Students in SMU’s sport management program at SMU interact during a home basketball game.

Undergraduate programs

Sport management

Major: B.S.

Minor

Overview

SMU’s B.S. in sport management offered by the Department of Applied Physiology and Sport Management integrates scientific and business principles to prepare students for careers in the business of sport through a strong foundation in core industry disciplines. The program emphasizes key areas such as marketing, revenue generation, data and analytics, law, public relations, and event and facility management.

Students are equipped for roles across professional and amateur sports organizations, including team and league operations, corporate partnerships and athlete representation. Hands-on learning is central to the experience, with opportunities for internships, case-based coursework and direct engagement with industry professionals. Global immersion experiences, case competitions and networking events further enhance career readiness.

Located in Dallas, one of the country’s largest sports markets, SMU positions its students for success.

Top 20%

Best National Universities

U.S. News & World Report (2026)

No. 1

Best Sports Business City

Sports Business Journal (2023)

No. 10

Best Colleges for Sports Management in America

Niche.com 2026

Admissions

Deadlines and details

Key dates and admissions information to help plan your application with confidence.

Transfer students

Everything transfer students need to know about admission requirements.

International students

All the essential admission requirements international students need to know.

Additional links

Ready to apply?

Get started here.

Tuition and financial aid

2 out of 3 first-year students are awarded grants and/or scholarships with an average total of $38,598.

Tuition and costs

Explore the cost breakdown of tuition for undergraduate programs.

Financial aid

Find information on scholarships and financial support available at SMU.

Curriculum and learning

Featured courses

APSM 4345

Sports Marketing

Explores the market dynamics, consumer behavior, delivery systems, and promotional strategies that drive the sport marketing industry.

APSM 4375

Sports Data and Analytics

Examines the theory, development, and application of data and analytics in sports.

APSM 4371

Revenue in Sports

Covers topics including professional league revenue generation, franchise ownership and valuation, corporate sponsorship and sports media revenue.

View course catalog

Outside the classroom

  • SMU students intern with the Stanley Cup winning Dallas Stars franchise.

    Internships

    Get practical experience to develop industry skills and build a professional network. Internships can open doors to future opportunities and contribute to long-term career success.

  • SMU students in the Sport Management Programs can study abroad in Europe.

    Study abroad

    Expand your personal and academic experiences by studying in another part of the world. Take the opportunity to immerse yourself in different cultures and gain global perspectives.

  • Clubs and organizations

    Explore interests, develop leadership skills and connect with like-minded peers. 

  • SMU students working with plants at Bontham Family Farms

    Community engagement

    Apply your classroom knowledge to real-world issues while making a positive impact.

Student success

Our graduates consistently secure positions in sport marketing, consulting, facility and event management, athletic administration, and sport law preparation. Many go on to pursue advanced degrees in sports, business and other specializations.

Student stories

Lily Hewitt is a class of 2025 graduate of the SMU Sport Management undergraduate program.

Lily Hewitt ’25

“There are great opportunities in this program, like being part of this team and internships that offer incredible experience,” said Hewitt, SMU sport management team member in the Sport Business Journal NSF Challenge Cup Competition. “This project felt like real-world work, and I came away with the satisfaction that comes from working hard on something as a team.”

Dev Dondra, a graduate of the Sport Management undergraduate program at SMU.

Dev Dondra ’27

“Participating in internships and the Case Cup competition offered through this program challenges you to think strategically, communicate effectively and adapt under pressure,” said Dondra, SMU sport management team member in the Sport Business Journal NSF Challenge Cup Competition. “These experiences strengthen my passion for sports business and deepen my appreciation for the collaboration and creativity that drive meaningful results.”

Faculty

Our distinguished faculty are industry leaders and subject matter experts, bringing real-world experience and industry insights to the classroom.

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Peter Carton, J.D.

Peter Carton

Director of Sport Management and Clinical Associate Professor
Dr. Kevin Byon

Kevin K. Byon

Department Chair, Glenn Simmons Endowed Professor
Sydney Hammit

Sydney Hammit

Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. Bo Li

Bo Li

Assistant Professor
Deukmook Bae

Deukmook Bae

Assistant Professor
Dr. Jiayao Qi Headshot

Jiayao Qi

Clinical Assistant Professor

Facilities

Annette Caldwell Simmons Hall is home to the Simmons School of Education and Human Development.

Annette Caldwell Simmons Hall

Home to the Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Annette Caldwell Simmons Hall has classrooms, study spaces, and research labs including the Integrative Physiology Laboratory.

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Frequently asked questions

A Bachelor of Science in sport management prepares students for careers in leadership within professional, collegiate, or amateur sports organizations. It covers athlete representation, management of commercial health and fitness facilities, sports public relations, and sport facility and event management, equipping graduates with skills to excel in various aspects of the sports industry. At SMU, the Sport Management B.S. curriculum uses science and business principles as well as hands-on learning to prepare students for strategic and leadership roles in sports.

With a bachelor’s in sport management, you can apply business and leadership skills to work in sport marketing, sponsorship, consulting and strategy. Jobs include managing professional teams and organizations, intercollegiate athletic administration, sport facility management, and representation of professional athletes. The degree also prepares you for law school and careers in sport law.

The starting salaries of graduates from the sport management B.S. program vary depending on position.

While business degrees cover general business principles across industries, a bachelor’s in sport management focuses specifically on the sports industry. Sport administration shares this focus but may differ in scope depending on the program. SMU’s sport management bachelor’s degree is designed for students who have a passion for the business of sport and who aspire to hold senior-management positions in the billion-dollar sports industry.

Yes, SMU students can double major or minor outside of the sport management program, both within Simmons and across the University. About 1 out of 4 SMU undergraduates pursue two or more majors and minors. SMU and Simmons support students who wish to pursue cross-disciplinary studies.

SMU students who major in sport management are especially well-positioned when they graduate because Dallas-Fort Worth is one of the largest sports markets in the nation. Dallas has been named the Best Sports Business City by Sports Business Journal and is one of only seven markets that have NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS and WNBA teams. Because of this, students have access to several franchises to pursue internships and professional experiences during their undergraduate studies and after. The program creates opportunities to connect its students with a wide network of alumni (over 64,000 in Dallas-Fort Worth) and industry professionals in the region.

Yes, the bachelor of sport management program at SMU is designed with an emphasis on hands-on learning, culminating in a research methodology course and an internship at a local sports industry organization for a total of 250 hours. SMU students land competitive internships at major franchises, such as the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars, among others. These internships provide experiential learning and unique professional experiences.

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