Sport Management, Bachelor's , Minor

At DeSales, we not only look at your past academic achievement but also your potential for future growth to determine your admission.

We find that students who have demonstrated significant achievement within a demanding curriculum are best suited for academic life at DeSales. Quality of academic performance plays a critical role in the admissions decision making process. This helps indicate a student's potential for academic growth going forward. DeSales University welcomes applications from all qualified students regardless of race, religion, sex, national, or ethnic origin.

Application Checklist

• Application Fee: None
• Transcripts: Official High School Transcript
• Standardized Tests: This program is SAT optional.
• Recommendations: Completed Guidance Counselor Form and Teacher Recommendation Form

All materials can be mailed to:
DeSales University Admissions Office
2755 Station Ave.
Center Valley, PA 

Additional recommendations

High School Academics - Remember, there is no single preferred high school academic program, but a college preparatory course of study is highly recommended. Here's an example:

• Four years of English
• Three or four years of college preparatory mathematics
• A minimum of two years of modern, foreign, or classical language
• At least two laboratory science courses

Visiting DeSales - A personal, on-campus interview is strongly recommended, but is not required. We encourage you to visit so that you'll have a chance to learn more about DeSales, and we'll have the opportunity to learn more about you, too.

Learn more about Undergraduate Admissions & Aid 

Major specific classes include:

• Introduction to Sport Management
• Sport Management and Leadership
• Facility Planning and Event Management
• Data-Driven Decision-Making
• Sport Marketing and Promotions
• Sport Finance and Economics
• Sport Sales
• Legal Issues in Sport
• Sport Administration

The Sport Management program also requires a 12-credit internship. Students will work with their advisors to plan internship opportunities either during a semester or over summer break.

Three pre-professional tracks are available to Sport Management majors, including an Athletic Administration track and an Athletic Communications track, which are both aimed to serve students interested in careers at the high school and collegiate levels of sport. Additionally, a Coaching track is offered for the many students with an interest in pursuing coaching at all levels upon graduation.

At DeSales, you'll learn from experienced faculty who have industry experience in a variety of organizations. Faculty bring real-life examples and innovative teaching techniques to create an exciting, hands-on learning environment.

The DeSales University Gambet Center includes state-of-the-art technology and equipment for Business education.

The second floor of the Center is home to the undergraduate business division and the MBA program. Through the Gambet Center, you'll have access to some of the most cutting-edge technologies and softwares, such as Financial Trading Systems (FTS): 

• The Fainor Center for Financial Services boasts a live-ticker and trading simulation software.
• The Center for Data Analytics and Applied AI provides education and training, inclusive outreach, and applied projects for our stakeholder organizations.

The Gambet Center is a showcase of green architecture featuring environmentally advanced design consistent with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification standards of the U.S. Green Building Council.

In addition to rigorous classroom instruction, you will also learn through hands-on experiences through internships. Experiential learning is a way for you to apply what you have learned, grow your skills, and make connections in your field.

Every Sport Management student will take part in a required 12-credit internship. Several classes also have industry hours and class projects with industry partners embedded into the curriculum.

Common job titles for Sport Management graduates includes such positions as:

• Athletic Director
• Brand Manager
• Community Relations Coordinator
• Corporate Sales
• Digital Media Manager
• Director of Facilities  
• Parks and Recreation Director
• Sport Information Director
• Team Operations Coordinator
• Ticket Sales

DeSales can help make your college expenses affordable through a combination of grants, loans, student employment, and scholarship resources.

View a comprehensive list of financial aid forms and undergraduate program information sheets

Cost of attendance for undergrads for 2023-2024

Resident Students

Direct Costs
Tuition - $43,000
Room and Board - $13,800
Mandatory Fees - $1,800
One-time Orientation Fee for First-Year students and Transfers - $200
Total = $58,800 (including first-year/transfer fees)

Estimated Indirect Costs
Books/Supplies - $1,711
Personal Expenses - $4,605
Total cost for resident students: $65,116

Commuter Students

Direct Costs
Tuition - $43,000
Mandatory Fees - $1,400
One-time Orientation Fee for First-Year students and Transfers - $200
Total = $44,600 (including first-year/transfer fees)

Estimated Indirect Costs
Books/Supplies - $1,711
Personal Expenses - $4,605
Transportation Costs - $1,908
Living Expenses - $2,298
Total cost for commuter students: $55,122

Off-Campus*

Direct Costs
Tuition - $43,000
Mandatory Fees - $1,400
One-time Orientation Fee for First-Year students and Transfers - $200
Total = $44,600 (including first-year/transfer fees)

Estimated Indirect Costs
Books/Supplies - $1,711
Personal Expenses - $4,605
Transportation Costs - $1,908
Living Expenses - $9,192
Total cost for off-campus students: $62,016
*First-year students are required to reside on campus or commute from home.

Parking Fee - $100

View a comprehensive list of financial aid forms and undergraduate program information sheets

Dual Degree Undergraduate-to-Graduate Programs

If you are enrolled in an undergraduate-to-graduate degree program — for example a 5-year, 3+2, 3+3, program — the undergraduate tuition and fees apply only to the undergraduate portion of the program. As you progress into the graduate phase of your program, graduate tuition and fees apply. Please see your respective graduate program for more information. 

Whether you envision yourself coaching from the sidelines, broadcasting from the booth, or making tough decisions in the office, a Sport Management degree can help you get there.

At DeSales, you'll have the opportunity to choose an area of focus within the Sport Management major.

Athletic Administration Track

The Athletic Administration track not only teaches you the rules of the game, but will also give you the tools you need to win in the office.

The Athletic Administration track includes the following courses:

• SS335 Principles of Coaching
• SS343 Governance of Sport
• SS440 Current Issues in Sport Management
• MG305 Human Resource Management OR
  MG201 Principles of Management

Athletic Communications Track

The Athletic Communications track gives you the fundamentals, but also teaches you to talk the talk.

The Athletic Communications track includes the following courses:

• SS342 Sport and Media Relations
• CS265 Web Page Design
• CS340 Digital Art I
• TV225 Basic Production and Operations
• TV230 Introduction to Radio

Coaching Track

Control the game from the sidelines with the tools you learn in the Coaching track. You'll learn how to keep your game in top shape, as well as your athletes.

The Coaching track includes the following courses:

• SS335 Principles of Coaching
• SS343 Governance of Sport
• SX249 Nutrition in Human Activity
• SX265 Introduction to Sport Science

BS to MBA Option

The BS to MBA in Sport Management can be completed in five years with the addition of three (3) MBA courses, and two (2) 3-credit internship experiences, or one (1) 6-credit internship experience. Specific courses may be selected with consultation from your academic advisor. 

In addition, the Sport Management faculty strongly recommend that students complete an additional 6-credit internship experience for a total of 12 credits.