Prepare for the Big Leagues as a Sport and Recreation Professional
Get ready for work to become play. If you’re interested in athletic or recreational administration, sport marketing and merchandising, or sport and recreation venue management and event planning, this is the major for you. Prepare for the big leagues with our Sport Management concentration, or blaze professional trails with Outdoor Recreation Management. Situated on the scenic Maine coast, our campus provides easy access to skiing, surfing, biking, hiking, and more. And an array of regional minor league sports teams gives you an open shot at many fun and exciting internships.
Why UNE for Sport and Recreation Management
Whether you’re taking advantage of the recreation potential on the Southern Maine coast or you’re hoping to get your foot in the door with one of the region’s many minor league sports franchises, UNE’s location makes it a top choice for your sport and recreation management studies.
- UNE is ranked #1 in Maine for graduates getting a job — Zippia
- Work alongside accomplished faculty with industry experience
- Experiential learning opportunities with minor league and national sports franchises
- History of connections for internships with teams like the New England Revolution, Maine Celtics, and Baltimore Ravens
- Fully integrated Business minor for a competitive edge in the job market
- Opportunity to focus on the outdoor environment and ecotourism by participating in our Green Learning Community
Alumni Story: Working in professional golf
Career Paths for Sport and Recreation Management Majors
Combine a solid business foundation with knowledge of the underlying theory, latest technology, and best practices of the athletic and recreation industries. Along with valuable hands-on experience through internships, you will develop the skills to be an effective leader who will make a difference in the lives of those you serve through sport and recreation programming.
Our graduates have pursued many fascinating professions, including
- Athletic Director
- Coach
- Camp Director
- Game Day Coordinator
- Director of Sports Partnerships
- Event Coordinator
- Business Owner
- Sports Information Director
- Operations Manager
Career Advising for B.S. in Sport and Recreation Management Students
Whether you have a specific career goal in mind or a vague idea of the field that interests you, Career Advising is here to help you plan your next step.
Student Success by the Numbers
of undergrads employed or in ongoing higher education within one year of graduating
in Maine for getting a job
What Will You Study? Sport and Recreation Management Degree Curriculum Overview
B.S. in Sport and Recreation Management Courses
You may choose to concentrate in Sport Management or Outdoor Recreation Management. The following are some examples of the exciting courses that we offer:
- Sport Marketing
- Outdoor Recreation Planning and Policy
- Sport Finance
- Leadership
- Sustainability and Eco-Recreation Planning
- Athletic and Sport Administration
Curriculum
| CAS Core Requirements (must take MAT 120 or MAT 150 as MAT course) | Credits |
|---|---|
| Total | 42–46 |
| Required Business Foundation Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| BUAC 201 – Financial Accounting | 3 |
| BUEC 204 – Microeconomics | 3 |
| BUMG 200 – Management | 3 |
| BUMK 200 – Marketing | 3 |
| Business Electives (recommended: BUMG 302 – Human Resources Management and BUMG 325 – Legal Environment of Business) | 6 |
| Total | 18 |
| Required Sport and Recreation Management Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| SRM 160 – Introduction to Sport and Recreation Management | 3 |
| SRM 325 – Sport and Recreation Marketing | 3 |
| SRM 350 – Sport and Recreation Finance | 3 |
| SRM 360 – Leadership | 3 |
| SRM 370 – Law and Ethics in Sport and Recreation Management | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Concentration Requirements (see below) | 15 |
| Internship (see below) | 12 |
| Open Elective Courses (as needed to reach 120 credits) | Variable |
| Minimum Required Total Credits | 120 |
|---|
Concentration Options
| Sport Management Concentration Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| SPT 330 – Sport Governance | 3 |
| SPT 340 – Athletic and Sports Administration | 3 |
| SPT 355 – Sport Venue Planning and Management | 3 |
| SPT 401 – Seminar in Sport Management | 3 |
| SPT 420 – Research Methods | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Outdoor Recreation Management Concentration Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| ORM 335 - Outdoor Recreation Planning & Management | 3 |
| ORM 345 - Sustainability & Eco-Recreation | 3 |
| ORM 355 - Wilderness Preparation, Safety & First Aid | 3 |
| ORM 401 - Seminar in Outdoor Recreation Management | 3 |
| ENV 345 - Outdoor Environmental Education or ENV 356 - Terrestrial Wildlife Eco/Conservation or ENV 376 - Caribbean Sustainable Development | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
Internship Experiences (12 credits required)
Each of our Sport and Recreation Management majors is required to complete no less than 480 contact hours at an approved internship site(s) upon attaining Junior Standing (completion of the Sophomore year). The internship experience is a primary requirement for degree completion.
The internship experiences allow our Sport and Recreation Management majors to gain pre-professional experience, designed to enhance the development of knowledge, skills, and abilities in a Sport Management or Outdoor Recreating Management field.
