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About the BA in Sport Business Management Degree

Why Study Sport Business Management at Cedarville?

Prepare to excel in the dynamic sport industry with Cedarville's Christian sport business management degree, offered by the Robert W. Plaster School of Business. By gaining comprehensive skills and knowledge tailored to meet the demands of this field through a biblical worldview, you'll be prepared to thrive in various career paths. When you graduate, beyond being ready for a job, you'll also be ready to make a Gospel impact wherever God leads you.

The sport business management major builds on foundational business principles directly related to the sport industry. Your curriculum, accredited through the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs and adhering to the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation guidelines, will thoroughly equip you for a successful career in sport business management.

If you're interested in this field as a secondary focus, consider Cedarville's sport business management minor. This program complements any major, allowing you to develop a solid foundation in sport business management and preparing you well for a career in sports.

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What Sets Cedarville Apart?

Program Overview

Program Highlights

Christian Worldview — Our sport-specific courses utilize current topics in the industry to create projects and scenarios with real-life application from a Christian worldview. Specifically, the program focuses on biblical leadership principles like servant leadership and excellence in the sport industry.

Joint Business Focus — The sport business management program at Cedarville University distinguishes itself by being a part of the Plaster School of Business. This uncommon characteristic of sport management allows our students to immerse themselves in business principles and work with other students in traditional business functions. This replicates many real-world scenarios in the sport industry.

Practical Experiences — Our program requires 8–15 credit hours of practical experiences and internships. This mandates that students leave the classroom and begin utilizing their skills and generating important networking opportunities. This growing network of students also becomes a valuable resource for future students coming through the program.

Placement Success

We’re proud of our successful graduates! 100% of recent graduates from the Robert W. Plaster School of Business were employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation. Check out Cedarville's other placement rates.

Cedarville's Placement Rates

What Can You Do With a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sport Business Management?

What can you do with a sports management degree? Your bachelor’s in sport business management from Cedarville will prepare you for a variety of careers. Graduates may pursue entry-level positions in sales, marketing, communications, promotions, management, private and public recreation, event and facilities management, or other areas. Our students typically pursue jobs in collegiate, professional, or participatory sports in the following areas:

  • Event management
  • Sales
  • Facility management
  • Governing bodies
  • Marketing and promotions
  • Recreation
  • Sport-based ministries
  • Sport commissions

Graduate and professional programs and employers welcome Cedarville University graduates each year. It is important to note that some professional career fields you may pursue require additional education, experience, and/or licensure beyond the completion of your Cedarville University undergraduate degree.

Opportunities to Learn Outside the Classroom

Internships — Internships give our students real-world experience in sport business management. Our students have been placed in internships at organizations such as:

  • Dayton Dragons
  • Cleveland Browns
  • Columbus Blue Jackets
  • The Memorial
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Quint Events
  • Chicago Fire
  • Legends Facility Management
  • MAPFRE Stadium
  • Athletes in Action
  • Philadelphia Phillies
  • A variety of intercollegiate athletic departments, such as Ohio Christian University
  • A variety of recreational settings, such as the Greater Dayton YMCA

Student Organizations — You can choose to participate in business-related student organizations:

  • Sport Management Organization (SMO) — SMO provides opportunities for networking and practical experiences to help you pursue professional careers within the sport industry and/or be more prepared for further academic pursuits.
  • Student Leadership Team (SLT) — The SLT serves the Robert W. Plaster School of Business by building community among students and faculty, fostering relationships, and planning and executing events and programs.
  • Women in Business — Women in Business is an organization dedicated to helping women in professions learn more about reaching goals in careers, at home, and in service.

Program Curriculum

Building on your core liberal arts and Bible minor courses, you will take many foundational business courses such as Accounting, Essentials of Economics, Principles of Marketing, and Business Communication. There are also foundational sport-specific courses that provide a framework for the industry, such as Introduction to Sport Management and Sport in Society. As you progress through the program, sport management courses will build upon foundational business classes.

Sample courses:

  • Event Planning and Production
  • Financing Sport Operations

Start Your Degree in High School!

Save time and money in college by taking dual enrollment courses now. Discover how you can complete your business degree up to a year early with the Dual Enrollment Pathway to Business.

Explore the Dual Enrollment Pathway

Program Format and Related Programs

Cedarville offers both graduate and undergraduate programs, with flexible completion options. You may also want to consider these related programs as you consider the degree or program that is a best fit for you.

Program Level and Format

  • Undergraduate
  • Residential
  • 4-Year
Small group of students gathered at table with laptops and notebooks.

From Our Students:

  • The Robert W. Plaster School of Business has taught me so much about the business world and how to incorporate my biblical beliefs into my future career. There have been quite a few opportunities for me to apply this learning to a real-world scenario, especially during my time in the IBC. The professors have encouraged me in many ways, from allowing me to ask questions to planning my future after Cedarville.
    Sarah Baab '23
    Sarah Baab
Job and Grad School Placement

Program Faculty

Photo of Andrew Wonders

Andrew Wonders, MS

Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs, Robert W. Plaster School of Business; Assistant Professor of Sport Business Management

Contact

Photo of Alan Geist

Alan Geist, PhD

Associate Professor of Sport Business Management

Contact

Robert W. Plaster School of Business

Program News

  • Entrepreneurship for Gods Glory 1920

    Entrepreneurship for God’s Glory

    Learning from failure and continually seeking to improve reflects our spiritual journey and sanctification, our constant striving to be more like our God.
  • Dallas Jenkins Speaking 1920

    IMPACT Conference 2024 Combines Business Excellence With Gospel Purpose

    Business leaders face tremendous pressure to compromise their values while pursuing business aspirations. According to the 2020 Ethics & Compliance Initiative (ECI) Global Business Ethics Survey, 30% of employees feel pressure to compromise their values to meet business objectives. The Robert W. Plaster School of Business seeks to blends Christian values with professional vision to revolutionize how leaders view their work.