A Ph.D. in sports management is the highest level of education you can achieve in the field. By pursuing a sports management degree, students will be prepared for the most demanding jobs in sports. That includes careers as athletic directors, coaches of major athletic teams, and more. By completing sports management programs online, students can prepare for these careers while saving money on their education.
RANKING THE TOP PHD SPORTS MANAGEMENT ONLINE PROGRAMS
This article lists the best online doctorate in sports management degrees. All sports management PhD programs are accredited, with the exception of one newer college. And each of the schools has had its non-profit status verified. We’ve ordered the online PhD programs from highest to lowest score. These rankings are based on each program’s affordability. The tuition rates below are based on the current in-state graduate tuition for one year. Individual online sports management Ph.D. programs may have additional fees.
Featured Programs
Best Doctorate in Sport Management Online: Students Before Profits
| College | In-State Graduate Tuition | Score |
|---|---|---|
| University of North Carolina Greensboro | $5,219 | 100.00 |
| University of Idaho | $7,754 | 99.75 |
| Indiana State University | $7,776 | 99.50 |
| Troy University | $8,550 | 99.25 |
| University of Houston | $8,713 | 99.00 |
| East Tennessee State University | $8,784 | 98.75 |
| Concordia University Chicago | $9,090 | 98.50 |
| California University of Pennsylvania | $9,288 | 98.25 |
| Middle Tennessee State University | $9,396 | 98.00 |
| Ball State University | $9,482 | 97.75 |
| Grand Canyon University | $10,621 | 97.50 |
| University of Vermont | $12,294 | 97.25 |
| University of Medical Sciences Arizona | $14,310 | 97.00 |
| Saint Thomas University | $14,400 | 96.75 |
| Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions | $16,820 | 96.50 |
| Northcentral University | $16,881 | 96.25 |
| Temple University | $17,388 | 96.00 |
| Moravian University | $17,874 | 95.75 |
| United States Sports Academy | $19,440 | 95.50 |
| University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences | $25,598 | 95.25 |
| Drexel University | $36,234 | 95.00 |
#1. UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA GREENSBORO
ONLINE PHD SPORTS MANAGEMENT
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA
The University of North Carolina Greensboro offers a fully online Doctor of Education in Kinesiology. This online PhD is designed to be completed in four years. Students can complete nearly the entire PhD in sports management program remotely. A total of 64 credit hours are needed to complete this PhD program in sports. It is a four-year doctoral program with 42 hours of coursework and 12 hours of dissertation.
Some of the courses include:
- Online Pedagogy in Kinesiology and Related Professions
- Program Evaluation and Evidence-Based Practice in Physical Activity Programs
- Program Design in Kinesiology and Related Professions
- Physical Activity and Health
- Learning and Performance of Physical Skills
- Curriculum Development in Kinesiology
- Analysis of Teaching and Learning
- Sport-Based Youth Development
- Seminar: Social Psychology and Physical Activity
There are only three required campus visits. The purpose of them is to foster community and collaboration among cohorts in the sports management program. This remote online PhD is the first of its kind in the country.
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Tuition: $5,219
Score: 100.00
See Also: The Best Free Online Colleges
#2. UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO
ONLINE DOCTOR OF ATHLETIC TRAINING
MOSCOW, IDAHO
The University of Idaho has one of the best sport management doctoral programs online. It is an advanced academic doctoral degree in Athletic Training. This online Doctor of Athletic Training features a rigorous curriculum. However, it teaches students the latest skills and techniques to be effective athletic trainers. Students will study sports management online in the fall and spring semesters. Then, they will meet with their peers at the Idaho campus during the summer. This phd in sports management program is great for students who want to work in sports management or as athletic trainers.
This is a post-professional academic degree with a clinical focus. And the University offers hundreds of clinical immersion opportunities. Some of the courses in this online PhD program include:
- Professional and Post-Professional Education in Athletic Training
- Advances in Manual Therapy and Practice
- Research Methods & Evidence-Based Practice in Patient Care
- Action Research in Patient Care
- Holistic Foundations of Pain in Patient Care
- Designing and Conducting Applied Research in Patient Care
- Leadership and Mentoring in Athletic Training Clinical Practice
- Integrative Manual Therapy and Practice
- Integrative Patient Care for the Spine and Pelvic Girdle
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Tuition: $7,754
Score: 99.75
#3. INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY
ONLINE PHD IN SPORTS MANAGEMENT
TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA
Indiana State University offers an Online Doctorate in Athletic Training degree. It is the country’s first (and only) CAATE accredited DAT Program. It’s a 57-credit PhD in sports management online program. But, there is some hands-on instruction. Students must be on campus for four to five days each semester. And they must enroll full-time and complete the online PhD program within 24 months.
