Sport Administration (BS)

This program was approved for students entering the university in the Summer 2026-Spring 2027 catalog year. For more information about catalog year, go to Catalog Year Information.

Bachelor of Science in Sport Administration (SPADBS)
Unit: College of Education and Human Development
Department: Health & Sport Sciences (HSS)
Academic Plan Code(s): SPADBS, SPADBS_O

Program Information

This program can be completed 100% online.

Sport Administration (SPAD) is the business side of sport.

Sport managers work with all of the business aspects surrounding sport organizations and sporting events such as leadership, organizational behavior, marketing, finance, law, facility management, fundraising, event management, multimedia, sponsorships, and promotion.

The University of Louisville offers a Bachelor of Science in Sport Administration. The undergraduate program is designed to prepare students to enter careers in the sport industry. The SPAD program has a diverse student population representing a variety of geographical, cultural, educational, and professional backgrounds. Our students gain valuable experience working, interning, and volunteering on many significant service-learning projects for local and community agencies. We utilize many guest lecturers from sport business organizations each semester to speak with our students about how to excel as a business professional in the sport industry.

Degree Summary

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Some credit hours from the General Education Requirements may be satisfied by courses defined by the program, in which case additional electives will be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree. See the Degree Requirements tab for specific coursework.

Specific coursework information can be found on the Degree Requirements tab.

Soaring Scholar Program in Sport Administration

Sport Administration (SPAD) majors who are considering pursuing a master’s degree (MS) in SPAD can accelerate the process by applying 6 credits of undergraduate credit hours toward a master's degree. Undergraduate students interested in participating in an accelerated dual bachelors/master's degree offered through the university's Soaring Scholar Program (Accelerated BS to MS) must first meet with an HSS academic advisor and be accepted into the program. Once accepted, students will receive an official admission letter outlining program policies and details. Students accepted into the Accelerated BS/MS in SPAD can take six credits, two (2) graduate courses as an undergraduate that apply toward both the bachelor’s degree and master's degree. A Soaring Scholar student is considered an undergraduate student until their bachelor's degree is conferred.

Departmental Admission Requirements

See admissions requirements for the College of Education and Human Development at https://louisville.edu/admissions. 

Admission for the Soaring Scholar in Sport Administration

The Soaring Scholar program (Accelerated BS to MS) combines undergraduate and graduate education in a streamlined format, allowing students to earn a master's degree with just one additional year of study. This model supports students seeking to earn graduate level credit as an undergraduate student to help accelerate progress toward graduation. This program provides students the opportunity to complete six (6) credit hours of graduate level coursework as an undergraduate. Students  interested in the accelerated option are encouraged to apply during their junior year.

• A maximum of five students will be admitted to the program each year
• To be considered for admission, a 3.00 cumulative undergraduate GPA is required
• SPAD faculty will review applicants and approve/deny admission
• Undergraduate students accepted into the accelerated option will be allowed to take up to two MS courses (6 credit hours) during their senior year

General Education Requirements

All degrees require the completion of the University-wide General Education Program (link provided above).  Some General Education requirements may be met in the requirements for the major or supporting coursework, in which case additional electives may be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree.

College/School Requirements

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Not required for transfer students with 24 credit hours or more. Students who successfully complete a first year experience course through another college may waive this requirement.

Program/Major Requirements

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Consult advisor. Students who satisfy General Education Requirements by courses defined by the program will require additional electives to complete the minimum hours for the degree.

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SPAD majors are strongly encouraged to complete a minor.  Suggested minors include: Athletic Coaching, Exercise Physiology, Name Image and Likeness in Sport, Sport Media, Business Administration, Communication, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Equine Business, Finance, and Management.

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Please note that these courses have prerequisites which may not be listed in the courses above.

Degree Requirements: A minimum of 120 credit hours with an overall GPA of 2.25 is required including a minimum of 50 credit hours at the 300 level. SPAD and HSS courses used to meet requirements for the major must have a C- or higher.

Flight Plan

 Accelerated BS-MS in SPAD 

Choose two courses from the list below.  Only six hours can be used toward the SPAD Master's degree. These credits will replace six hours of general elective credits in the bachelor's degree in the traditional 4-year flight plan above, or SPAD 680 can replace SPAD 480 as one of the SPAD Elective requirements.

The Flight Plan outlined above is intended to demonstrate one possible path to completing the degree within four years.  Course selection and placement within the program may vary depending on course offerings and schedule, elective preferences, and other factors (study abroad, internship availability, etc.). Please consult your advisor for additional information about building a flight plan that works for you.

Degree Audit Report
Degree Audit reports illustrate how your completed courses fulfill the requirements of your academic plan, and which requirements are still outstanding. Degree audits also take transfer credits and test credits into account. "What-if" reports allow you to compare the courses you have completed in your current academic plan to the courses required in another academic plan.  Should you have questions about either report, please consult with your academic advisor.

To create these reports:

1. Log into your ULink account.
2. Click on the Academic Progress tile.
3. Select the appropriate report.
   1. To run a Degree Audit report, click on "View my Degree Audit."
   2. To create a What-if report, click on "What-if Advisement Report."

Click here to run a Degree Audit report or create a What-if report.

Soaring Scholar Program in Sport Administration

Sport Administration (SPAD) majors who are considering pursuing a master’s degree (MS) in SPAD can accelerate the process by applying 6 credits of undergraduate credit hours toward a master's degree. Undergraduate students interested in participating in an accelerated dual bachelors/master's degree offered through the university's Soaring Scholar Program (Accelerated BS to MS) must first meet with an HSS academic advisor and be accepted into the program. Once accepted, students will receive an official admission letter outlining program policies and details. Students accepted into the Accelerated BS/MS in SPAD can take six credits, two (2) graduate courses as an undergraduate that apply toward both the bachelor’s degree and master's degree. A Soaring Scholar student is considered an undergraduate student until their bachelor's degree is conferred.