Start your journey
This is a practitioner-oriented master's program designed to prepare students for advanced study or careers in sport administration, sport management, or sport and fitness related professions. Earn an M.Ed. in Sport Management to prepare for the next step in your career. This coursework-based graduate program is designed for working professionals looking to advance and grow their network.
The degree provides a foundation in sport administration, prepares students for leadership roles in professional or community programs. This primarily in-person program features peer networking and personalized support from academic and faculty advisors for coursework and career planning.
Located in the Minneapolis-St. Paul sports hub, students have access to extensive networking and career opportunities across recreational, amateur, collegiate, and professional organizations.
Careers
This degree opens a wide variety of career opportunities in the sport industry. Examples of job titles our graduates hold include:
- Sports marketing manager
- Event coordinator and programming manager
- Development director
- Marketing and social media manager
- Event marketing associate
- Athletic facility and operations manager
- Fitness club manager
- Public and community relations executive
- Fan experience manager
- Development director
Our graduates have gone on to work in sports management across many organizations, including:
- Minnesota Timberwolves/Minnesota Lynx
- Minnesota Twins
- Minnesota Vikings
- Gopher Athletics
- Minnesota United FC
- Minnesota Aurora FC
- High school activities
- Community parks and recreation
- College athletics
How to apply
Before applying
Review the MS vs. MEd degree information to ensure you want to apply for the MEd program: A professional and coursework-focused program.
Admission deadlines
The School of Kinesiology reviews applications on a rolling basis. Review the deadlines below to be admitted to a specific semester:
- November 1: Spring start
- March first: Summer start
- May 1 (preferred) and July 1 (final): Fall start
Admission requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in kinesiology, exercise science, or a comparable experience
- Undergraduate GPA of 2.5 or higher
- English language proficiency (nonnative english speakers and/or international students)
- Transfer credit information
- Application fee
Application process
- Apply online
- Submit your application materials
- Statement of purpose for the program, including details on how the application’s experience, education, and goals align with the program (limit 2 pages)
- Resume or CV
- Unofficial transcripts
- Applicants are notified of admission decisions approximately 2-4 weeks after their application is submitted
Tuition
Visit the College of Education and Human Development's 2025-2026 professional program costs page for information on the master's in education (MEd) in sports management program costs.
Visit OneStop for the most up-to-date tuition information and to understand the full cost of attendance.
Financial aid
External funding can be obtained in various ways, including:
- Employer tuition reimbursement
- College of Education and Human Development fellowships and scholarships
- University of Minnesota financial aid information
Visit our funding webpage for more external resources and opportunities.
Request information
About our students
Quote from Dylan Jiles
During my undergraduate career I had access to a lot of resources and assistance because I was a student athlete. That experience really opened my eyes to how students who aren’t athletes are navigating their college experience. That’s the educational piece of my MEd; I’d like to pursue a career in academic advising. I want to help students achieve academic success.
Coursework
This primarily in-person program requires a total of 30 credits to be completed, divided into core courses, electives, and a capstone project. For more information, visit the Graduate Program Catalog.
Courses in this master's program are led by experienced faculty, ensuring you're learning the latest trends and best practices in sport management. Our curriculum dives into areas essential to be successful in the industry, including:
- Sport finance
- Sport ethics and policy
- Sport marketing
- Sport organizational management
Partnerships
Students are able to network with real organizations in certain courses, working with them to solve their organizational challenges. Organizations our program has partnered with include:
- Minnesota Hockey
- USA Curling
- NCAA Men’s and Women’s Final Four tournament
- NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
- 2026 IIHF World Junior Championships
