A group of Sport Management students, as part of their capstone project, held a long drive contest with all money going to Pullman’s Community Action Center.

Sport Management – Undergraduate

We build leaders in the business and recreation of sport

Careers in sport start here

Sport Management prepares the next generation of industry leaders.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Washington State University Sport Management program’s mission is to provide students with the essential theoretical and empirical knowledge, professional skills, learning experiences, and academic support needed to succeed in life. We are committed to transformative research and scholarship, as well as to multimodal engagement with an array of community and sport industry stakeholders. Through the development of professional and collaborative networks, we strive to create and sustain a diverse, global presence.

What we offer

For undergraduate students, we have who are interested in pursuing this challenging and rewarding career path are encouraged to learn more about our major and minor.

Students who have already completed their undergraduate educations and are seeking advanced training should consider applying to our graduate program. Our graduate program was rated by SportsBusiness as the best in the Pacific Northwest and No. 26 in the world.

Some of our undergraduate courses can also be counted toward the Sports Communication minor in the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication.

football team

Make a difference

Our students, faculty, and alumni make an impact at WSU, in our community, and around the world.

At a glance

100+ Undergraduate Sport Management students each semester doing professional internships within various sport fields.
300+ Students currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Sport Management. That's 300+ people who will make positive changes.
30 Number of students in our upper-division courses. We keep classes small to encourage participation and networking.

Sport Management Major and Minor Requirements

Washington State University seeks to prepare the best possible sport management professionals and therefore seeks highly qualified individuals. Admission to and continued enrollment in the Sport Management program may be denied to any candidate who does not meet the minimum criteria. Applicants who meet the minimum requirements are eligible for consideration, but are not assured admission. Enrollment is limited and admission competitive.

Applications for admission to the major and minor open mid-semester and the deadline for application submission is the Friday before finals week, with certification effective the following term. Candidates must be admitted to the Sport Management program prior to taking any 300- or 400-level Sport Management coursework, except SPMGT 394.

Students transferring from other institutions need to enroll in SPMGT 276 in their first semester at Washington State University to be eligible for admission.

NOTE: Applications for fall 2025 admission open October 13,2025 at 10:00 am and will close on December 5, 2025, at 11:59 pm PST.

football game

Extracurricular Activities

Experience Sport

Our students build their knowledge, skills, and networks through a variety of practicum and internship experiences.

Get in the game!

All of our undergraduate sport management students have the opportunity to extend their knowledge, improve their management skills, and build their professional networks through a culminating internship experience. This page is a one-stop resource for students who are planning and completing their internships.

Athletic Training Program Overview

Preparing for the Internship

  • Sport Management Internship Manual [COMING SOON]
  • Request for Approval [COMING SOON]
  • Proof of Insurance Options [COMING SOON]
    • Student Allied Health Intern Liability Insurance [COMING SOON]
students doing ladder drill

Completing the Internship

  • Goal Statement [COMING SOON]
  • Planning Guide [COMING SOON]
  • Memorandum of Agreement [PDF LINK COMING SOON]
  • Mid-point Evaluation [PDF LINK COMING SOON]
  • Final Evaluation [COMING SOON]
Athletic Programs

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the conclusion of the program, students who have actively engaged in all coursework and practical experiences will be able to:

  • Identify and analyze ethical, legal, and sociocultural issues, and formulate responses for use in managerial decision making and policy determinations in sport.
  • Employ principles of strategic planning, and financial and human resource management.
  • Assess marketing and media needs and formulate short-term and long-term solutions.
  • Develop and apply critical thinking and abstract reasoning skills in analyzing sport management issues and in managerial planning and decision-making.
  • Demonstrate information literacy and communication skills.
  • Conceive, plan, execute, and evaluate a sports event.

Supporting Students Through Generous Giving

$24,575 Average scholarship funds awarded to Sport Management students over the last two years.
$20,000+ Money raised by students each year through the program’s capstone event management course.
$1,000,000 A transformational estate gift made to our scholarship fund by program pioneer and Title IX trailblazer Jo Washburn.

Give

There are many ways you can support the Sport Management program. For example, you can give to the…