How to Get an Online Associate’s Degree in Sports Management

Did you grow up admiring athletes and playing sports frequently yourself? If so, you can turn your interests into a great career. If you have always had an avid interest in sports and dreamt of managing big sports stars, then getting an associate’s degree in sports management may be right for you. While it is extremely competitive and quite a challenge, it can also be a fun and rewarding career for the right person. The best part is, you could be managing top athletes like Tiger Woods and make bank doing it!

Everything sound appealing so far? Well, that’s because a career in sports management is a very exciting and lucrative way to earn a living. A great way to get your foot in the door is to first earn your associate’s degree in the field. This way, you’ll gain the required knowledge to manage clients and be able to know what to expect.

The associate’s degree typically takes two years of full-time study to complete. However, if you choose to earn your credential online, you may be able to complete it earlier. Depending on how many classes you can take per quarter/semester, you may be able to finish a lot quicker.

Super busy but still want to make time for education? Earning your associate’s degree in sports management online could be a great option. Distance learning can work really well for those who are motivated and independent learners. It is important to make sure that the college you choose is accredited so that the credits you earn can be easily transferred to a four-year college should you decide to continue your education.

By virtually attending classes online, you will have access to all course materials and participate in class discussions just like you would normally in a traditional classroom setting. By pursuing your degree online, you would be able to log into the classroom portal from anywhere and anytime to complete required coursework and exams. Students can easily communicate with other students and their professors via chat platforms and email.

Common Associate’s in Sports Management Curriculum

The associate’s degree program in sports management is designed to give students specialized training that they will need to succeed as a sports manager. Some courses you can expect to take include but are not limited to:

  • Public relations
  • Event planning
  • Sports management
  • Sports marketing
  • Business law
  • Negotiating skills
  • Public speaking
  • Accounting
  • Business management
  • Psychology
  • Coaching fundamentals
  • Business ethics

The list goes on, but this one will give you a pretty good idea of what you can expect to learn at the associate’s level. Curriculum may slightly vary depending on the school you end up enrolling in.

In addition to taking these classes, students will also hone their communication skills and build their confidence. Both of these attributes are very essential in the industry. Sports managers need to feel comfortable pitching to people, negotiating salaries, and be resilient during tough situations. Since sports management is a fast-paced field, students will also learn how to work efficiently to get things done.

In addition to sports management related courses, you may also be required to take some electives and general education classes before graduating. These classes will help you develop a well-rounded foundation of knowledge that will be useful in understanding real-life situations and succeeding in your job in the future. Many of these general education course requirements can be waived if you took AP classes and passed their respective exams in high school. If this sounds like it might be you, we recommend checking with your college counselor to see which classes you might not have to retake.

Associate’s in Sports Management Careers

After getting your sports management associate’s degree, you most likely won’t be able to start managing huge athletes right away. Usually, sports management professionals work their way up into bigger management firms and positions. Getting an associate’s degree is a great start, but the more training you have, the better off you will be.

You might be wondering: What exactly do sports managers do? Simply put, they handle the business end of athletes’ careers while they are out hitting home runs, competing in the Masters, or winning Superbowls. With these intense responsibilities, it goes without saying that a good deal of training is required for anyone to succeed.

The salary range for students with a sports management associate’s degree sits anywhere from $35,000 to $75,000. Professionals can work their way up and if they are great at what they do, they can earn up to six figures! Salary can depend on a number of factors, such as where you are working, who you are managing, and whether or not you work on a commission. Because these factors vary greatly, the estimated salary range provided is merely for reference.

If you are interested in sports and are looking for a career that is exciting and well-paying, sports management is definitely one worthy of considering. By enrolling in an associate’s degree program, you can determine whether it is right for you, and learn the fundamentals. From there, you can decide to either get a four-year degree in sports management or go straight into working an entry-level job to gain experience. Both experience and education are crucial to success in this field.