Common Internship experiences include one or more of the following "hands-on" activities:
- Customer interaction and personnel supervision
- Observation and participation in program planning/leadership.
- Observe/research/analyze current activities and future trends in the industry
- Involving the student intern, when appropriate, in management meetings and communications
- A “capstone” experience, e.g., marketing plan, fundraising project, special event promotion, etc.; professional presentation, or research/case study in a sport management or outdoor recreation discipline.
Affiliated Internship Sites in Sport and Recreation Management
Sport and Athletics Experiences in sport marketing, athletics administration, coaching (sport leadership and pedagogy), team management, sports information, and sport venue/event management
- University of New England, Department of Athletics (Biddeford, ME)
- Princeton Men's Basketball (Division I) (Princeton, NJ)
- Biddeford High School Athletics (Biddeford, ME)
- Thornton Academy Athletics (Saco, ME)
- Old Orchard Beach High School Athletics (Old Orchard Beach, ME)
- Scarborough High School Athletics (Scarborough, ME)
- University of Southern Maine, Department of Athletics (Gorham, ME)
- Southern Maine Community College (South Portland, ME)
- Kennebunk High School Athletics (Kennebunk, ME)
- Berwick Academy (South Berwick, ME)
- Massalonskee High School Athletics (Oakland, ME)
- University of New Hampshire (Dover, NH)
Sport, Leisure, and Recreation
Experiences in sport and recreation administration, marketing, programming, and venue/event management
- University of New England, Department of Athletics (Biddeford, ME)
- Maine Sports Commission (Augusta, ME)
- Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation (Bethel, ME)
- Northern York County YMCA (Biddeford, ME)
- Cape Arundel Golf Course (Kennebunkport, ME)
- Biddeford Parks and Recreation Department (Biddeford, ME)
- Atlantic Pool and Billiards (Biddeford, ME)
- Saco Parks & Recreation Department (Saco, ME)
- Saco Sports and Fitness (Saco, ME)
- XL Sports World (Saco, ME)
- MBNation (Saco, ME)
- USSA Major League Soccer (Saco & Portland, ME)
- American Red Cross (Portland, ME)
- Maine Special Olympics (Portland Area, ME)
- Portland Athletic Club (Portland, ME)
- Portland Ice Arena (Portland, ME)
- Resort Sports Network (RSN) (Portland & Sunday River, ME)
- Windham Parks and Recreation Department (Windham, ME)
- Bath Country Club (Bath, ME)
- Camp Sunshine (Casco, ME)
- Maine Senior Games (Kennebunk, ME)
- Oakland Maine Recreation Department (Oakland, ME)
- Bethel Inn Resort and Country Club (Bethel, ME)
- Concord Recreation Center (Concord, MA)
- Portsmouth Country Club (Portsmouth, NH)
- Fitness by Favara (Portsmouth, NH)
- Dover Recreation Department (Dover, NH)
- Antrim Recreation Department (Antrim, NH)
- Greater Nashua YMCA (Merrimack Branch, Nashua Branch, and Camp Sargent, NH)
- Complete Athlete (Derry, NH)
- Derry Sports Zone (Derry, NH)
- CCBA Summer Basketball League (Lebanon, NH)
- Vermont Sun Sports and Fitness (Middlebury, VT)
- Pure Hockey (Franklin, MA)
- Mid Cape Racquet and Health Club (South Yarmouth, MA)
- Team Central Lacrosse (Northboro, MA)
- Nantucket Country Club (Nantucket, MA)
- Dan Duquette Sports Academy (Western MA)
- Brewster Sports Center (Brewster, NY)
- Camp Pontiac (Glen Head, NY)
- Dove Springs Recreation Center (Austin, TX)
- Rosewood Recreation Center (Austin, TX)
Sport and Recreation Products Industry
Experiences with marketing and merchandising
- Sports Authority (South Portland, ME)
- Oakley (Freeport, ME)
- Sugarloaf (Carrabassett Valley, ME)
Professional Sport Agencies
Experiences with professional representation and operations
- Shamrock Sports and Entertainment (Portland, ME)
- IMG Athletics (Bradenton, FL)
Sport Journalism
Experiences with sports writing
- Burlington Free Press (Burlington, VT)
- University of New England Sports Information Office (Biddeford, ME)
Professional Sport
Experiences with marketing, programming, administration, communication, merchandising, and venue/event management
- Portland Red Claws Basketball (Portland, ME)
- Portland Sea Dogs Baseball (Portland, ME)
- Maine Mammoths Football (Portland, ME)
- Maine Mariners Hockey (Portland, ME)
- Atlanta Hawks (NBA) (Atlanta, GA)
- Baltimore Ravens (NFL) (Baltimore, MD)
- Manchester Monarchs (Manchester, NH)
- Keene Swamp Bats (Keene, NH)
- South Shore Baseball Club (Hingham, MA)
- Glens Falls Golden Eagles Baseball (Glens Falls, NY)
- Cal Ripken, Jr.’s Ripken Baseball (Massachusetts)
- Charlotte Bobcats Basketball (Charlotte, NC)
- Cedar Rapids Kernels Baseball (Cedar Rapids, IA)
UNE Sport and Recreation Management students have completed internships with each of the above sites.