A few of the required courses in this program include:
- Integrative Health
- Outcome Assessment in Health Care
- Athletic Training Educator
- Administration of Health Care
- Clinical Experience in Athletic Training
- Manual Therapy
- Evidence-Based Preventative Interventions
- Underserved Populations and Emerging Settings
- Health Information Technology
- Innovations in Collaborative Health Care
- Applied Physiology for Patient Care
This online phd program is available for Canadian students also. If you apply from outside of Indiana, you will need to relocate to the state if you want to become a residential graduate assistant.
Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
Tuition: $7,776
Score: 99.50
Related: The Best Online Doctorate Programs
#4. TROY UNIVERSITY
ONLINE DOCTORATE IN SPORT MANAGEMENT
TROY, ALABAMA
This online PhD in sports is the first of its kind in the country. It’s a hybrid program where students participate both online and in person. Students will follow a curriculum designed to provide them with the knowledge to manage a team or franchise effectively. One of the primary purposes of this program is to learn sports management principles. These principles will prepare students for some of the complex issues facing sports management leaders today.
A few courses in this program include:
- Sports Finance
- Organizational Behavior and Leadership
- Legal Aspects of Sports
- Sports Management Pedagogy
- Research Methods I and II
- Applied Statistics in Sport Management
- Advanced Statistics in Sport Management
Full-time students may be able to graduate from this online PhD program within two years. However, the dissertation may require another year or two to complete. Students can expect this program to be heavily research-oriented. And there’s another perk of this program as well. Professor Packianathan Chelladurai is one of the key faculty members of this program. He is often regarded as the “Father of Modern Sport Management.”
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Tuition: $8,550
Score: 99.25
#5. UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON
ONLINE PHD SPORTS MANAGEMENT
HOUSTON, TEXAS
Students at the University of Houston can enroll in an Online Ph.D. in Kinesiology. This online doctorate of sports management features four areas of emphasis to choose from:
- Motor Behavior
- Exercise Physiology
- Sport and Fitness Administration
- Exercise Leadership
Students will work through a sports management curriculum designed to train them in one of these four areas. A total of 66 credit hours are needed to complete the program. And it typically takes six years or less to earn the degree. Some of the core requirements are:
- Scientific Inquiry in Health Professions
- Research Design and Methods
- Programming and Proposal Writing
- Candidacy Project
Students will work with their faculty advisors to devise a sports management curriculum for their emphasis area. The Doctor of Philosophy program prepares students with deep research and cognitive skills. By pursuing this Ph.D., students will gain a thorough understanding of their chosen field.
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Tuition: $8,713
Score: 99.00
See also: The Best Online Engineering PhD Programs in the Nation
#6. EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
ONLINE PHD SPORTS MANAGEMENT
JOHNSON CITY, TENNESSEE
East Tennessee State University offers an Online Doctorate of Education in Global Sport Leadership. This online doctorate is designed to train students with the skills needed to operate a team or franchise. A total of 60 credit hours are required to complete the program. It is designed for part-time students only and takes approximately three years to complete.
The program is online and asynchronous, so students learn on their own schedule. East Tennessee State University requires no dissertation for this online PhD program. And the only on-campus requirements are one 10-day field experience at East Tennessee State University in mid-May during years one and two. Some of the courses in the PhD in sports management program include:
- Leading internal and external Sport
- Strategic Planning and Thinking for Global Sport Leaders
- Interpersonal Relationship in Sport
- Interpreting and Applying Analytics in Sport
- Effect of Governing Bodies on Sport Leaders
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Tuition: $8,784
Score: 98.75
#7. CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO
ONLINE DOCTORATE IN SPORT MANAGEMENT
RIVER FOREST, ILLINOIS
Concordia University Chicago offers an online PhD in Leadership: Health & Human Performance degree. This online PhD in sports is built from the ground up. It teaches students the leadership skills needed to be an effective sports team or sports franchise manager. Some of the courses in the health and human performance specialization include:
- Cardiovascular Responses to Exercise
- Neuromuscular Responses to Exercise
- Advanced Exercise and Sports Nutrition
- Introduction to Grants
- Program Design in Physical Activity and Health
- Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
- Exercise Leadership
A total of 66 credit hours are needed to earn this online PhD in sports. Concordia University Chicago designed it the program for working adults. It features 100% online asynchronous classes so that you can learn at your own pace. Study anytime or anywhere.
