Study Sport Management at UGA
Understand the law, policies, marketing, and social justice issues that drive the sport industry in the University of Georgia's Department of Kinesiology.
MS in Kinesiology (Sport Management and Policy)
Our MS in Kinesiology with a concentration in sport management and policy prepares both scholars and professionals for the world of sport management through either a thesis or non-thesis program.
Both specializations give you a full understanding of multiple areas of sport management through interdisciplinary classes. Our curriculum blends business practices with the needs of the sport industry, studying the place sport has in society, examining the sociological and philosophical dimensions of sport, and governmental and industry policies that apply to it. Students will learn through hands-on, real-world experiential learning and case studies led by our esteemed faculty.
Upon graduation, many of our non-thesis students begin careers at the professional, collegiate, or secondary level, while others explore corporate businesse and sponsorship opportunities. Our thesis students are well prepared to enter research institutions to pursue doctoral degrees.
Our graduates work in a variety of industries that include the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, and MLS; with professional sports teams like the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta United, Atlanta Falcons, Gwinnett Stripers, Dallas Cowboys; within agencies like IMG, Creative Artists Agency, Octagon, and Melt; and with industry-leading organizations like ESPN, the NCAA, Nike, and many more.
Experiential Learning
The Sport Management program at the University of Georgia provides intership opportunities that provide valuable educational experiences for students. Students are required to fulfill experiential learning credits as a graduation requirement.
Download the Sport Management Internship Guide
Need to recruit sport management interns?
The Sport Management program will work with partners to meet their talent needs. Have your brand connect with the future of the industry by posting opportunities with the program. To discuss your organization's specific needs and hire talented students for positions when the fit is mutually beneficial, please contact Michael Slonaker.
Alumni Spotlight
Brian Berger (thesis track)
I am the manager for consumer insights at Delta Airlines. Before that, I lead analytics and insights for B/R Live, a direct-to-consumer sports offering from Turner Sports. I analyzed fan behavior and consumption patterns in addition to helping the business unit profile potential leagues for acquisition. I communicated these insights to internal and external stakeholders, including PR, marketing, operations, and league executives.
The UGA Sport Management program helped me to think more critically about issues, especially Baker’s Sport Law class. His Socratic approach to teaching made me uncomfortable and helped me grow as a learner. The program also connected me to peers and like-minded professionals with whom I built rapport while in the program.
My advice for current UGA master’s students is simple: conduct informational interviews. Students cannot do enough of these. Pick any organization you might be interested in, search for that organization on LinkedIn, and view the employees who work there. Find an employee in an area you may be interested in, reach out and leverage the UGA brand, saying you’re a student. Kindly ask if that individual would be open to a 30-minute informational interview to learn more. If the employee agrees, follow-up occasionally and stay in touch. Do this for any organization you’re interested in. The worst that can happen is that someone doesn’t respond or says no. The best that can happen is an employer selects you for an open role or even creates a role if you impress them.
Brooke Brumbelow (non-thesis track)
My name is Brooke Brumbelow (McCoy), and I am the communications manager for the Orlando Magic. Some of my primary responsibilities include generating publicity for the Magic’s on and off the court initiatives, serving as a staff writer and copy editor, managing the credentialing process, facilitating media arrangements for home games, producing the game program, assisting in the publication of the media guide, helping to facilitate media interviews and player appearances, and supporting all areas of the communications department.
In addition, I work all games and conduct one-on-one interviews with all players and coaching staff in media preparation, and I get the opportunity to cover events like the NBA All-Star Game and the NBA draft on behalf of the Magic. I am very blessed to be in this position, and I always thank the University of Georgia and the Sport Management program for helping me get to where I am today. Not only did the program help me to see what I wanted to do with my career, but it allowed me to gain the insight and experience needed to succeed.
I would tell current UGA Sport Management students to never give up and volunteer whenever you can. The sport industry is an amazing industry to be in and, because of that, everyone wants to be a part of it. It is very competitive and a hard field to land in. However, do not give up. Take every “no” as a positive and a piece of encouragement and work harder towards your goal. Volunteer whenever you can. You can never have enough experience in this field, and it allows you to grow as a person and an employee. Lastly, enjoy every minute of it. Sports are fun and it is an amazing and rewarding opportunity that we get to call a job.
Additional Resources
Please use our online form if you have any questions for the department. Please be as specific as possible so that we may quickly assist you.
Meet Your Advisor
A close working relationship with your advisor is key as you progress through your program of study. Please note that most graduate students at UGA are not assigned to a faculty advisor until after admittance.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Almost all in-state students begin their studies at UGA paying limited tuition or fees. Please note that these amounts are subject to change and are meant to give prospective students an idea of the costs associated with a degree at the University of Georgia College of Education.
Students may qualify for a variety of assistantships, scholarships, and other financial awards to help offset the cost of tuition, housing, and other expenses.
Faculty and Staff
Thomas Alexander Baker III
- Associate Professor
Steven Salaga
- Assistant Professor
David Schmidt
- Instructor
Michael Slonaker
- Instructor
Yiran Su
- Assistant Professor