International Certification in Sports Management

Dr. Spradley TeachingThe sports world is a multi-billion dollar industry that continues to grow and expand at a rapid pace. As new technologies reshape the management and marketing of sports organizations, a diverse and unique skill set is essential for professionals in the industry. Keeping a sports organization strong—whether it is a professional franchise, athletic department, or governing body—requires specialized talent both on and off the field.

Understanding the need for education and training in the area of sport management, the United States Sports Academy has developed the International Certification in Sports Management (ICSM) Program. The Academy’s ICSM Program includes six courses that provide students with the latest advances in the field of sport and presents theoretical and practical approaches to gaining the skills critical for success in the industry. The Academy also offers an International Diploma in Sports Management (IDSM), which adds four additional courses to the ICSM curriculum. For more information on the IDSM, contact the Center for Professional Studies and Continuing Education at prostudy@ussa.edu

The Academy’s sport management programs help students develop their business acumen, administrative proficiency, and leadership abilities with specialized focus on sport management and is ideal for those who desire a more in-depth perspective into the business, administration, and management aspects of sport.

Specialized Program of Study

Those who manage an organization are continually confronted with the need for information and expertise to help them make difficult choices. This course surveys and prepares the prospective sport administrator for the full range of potential responsibilities in the field. It teaches the primary management duties and provides a strong background for the necessities of program development. Overall, this course is designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to administration, organization, and management principles and their applications in the broad sport setting.

This course examines the relationship of sport, business, and personnel management. The central focus of the course revolves around the functions and responsibilities of a sports business professional, also referred to as a sport manager. The course is designed to help students develop the necessary skills to become an effective sport manager. The course covers the sport manager’s role in planning, organizing, and leading within a sports organization and also takes into consideration critical aspects of human resource management.

This course covers the basics of sport marketing and provides foundational knowledge of the competitive world of sport. Just as athletes compete on the playing field, sport marketing professionals compete in the marketplace. The approach of those working in sport marketing has changed over the past decade with the advent of digital media. Today, a sport marketer must have an understanding of how to connect with consumers over social media platforms; targeted web and streaming content ads; and through email. Despite these changes, some elements of sport marketing, such as the need to understand the sport consumer and the sport product is rapidly evolving. This course will touch on the fundamentals, research methods, and new developments in the field of sport marketing.

International sport management is an emerging field of study that focuses on the organization, governance, business activities, and cross-cultural context of sport. Sport itself has become a prominent vehicle of the international exchange process, especially as many current managerial decisions are influenced by global events. This course aims to provide a global context to principles such as politics, culture, economics, ethics, monetary policies, and foreign competition. This course also examines the role and impact of sport in various regions of the world. Overall, this course is designed to develop globally competent sport managers to function effectively and appropriately in a multicultural work or event environment.

Sport facility management represents one of the fastest growth areas in the sport industry. There is a significant need for properly trained sport managers with strong skills in developing, managing, and maintaining sport facilities. This course focuses on the principles, guidelines, and recommendations for planning, constructing, using, and maintaining sports facilities. In addition, this course examines the concepts, principles, and methods of organizing and administering security management within the sport profession. A primary emphasis is on protection of assets, personnel, and facilities. Overall, this course provides an understanding and appreciation for the planning and management of sport facilities, while covering the application of basic principles of security management within sport settings.

Sport events have grown to encompass much of our free time. Because of this growth, event management is one of the most sought-after skills in the sport industry. Most of us who attend an event do so as an invitee, not fully understanding the vastness of what it takes to host an event. This course provides a comprehensive look at what it takes to produce a successful event from conception to fruition to evaluation. In addition, this course covers the administration, promotion, and marketing of events while applying these concepts to the unique aspect of sports. This course provides a fresh perspective on event management. Upon completion of this course, students will understand the competencies necessary for managing and operating sport events through theory and application.

Goals of the Program

Upon successful completion of this ICSM program, you should be able to:

  • Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed as a sport management professional
  • Evaluate global and contemporary issues within the sport management environment
  • Demonstrate a working knowledge of business principles and its application to various industries in sport
  • Assess key characteristics and trends of the sport business industry
  • Demonstrate awareness of organizational, management, and marketing principles that come into operation for sport managers at various levels of responsibility