Master of Science in Sport Management

Master of Science in Sport Management

The Master of Science in Sport Management (MSSM) prepares professionals for advanced careers in the sport industry by enhancing their critical thinking skills and exposing them to expert knowledge and research in the field of sport. The sport business industry is one of the largest, fastest-growing, and most popular industries in the United States. As a result, sport organizations are continually searching for tomorrow’s leaders with specialized training. The curriculum is designed to ensure students acquire management and leadership skills through a combination of required core courses, electives, research, and experiential components.

Students may choose to take their elective courses in sport security management:

Sport Security Management Courses

  • Introduction to Sport Security Management – Introduction to the nature and scope of sport security. Study of domestic and international threats, natural disasters, and crowd management operation issues in sport.
  • Threat and Risk Assessment of Sport Venues – An overview of Homeland Security threat and risk assessment methodology as it applies to sport event venues. Students will learn how to identify vulnerabilities, analyze and mitigate risk, and harden sport facility physical protection systems.
  • Sport Event Emergency Response Planning – An overview of emergency response and security plans for major sporting events, including crowd management, and consequence and crisis management.

The Master of Science in Sport Management program is available fully online, in the classroom, or in a combination of the two.

Graduate assistantships are competitive and waive up to the full cost of tuition for qualifying students. For more information about assistantships and other financial aid opportunities, visit www.usm.edu/graduate-school/funding-resources.

What classes will you take?

  • Policy and Governance in Sport – Study governing agency policy formation processes and administrative implementation in amateur and professional sports organizations.
  • Socio-Ethical Issues in Sport – Examine social issues such as gender, race and ethnicity, aggression, politics, religion, and class and social mobility within the context of the sport industry.
  • Sport Venue and Event Management – This course provides a practical background in all facets of managing a sports event and facility.
  • Sport Marketing and Public Relations – Learn tactics behind athletic promotion, fundraising, sponsorship, and marketing.

Where have MSSM graduates been employed?

  • NFL
  • NBA
  • MLB
  • NHL
  • NASCAR
  • MLS
  • NCAA
  • NAIA
  • AAU
  • PGA

What are the requirements?

All students in the major are required to complete SM 700 (three-credit hour practicum/internship), which provides hands-on professional field experience.


Application Deadlines

April 1: Summer admission and fall admission seeking a graduate assistantship

June 1: Final fall admission

November 1: Spring admission

Successfully advance your career by earning your MBA at Southern Miss!

The MBA program at Southern Miss is fully accredited by AACSB and ranked in the “Top 200 Best Part-Time MBA Programs” by U.S. News and World Report.