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Tuition: $9,090
Score: 98.50
#8 CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
ONLINE DOCTORATE IN HEALTH SCIENCE AND EXERCISE LEADERSHIP
CALIFORNIA, PENNSYLVANIA
Next is a 100 percent remote PhD in sports management program offered by California University of Pennsylvania. This post-professional degree addresses a shift from treating disease to promoting wellness. The California University of Pennsylvania sports management doctoral program focuses on three specific trends:
- Health Science
- Exercise Science
- Wellness and Fitness
California University of Pennsylvania’s online doctorate degree is a two-year, 48-credit program. Some of the courses you’ll take include:
- Health Promotion and Wellness for the Individual
- Community and Corporate Wellness
- Research Methods in Exercise Science
- Leadership in Wellness Education and Professional Practice
- Values, Ethics, and the Promotion of Health and Wellness
- Advanced Instructional Technology in Evidence-Based Practice
- Theories and Foundations of Adult Learning
- Learning Concepts for the Adult Learner
- Curriculum and Course Design
Accreditation: Middle States Commission in Higher Education
Tuition: $9,288
Score: 98.25
#9. MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
ONLINE PHD SPORTS MANAGEMENT
MURFREESBORO, TENNESSEE
Middle Tennessee State University offers an online Doctorate in Human Performance degree. This online doctorate is for those who want to help athletes reach their fullest potential. This PhD in sports management is offered primarily online. But, it does require students to visit the MTSU campus to complete certain aspects. A total of 60 credit hours are needed to complete the degree program.
Some of the requirements include
- Research Practicum in Human Performance
- Professional Preparation in Human Performance
- Teaching Practicum in Human Performance
- Advanced-Data Analysis and Organization for Human Performance
The program offers specializations in health, exercise science, physical education, and leisure studies. It is typically for those with a master’s degree in sports management or one of these disciplines.
Some of the research currently underway at MTSU is life-changing. For example, in the exercise science lab, students are helping people with paralysis to walk again.
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Tuition: $9,396
Score: 98.00
#10. BALL STATE UNIVERSITY
ONLINE DOCTORATE IN SPORTS MANAGEMENT
MUNCIE, INDIANA
This online doctorate in sports management at Ball State University is offered as a Ph.D. in Bioenergetics. It is an excellent option for students pursuing research careers in exercise physiology or related fields. This is a rigorous online phd program that requires 90 credits. Thirty credits can be from a master’s degree in a related field.
Some of the coursework covers:
- Exercise Physiology
- Principles of Biochemistry
- Applied Physiology
- Molecular Biology With Laboratory
- Seminar in Exercise Science
This doctor of philosophy degree in sports management prepares students for careers in exercise physiology. It takes about three years from start to finish. You’ll learn how to deal with physiological and biochemical problems in exercise physiology. The program is a partnership with the school’s Department of Biology.
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Tuition: $9,482
Score: 97.75
#11. GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY
ONLINE DOCTORATE IN SPORTS MANAGEMENT
PHOENIX, ARIZONA
Grand Canyon University offers a unique sports psychology program. This PhD in sports management is an excellent option for students interested in the psychology behind sports performance. This online doctorate teaches skills needed to understand and motivate athletes. Through these concepts, graduates will be able to train athletes for success more effectively.
Some of the program’s courses include:
- The Literature Landscape: Psychology
- History and Systems of Psychology
- Psychoanalysis and Psychodynamic Theory
- Foundations of Research Design
- Behaviorism
- Foundations of Performance Psychology
- Humanistic, Transpersonal, and Existential Psychology
The online Ph.D. program requires a total of 60 credits. There are also two or three hands-on residencies during the program. These residencies allow you to work with faculty members and peers to help you network.
