Bethel University is pleased to announce the addition of a Sports Administration Master of Business Administration (MBA) to its robust portfolio of online, post-baccalaureate offerings.
The creation of the fifth MBA concentration in the University’s College of Professional Studies (CPS) lineup arrives amidst booming growth for sports and accompanying jobs regionally and nationally.
“Sports are big business in our society, and with a growing number of sports teams and facilities in our region, from the amateur level all the way up to the pros, there is a need for educated professionals to manage these huge assets,” said CPS Vice President Kimberly Martin.
“Our MBA program with the sports administration concentration will prepare students to do just that with a combination of graduate-level general business courses, as well as courses specifically designed to help them understand the nuances of the sports world such as sports law, risk management and facility management.”
According to a 2022 report by Deloitte, the influence of sports in our culture will continue to increase in the years ahead due to factors including the mixing of the real and digital worlds, the empowerment of some collegiate student-athletes to capitalize on their name, image and likeness and the introduction of sports betting to mainstream audiences.
With the new sports industry-centric path, Bethel deepens its commitment to meet the needs of the labor market and set students up for success.
“This program will position graduates well for direct entry into multifaceted roles in sport administration and leadership positions,” said Program Coordinator and Associate Professor of Sports Management Josh Greer.
Greer played a key role in the new track’s development with an eye on the future.
“Our goal is to develop well-rounded leaders in sport administration. We want to provide a foundation of knowledge for those interested in working in sports,” Greer said.
Offering the degree fully online is also recognition by the University of the demand for online options. That demand was on the rise before the COVID-19 pandemic and is expected to continue its trajectory.
According to a March 2021 report by EAB, between the academic years of 2016-2017 and 2018-2019, demand for online master’s degree options increased “339% faster than the number of institutions offering them.”
