Program Overview
Sport Industry Program
The Sport Industry program at Ohio State University prepares students for supervisory, leadership, and administrative positions in the sport and leisure industry and/or graduate programs in sport humanities, sport management, and sport law. This program combines social science and humanities disciplines to provide students with the necessary theory and practice for entrance into the sport and leisure industry.
Program Overview
The program informs students of the constantly changing themes, issues, and practices that the industry confronts. Students comprehend the social, economic, political, and legal issues that contour and shape the development of the industry. The major explores the connections of sport and exercise to the larger society, its historical settings and meanings, its ethical underpinnings, and its racial, gender, and social class composition.
Admission Requirements
Upon admission to the university, students are enrolled into the College of Education and Human Ecology as a pre-major. After completion of the major admission requirements, students are automatically placed in the major. For major admission, students are required to complete 12 credit hours and attain a 2.75 GPA.
Curriculum
This program provides students with the theory and practice needed for entrance into the sport and leisure industry. Students take courses in:
- Legal aspects of sport and physical activity
- Organization and administration of public recreation
- Sport and leisure service delivery and promotion
Sample Curriculum
The sample curriculum includes courses such as:
- Freshman Year: History of Sport in 19th Century America
- Sophomore Year:
- History of Sport in 20th Century America
- The Sport Industry
- Leadership and Programming in the Sports Industry
- College Sports
- Coaching the Young Athlete
- Womens Sport History
- Junior Year:
- Sport Marketing and Promotion
- Sport and Pop Culture
- Legal Aspects of Sport
- Sport and Social Values
- Sport and Sexuality
- Internship
- Senior Year:
- Research: Sport Industry
- Elective courses
- Group A option courses
- Group B option courses
Study Abroad
The program offers a study abroad opportunity in Milan and Barcelona, introducing students to the European model of sport management, marketing, and law. This education abroad program helps students gain an understanding of the changing context of sports in a global society.
Honors and Scholars
The College of Education and Human Ecology Honors Program offers students rigorous coursework and opportunities to work closely with faculty to design and complete a research project. Students in this program also have access to smaller classes, priority scheduling, and unique housing opportunities. Additionally, the Ohio State Scholars programs feature close-knit, residential communities for students who share common interests, such as the Sport and Wellness Scholars Program.
Student Organizations
The Sports and Society Initiative is an organization that provides people with opportunities to discuss contemporary issues in sports and how they relate to society. It also provides access to events and activities related to sports.
Possible Careers
Careers include collegiate/professional sports marketing, entrepreneurship, fitness management, goods/services/sales and marketing, recreational sports, and entry-level positions in sports organizations. Students also have the desire to pursue graduate opportunities such as business or law upon graduation from the sport industry program.
Salary Estimates
On average, the starting salary for a sport industry graduate ranges from $20,000 to $40,000, depending on the student's career field.