For more information see the Academic Catalog.
Honors Program
We offer qualified students the option of graduating with Honors. This includes significant research, scholarship or creative activity under the direction of a faculty member. Interested students should consult with their advisor.
Experiential Learning in the B.S. in Sport and Recreation Management Program
At UNE, experiential learning is critical to your professional development. Sport and Recreation Management majors participate in a robust internship program, which requires 480 hours of on-the-job, real-world learning – because success in sport and recreation management won’t happen by sitting on the sidelines.
Internships for Sport and Recreation Management Majors
You may find yourself in a wide range of internship experiences, including:
- Leading outdoor adventure trips
- Managing merchandising for a local minor league sports team
- Coordinating travel for a college athletics team
- Assisting an ecotourism operation
Intern near campus during the academic year or elsewhere over the summer. Our graduates have interned with many organizations, such as:
- Baltimore Ravens
- Portland Sea Dogs
- New England Revolution
- Shamrock Sports Group
- Maine Sports Commission
- Maine Red Claws
For more information about Sport and Recreation Management internships, contact Dr. Aimee Vlachos at (207) 602-2441.
UNE SPORT AND RECREATION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM INTERNS IN ACTION
Global Education for Sport and Recreation Management Majors
See the World
Sport and recreation often bring people together — and coming together means learning about our differences. Our Global Education Programs offer many brief travel courses in a wide range of locations, such as Mexico, Kenya, Italy, and Ireland, that expose you to new ways of thinking and introduce you to other cultures and customs. If you’re looking for a longer cultural immersion experience, we offer semester-long programs in Spain, France, Iceland, and at our own international campus in Morocco.
Interested in studying abroad? Make a plan with your advisor.
Apply Today
Ready to begin your future in UNE’s B.S. in Sport and Recreation Management degree program? Get started today.
Bachelor of Science in Sport and Recreation Management FAQ
What is a sports management degree?
A sport management degree equips students with a strong grasp of the interconnected dynamics of sports, business, and management. It offers direct instruction on business aspects within the realm of sports and includes valuable hands-on experiences in managing sports organizations and events.
UNE in Maine offers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Sport and Recreation Management which provides you with a comprehensive education; a solid foundation in program planning/management, finance, marketing, law and leadership; a choice of a concentration in either Sport Management or Outdoor Recreation Management; a minor in Business Administration.
Learn more about UNE’s Bachelor of Science (B.S) degree in Sport and Recreation Management
What can you do with a sports management degree?
Sport management majors have the potential to pursue careers with various employers, which may include professional teams, colleges, recreational departments, and marketing firms. The job prospects in sports management are anticipated to be favorable in the upcoming years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there is a projected increase of over 1 million positions in combined sports and entertainment management occupations from 2020 to 2030.
As a UNE Sport Management graduate, you'll be ready for the sports management workforce or additional graduate studies. This training equips you to be a passionate and effective leader, making a positive impact in fields like athletic administration, sports marketing, and event management.
UNE students who have graduated with a B.S. in Sport and Recreation Management in Maine have pursued many fascinating careers, including athletic director, coach, camp director, game day coordinator, director of sports partnerships, event coordinator, business owner, sports information director, and operations manager. Students can benefit from the Academic and Career Advising Center, whether they have specific career goals or general field interests.
How much do sports management majors make?
Some examples of jobs and their average salaries related to a sports management degree according to Zippia include:
- Marketing Manager: $125,659
- Athletic Director: $119,592
- Sports Agent: $192,070
- Sports Manager: $94,330
- Business Operations Specialist: $77,420
- Athletic Trainer: $49,860
- Business Manager for Athletes: $75,420
How long does a sports management degree take?
Like most undergraduate business programs, a bachelor's degree in sports management typically requires four years of full-time study. To achieve a two-year bachelor's in sports management as a transfer student, you usually need either an associate's degree or a minimum of 60 transferable credits. Make sure to verify the eligibility of your transfer credits.
UNE in Maine typically accepts transfer credits from institutions with regional accreditation, as well as credits from AP exams, CLEP tests, accredited military training programs, and, to a limited extent, previous experiential learning, with specific conditions in place.
Learn more about how to apply to UNE as a transfer student
If you are interested in applying to UNE’s sports and recreation management program as a first-year student, we also want to simplify the process as much as possible.
