’re wondering how long it takes to get a master’s in sports management, know that pursuing an online program can help you finish faster! In as little as 36 credit hours, you can complete your degree with Liberty and move from the crowd to the court. Partner with us as you turn your love for sports into an exciting career.
Your officially conferred degree name will be Master of Science (MS) in Sports Management.
*Some exclusions apply. Please refer to our exclusions page for more information.
The sports industry is constantly changing. Liberty University’s master’s in sports management degree can help you adapt to the developments and advances taking place in the fast-paced world of sports. By examining the background of sports, you will gain insight into the challenges and influences that helped shape the industry into what it is today.
Each online sports management class integrates biblical principles so you can gain a better understanding of the financial, ethical, legal, and social aspects related to the field from a Christian worldview. Liberty’s master’s in sports management degree is designed to help you succeed and exceed the set standards in the sports industry!
Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus ranked as Niche.com’s #2 Best College Campus in America for 2026
With our Master of Science in Sports Management, you have the flexibility to personalize your degree to your unique personal and professional goals with one of our specializations. Learn more about our thesis and non-thesis options below!
Our online Master of Science in Sports Management: Coaching and Athletic Administration (Thesis) will provide you with the opportunity to delve deeper into the complexities of high school, college, and university coaching and athletic administration.
With an integrated, practice-focused thesis project, you will be equipped with the tools and skills to effectively communicate as a leader and administrator in your field.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Our online Master of Science in Sports Management: Outdoor Adventure Sports (Thesis) will help you develop the management and adventure-based skills necessary for a successful career in outdoor recreation and adventure.
Whether your goal is to serve as a recreational leader or to share your passion with college students as a college professor, you will gain critical knowledge and skills through an integrated, practical thesis project in the business of outdoor adventure sport.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Our online Master of Science in Sport Management: Sport Administration (Thesis) will provide you with the management and leadership skills needed to develop and operate sports organizations and athletic programs.
With in-depth studies in a practice-focused, integrated thesis, you will have the opportunity to explore marketing and leadership skills that will be vital to your success in all areas of sports administration.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Our online Master of Science in Sports Management: Tourism (Thesis) will provide you with the opportunity to practice and learn about integral hospitality tools and skills essential to a career in tourism.
The thesis track guides you through a practice-focused study of the tourism industry to help you carve out your niche and distinguish yourself in the field.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Our online Master of Science in Sports Management: Coaching and Athletic Administration (Non-Thesis) will provide you with the opportunity to delve deeper into the complexities of high school, college, and university coaching and athletic administration.
Through this internship track, you will be equipped with the tools and hands-on skills you’ll need to effectively communicate as a leader and administrator in your field.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Our online Master of Science in Sports Management: General provides you with the solid foundation of our sports management program as well as the flexibility and freedom to select a large number of electives.
With no specific specialization, you can mix and match elective courses to create a personalized degree program that fits your passions.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Our online Master of Science in Sports Management: Outdoor Adventure Sports (Non-Thesis) will help you develop the management and adventure-based skills necessary for a successful career in outdoor recreation and adventure.
Whether your goal is to serve as a recreational leader, or you simply want to explore your love for the outdoors, you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary through in-depth study and a hands-on internship to excel in the business of outdoor adventure sport.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Our online Master of Science in Sports Management: Sports Administration (Non-Thesis) will provide you with the management and leadership skills needed to develop and operate sports organizations and athletic programs.
You will also have the opportunity to explore marketing and leadership skills with hands-on experience through a practical internship. The hands-on training you gain in this internship will be vital to your success in broadcasting and sports administration.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Our online Master of Science in Sports Management: Tourism (Non-Thesis) will provide you with the opportunity to practice and learn about integral hospitality tools and skills essential in a career in the tourism field of sports management.
This track includes a practical internship that will help you put your skills to the test in a hands-on environment.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.
| Graduate Full Time | $580/Credit |
|---|---|
| Graduate Part Time | $645/Credit |
| Military Graduate | $290/Credit |
These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
All Tuition & Fees
If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:
Please see the Online Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses Policy page for information about starting graduate courses while finishing your bachelor’s degree.
Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:
An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.
If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
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Who May Qualify?
Available Benefits:
*Not applicable to certificates.
These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Getting a master’s degree in sports management is definitely worth it if you want to work in the field of athletic administration. There are so many options available in the sports industry, so your career path really depends on your interests.
If you’re thinking about becoming a coach or scout, this program can help you prepare for growing positions in these areas – learn more.*
With a field full of promising job growth and high-income potential, sports management is a good career option for anyone passionate about athletes, sporting events, and, of course, game-day.
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, at Occupational Outlook Handbook, Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers (viewed online Apr. 11, 2024). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
With a Master’s in Sports Management, you can pursue a diverse range of careers within the sports industry, leveraging your advanced knowledge to make significant contributions in various settings. You might find yourself working behind the scenes in sports marketing, where you can develop strategies to enhance fan engagement and sponsorship opportunities. Alternatively, you could play a crucial role in sports event management, organizing and executing major sporting events, from logistics to operations.
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*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, non-degree-seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and certificate students.