Master's in Sports Industry Management
Curriculum

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Applied Curriculum Taught by the Industry’s Best

The Master’s in Sports Industry Management program from Georgetown University prepares students with strategic insight and practical industry knowledge through a robust curriculum taught by a faculty of active practitioners. This program molds graduates for leadership within the sports industry with courses focused on the practical application of the most in-demand skills in the business of sports, including analytics, critical thinking, ethics, research, global strategy, and innovation. 

With the flexibility to study online or on campus, you can pursue your degree full- or part-time and graduate in as little as two years.  

Program Formats

The Sports Industry Management program is available online and on campus. You can opt to take classes in either format or through a combination of both.

• On-Campus Format: In the on-campus format, classes are held at the same times every week at our Capitol Campus in the heart of DC. 
• Online Format: The online master’s has the same curriculum as the on-campus format and offers access to all of the same University resources. In this format, you’ll be able to watch lectures and complete assignments on your own schedule.

You’ll also have the flexibility to earn your degree at a pace that suits your schedule:

• Full-time students typically take 9 credits (3 courses) during the fall and spring semesters. 
• Part-time students typically take 3 to 6 credits (1 to 2 courses) during the fall and spring semesters.
• Although students are not required to take credits during the summer semester, they have the option of registering for one or more courses in order to continue their degree progress year-round.

Explore Sports Management Curriculum Focus Areas

The Sports Industry Management program offers four focus areas that enable you to tailor your studies and sharpen your expertise in a particular area of study:

• Social Responsibility and Activism in Sports: Sports have become social institutions with social responsibilities. Complexity surrounds topics such as gender, race, sexuality, hiring practices, and the commercialization of college athletics. Sports are also a universal language spoken around the world. A glue that brings society together in times of triumph and tragedy, sports empower people to think differently, work collaboratively, and confront adversity through perseverance. Anchor course is MPSM 5200: Social Responsibility and Globalization in Sports.
• Sports Marketing, Communications, and Media: Innovations in marketing, communications, and media have created an environment where information moves rapidly around the world and is consumed by millions within milliseconds. Therefore, graduate students need a conceptual, strategic, and technical understanding of topics such as sponsor solicitation, activation, ticket sales, branding, broadcasting, social media, digital marketing, licensing, and new endeavors in business development. Anchor course is MPSM 5300: Strategic Sports Marketing. 
• Sports Business and Analytics: Data drives business decisions. Graduate students need a comprehensive understanding of how analytics, economics, finance, marketing, and politics impact the development of sports. Whether it is measuring return on investment or analyzing the risk associated with a multi-million-dollar sponsorship opportunity, data fuels the business of sports. Anchor course is MPSM 7300: Sports Economics and Global Brand Management.
• Athletics and Administration: Professional sports are a multi-billion-dollar global industry with complex business models pertaining to media, collective bargaining, and mega events. The business landscape in college athletics is rapidly changing due to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), revenue sharing, governance, and the transfer portal. Graduate students need a thorough understanding of how to think and function as an enlightened leader in a challenging environment with time-sensitive deadlines. Anchor course is MPSM 7600: Intercollegiate Athletics Administration.

Connecting with the Industry

Internships are an integral part of the Sports Industry Management program, and we strongly encourage our students to take advantage of internships and externships to build their networks and gain real-world experience.

As a student, you'll be able to develop your skills through experiential opportunities with our program’s broad partner network, including:

The master’s in Sport Industry Management program is an institutional member of the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA). The program has achieved Candidacy Status with an approved outcomes assessment plan in anticipation of seeking full COSMA accreditation.

Courses

To earn the MPS in Sports Industry Management, you must successfully complete 10 courses (30 credits total), including those listed below. View the Course Schedule to learn which classes are available during the current and upcoming semesters.

Core courses (6 credits total):

• MPSM 5000: Applied Ethics in Sports
• MPSM 7990: Capstone

Four Foundation courses (12 credits total):

• MPSM 5100: Sports Leadership and Management
• MPSM 5400: Sports Business and Finance
• MPSM 5500: Sports Venue and Event Management (previously named Sports Event Planning and Facility Management – new course number)
• MPSM 5600: Sports, Law, Contracts, and Negotiations (new course number)

Four Elective courses (12 credits total):

Choose four courses from the following:

• MPSM 5200: Social Responsibility and Globalization in Sports
• MPSM 5300: Strategic Sports Marketing
• MPSM 6100: Sports Communications and Public Relations
• MPSM 6200: Sports Sales, Sponsorship, and Revenue Development
• MPSM 6300: Sports Digital Media and Consumer Engagement
• MPSM 6400: Sports Entrepreneurship
• MPSM 6500: The Business of Global Sporting Events
• MPSM 6600: Sports Analytics
• MPSM 6700: Sports Business Analytics
• MPSM 7300 : Sports Economics and Global Brand Management
• MPSM 7500: The Business of Sports Media
• MPSM 7600: Intercollegiate Athletics Administration
• MPSM 7700: Sports Activism and Social Justice
• MPSM 7951: Internship I
• MPSM 7952: Internship II
• MPSM 7953: Internship Lab
• MPSM 7962: The Business and Operations of the NCAA Basketball Tournament

For students who matriculated in the program prior to the Fall 2026 semester, below are the required foundation courses:

• MPSM 5100: Sports Leadership and Management
• MPSM 5200: Social Responsibility and Globalization in Sports
• MPSM 5300: Strategic Sports Marketing
• MPSM 5400: Sports Business and Finance

Accreditation

All programs offered by Georgetown University are accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.