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
Tuition: $10,621
Score: 97.50
#12. THE UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT
ONLINE PHD SPORTS MANAGEMENT
BURLINGTON, VERMONT
The University of Vermont offers this Online PhD in Interprofessional Health Sciences degree. Students in this program can choose a concentration in rehabilitation and movement science (RMS). Through this program, students will be prepared to work with athletes. They can also choose from several areas of focus, including:
- Biomechanics
- Motor control
- Muscle physiology
- Exercise and physical activity
- Neurophysiology and neurorehabilitation
- Movement analysis
- Physiological biomarkers
- Imaging
- Outcome measure assessment
A total of 60 credit hours are needed to complete this online PhD. Most of the courses in this online degree are offered online. However, students may need to visit the University of Vermont to complete certain aspects of the program. Along with a research mentor, students can design their own sports management degree requirements within the concentration. In addition, three lab research rotations will need to take place in an approved laboratory.
Accreditation: New England Commission on Higher Education
Tuition: $12,294
Score: 97.25
See Also: The Best Online PhD Programs in Occupational Therapy
#13. UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES ARIZONA
ONLINE PHD IN SPORT MANAGEMENT
HONOLULU, HAWAII
The University of Medical Sciences Arizona is a newer college offering an online PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences. This PhD in sports management degree program focuses on the effects of disability. Students study impairments in performance and functional limitations. They will also examine interventions in physical environments. The program aims to ensure graduates increase the quality of life for people with disabilities.
Some of the courses in this program include:
- Biostatistics
- Outcome Measurements and Analysis
- Research Methods in Rehabilitation
- Information Systems in Healthcare
- Health and Wellness Theory and Practice
- Rehabilitation Science and Disability
- Psychosocial Impacts in Rehabilitation
- Pathophysiology and Disability
- Rehabilitation in Counseling
- Pathokinesiology and Impairments
- Concepts in Rehabilitation Sciences
- Cognitive Disabilities in Rehabilitation
- Functional Assessments and Outcome Measurements
- Neurophysiology and Impairment
This is a 72-credit program that takes four years to complete. One of those years is for a dissertation. This is an asynchronous program that is web-based and interactive. Students complete their coursework around their own schedules. Occasionally, synchronous meetings may be scheduled to foster collaboration between students and faculty.
Accreditation: UMSAz is a relatively new college that is currently seeking accreditation.
Tuition: $14,310
Score: 97.00
Related: The Best Online Kinesiology Programs
#14. ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY
ONLINE DOCTOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION IN SPORT MANAGEMENT
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA
Saint Thomas University offers a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Sports Administration. This online PhD is an excellent option for training as a business leader in sports. Students will learn various sports-related business practices.
A total of 60 credit hours are needed to complete this PhD in sports management degree if entering with a master’s degree. The school may accept an additional 15 master’s degree or post-graduate credits, depending on the circumstances. It takes about a year and a half to finish, not including your dissertation.
Courses in this program may include:
- Sports Media and Public Relations
- Sports Marketing and Promotions
- Sports Psychology
- Sports Financial Management
- Facility and Event Management
- Governance of Intercollegiate Athletics
- Brand Management
- Information Ethics
- Global Social Media Management
- Global Sport Leadership
- Entrepreneurship
- Leadership Theory and Practice
- Legal & Regulatory Aspects of Management
- Athletic Management
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Tuition: $14,400
Score: 96.75
You may also like: The Best PhD Business Administration Programs
#15. ROCKY MOUNTAIN UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS
PHD IN HEALTH SCIENCES ATHLETIC TRAINING
PROVO, UTAH
RMU offers an online Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences with an Athletic Training concentration. The program is primarily online, although students will need to complete five onsite visits throughout the program. This is a four-year terminal degree that allows students to work while earning a Ph.D.
Courses in the Athletic Training Concentration include:
- Evidence-based Advanced Therapeutic
- Preventative Measures
- Motor Control and Movement Analysis
- Connective Tissue and Injury Repair
- Extensive Therapeutic Exercise
- Athletic Training Seminar
Students will choose their own dissertation topic. And they will have access to more than 150 nationally known dissertation mentors. During the didactic phase of the program, students will prepare and publish a scholarly work. Students in this online PhD will also have the opportunity to earn SFMA and FMS Certifications.
