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About the BA in Sport Business Management Degree

Why Study Sport Business Management at Cedarville?

Cedarville’s distinctly Christian sport business management degree, offered by the Robert W. Plaster School of Business, will prepare you to pursue career opportunities across a wide spectrum of the sport industry. More than just preparing for a job, at Cedarville you will discover how to make a Gospel impact through your vocation, wherever God leads you.

The sport business management major prepares students by building on foundational business principles and making application directly to the sport industry. The curriculum is accredited through the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs and follows the guidelines of the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation.

This program is also offered as a minor.

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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.

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

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
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From Our Students:

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

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Photo of Alan Geist

Alan Geist, PhD

Associate Professor of Sport Business Management

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Photo of Chuck Hartman

Chuck Hartman, JD

Associate Professor of Business Law and Accounting

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