Minnesota Sport Management Degree Programs

Zach Pierce

MPH & Masters in Nutrition Sciences, Bachelors in Nutrition & Public Health (University of California, Davis). Last updated February 28, 2023.

There are over 20 different sports degree programs in Minnesota, with options for campus based programs and online sports degrees.

The most common program is Sports Management, but you will also find top rated and affordable exercise science degree programs and coaching degrees. The Gopher State has the country's 12th largest population and is home to a handful of well known professional sports teams.

Click for more online sports programs that are taking applications for 2025.

Are There Online Sports Degrees in Minnesota?

Yes, there are several colleges in Minnesota offering various sports degrees online. There are also online Bachelors programs and online Masters in Sports degrees at Concordia University St. Paul, as well as online graduate options at Winona State University.

In Depth Review of Some of the Top Minnesota Online Sports Degrees

Below are details on the top Online sports degrees offered in Minnesota. Most programs are graduate level, with two Online undergraduate programs.

University of Minnesota Bachelors in Sports and Recreation Management

This B.S. degree from the UM caters to students who are interested in the business components of athletics and recreational activities, including community and event planning and facilities management. This program is also offered as an Online certificate. Here are more details:

• Program includes study abroad opportunities open to Online students
• 3 term enrollment (Spring, Summer, Fall)
• Curriculum requires completion of 120 credits and senior Capstone project

Concordia University, St. Paul: Multiple Online Sports

St. Paul Concordia offers several Online Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorates in Exercise Science, Coaching, and Sports Management. The college has a well-established Online curriculum that supports a large number of students with thoughtful and interactive coursework and internship opportunities. The degrees and details are as follows:

• B.A. in Exercise Science offers course-based internships and rehabilitation graduate coursework preparation, and can be completed in 2 years
• M.S. in Coaching and Athletic Administration combines elements of athletic training, nutritional science, and business; consists of 33 units
• M.S. in Exercise Science offers a prescriptive approach to kinesiology that consists of 1.5 years and 33 units of coursework
• M.A. in Sports Management emphasizes technology-driven solutions to sports logistics and incorporate 33 units of coursework with a final Capstone project
• Ph.D. or Ed.D in Kinesiology consist of 67 or 65 units respectively
• Both Doctoral Online programs consist of in-person and virtual research projects and dissertation defense

Minnesota State University Masters in Sports Management

Minnesota State at Mankato offers a comprehensive M.S. in Sports Management that combines coursework from the Business department with Physiology coursework. Here is more information about the program:

• Online programs offer in-state tuition rates
• Online students may be offered teaching assistant-ships with stipends
• Curriculum requires 30 units for graduation and may be completed in 18 months

St. Cloud University Masters in Sports Management

St. Cloud University, in St. Cloud, offers an M.S. in Sports management. The program is designed to complement the same in-person program. Below are details:

• Students may choose from completing a thesis, exam, or research portfolio and internship
• Program offers traditional Sports Management pathway or Coaching concentration
• Fall and Spring admission

Crown College Masters in Coaching & Administration

Crown College in St. Bonifacius is an Online M.S. program that offers a custom curriculum in Coaching and Administration. The college allows students to choose from a variety of of minors and coursework to complement this degree. Below are more details:

• Graduation requires completion of 33 units with 8 week courses
• Curriculum consists of live and virtually proctored courses
• Internship at on-campus and regional athletics facilities

Winona College Masters in Sports Management and Performance Analytics

Wayne College offers two distinct Online Masters in both Sports Management and Performance Analytics. Winona college has many exercise science and human movement coursework and concentrations to choose from to complement. More program specifics:

• Performance Analytics curriculum requires 34 units with self-paced course options
• Performance Analytics is part of dual B.S. + M.S. degree program
• Sports Management program offers a complementary 18-course Online certificate
• Both programs offer one of three in-person immersion internships at on-campus and local athletics organizations for credit

List of Sports Degrees in Minnesota

Click for 100% online sports programs that are taking applications.

Top Sports Organizations in Minnesota

Minnesota is home to several collegiate and professional athletic organizations.

• Minnesota Vikings (NFL)
• Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA)
• Minnesota Wild (NHL)
• Minnesota Lynx (WNBA)
• Minnesota Twins
• Minnesota United FC (MLS)
• University of Minnesota Golden Gophers

Top Sports Careers in Minnesota

The Department of Labor anticipates a 20% increase in sports related jobs through 2030. The Department of Labor indicates that roughly 75% of all new Sports jobs will require a Bachelors degree. Minneapolis and St. Paul, the Twin Cities, are the major metropolitan areas withing Minnesota. These towns are home to the majority of sports commerce and collegiate activity. The most common or fastest growing jobs are below:

• Sports Analyst: Sports analysts compile and analyze in-game statistics and have a background in statistics and/or mathematics. Analysts have an average salary of $92,000 and projected job growth of 33% through 2030. The mean annual salary for analysts in Minnesota is $87,760.
• Exercise Physiologist: Physiologists help to create programs that promote recovery of athletic injuries. This field is expected to grow 13% over the next decade. Minnesota has one of the nation’s highest mean salaries for physiologists at $47,940.
• General and Operations Managers: General managers are responsible for the planning and operations of athletic organizations, including developing and executing contracts and planning various aspects of human resources. The median annual wage is $104,080, but will vary across industries.
• Professor/Faculty Member: Minnesota is home to several top tier universities that offer degrees in sports management and related fields. Post-secondary professors teach at the college level. This field is expected to grow by 12% through 2030. Minnesota has one of the top paying locales for professors, with an annual mean salary ranging from $106,690.
• Coaches and Scouts: Coaches and scouts specialize in training, managing and recruiting elite athletes. The field is expected to grow by 26% over the next decade. In Minnesota, coaches and scouts make an average annual salary of $48,150.

What can you do with a Bachelors or Masters degree in Sport Management in Minnesota?

The St. Paul – Minneapolis metropolitan area is large and hosts multiple sports franchises and athletic facilities. There are many careers in the sports industry that will accommodate individuals with degrees in sports. The top sports jobs in Minnesota are athletic trainers, coaches, and physiologists. Other common jobs are professor, at any one of the many large research institutions, and analysts.

Sports Degrees by Level

• Bachelors degrees in sports
• Online Bachelors in Sports Management
• Online Masters in Sports Management
• Doctorate degrees in sports

Sport Program Areas

• Athletic Administration Degrees
• Exercise Science Degrees
• Kinesiology Degrees
• Coaching Degrees
• Health and Wellness Degrees
• Sports Industry Management
• Sports Analytics Degrees
• Sports Marketing Degrees
• Sports Psychology Degrees
• Recreation Management Degrees