Professional Preparation in Sport Management: An Empirical Study

Abstract

The current status of professional preparation programs in sport management was examined at 147 institutions. Specific courses, options, concentrations, and degree programs were reviewed at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Additional aspects which were identified were the administrative structure housing the sport management program, the philosophical emphasis of the program, and the employment and placement trends of sport management graduates. The findings of the study indicated that the sport management curricula varied widely from one institution to another. Implications of the results are discussed along with recommendations for future study and the promotion of sport management professional preparation programs.