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BSBA in Sports and Recreation Management

The Butova Athletics Complex lobby, featuring a trophy case of AIC Athletics achievements and AIC Athletic banners.

Program Overview

Take your love of sports and competition to new heights by channeling it into a functional, career-focused college degree.

Program Format

On Campus

Degree Options

  • Four-Year BSBA Program

Time to Complete

Full Time: 4 Years

Transfer Pathways: 2 Years

Why Major in Sports and Recreation Management at AIC?

At AIC, there’s no reason your personal passions can’t fuel your path to a rewarding and successful career. From local youth programs to professional sports organizations, there are countless opportunities within the athletic industry for those with a competitive drive.

The Bachelor of Business Administration (BSBA) in Sports and Recreation Management at American International College applies management theory and business concepts to the challenges facing organizations dedicated to the sports entertainment and recreation industry. Gain expert insights into marketing, communications and public relations, legal issues, economics and finance, and business operations for sport and recreation organizations. 

Out of the classroom, you’ll gain on-the-job experience with a sports organization through internships including public and private facilities, professional sports, intercollegiate athletics, youth and community sport, sport management and marketing agencies, and sporting goods industry.

What to Expect

  • Competitive Internships: Get on-the-job experience through internships with local sporting organizations, from professional venues and teams to collegiate sports and local youth programs. 
  • A business-wide perspective: An intersectional study of business explores the nuts and bolts of every operation while introducing several industry-standard tools and software.
  • Make better decisions: Learn to evaluate your ideas at both the organizational and market levels before presenting them effectively to different audiences.
  • Jump-start your graduate education: Eligible seniors can take one to two graduate-level courses at the undergraduate rate. As you begin a master’s program at AIC, your motivation will pay off in terms of time and cost savings.
  • International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) Accreditation: This rigorous, outcomes-based evaluation examines how AIC’s BSBA programs prepare students for business careers. Review the latest report.
American International College MBA alum Troy Baxter ’23, MBA ’25

They push me to step outside my comfort zone, to be task-oriented and goal-oriented and be a different person than when I arrived here. AIC has really helped me to network and get real-world professional experience.

Troy Baxter ’23, MBA ’25, Sports and Rec Management Major

Program Details

The flexibility of the bachelor’s in Sports and Recreation Management program produces professionals who creatively and thoroughly tackle all types of challenges.

  • Students will be able to apply basic concepts and theories of business as applied to the sports and recreation industry.
  • Students will be able to research and present decisions using appropriate business tools and software.
  • Students will be able to apply professional skills and qualities appropriate to a work setting.

Major Courses: In addition to AIC Plan for Excellence (APEX) requirements, students must complete all courses listed here to receive a BSBA in Sports and Recreation Management:

Common Professional Component Requirements

  • ACC1201: Financial Accounting 
  • ACC2210: Managerial Accounting 
  • BUS3000: Business Law  
  • ECO1401: Macroeconomics  
  • ECO1402: Microeconomics  
  • FIN2003: Managerial Finance 
  • MAT1430: Foundations of Statistics  
  • MGT1400: Principles of Management  
  • MIS1300: Business Analytics with Excel 
  • MKT1450: Principles of Marketing   
  • MGT4800: Senior Policy Seminar 
  • BUS4899: Business Internship

Major Requirements

  • MGT3213: Human Resource Management 
  • SRM1600: Introduction to Sport Industry  
  • SRM2600: Event and Facility Management 
  • SRM3210 Sports Marketing  
  • SRM3212: International Aspects of Sports Management 
  • SRM3401: Sports Finance and Economics  
  • SRM4090: Current Issues in Sports Management 

Choose three from the following courses: 

  • SRM2801: Sporting Goods Industry
  • SRM2850: Public Relation and Sport Media
  • SRM3203: Sports Psychology     
  • SRM3211: Legal Issues in Sports and Recreation Management

Plus 6 credits of business electives at the 3000 level or higher.

Please reference the current catalog for all course descriptions.

