Accelerated Pathway (B.S. - M.S.) in Sport Management

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Sport Management Accelerated Pathways (B.S. to M.S.) — Two Degrees in 5 Years

East Stroudsburg University’s Sport Management Accelerated Pathways allow motivated students to earn a B.S. in Sport Management plus an advanced M.S. in just five years saving time and money while jump starting your career with graduate level skills.

You’ll complete the full undergraduate experience then step into a focused fifth year designed to elevate your leadership, strategy, and career readiness.

At a glance

  • 5 years
  • 2 degrees
  • 3.40 GPA
  • apply at 45–60 ESU credits
  • up to 9 shared graduate credits
  • 24 graduate credits in year 5

Choose Your 5-Year Pathway

Pick the master’s option that matches your goals:

Why Students Accelerate at ESU

  • Earn graduate credits early: Take up to 9 graduate credits during junior/senior years that apply to both degrees.

  • Finish faster: Earn the B.S. after year 4, then complete the master’s in year 5.

  • COSMA-accredited distinction: ESU offers the only COSMA-accredited master’s program in Sport Management in PA, NJ, and NY.

  • Built for busy schedules: Night courses help students balance work, internships, and life.

  • Affordable graduate opportunities: Many students pursue Graduate Assistant or Graduate Student Worker roles to help offset costs.

  • Research + recognition: Opportunities to present research and be recognized through Chi Sigma Mu.

How the 5-Year Structure Works

Here’s the clear plan students and families want:

  • Minimum 111 undergraduate credits in the B.S. in Sport Management

  • Up to 9 graduate credits taken during junior/senior years that count toward both degrees

  • B.S. in Sport Management awarded after successful completion of year 4

  • Year 5: complete 24 graduate credits to earn the M.S.

Curriculum plans are subject to change; students should confirm details with the department/advisor.

What You’ll Learn

Across both pathways, students build graduate level capability in:

  • Research and analysis: design and conduct sport management research projects

  • Strategy and planning: build comprehensive sport marketing plans and strategies for organizations

  • Leadership: strengthen decision making, management skills, and leadership in sport environments

  • Operations: manage and operate sport facilities and programs

  • Career readiness: prepare for professional roles across a diverse sport industry

Pathway Highlights

Sport Administration (M.S.)

This option emphasizes advanced curriculum and research opportunities geared toward professional careers in the sport industry.

Students develop skills to:

  • Lead sport organizations through effective planning, communication, and decision-making

  • Manage sport facilities, events, and programs from operations through evaluation

Career directions can include:

  • Athletic administration

  • Sport marketing and sales

  • Coaching

  • Sport facility and event operations

  • Sport media communications

Student experience highlights:

  • Develop a research project and present at regional/national conferences

  • Learn in a program taught by faculty with doctoral preparation in sport management and related fields

Management and Leadership in Sport Business (M.S.)

This option is designed to strengthen management, leadership, and decision making for a dynamic, technology driven sport industry pairing theory with practical application.

Students develop skills to:

  • Create strategies to accomplish organizational goals

  • Strengthen management and decision making abilities

  • Develop a sport management research project

  • Build a comprehensive sport marketing plan

Career directions can include:

  • Athletic administration

  • Sport business operations

  • Coaching

  • Sport sales and marketing

  • Sport media communications

Additional requirement: A comprehensive exam is required for the Management and Leadership in Sport Business pathway.

Eligibility and Academic Requirements

Students can apply as early as sophomore year.

To apply, students must:

  • Be enrolled in the B.S. in Sport Management

  • Have 45–60 credits at ESU

  • Have a 3.40 overall GPA

After acceptance, students must maintain:

  • A 3.40 overall GPA, and

  • A B or higher in graduate courses for those credits to count toward the master’s degree

Internship planning

Internships can be completed in fall, spring, or summer once you’ve earned 90 credits with a 2.5 GPA, and are completed at an approved internship site.

Become a Warrior

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Where Courage Finds Confidence

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    Undergraduate Admissions

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    Department of Sport Management

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Contact Us

Campus Address

Zimbar-Liljenstein Hall
(570) 422-3495

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Co-Department Chair, Sport Management

Dr. Jaedeock Lee
jaedeock@esu.edu
(570) 422-3340