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Tuition: $16,820
Score: 96.50
#16. NORTHCENTRAL UNIVERSITY
ONLINE PHD IN SPORT MANAGEMENT
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
North Central University offers an online Doctorate in Sport and Athletic Management degree. This is an excellent option for students who would like to work in leadership positions in a collegiate athletic environment. Courses in this online phd focus on several topics. These include the various financial, legal, and political concepts needed for a successful career in athletics. A total of 60 credit hours are required to complete the program.
Graduates of the Northcentral University online PhD will gain a deep understanding of various aspects of college athletics, including:
- Financial
- Legal
- Political
- Compliance
- Title IV
- Advisement Programs
- Athletic Management
The program combines health science, real-life practical applications, and research and science-based academics. This is a highly flexible and fully online program. Additionally, there are new start dates each week. And students can schedule their coursework around their professional and personal lives. There are no weekly assignments or scheduled classes. Plus, students receive one-on-one online mentoring from their professors.
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Tuition: $16,881
Score: 96.25
Related: Top 50 JD/MBA programs
#17. TEMPLE UNIVERSITY
ONLINE PHD IN SPORT MANAGEMENT
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
Temple University offers an excellent Online Doctor of Athletic Training degree. This online doctorate in management degree has a stipulation, though. Currently, it is for those who are already certified athletic trainers. Still, this PhD in sports management is perfect for students who want to become experts in sports management and athletic training. And it introduces all the relevant sports management concepts. No visits to the Temple University campus are required. Some courses include:
- Research Appraisal and Clinical Application
- Clinical Grand Rounds I: Lower Extremity
- Current and Emerging Issues in Public Health and Health Professions
- Clinical Grand Rounds II: Upper Extremity
- Evidence-Based Decision Making in Athletic Training
- Advanced Sport Concussion
- Leadership and Cultural Considerations in Athletic Training
- Rehabilitation Methods and Techniques for Sports-Related Injuries
- Advanced Topics in Athletic Training
Although the program is entirely online, courses are partially synchronistic. There is extensive student collaboration. You will attend live online sessions with your peers. And together, you will participate in many web-based activities. The program also involves faculty mentorships.
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Tuition: $17,388
Score: 96.00
#18. MORAVIAN COLLEGE
ONLINE DOCTOR OF ATHLETIC TRAINING
BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA
Students at Moravian University can enroll in an Online Doctor of Athletic Training. This is a two-year, six-semester program taught by national experts. Participants will develop advanced topics in sports medicine, including:
- Clinical Imaging in Sports Medicine
- Advanced Therapeutic Modalities
- Advanced Neurologic Evaluation & Treatment
- Leadership in Athletic Training
- Psychosocial Issues in Athletic Training
- Entrepreneurship in Sports Medicine
- Performing Arts Medicine
- Epidemiology & Informatics
- Evidence-Based Interventions for Spine, Upper, and Lower Extremities
Students in this doctoral program must attend two, week-long residencies each summer. You will gain hands-on training at the school’s Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Center. This state-of-the-art facility is 40,000 square feet and features the latest in sports medicine technology.
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Tuition: $17,874
Score: 95.75
#19. THE UNITED STATES SPORTS ACADEMY
ONLINE PHD SPORTS MANAGEMENT ONLINE
DAPHNE, ALABAMA
The United States Sports Academy offers an online Doctor of Education in Sports Management degree. This online doctorate of sports management degree is designed to provide students with the training needed for many careers in health science and the sports management industry. At the United States Sports Academy, students will learn how to succeed with skills and techniques integral to being an effective sports team leader. A total of 66 credit hours are needed to complete the United States Sports Academy program. The Sports Academy covers a tremendous amount of content. Here are just a few of the courses available:
- Structure and Function of the Olympic Games
- Ethics in Sports
- Combatting Corruption in Sports
- Psychology of Elite Performance
- Group Dynamics in Sports
- Advanced Coaching Theories
- Labor Relations in Sports
- Sports Marketing Research
- Financial Aspects of Sports
- Personnel Training and Development
- Facilities Planning in Sports
- Computer Analysis in Sports
- Research Statistics in Sports
- Sports Leadership Principles
- Legal Aspects of Sports
- Health Science
- Sports-Related Concussions
- Principles of Management in Sports Medicine
- Contemporary Issues in Health and Fitness
- Advanced Strength and Conditioning
Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools
Tuition: $19,440
Score: 95.50
#20. UNIVERSITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE FOR HEALTH SCIENCES
ONLINE DOCTORATE IN SPORT MANAGEMENT
ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences offers an Online Doctor of Education in Athletic Training. This online degree program is a specialization of the school’s EdD program. And it teaches students to work with athletes to reach their peak performance. Students enrolled in this online doctorate of sports management will develop a litany of skills–all of which will be useful for different sports management careers.
