Sport and Exercise Science MS
- Master's Degree
- Online
- Online
- Sport Administration
12-15 Months
Fall Term (Aug.)
Spring Term (Jan.)
Summer Term (May)
$698/Credit
Online Master’s Degree for Sports Management
Want to excel in a career in sports? Our Sport and Exercise Science Master of Science: Sport Administration is one of the oldest and most highly regarded programs in the country.
Because of the online delivery you can still work while pursuing your master’s degree. In fact, if you already work in sports, you can tie your internship activities to outcomes at your job. Most students finish the program in one year.
You’ll also expand your sports business network:
- Study alongside other current and future leaders
- Meet and learn from experts who love to support upcoming leaders
What You’ll Learn
You’ll study critical sports industry topics, including:
- Sport administration and leadership
- Sports promotion and marketing
- Facility, event and program management
- Sport business law and ethics
- Financial management, fundraising and development
You’ll learn from experienced instructors and high-level leaders in sports.
Career Opportunities in Sports
Top Organizations
Our graduates have accepted positions at sports organizations of all sizes, all over the world. We have alumni leading:
- The NFL, MLB, MLS and NHL including the Colorado Avalanche, Rapids and Rockies, Denver Broncos and New York Yankees.
- University athletic departments including Colorado State University, Ohio State University, Texas Christian University, University of Colorado and UNC.
- U.S. Olympic sport organizations
The Wide World of Sports
You’ll have the freedom to choose the right sports role for you. Common paths include top leadership, marketing, ticketing, operations, finance and fundraising. Where will you take your career?
Course of Study
Delivered Fully Online
- Finish in a year: You can complete this online program in as little as one year. Some students coordinate their internships during one extra term.
- Focus on one course at a time: you will take one five or six week content course at a time, which lets you deeply focus on one topic.
- Apply what you learn: The program internships help you bridge the gap between theory and practice. This means you will complete our program with working knowledge and connections in the field.
To see specific course offerings, visit the current students page for this program.
Courses and Requirements
This is a 30-credit master’s degree program.
Transfer Credit
If you have taken graduate courses that align with program courses, you can request transfer credit. Approved transfer credit can reduce the cost of completing this program. Program faculty will review your transfer credit to confirm that it matches course content and objectives. See the full graduate transfer credit policy for details.
Have Questions? Get in Touch!
Jori Moore
Enrollment Counselor
Alan Morse
Program Coordinator
Tuition Rate
Simple Per-Credit Tuition Rate
You pay the same rate whether you are in-state or out-of-state.
Per Credit
Rate for the 2025-26 academic year (fall, spring and summer terms).*
No Student / Technology Fees
Certain courses, e.g., field experiences, may include course fees to support added services and materials.
*Tuition for the 2026-27 academic year will be decided mid-June 2026.
Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP): UNC provides a health insurance plan to all degree-seeking graduate students who are enrolled in 6 or more credits for a term. If you have comparable insurance coverage, and do not want to be charged for SHIP coverage, you can opt out of this plan. Please visit the UNC Student Health Insurance pages for more information.
Estimates of additional costs: For the purposes of determining financial aid, UNC follows Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) and federal guidelines to develop an estimated, average Cost of Attendance (budget) for different student classifications. For your personal tuition estimates, we recommend using the program-specific tuition information above. But UNC’s official Cost of Attendance/Student Budgets page can help you identify other estimated expenses for which you may be responsible while completing your program.
Federal Financial Aid
Degree-seeking students are encouraged to apply for federal financial aid. Master’s degree students need to be enrolled in a minimum of 5 credits per academic term for financial aid eligibility. Full-time enrollment is based on 9 credits per term.
You will complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The UNC Applying for Aid page provides important dates, including the release date and deadline for each academic year (a Fall-Spring-Summer cycle which begins each August).
- Late FAFSA submissions are still accepted throughout the academic year, but you may not be considered for the maximum amount of aid.
