Sports Management Degree Programs in North Dakota

There are two accredited sports management degree programs in North Dakota available for students with a love of athletics. Lying on the frontiers of the Upper Midwest, North Dakota is America’s fourth least densely populated state with only around 739,490 residents. Even though the “Roughrider State” is best known for oil extraction, that’s not all booming in North Dakota’s diverse economy. Currently, North Dakota has the country’s lowest unemployment rate at 2.6 percent.


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In fact, this figure hasn’t reached five percent in nearly three decades! Sports management majors in North Dakota can find learning opportunities with the Bismarck Bobcats, Fargo-Moorhead Red Hawks, Minot Muskies, Dakota Wizards, and more. The North Dakota Fighting Hawks are also well-known for winning seven collegiate men’s hockey national championships. Don’t play games with your future; check out the following two top-notch sports management degrees available for North Dakotans.

North Dakota State University

Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences

Founded in 1890, North Dakota State University is a premier senior public land-grant research institution educating more than 14,500 students from its main 258-acre urban campus in Fargo within just five minutes from Moorhead, Minnesota. Forbes magazine has ranked Fargo as America’s fifth “Top College Towns for Jobs.” According to the U.S. News, NDSU is the 185th best university, 103rd top public school, and 147th best college for veterans nationwide. The Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences division offers five undergraduate and three master’s degrees for students pursuing careers promoting good overall wellness.

Sport Management Major

Leading to a Bachelor of Science degree, the Sport Management (SM) Major at NDSU is a four-year, full-time program preparing undergraduate students with the best practices for working in local, state, regional, national, or international sporting organizations. Students start their freshman year with pre-professional standing to complete the HNES core coursework. If a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 is achieved, professional standing will be granted. The major requires at least 42 credits, but students can add a 24-credit Business Administration Minor for better job prospects. Building on-the-job educational experience is key, so all students will complete a 400-hour summer internship before their senior year.

Accreditations

        • Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association (NCA)

Contact

1310 Centennial Blvd.
Fargo, ND 58102
(701) 231-7810
Thomas.Barnhart@ndsu.edu
https://www.ndsu.edu/hnes/sport_management/

University of Mary

Gary Tharaldson School of Business

Affiliated with the Order of Saint Benedict, the University of Mary is a private non-profit Roman Catholic liberal arts institution serving more than 3,200 students on its 124-acre rural campus overlooking Bismarck on the eastern banks of the Missouri River. Satellite locations are operated in six other states as well as abroad in Italy and Peru. With a low student-faculty ratio of 11:1, UMary was famously endorsed in the “Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College.” Backed by IACBE accreditation, the Gary Tharaldson School of Business uses experience-based curricula to produce ethical business leaders who positive contribute to society.

Bachelor of Science in Sport and Leisure Management

Following a traditional campus-based format, the four-year Bachelor of Science in Sport and Leisure Management program is designed for UMary students to build a foundation for obtaining managerial roles in the sports, athletics, recreation, or fitness industries. Rooted in Benedictine values, the curriculum is strongly based on team-based learning and practical work experiences. All students are required to complete at least 80 hours of field practicum and a culminating 400-hour internship. The 120-credit program strives to develop the skills students will need to be servant leaders in various facets of sport management, including ticket sales, marketing, event planning, athletic training, and journalism. It’s also possible to pursue a Sport and Leisure Management minor.

Accreditations

        • International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE)
        • Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association (NCA)

Contact

7500 University Drive
Bismarck, ND 58504
(701) 355-8030
enroll@umary.edu
http://www.umary.edu/academics/programs/sports-leisure-management.php

Whether you’re an athlete or avid fan, studying sports management will provide the unique opportunity to turn your love of the game into a satisfying career. It’s estimated that the spectator sports industry in the U.S. is worth over $485 billion. Investing in a sports management degree could pay off greatly with a lucrative salary. For instance, sports marketing managers earn a whopping average yearly wage of $137,400! Competition is just as strong in the job market as on the field though. Arm yourself with the knowledge and credentials you’ll need for career success by considering one of these accredited sports management degree programs in North Dakota.

Related Resources:

What Does A Sports Nutritionist Do?

Can I Earn a Specialized Sports Marketing Degree?

Do I Need a Degree in Sports Journalism to Become a Sports Journalist?