COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sport Management at Wichita State University is a 120-credit-hour degree designed to prepare students for professional careers in the global sports and recreation industry by combining academic coursework, applied learning, and a structured internship experience. The program includes 34–35 credit hours of general education requirements alongside 55 credit hours of required major coursework, all of which must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.000 in the major. Students begin with SMGT 112 Introduction to Sport Management, which provides a foundation in the structure and operations of the sport industry, followed by early experiential learning through SMGT 210 Practicum. As they progress, students develop specialized knowledge in areas such as sport communication and technology (SMGT 300), sport public relations (SMGT 426), revenue management (SMGT 428), human resource management in sport (SMGT 444), and sport marketing and promotion (SMGT 466). The curriculum also emphasizes leadership and professional readiness through SMGT 446 Professional Development in Sport Management and SMGT 511 Selling in the Sport Industry, preparing students for client-facing and organizational roles. Legal, ethical, and cultural dimensions of sport are addressed in courses such as SMGT 461 Legal Aspects of Sport and Physical Activity I, SMGT 545 Sport Governance and Policy, and SMGT 475 Sport in American Culture, ensuring students understand both the business and societal impact of sport. Facility and event operations are covered through SMGT 520 Sport Tournament and Event Management and SMGT 525 Sport Facility Management, while SMGT 465 Sport Psychology provides insight into athlete behavior and performance. A defining feature of the program is the 12-credit-hour SMGT 447A Internship in Sport Management, which provides extensive real-world experience in professional sport environments. Combined with open electives totaling 30–31 credit hours, the program offers flexibility while maintaining a strong professional core. Overall, the BA in Sport Management at Wichita State integrates classroom learning with applied industry experience to prepare students for careers in athletic administration, sports business, event management, and related fields.