The core curriculum is research-intensive and includes courses in teaching methods. But for this specialization, students choose 12 credit hours from the following electives:
- Cultural Competency
- Psychosocial Strategies for Patient Care
- Concussion in Sports
- Advanced Topics: Ethics in Healthcare
- Evidence-Based Injury Prevention
A total of 60 credit hours are needed to complete the program of study. Students can complete the entire program in four years and eight months. However, you can work with your advisor on a plan to accelerate the program. Along with the online coursework, there are two on-campus residencies required. There are also some optional on-campus immersions. These give students to opportunity to connect with fellow students and faculty members at the college.
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Tuition: $25,598
Score: 95.25
#21. DREXEL UNIVERSITY
PHD IN HEALTH AND REHABILITATION SCIENCES
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
Drexel University offers a hybrid Online Ph.D. in Health Rehabilitation Sciences. Some coursework is completed independently online. However, students must attend in-person classes on two weekdays each week. A total of 60 credit hours are needed to complete this degree. Some of the requirements of this Drexel University online PhD in sports management include:
- Foundations in Research Methods
- Intermediate Biostatistics
- Health Professional Education
- Research Practicum
- Scientific Inquiry & Writing
Each student collaborates with a faculty advisor to design an individual study plan. The plan is based on common research interests. Students are encouraged to explore the school’s 9,000-square-foot research space. They can also take advantage of extensive community, academic, and clinic research partnerships. Depending on the research plan, on-site residency is highly flexible.
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Tuition: $36,234
Score: 95.00
More About Sport Management PhD Programs
Pursuing a Ph.D. in Sports Management (or any doctorate degree) is a big step. This degree is interdisciplinary and research-focused. And it can be quite academically challenging at times. Athletic training programs can even be physically demanding occasionally. Students can specialize in many areas within online phd programs. These include sports administration, sports law, sports finance, sports marketing, and more.
Online PhD programs typically take three or four years of part-time study. And generally, they require approximately 66 credits in coursework. Some online programs do not require a final dissertation. However, you will usually finish a dissertation and complete a comprehensive exam during your time at the university.
The residency requirements of an online PhD are typically minimal. Often, students will spend a week on campus a few times during the program. Usually, everyone meets with their instructors and cohorts in person. This allows for networking and research for the student’s dissertation. Plus, with sports management programs, getting at least some hands-on instruction is essential.
Most online PhD programs have at least some minimal residency requirements. So you’ll want to be sure you can attend before committing to a specific school.
Careers With an Online PhD in Sport Management
A PhD in sports management can lead to a variety of careers. And virtually any aspect of sports that requires leadership and management skills is wide open for sports management PhDs.
| Health Science Educator | Sports Marketing Coordinator | Global Sport Leadership Specialist | Health and Human Performance Specialist | Sports Management Arena Director | Organizational Management |
| Human Resource Management | Sports Event Coordinator | Athletic Director | Fitness Manager | Contract Negotiator | Sports Lawyer |
| Corporate Partnerships Manager | Business Development Coordinator | Athletic Development Specialist | Athletic Coach | Public Relations Manager | Sports Industry Entrepreneur |
How Much Does Someone with a PhD in Sports Management Make?
There is no universal salary scale for a doctorate in sports management. It varies based on geographic region, experience, and area of interest. However, salaries in athletic administration are generally higher than the average for similar graduates.