- If the priority deadline has passed for the upcoming/current school year, we encourage you to apply for FAFSA consideration as soon as you enroll for your first courses.
- Depending on the time of year, you may be able to submit an application for the current academic year and an early/priority application for the following academic year.
You can also find helpful information in the Federal Student Aid Resources.
What Our Graduates Say
Checked All The Boxes
For my master’s degree, I was looking for experienced faculty, convenience and small class sizes. UNC checked all of these boxes. I was challenged to think outside the box, and given the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse group of classmates. I can truly say my UNC degree made it possible for me to get to where I am.
Alex Yack
Assistant Vice Chancellor / Deputy Athletics Director, Development – Texas Christian University
Challenging and Engaging
I chose the Sport Administration program because it is one of the top programs in the country. My professors were able to share their real-life experience and didn't just teach us out of a book. The program was challenging and engaging. We used the knowledge and tools we acquired on projects for sports organizations.
Terry Anderson
Dean - Allied Health and Wellness, Aims Community College
Versatile Preparation
This program allowed me to step into the sport industry as a versatile professional. From marketing and financial aspects to cultural and research elements, UNC produces students prepared for any career path in sports. I am forever thankful to Dr. Morse and the faculty for pushing me to be a better student.
Tyler Boone
Director of Development, Ohio State University
Excellent Faculty
I chose this program because of the faculty’s excellent reputation. I had the flexibility to complete the program online while and opened my eyes to a comprehensive range of topics. This program gave me a leg up during the early years of my career, and I highly recommend it to anybody pursuing a career in sports business!
Quinn Conroy
Inside Sales Lead Account Executive, Colorado Rockies
Program Eligibility
General Admission Requirements
- Possess a baccalaureate degree from an institutionally accredited college or university.
- Have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or better, on a 4.00 point scale, for the most recent degree earned or current degree in progress.
- If you are in the process of completing a previous degree or have special GPA considerations, please read the specific requirements for this program type.
- Note: the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is NOT required for graduate school admission.
Eligibility for Out-of-State Students
Eligibility by State
UNC can offer distance learning in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the major U.S. territories. We check for changes in state rules as needed. Some states may have extra rules for internships, clinical placements, and student teaching. Visit the State Authorization page to learn more.
International Student Eligibility
You are eligible to apply: We accept international students to online UNC programs. We can’t guarantee that our programs meet distance education requirements for every country. Before you apply, check your country’s policies and regulations. You should not apply if you live in a country that is subject to U.S. sanctions.
No student visa: Students in online UNC programs do not need to come to the United States. You will not get a student visa or receive any immigration documentation. You do not need to provide financial documentation when applying.
You will need to provide proof of your English language ability or complete the UNC Intensive English Program. Please visit the International Admissions page for information about:
- Minimum English language requirements
- Applying as an international student
Meet with an Enrollment Counselor
Meet the Program Faculty
Visit the Academic Department
Recommended Application Deadlines
Our goal is to make it easy for you to start this continuous enrollment program. Because this program features some coursework that begins in the middle of the traditional semesters, there are multiple options for starting the program.
For the best possible admission, enrollment and orientation experience, we recommend that you complete your application by these dates, which are approximately 30 days before the start of each term:
- Summer term: April 15
- Fall term: July 15
- Spring term: Dec. 15
- Middle of a term: contact the Admission Coach to discuss options and deadlines!
You can still apply after these dates, but if the date has passed please contact an Enrollment Counselor for support to apply and begin classes in the upcoming term. View the UNC Academic Calendar for the start dates for upcoming terms.
Application Process Details
On the application, you will choose:
- Sport and Exercise Science: Sport Administration (M.S.)
- Start term: Fall Term (Aug.) Spring Term (Jan.) Summer Term (May)
View the full program-specific application details in the UNC Graduate Catalog.
Apply to This Program
Register & Start Your Application
Submit a Started Application
Application Checklist & Status