Minor Courses: Students must complete all courses listed here to earn a minor in Sports and Recreation Management:

  • SRM1600: Introduction to Sport Industry 
  • SRM2600: Event and Facility Management 

Choose one of the following courses: 

  • MGT1400: Principles of Management 
  • MKT1450: Principles of Marketing 

Choose three from the following courses: 

  • MGT3213: Human Resource Management  
  • SRM2801: The Sporting Goods Industry 
  • SRM2850: Public Relation and Sport Media 
  • SRM3203: Sports Psychology 
  • SRM3210: Sports Marketing 
  • SRM3211: Legal Issues in Sports and Recreational Management 
  • SRM3212: International Aspects of Sports Management 
  • SRM3401: Sports Finance and Economics 
  • SRM4090: Current Issues in Sport Management 
  • BUS4899: Business Internship

Please reference the current catalog for all course descriptions.

Individuals interested in studying Sports and Recreation Management at AIC—or exploring related studies in The Sports, Leisure, and Entertainment Management Hive—will apply for admission as a first-year, transfer, or international student.

Review tuition rates and fees for the upcoming academic year.

Undergraduate Tuition and Costs

AIC’s transfer partnerships with Holyoke Community College (HCC) and Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) provide an uninterrupted path from community college to our bachelor’s in General Business program, as well as a $4,000 per year joint admissions scholarship. 

If you have questions on transferring from one of our partner schools, please contact the admissions office at 413.205.3201.

Encouraging holistic involvement, AIC’s campus culture allows everyone to find their place and grow as leaders:

  • All student groups: Discover new connections—or go outside your comfort zone—as you grow one of our student organizations behind the scenes. Browse all student organizations.
  • Leadership development: Embrace every opportunity across our campus, from NCAA Division II athletics to community service, to further refine how you collaborate, communicate, and motivate. Learn more about leadership development.
  • Sports Management Club: If you dream of a career in the sports business, start to build relationships with similarly driven students, plus the professionals who work in this sector. About the Sports Management Club.
  • Start a business: Expand your connected view of business into a profit-generating venture with help from AIC’s campus incubator.

Pitch competitions: Brainstorm a business solution against the clock with other BSBA students for the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation’s Entrepreneurship Initiative. At this annual pitch competition, you’ll engage your strategy skills against teams from area schools in exchange for prize money.

The School of Business, Arts, and Sciences at American International College has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) located at 11960 Quivira Road, Suite 300, Overland Park, KS 66213.

School of Business Administration Accreditation Status

Report of Outcomes Assessment Results

To see a report of student learning and program assessment, please view the International Accreditation Council for Business Education’s Interim Quality Assurance Report.

Graduation Rates

Please view this report to see graduation rates for this program.

Have a Question?

Your aspirations could become part of AIC’s outstanding business legacy. Hear from faculty about why the Sports and Recreation Management major might be the right fit.

Mei-Lin Yeh-Lane, PhD
Associate Professor of Sports and Recreation Management

Phone: 413-205-3387
Email: mei-lin.yeh-lane@aic.edu

Academic and Career Support

AIC gives you the space to explore your interest while preparing you for life after college. Throughout, you’ll work with advisors and mentors to define your academic and professional goals and the ways to achieve them.

An AIC student talks course selection for the Psychology major with their academic advisor.

Student Success Advising

Saremi Center for Career Development

Accessibility Services and Academic Accommodations (CASAA)

What Can You Do with a Management Degree?

Job Titles

AIC Sports and Recreation Management majors begin careers as:

  • Coaching staff
  • Sports marketers and promoters
  • Athletics department administrators
  • Gameday operations coordinators
  • Sports officials

 Salary Expectations

Each year through 2034, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects more than 99,000  openings in entertainment and sports, including for:

Internship Opportunities

A key facet of the School of Business, Arts, and Sciences is the opportunity for internships with local companies and organizations that provide real-world experiences. AIC students have found internship positions with:

  • Springfield Thunderbirds
  • Olympia Ice Center
  • Springfield Ballers
  • Evolution Performance Center
  • Western Mass News

Related Programs

Each AIC BSBA program offers a different perspective of business while emphasizing real-world skills that get you in the door.

Two Economics and Finance students at American International College collaborate for a class project

Economics and Finance, BSBA

A Management student presents research to peers and faculty at a symposium event.

Management, BSBA

International business majors at AIC connect with other students at a campus event.

International Business, BSBA

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Go broad with a business program that welcomes all kinds of possibilities.

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