Sports management is a career that is snowballing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is exceptional job growth in the entertainment and sports industry. In fact, entertainment and sports occupations are expected to grow 22 percent through 2030.
Higher salaries are more realistic for students with an online PhD in sport management. Upper-level positions in sports management often command over $100,000 a year. So it’s safe to say that an online PhD in sports management is well worth it. It can help students pursue their dreams of making good money in a field they love.
See Also: The Best Online Master’s in Communications and Public Relations Programs
What Will You Study in an Online PhD in Sports?
The doctoral program emphasizes research within core areas of sport management. Each PhD in sports management is different. But online PhD in sport management programs typically teach leadership skills related to:
- Health Sciences
- Sports Marketing
- Exercise Science
- Global Sport Leadership
- Human Resources
- Sports Finances
- Human Resources
- Athletic Management
Admission to an Online PhD in Sport Management Program
Admissions requirements to online PhD in sports management programs will vary from college to college. Sometimes, you’ll need extensive education and experience in the sports industry. Many programs require candidates first to have a master’s degree in sports management or a related field.
Students will usually need to have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. In addition, the school will typically require official transcripts, a statement of intent, letters of reference, writing samples, and test scores.
How to Choose the Best Online PhD in Sport Management Program
Not all online PhD in sport management programs are the same. You’ve probably noticed that each of the online PhD programs on our list has a unique twist. Therefore, you’ll want to look for a PhD in sports management that most closely matches your interests and budget. For example, if you want to run an athletic training program, you’d look for a doctoral degree program with a focus on athletic administration, exercise leadership, or training for athletic directors.
Some programs focus on the business and entrepreneurial side of sports management. Others focus on the physical side. These schools teach things like rehabilitation, kinesiology, and injury prevention and treatment.
Some programs focus on the business and entrepreneurial side of sports management. Others focus on the physical side. These schools teach things like rehabilitation, kinesiology, and injury prevention and treatment. Many offer clinical practice at various sites around the country.
Many of the programs on our list allow students to tailor their own programs. Students can work with an academic advisor to design a personalized PhD in sport management program. Choose carefully and conduct plenty of research. There are enough online PhD in sport management programs out there to be picky about which doctoral degree program you attend.
Online PhD in Sport Management Program Coursework
This degree lets you study exercise physiology and management in one doctoral program. This makes the Ph.D. in sports management ideal for those passionate about sports. The programs typically take about three years to complete. Almost all students learn about biochemical and physiological problems in the field. These programs are often collaborative with the school’s Department of Biology. For example, students might study the impact of age on the body.
We’ve already listed some coursework for online PhD in sports programs. However, this brief list will give you an idea of what most of them have in common.
Typical Courses for an online PhD in sport management program:
- Leadership Theories and Practice
- Sports Psychology
- Quantitative Analysis
- Managing an Athletic Training Program
- Qualitative Research
- Statistics
- Organizational Change
- Performance Enhancement
- Psychomotor Performance
- Sports Economics and Finance
- Sports Marketing
- Sports Analytics
- Legal and Ethical Issues in Sports
- Event Management Principles
- Sustainability in Sports
- Nonprofit Management in Sports
- Sports Coaching and Leadership
- Athletic Management
- Sport Management Principles
- Human Resource Management
- Clinical Practice
You may also like: The Best Online Master’s in Sports Managers Degrees
Benefits of a PhD Sports Management Online Program
There are many benefits to earning your PhD in sports management online. In addition to obtaining a PhD, you’ll be well-prepared for the competitive job market in the field. Many employers are looking for qualified, experienced candidates. A PhD in sports management will set you apart from the rest. You’ll also be better positioned to land that dream job with a higher-level degree.
PhD in sports management programs are highly flexible. Most are designed for working professionals who already have home and work responsibilities. Many of the courses are asynchronous. This means you can do them online in your own time and work your studies around your existing schedule. Other PhD in sports management are more structured, requiring students to meet online simultaneously.
Online doctoral programs in sports management have other advantages too. For example, you’ll earn the same degree as students who take the program on campus. And in most cases, on-campus and online programs have the same instructors. The in-person and sports management doctoral programs online are identical.
At some colleges, you can choose an accelerated online PhD in sports degree program. These programs let you fast-track your sports management education. That way, you can complete the courses faster than the allotted time.
