Learn to Lead in the Business of Sport
Sports organizations have the same needs — from financial management to marketing — as any other complex business. With a sport management MBA from Ashland, you’ll have the knowledge and tools to take on these responsibilities while building motivated, high-performing organizations.
Build the skills you need to succeed through coursework and experiential learning and earn a qualification that helps you stand out from the competition.
You’ll graduate with the ethical grounding and tactical knowledge to lead in professional sports, intercollegiate and high school athletics, campus and municipal recreation, sport marketing and promotions, sport administration or facility and event management.
Build a Winning Skillset
The sport management specialization’s three required classes expand on core MBA coursework and equip you with new tools to lead in the unique context of sports.
Develop and Improve Programs
In this specialization’s foundational course, you’ll explore administration, leadership, policy setting and decision-making in sport and recreation. Through a field experience project in your area of interest, you’ll take on a real-world problem and create and evaluate a novel solution.
Dive Deep into Sport-Specific Issues
Through additional courses on social and ethical issues and sport marketing, you’ll expand your perspective on the role of sport and recreation in society and what it takes to engage participants and audiences. With this knowledge, you’ll be prepared to support healthy cultures and to effectively promote sport at the professional, intercollegiate and recreational levels.
NEW Scholarships for Graduate Students
AU Alumni Scholarship
Ashland University is your destination for lifelong learning. If you have already earned a bachelor's or graduate degree from AU, you'll receive a tuition discount to continue your education in one of our graduate or certificate programs:
- Part-time students receive a 10% discount.
- Full-time students receive a 15% discount.
That makes 2025 a great time to start your next degree!
Dean's Scholarship: NEW GRADUATE STUDENT
This scholarship is available to new students pursuing a graduate degree from Ashland University’s Dauch College of Business & Economics. Students can receive $2,500 per academic year for two years. Only available to domestic students.
Dean’s Scholarship: EMERGING GRADUATE LEADER
This scholarship is available to new students pursuing a graduate degree from Ashland University’s Dauch College of Business & Economics. Students can receive $2,000 per academic year for two years. Only available to domestic students.
Empower an Eagle Referral Scholarship
Before applying to AU, graduate students referred to AU who apply for admission will receive a $500 scholarship. The referral must be mentioned during the admissions application process. Students must be enrolled full-time to be eligible. This scholarship is renewable for two years.
Choose the Timeline That Works for You
To earn an MBA from Ashland, you’ll need to complete ten courses for a total of 30 credit hours — but the pace of your degree is entirely up to you. Ashland’s courses are offered across three terms — fall, spring and summer. Each term is split into two eight-week sessions. Depending on the pathway you choose, you might take one or two courses per session or take certain sessions off to accommodate personal and professional commitments.
Not sure what your life will look like in six months? You can always adjust your course load if your needs change.
Accelerated
12 months
You will take four courses per semester in this one-year program. Your schedule can be customized with your personal MBA Advisor.
The accelerated program is offered online and in person in Columbus.
Flexible
18 months
You will take two courses per semester in this program, making it easier to manage other demands on your time. Your personal MBA Advisor will work with you to create a schedule that fits into your busy life.
Complete your MBA from anywhere with our online courses, or take some or all of your courses in person in Columbus.
MBA Specializations
Have a specific career goal in mind? Choose from 12+ MBA specialization options that pair core MBA coursework with industry-specific classes, or design your own focus area with help from our faculty.
Advance your accounting career with an MBA that prepares you for CPA certification.
Specialization courses include:
- ACCT 514 Accounting Special Topics
- ACCT 535 Fund and Non-Profit Accounting
- ACCT 538 Advanced Cost Management
- ACCT 540 Advanced Accounting
Learn to analyze, understand and interpret data to make better business decisions and improve performance.
Specialization courses include:
- MBA 545 Business Intelligence and Data Analytics
- MBA 546 Business Analytics
- MBA 548 Analytical Modeling for Decision Making
Develop the technical and creative abilities you need to succeed in social media, digital and mobile marketing.
Specialization courses include:
- MBA 525 Digital Marketing
- MBA 526 Social Media Marketing
- MBA 527 Mobile Marketing
Build the skills to start, fund, run and scale your own business.
Specialization courses include:
Required Course:
- MBA 540 Entrepreneurship and Intrapreneurship
Choose 2 of the following:
- MBA 541 Business Information Systems for the Small Business
- MBA 542: Business Tax Planning
- MBA 544 Small Business Management
Get a global perspective on financial markets and learn to lead in corporate finance or investing.
Specialization courses include:
- MBA 560 Investments
- MBA 561 Emerging Financial Markets
- MBA 562 Global Finance
- MBA 564 MBA Market Tour (contact Advisor for more information)
Understand how globalization impacts industries and prepare to work in a transnational environment.
Specialization courses include:
- MBA 567 Multinational Management
- MBA 509 International Business
- MBA 561 Emerging Financial Markets
- MBA 562 Global Finance
- MBA 568 International Business Study Tour (contact Advisor for more information)
Develop the theoretical knowledge and practical tools to lead healthcare organizations and drive quality improvement.
Specialization courses include:
- MBA 575 The Health Care Organization
- MBA 577 Managing the Health Care Organization: The Financial Perspective
- MBA 579 Improving the Health Care Organization
Master HR best practices and management strategies and apply them to drive organizational success.
Specialization courses include:
- MBA 550 Fundamentals of Human Resource Management
- MBA 552 Training and Development
- MBA 553 Compensation and Benefits
Use technology to solve business problems, improve processes and develop and implement growth strategies.
Specialization courses include:
- MBA 513 Management Information Systems
- MBA 535 Systems Analysis and Design
- MBA 545 Business Intelligence and Data Analytics
Prepare for in-demand PMP certification while you earn your MBA.
Specialization courses include:
- MBA 530 Foundations of Project Management
- MBA 531 Increasing Organization Capacity in Project Management
- MBA 533 Advanced Topics in Communications for Project Managers
Combine your passion with your career through coursework in sports marketing, ethics and operations.
Specialization courses include:
- SMG 572 Sport Management
- SMG 574 Social and Ethical Issues in Sport
- SMG 580 Sport Marketing and Promotion
Master purchasing, logistics, warehousing, inventory and more to prepare for supply chain leadership positions.
Specialization courses include:
- MBA 570 Supply Chain Management
- MBA 571 Logistics and Procurement
- MBA 572 Supply Chain Strategy
The Ashland Difference
45+
Years Educating Working Adults
70%
Full-Time Faculty with Doctorates
6,500+
Ashland MBA Alumni
Careers for Sport Management MBA Graduates
The sports industry in the United States is worth more than $80 billion annually, which means that there are plenty of opportunities for qualified and passionate professionals.
Business Development Director
Athletic franchises rely on fans’ support but also need income from sponsors, merchandise and more. Business development directors identify new market opportunities, create deals and build impactful partnerships and relationships.
College Athletic Director
In addition to recruiting and supporting coaches and athletes, college athletic directors work to create a positive and healthy culture, manage budgets, oversee facilities and more.
Marketing Manager
Sports marketing requires extensive industry knowledge, and sport marketing professionals are in demand within individual athletic organizations and specialized sport advertising agencies.
“I am grateful for the experience and skills acquired through (AU’s MBA) program. The professors were consistently top-notch, the program was very flexible and, in my case, the site location was incredibly convenient.”
Jim Nixon
Vice President of Innovation and New Markets, Quanex Building Products