MS in Sport Management – Sport Admin. (Thesis Track)
Bring More to a Field You Love with Liberty’s Sport Administration Master’s Degree
Pursuing a Master of Science (MS) in Sport Management – Sport Administration at Liberty University can open the door to deeper insight into the business side of the athletic world. If you’re passionate about sports and interested in leadership, planning, or coordination within athletic organizations, this program offers an opportunity to explore those interests in a meaningful way.
Through this degree, you can examine how sports programs are built and managed with a focus on ethical leadership and operational strategy. The curriculum is designed to help you explore how to manage teams, facilities, and departments while maintaining a strong foundation in integrity and professionalism. Liberty’s values-based approach encourages you to consider how you can serve as a positive influence within the sports industry.
As part of the program, you can work toward developing a strong professional skill set that can support future opportunities in sport administration. Courses are structured to give you a deeper understanding of how to oversee players, coaches, staff, finances, and athletic operations. Our experienced faculty bring both academic knowledge and practical insight, offering guidance as you explore potential roles in the field.
This degree is not only about advancing academically – it’s also about considering how sport can impact communities. With a focus on strategic leadership and ethical practice, Liberty’s MS in Sport Management – Sport Administration offers a path for you to engage with sports in a thoughtful and intentional way.
Credit Hours
View CoursesNext start date: Aug 18, 2025
COSMA Accredited
Highlights
Highlights of Our Sports Management – Sports Administration Degree
Enroll in an Accredited Sports Management Program
Our sports management programs are accredited by the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA). You can be confident that your sports management program is high-quality and academically rigorous.
Participate in Original Research Opportunities
In this sport management program, you will complete original research to culminate your program through the creation of a thesis project. This is an excellent opportunity for you to demonstrate mastery of the subject material you studied in your program.
Focused on Christian Values
All courses at Liberty University are taught from a Christian perspective to support our mission of Training Champions for Christ. You can practice and develop your faith both inside and outside the classroom.
Incredible Sports Programs on Campus
Liberty is home to 20 NCAA Division I athletic programs, 40+ club sports teams, and 20+ different intramural sports including basketball, volleyball, pickleball, flag football, and indoor and outdoor soccer.
You can leverage these opportunities to interact with student athletes and observe team dynamics.
State-of-the-Art School of Business Facilities
Our School of Business has its own 3-story, 78,000-square-foot building on campus that contains a 2,000-square-foot Entrepreneurship Center for Innovation; information technology labs and a networking and data center; a grand lobby and a 500-seat auditorium; innovative classrooms and meeting spaces; and a simulated stock trading room.
You can leverage these facilities to augment your education and become comfortable in high-caliber business settings.
Career Potential
What Can You Do with a Sports Administration Master’s Degree?
Liberty University’s Master of Science (MS) in Sport Management with a specialization in Sport Administration can help prepare you for the following occupations:
- Adventure sport administrator
- Athletic administrator
- Collegiate athletic administrator
- Event management and ticket operations manager
- Game day and event coordinator
- Professional sport manager
- Sport communication and public relations practitioner
- Sport marketer
#4 Best College Campus in America
At Liberty, you’ll find an affordable, high-quality education designed to help equip students like you for the real world. Our commitment to excellence has earned us recognition as the #4 Best College Campus in America by Niche.com.
Earning your degree from a nonprofit university with state-of-the-art resources like ours can help set you apart from your peers.
Courses
What Will You Study in a Master’s in Sport Administration?
Our Master’s in Sport Management with a sport administration specialization can help you develop management and leadership skills to create and operate sports organizations and athletic programs. Study how to effectively plan, fund, and operate successful sporting events. Your courses can also teach you to analyze management styles, principles of human resources, and corporate decision-making processes.
By pursuing the thesis track for the sports administration program, you’ll have courses dedicated to helping you complete a thesis proposal, research, and defense of your thesis. Your thesis content should culminate your program and directly relate to your sport administration focus.
With all of our sport management degrees, you’ll examine the implications of sports on communities, as well as society as a whole. As a nonprofit, Christian university, we integrate a faith-based approach to these issues, a specific course on ethics in sport, and sport ministry opportunities. Additionally, courses cover the legal and financial aspects of sport management.
Featured Sport Administration Courses
SMGT 501 – Social Issues in Sport Management
SMGT 631 – Sport Event and Facility Management
SMGT 632 – Sport Development and Sales
SMGT 633 – Management and Leadership in Sport Organizations
Degree Information
- This program falls under the School of Business
- Required thesis
- View the Degree Completion Plan
- Check out our course catalog
- Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
BENEFITS
Why Choose Liberty’s Sport Administration Master’s Degree?
Pursue a Degree That Can Help Equip Every Part of You
At Liberty, your success is more than a goal, it’s a mission. Our MS in Sport Administration blends academic excellence, hands-on training, and a strong foundation in biblical ethics to help prepare you for a career that makes a real impact. You’ll graduate with more than just credentials; you’ll carry a practical, spiritual, and professional foundation that prepares you to lead with purpose in the world of sports.
Apply What You Learn in World-Class Facilities
Your education shouldn’t be limited to the classroom. As a residential student, you’ll have access to Liberty’s cutting-edge athletic facilities – including our FBS football stadium, natatorium, and training spaces used by our 20 NCAA Division I and 40 club sports teams. These resources give you the chance to apply classroom concepts in real-world settings, helping you build a portfolio of experience that speaks for itself.
Study at a University Recognized for Excellence
Choosing Liberty means choosing a degree that’s respected across the industry. Our sport management programs are accredited by the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA), which reflects our commitment to meeting high academic and professional standards. With this credential on your résumé, you can stand out to employers nationwide and demonstrate that your education meets the highest expectations.
Graduate with Mentorship, Research, and Momentum
Throughout your program, you’ll be mentored by professors who don’t just teach, they care. Our faculty are invested in your personal, academic, and spiritual growth, and many are known for praying for their students by name. As part of your degree, you’ll also complete a thesis project, a valuable asset for future doctoral studies or publishing opportunities. It’s your chance to demonstrate thought leadership in your field and show employers you’re ready for what’s next.
Admissions
How Do You Become a Graduate Sports Management Student?
Every application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and all applicants must submit the following documents and meet the minimum requirements for admission:
- Admission application
- Official transcripts showing a regionally or nationally accredited bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA for admission in good standing
- Self-certification form (for students who are in the final term of their bachelor’s degree)
- Current Liberty undergraduate students seeking preliminary acceptance into a graduate program must complete a degree completion application through their ASIST account
Have Questions?
We’ll make sure you have the information you need to take your next step.