[Skip to Content]

Online Bachelor of Science in Sport Administration

The online Bachelor of Science in Sport Administration is designed for students looking to gain the leadership knowledge and skills needed to launch or enhance their sport business career.

Offered by the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Louisville, the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Sport Administration program leverages faculty expertise, hands-on industry experience and a career-focused curriculum to develop your understanding of sport management. Through courses covering topics including administration, finance, economics, marketing, and law, you will learn to think critically about current issues in the sport industry and modern methods of addressing such issues in your organization, local communities and around the world.

Academic Year Tuition

Tuition, Fees & Aid

Online BS in Sport Administration Highlights

  • Develop a comprehensive understanding of the sport administration and management field.
  • Learn from expert faculty with distinguished academic credentials and industry experience.
  • Customize your program to match your goals with flexible learning, personal attention and electives designed to match your interest.
  • Hear from guest lecturers with leadership experience within leading sport business organizations.
  • Take advantage of the flexibility and convenience of 100% online classes.

START YOUR APPLICATION     REQUEST INFORMATION


100% ONLINE COURSES

Complete your degree on your own time through fully online coursework and learning tools.

Learn More
120 CREDIT HOURS

This curriculum follows the standard requirements of the College of Education and Human Development.

Learn More
450+ NETWORK OF EMPLOYERS

Connect with experts, get involved and make a difference in sport management.

Online learning video - Online Bachelor of Science in Sport Administration

"Sport gives us the opportunity to come together, to share passions, to feel part of something bigger. We really focus at the bachelor's level on making our students work ready, so that you're developing skill sets that are going to help you get a job, be successful in those entry level positions, and then move on in your career."


MEG HANCOCK, PhD
SPORT ADMINISTRATION FACULTY


Online BS in Sport Administration Outcomes

The expertise you’ll develop as an online bachelor’s in sport administration student will enable you to become a capable administrator in sports business. You’ll develop a deeper understanding of management, leadership, ethics, communication, financial principles and best practices within the field. Specific expertise gained from the program will include:

  • Comprehensive understanding of the various management theories and research as well as their application to sport organization and administration
  • Awareness of potential legal duties and responsibilities, legal rights, liability prevention, alternatives to litigation and actions to pursue if involves in law
  • Methods to think critically and make informed decisions on critical issues faced by managers and administrators in the sport industry
  • Applications of key marketing concepts and strategies within the sport industry

Online BS in Sport Administration Career Options

Our program boasts a large network of employers (450+) who empower our students and alumni to get involved and make a difference in sport management. Career opportunities are available to Sport Administration graduates in fields such as:

  • Athlectics administration
  • Facility management
  • Fitness & wellness
  • Event management
  • Sport marketing
  • PR & communications
  • Ticketing & sales
  • Management and leadership
 

Professions for capable sports professionals are expected to see significant growth in the 2019-2029 decade. Careers in areas like administrative services and facilities managers are expected to grow 6% nationwide, which is faster than the average national occupation growth rate and have a median annual salary of $98,890.

START YOUR APPLICATION     REQUEST INFORMATION

Online BS in Sport Administration Application Deadlines


Preferred Application Deadline Term Start
August 1 Fall August
December 1 Spring January
April 1 Summer May/June

Note: We admit students on a rolling basis. The preferred deadlines help you complete the application process on time, be notified of acceptance and enroll before the term begins. We review applications as they become complete, and admit students for a specific term up to the day classes start. We recommend you work on and submit your complete application well in advance of the preferred deadline, as obtaining transcripts and other materials may take more time.


Online BS in Sport Administration Transfer Credit Pre-Evaluation

Complete a credit transfer pre-evaluation to get an idea of how many credits you'll be able to transfer in toward your UofL bachelor's degree. Per UofL's Transfer Credit Policy, students may transfer up to 60 hours from a community college and up to 90 hours from an accredited 4-year college. Visit our General Transfer Student page for more details.

Steps to Apply

  1. Complete online application
  2. Submit $30 application fee
  3. Check for Scholarships

START YOUR APPLICATION     REQUEST INFORMATION


Admissions Requirements

New and Transfer Students – less than 24 transferable credits from accredited institutions:

  • GPA of 2.5 or better (4.0 scale)
  • Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions (if applicable)
  • Final high school transcript
  • ACT or SAT score (optional)

Transfer Students – 24 or more transferable credits from accredited institutions

  • GPA of 2.25 or better (4.0) scale
  • Official transcripts from all previously attended institutions


Start Your Application

Online BS in Sport Administration Courses

The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Sport Administration is a 120 credit hour program, offered 100% online. Courses are asynchronous and follow UofL's standard term length.


