• Degree holders in sport management have a variety of career paths to choose.sport image by NataV from Fotolia.com
  
  Two hundred universities and colleges across America offer bachelor's, master's or doctoral degrees in sport management, but only 22 are accredited programs. When searching for the right school, it is important to find colleges that are accredited by the Sport Management Program Review Council. This organization was in existence for over 20 years and the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation will continue to accredit programs starting in 2010. Degree holders in sport management work in professional sports, annual sporting events, YMCAs, sports journalism, Special Olympics, campus recreation, college athletics or become athletic directors.
  
  

The University of Texas at Austin

• Many students walk away from UT with professionalism and great academic knowledge.business image by david levasseur from Fotolia.com
  
  The University of Texas at Austin provides three accredited programs at the undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate levels. Known for its state-of-the art sport management facilities, including The Sport Development Lab and The Sport & Life Quality Lab, and top internship-placement program, the program is competitive and has high-quality staff and students. A bachelor of science degree in Kinesiology with a major in Sport Management, requires students to complete 130 hours of coursework, including 45 hours in Kinesiology. This bachelor of science degree is geared toward students who want careers in sport management, marketing or administration.
  
  Students who want to prepare for graduate school can earn the Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a major in Physical Culture and Sports and take courses in sport sociology, sport history, sport philosophy and journalism.
  
  The University of Texas at Austin
  1 University Station
  Austin, TX 78712
  512-475-7348
  utexas.edu
  
  

Ohio University

• Former OU graduates are placed in top organizations like the New York Yankees.guantone baseball image by Stefano Tiraboschi from Fotolia.com
  
  OU founded the world's first sport administration program in 1966 thanks to baseball pioneer Walter O'Mailey. Bachelor's, master's and Juris Doctor/Master of Sports Administration programs are offered. The accredited Bachelor of Science in Sport Sciences with a major in Sport Management includes courses in sport management and a strong emphasis on business and economic classes. College freshmen can also attend the OHIO Sports Business Academy, which is a week-long conference providing information that is covered in one academic semester. OU's bachelor and master degree program is known on an international level and master graduates have an 85 percent placement with key organizations.
  
  Top sport industry instructor, Jim Kahler, former senior vice president of sales and marketing for the Cleveland Cavaliers, is well-known for his success and background in sport administration.
  
  Ohio University
  35 Park Place
  Athens, OH 45701
  740-593-1000
  ohio.edu
  
  

Bowling Green State University

• Sport Management students were placed by the department to work at the 2006 Detroit Superbowl.football image by sonya etchison from Fotolia.com
  
  BGSU provides accredited bachelor's and master's degrees with areas of concentration in sport enterprise, sport marketing or sport communication at the undergraduate level and sport administration at the graduate level. The department requires students to obtain a minor and encourages students to gain volunteer and professional experience.
  
  Students need 122 hours to graduate with a Bachelor of Education, and the school has placed interns with agencies such as P.G.A., International Management Group, Women Sports Foundation, NBC Sports, Cleveland Cavaliers, U.S. Olympic Training Center and Fox Sports Net.
  
  Students in the Sport Management program can get involved with the Sport Management Alliance, which allows students to network, volunteer and listen to sport career speakers that provide career advice. Networking experience has been with the local YMCAs, Toledo Mud Hens and Special Olympics . SMA members also were placed at the 2006 Detroit Superbowl for two weeks.
  
  Bowling Green State University
  1411 Ridge Road
  Bowling Green, OH 43403
  419-372-2531
  bgsu.edu