If your calling leads you to the world of sports, a Bachelor of Science degree in sport administration will prepare you for leadership at almost any level of the industry. But at Samford University, it’s so much more than that.
In addition to giving you the knowledge and experience you need to excel on the business side of sports, we see the degree as a kingdom calling—an opportunity to serve as a Gospel witness in the sports world. We prepare students for sport industry leadership positions in: intercollegiate athletic administration, professional sports, facility and event operations, marketing and public relations, law, interscholastic athletic administration, sport business and related fields. Every course is grounded in leadership skills such as punctuality, problem solving, professional speaking and intentionality, and the heartbeat of the program is to teach students how to use their leadership positions as platforms to share the Gospel with others.
Why Samford?
There are a number of excellent reasons to choose Samford University’s sport administration program, including:
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Low student-to-teacher ratio in the classroom
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Highly educated and experienced faculty
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Participation in professional internships in a variety of sport industry experiences with valuable networking opportunities for future career pursuits
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Curriculum includes multiple active learning activities, including online sport blogs, service learning opportunities and on-site sport venue presentations
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Multiple opportunities to attend expert panels and guest lectures
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Elective hours provided to allow you to tailor your plan of study to meet your professional goals
Admission Requirements
Prospective students must receive admission to Samford University and have a minimum GPA of 2.5 to declare the major.
Students and applicants with disabilities who seek accommodations must make a request by contacting the Section 504/Disability Access and Accommodation Coordinator, 205-726-4078 or disability@samford.edu.
Outcomes
Our graduates are trained proficiently in the necessary business and leadership skills of the sport industry to be effectively prepared – all for God's glory – to work in intercollegiate athletic administration, professional sport business settings and other industry specific environments that revolve around the production or promotion of sport. In addition, through market-driven coursework and rigorous academic environments, students will be prepared to enter into graduate programs revolving around sport administration or sport management coursework, including related Masters in Business Administration or law programs.
Accreditations
Samford University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Our Commitment
“The sport administration program at Samford University has one prerequisite: a passion for sport. Fueled by this passion, students in the sport administration major will experience a broad curriculum of sport business and leadership courses aimed at helping them discover their calling in the sport industry. Through the diverse course offerings, which include a sport-related internship and an intensive year-long research project, students will develop practical skills and gain experience using data to make informed business decisions. Students will also be exposed to various aspects of the industry through mentorship and partnerships with professional sport organizations. Graduates of the program leave Samford prepared to pursue their calling, equipped to lead and serve with professionalism and excellence in the sport industry and beyond”.
Dr. Joseph Pederson
Life in the Program
“Spring of my senior year as a sport administration major, I interned with Bruno Event Management Team. I had a very positive experience and think it is extremely beneficial for students in this department to complete an internship prior to graduation. I learned a lot from working with Bruno, but it also showed me that this is the exact field I want to work in. I learned how to deal with difficult personalities in the business world, how to balance a demanding schedule, and more importantly, I learned about all the different factors that are involved when planning a sports event. I learned that in sport management, you have to work together as a “team” and rely on your co-workers to make an event happen. You also have to be adaptable, willing to go the extra mile and perform tasks that are not always in your job description. I learned a lot about how to market a sporting event and what it takes to manage one on-site. I would encourage any students looking to get involved with the sports world to check out Samford’s sport administration program.”
- Bethany Davis, Assistant Director, Tennessee Athletic Hospitality, class of 2013