First-year high school students should:
- Submit either a Common Application or the UNE Application along with a $40 application fee.
- Provide an official high school transcript.
UNE follows a test-blind admissions policy, which means ACT or SAT scores are not considered for general admission. Instead, we assess your overall high school experience.
Learn more about how to apply to UNE as a first-year student.
How much does a sports management degree cost?
The cost of a four-year sports management bachelor's degree is impacted by various factors, including:
- Your residency status, whether in-state or out-of-state.
- The type of institution, whether it's a public in-state university or a private college.
- Additional expenditures such as housing, meals, and miscellaneous fees.
Learn more about the tuition and fees for undergraduate degree programs at UNE in Maine
UNE is Maine's largest private university. We offer merit-based scholarships, regardless of your chosen major, demonstrating our commitment to accessible education. Some important facts:
- 98% of undergraduates receive merit scholarships.
- Our students receive about $26,000 in award packages on average.
- We award $42 million in scholarships every year.
Learn more about grants and scholarships available for UNE students
How to get a sports management degree?
A sports management degree typically takes four years and gives you a good understanding of business and the sports industry. However, specific program requirements differ among schools.
At UNE in Maine, you'll be required to finish 120 credits to obtain your degree. Our Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Sports and Recreation Management is designed to work together with the University's liberal arts core curriculum. This includes:
- 42–46 credits of College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) core curriculum
- 18 credits of required business foundation courses
- 15 required sports and recreation management courses
- 15–16 credits of required courses in your concentration
- Variable elective courses as needed to reach 120 credits
Learn more about UNE’s sports and recreation management curriculum
What’s the best sports management degree program for me?
When assessing which sports management degree program is best for you, begin by considering essential criteria. The following list can assist you in making your decision.
Faculty
When it comes to choosing a sports management program, look for professors who specialize in areas that align with your interests, such as athletics, management, marketing, finance, or related fields. Ensure their professional backgrounds match your goals.
UNE’s School of Business faculty in Maine are experienced, skilled, and supportive offering relevant curricula that will help prepare students to thrive in and face the challenges of an ever-changing world.
Meet faculty and professional staff in UNE's College of Business
Curriculum
Assess the sports management program to see if it aligns with your preferences, taking into account subjects like management, marketing, finance, and other related fields, along with the availability of sports management internships.
UNE's Sports and Recreation Management program in Maine offers students:
- A strong education in program planning, finance, marketing, law, and leadership.
- The option to specialize in either Sport Management or Outdoor Recreation Management.
- The opportunity to minor in Business Administration.
- At least 480 hours of hands-on experience through internships and campus leadership roles.
Students gain diverse internship experiences, such as leading outdoor adventures, handling merchandising for a local minor league sports team, organizing travel for college athletics, and assisting with ecotourism operations.
Learn more about UNE’s sports management curriculum
Career goals
Choose a sports management program that aligns with your career aspirations and goals, including internships. Explore the available resources to help you plan your path forward.
As a student in UNE's Sport and Recreation Management program, you'll receive an education that equips you for diverse career opportunities in the fields of athletics and sport management, outdoor recreation, and tourism industries.
Our robust internship program requires 480 hours of on-the-job, real-world learning because experience is a key component in your sport and recreation management education. UNE sports management students have interned with renowned organizations, including the Baltimore Ravens, Portland Sea Dogs, New England Revolution, Shamrock Sports Group, Maine Sports Commission, and Maine Red Claws.
Based on UNE graduate surveys from 2016 to 2022, 95% of our undergraduate students are either working or furthering their education, which includes pursuing MBA programs, within one year of graduating. In 2022, Zippia ranked UNE as the leading university in Maine for job placement. Additionally, students can benefit from the support of the Academic and Career Advising Center, whether they have a clear career goal or a general interest in a particular field.
Learn more about Career Advising at UNE
Learning environment
Consider the location and environment that best supports your undergraduate journey as a sports management major.
Whether you're into coastal recreation or aiming for opportunities with minor league sports teams in the region, UNE's Southern Maine location is an excellent pick for your sport and recreation management studies.
Learn more about UNE’s campuses and how you can visit us
UNE's Global Education program offers semester-long study abroad options in Spain, France, Iceland, or our Morocco campus. You can also select shorter travel courses to places such as Ireland, Mexico, Kenya, Italy, Cuba, and more.
Learn more about study abroad opportunities at UNE
Financial aid
Consider whether the school you're interested in provides financial aid or scholarships to support your education.
A UNE undergraduate education is affordable. Our tuition is 16% below the average tuition for private universities in New England. Plus, all incoming full-time undergraduate students at UNE will receive Merit Scholarships in amounts from $5,000 to $22,000 per year.
Learn more about grants and scholarships available to students at UNE