BS Sport Administration Courses

Hours

General Education Requirements 31
College/School Requirements 3
HSS 181 Experience (Not required for students with 24 credit hours or more) 1
Select two (2) Physical Activity Courses (See list at the link under the table)* 2
BS Sport Administration Core 42
SPAD 281 Principles of Sport Administration 3
SPAD 284 Sport Leadership and Ethics 3
SPAD 345 Sport Communication 3
SPAD 383 Sport Marketing 3
SPAD 390 Sport Governance 3
SPAD 391 Sociology of Sport 3
SPAD 395 Sport Promotion and Sales 3
SPAD 401 Career Development in Sport Administration 3
SPAD 402 & 402 in Sport Administration – CUE, and Internship in Sport Administration – CUE (take course twice; this satisfies the Culminating Undergraduate Experience graduation requirement) 6
SPAD 404 Financial Principles of Sport 3
SPAD 484 Strategic Management in Sport 3
SPAD 489 Legal Aspects of Sport 3
SPAD 490 Senior Seminar in Sport Business 3
BS Sport Administration Electives (Select three of the following) 9
HSS 293 Social and Psychological Dimensions of Physical Activity - SB
SPAD 333 Field Experience in Sport Administration
SPAD 336 Digital Development & Technology in Sport
SPAD 342 Race and sport in the U.S. - SB, D1
SPAD 353 Sport and Film
SPAD 360 Administration of Intramural Activities
SPAD 405 Sport Facility Management
SPAD 437 Data and Analytics in Sport
SPAD 480 Athletics in Higher Education
SPAD 509 International Sport
SPAD 510 Entrepreneurship in Sport Business
SPAD 524 Management of Professional Baseball
SPAD 525 Sport Event Planning and Management
SPAD 529 Women and Sport
SPAD 536 Sport Administration in Nonprofit Organizations
SPAD 561 Special Topics in Sport Administration
SPAD 571 Sport for Development and Peace
Electives (Consult advisor) 35
Total Credits Required 120
*See the list of Physical Activity Courses in the course catalogue here.

Sport Administration Majors are strongly encouraged to complete a minor. Admitted students will work with their academic advisors to identify minors or other credentials available as part of the program.


START YOUR APPLICATION     REQUEST INFORMATION



Online BS in Sport Administration Course Descriptions

Online BS in Sport Administration Success Team




    Featured Faculty


    Online BS in Sport Administration FAQ


    • Can the entire degree be completed online?

      Yes. The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Sport Administration offers all of the required courses online.

    • Are there specific classes that must be completed first?

      Yes. The Sport Administration (SPAD) online program requires completion of SPAD 281 and SPAD 284 with a C or better for you to be admitted into the program.

    • Are there specific course prerequisites? Is there a specific course sequence?

      Yes. It is recommended that you meet with an advisor to determine the best course sequencing for online learning. Many of the BS classes are only offered online in the fall or spring, so it is crucial for online learners to follow the recommended course sequence.

    • Do I need a minor? Which minor should I choose? How will it benefit me?

      While a minor is not required for the bachelor’s in SPAD, it can be a great way to add an additional skillset or gain knowledge to advance the opportunities in a sport career.

    • How do I declare a minor? How and when does it show up on my transcript?

      You can declare a minor online through Education Advising/Student Services Office (EASS). Visit http://louisville.edu/education/advising to learn more.

    • What are upper division credits/courses? Do I have to complete a certain number of upper division hours? What classes do these need to be?

      Yes. An upper division (UD) course is a junior level or senior level course. These courses are the 300, 400 or 500 level courses. The University of Louisville requires that you complete 50 credit hours of upper division credit. There are 42 upper division credits in the SPAD core. The additional upper division classes may be taken in SPAD, in a minor or in another discipline at the University. Transfer credits can also count toward to total required UD credits when applicable.

    • What is the minimum GPA needed to enter the program? What is the GPA required to graduate?

      The minimum GPA required to declare as a SPAD major is 2.5. The requirement to graduate with a BS in Sport Administration is a 2.25 GPA.

    • How many electives do I need to complete? Which classes should I choose as these electives?

      You are required to complete a total of 47 elective credits. You can work with your advisor to find the best combination of electives. Our advisors are experienced at assisting students with the course selection of both the general electives and the specific program electives.

    • Are there any courses that I cannot take?

      No. There are no specific restrictions on taking classes, however there is no guarantee the classes taken will meet the degree requirements for the online BS in Sport Administration. It is always recommended that you follow the course recommendations or speak with an advisor about satisfaction of degree requirements.

    • How do I get my transferable credit evaluated? How will transfer courses show on my records? How can I see the classes that transferred and what requirements they meet?

      The Office of Transfer & Adult Services is available to assist with evaluating your transfer credits. Visit http://louisville.edu/admissions/apply/transfer/ to learn more about the transfer process.

    • How will I know I am taking the correct courses?

      Your academic advisor will help you navigate the curriculum and schedule. You will have an assigned advisor in the College of Education or in the Health & Sport Sciences Department to assist with courses and resources.

    • What is the expertise of the faculty who teach online classes?

      The SPAD faculty who teach online all have experience in the sport industry, have completed online teacher training and have expertise in the subject areas they teach.

    • What will I do if I need help with my coursework?

      You may contact your academic advisor for any coursework needs. Additionally, UofL offers a variety of resources for online learners, and support for a productive online learning experience. Visit http://louisville.edu/online/Student-Resources for more information.

    • How will I complete the required internship online?

      The internship requirement for SPAD students can be completed in any location at an approved sport organization internship site. You will work with the Internship Coordinator to find an appropriate internship location that meets your interest and career goals.