Program Overview

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Sport and Recreation Management, Bachelor of Science

The Bachelor of Science with a major in sport and recreation management requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including 48 s.h. of work for the major (27 s.h. in sport and recreation management, 12 s.h. in a concentration area, and 9 s.h. in field experience). Students must maintain a grade-point average of at least 2.00 in all courses for the major and in all UI courses for the major. They must also complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences GE CLAS Core.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge of foundational sport and recreation management principles;
• apply and analyze financial, human resource, and facility management principles; marketing, communications, and sales strategies; and legal concepts to the sport and recreation industries;
• evaluate and explore career paths in the sport and recreation industries to identify where individual student strengths and interests will thrive;
• acquire knowledge in a concentration area within sport or recreation unique to individual student career objectives;
• express ideas clearly, logically, and persuasively in both oral and written formats; and
• demonstrate critical thinking and effective research methods; and
• apply teamwork, project management, and presentation principles to unique sport and recreation organization business challenges.

Online Degree Option

The Department of Health, Sport, and Human Physiology offers an online BS degree in sport and recreation management. The online program enables students to complete their BS degree from anywhere in the world.

Degree Requirements

The BS with a major in sport and recreation management requires the following coursework.

Foundation Courses

• SRM:1060 Contemporary Issues in Sports
• SRM:3157 Managerial Operations in Sport and Recreation
• SRM:3175 Sales in Sport
• SRM:3178 Communications and Public Relations in Sports
• SRM:3151 Liability in Sport and Recreation
• SRM:3152 Design and Management of Sport and Recreation Facilities
• SRM:3153 Sport Business Practices
• SRM:3158 Sport and Recreation Promotion
• SRM:3172 Finance in Sport and Recreation

Field Experience

Students are required to complete a total of 9 s.h. of field experience (guided and/or independent) and must obtain prior approval from the director of field experience before performing any independent field experience for academic credit.

• SRM:4196 Interscholastic Athletic Administration Field Experience
• SRM:4197 Sport and Recreation Field Experience
• SRM:4199 Independent Sport and Recreation Field Experience

Concentration Areas

Students must complete 12 s.h. in one of the following concentration areas:

• Business Studies
• Coaching and Sport Instruction
• Entrepreneurship
• Event Management
• Interscholastic Athletic/Activities Administration
• Public and Media Relations
• Recreation Management
• Organizational Culture Management
• Student-Designed Concentration

Concentration Areas

Business Studies

Course List:

• SRM:1085 Introduction to Travel and Tourism
• SRM:2100 Professional Preparation for Careers in Sport: Building Your Playbook
• SRM:3050 Collaborative Leadership in Sport and Recreation
• SRM:3148 Interscholastic Activities and Athletics Administration
• SRM:3150 Recreation Administration
• SRM:3176 Sports Analytics for Decision Makers
• SRM:3179 Podcasting for Sport and Recreation Professionals
• SRM:3210 Event Bidding: Processes and Strategies
• SRM:3240 Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in College Athletics
• SRM:3300 Writing for Sport and Recreation Managers
• SRM:3700 Ethics in Sport
• SRM:4158 Advanced Sport Marketing
• SRM:4198 NCAA Rules Compliance and Enforcement
• SRM:4240 Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL): Simulated Agency Experience
• ACCT:2100 Introduction to Financial Accounting
• ARTS:1070 Elements of Graphic Design
• BAIS:1500 Business Computing Essentials
• BAIS:2800 Foundations of Business Analytics
• CCP:1301 Communication for the Workplace
• ECON:1100 Principles of Microeconomics
• ECON:1200 Principles of Macroeconomics
• FIN:3000 Introductory Financial Management
• JMC:3520 Business of Media: Profits, People, and Power
• JMC:3530 Social Media Marketing
• JMC:3540/SMC:3540/SPST:3181 The Business of Sport Communication
• JMC:3710/MUSM:3710 Fundraising Fundamentals
• JMC:3720/MUSM:3720 Nonprofit Communications
• MGMT:2100 Introduction to Management
• MGMT:3500/ENTR:3595/MUSM:3500/NURS:3595/RELS:3700/SSW:3500 Nonprofit Organizational Effectiveness I
• MGMT:4300 Leadership and Personal Development
• MGMT:4600/MUSM:4600 Nonprofit Ethics and Governance
• MKTG:3000 Introduction to Marketing Strategy
• MKTG:4200 Sales Management
• MKTG:4201 Professional Selling
• MKTG:4410 Customer Relationship Management
• RHET:2095 Fundamental Strategies of Persuasion
• SMC:2500/SPST:2500 Sport and Technology
• STAT:4580/DATA:4580/IGPI:4580 Data Visualization and Data Technologies

Coaching and Sport Instruction

Course List:

• SRM:1049 Foundations for Sport and Physical Activity: Catalyst for Sustainable Communities
• SRM:3145 Leadership and Group Dynamics in Recreation and Sport
• SRM:3146 Sports Officiating: Rules, Theories, and Issues
• SRM:3149 Coaching Theory, Body Structure, and Human Development
• SRM:3155 Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries for Coaches
• SRM:3176 Sports Analytics for Decision Makers
• SRM:3700 Ethics in Sport
• SRM:4198 NCAA Rules Compliance and Enforcement
• DST:1101 Introduction to Disability Studies
• EPLS:4200 Athletic Administration in Educational Settings
• HHP:2100 Human Anatomy
• HHP:2130 Human Development Through the Life Span
• HHP:2200 Physical Activity and Health
• HHP:2310 Nutrition and Health
• HHP:3045 Physical Activity Psychology
• HHP:3300 Human Growth and Motor Development
• HHP:4310 Sport and Exercise Nutrition
• TR:2061/HHP:2061 Recreation Leadership and Programming
• Up to 6 s.h. from:
  • SRM:2100 Professional Preparation for Careers in Sport: Building Your Playbook
  • SRM:3050 Collaborative Leadership in Sport and Recreation
  • SRM:3143 Youth Sports Administration
  • SRM:3144 Program Design for Recreational Services
  • SRM:3148 Interscholastic Activities and Athletics Administration
  • SRM:3150 Recreation Administration
  • SRM:3179 Podcasting for Sport and Recreation Professionals
  • SRM:3210 Event Bidding: Processes and Strategies
  • SRM:3300 Writing for Sport and Recreation Managers
  • SRM:3800 Sport Law for Interscholastic Athletic Directors
  • ARTS:1070 Elements of Graphic Design
  • COMM:1819 Organizational Leadership
  • CSED:4111 Building Leadership and Success at Work
  • HPAS:1007 Basic CPR
  • HPAS:1008 Basic First Aid and CPR
  • HPAS:1010 Introduction to Workout Design
  • PSQF:3115 Sport and Performance Psychology
  • RHET:2085 Speaking Skills
  • SPST:2079/AFAM:2079 Race and Ethnicity in Sport

Coaching Certification Process

University of Iowa students can become authorized to coach K–12 school-sponsored athletics in the state of Iowa by taking the following two courses.

• SRM:3149 Coaching Theory, Body Structure, and Human Development
• SRM:3155 Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries for Coaches

Interscholastic Athletic/Activities Administration

Course List:

• SRM:3148 Interscholastic Activities and Athletics Administration
• SRM:3800 Sport Law for Interscholastic Athletic Directors
• EPLS:4200 Athletic Administration in Educational Settings
• At least 3 s.h. from:
  • SRM:2100 Professional Preparation for Careers in Sport: Building Your Playbook
  • SRM:3146 Sports Officiating: Rules, Theories, and Issues
  • SRM:3147 Sport Event Management
  • SRM:3149 Coaching Theory, Body Structure, and Human Development (this course and SRM:3155 together allow students to apply for state of Iowa coaching authorization)
  • SRM:3150 Recreation Administration
  • SRM:3155 Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries for Coaches (this course and SRM:3149 together allow students to apply for state of Iowa coaching authorization)
  • SRM:3176 Sports Analytics for Decision Makers
  • SRM:3179 Podcasting for Sport and Recreation Professionals
  • SRM:3210 Event Bidding: Processes and Strategies
  • SRM:3300 Writing for Sport and Recreation Managers
  • SRM:3700 Ethics in Sport
  • ARTS:1070 Elements of Graphic Design
  • COMM:1819 Organizational Leadership
  • CSED:4111 Building Leadership and Success at Work
  • EDTL:4940 Characteristics of Disabilities
  • JMC:1300 Introduction to Journalism and Strategic Communication
  • JMC:3530 Social Media Marketing
  • JMC:3710/MUSM:3710 Fundraising Fundamentals
  • JMC:3720/MUSM:3720 Nonprofit Communications
  • MGMT:3500/ENTR:3595/MUSM:3500/NURS:3595/RELS:3700/SSW:3500 Nonprofit Organizational Effectiveness I
  • PSQF:1075 Educational Psychology and Measurement
  • PSQF:3115 Sport and Performance Psychology
  • PSQF:4134/EDTL:4934 Parent-Teacher Communication
  • RHET:2085 Speaking Skills
  • SPST:2079/AFAM:2079 Race and Ethnicity in Sport

Public and Media Relations

Course List:

• SRM:4178 Media Relations Strategy in Sport and Recreation
• SRM:2100 Professional Preparation for Careers in Sport: Building Your Playbook
• SRM:3148 Interscholastic Activities and Athletics Administration
• SRM:3150 Recreation Administration
• SRM:3179 Podcasting for Sport and Recreation Professionals
• SRM:3210 Event Bidding: Processes and Strategies
• SRM:3300 Writing for Sport and Recreation Managers
• SRM:3700 Ethics in Sport
• SRM:4198 NCAA Rules Compliance and Enforcement
• ARTS:1070 Elements of Graphic Design
• CNW:1620 Introduction to Creative Nonfiction
• COMM:1840 Introduction to Media Production
• COMM:1898/LATS:1898 Introduction to Latina/o/x Communication and Culture
• COMM:2064 Media, Advertising, and Society
• JMC:1100 Introduction to Media Effects
• JMC:1300 Introduction to Journalism and Strategic Communication
• JMC:1500 Introduction to Social Media
• JMC:2101/AMST:2101/SMC:2101/SPST:2101 Digital Media and the Future of Sport
• JMC:3122 Influencers, Artificial Intelligence, and Digital Games
• JMC:3182/SMC:3182/SPST:3182 Sport, Scandal, and Strategic Communication in Media Culture
• JMC:3183/SPST:3175 Sport and the Media
• JMC:3412 Strategic Communication Writing
• JMC:3510 Media and Marketing Research
• JMC:3520 Business of Media: Profits, People, and Power
• JMC:3530 Social Media Marketing
• JMC:3540/SMC:3540/SPST:3181 The Business of Sport Communication
• JMC:3720/MUSM:3720 Nonprofit Communications
• RHET:2085 Speaking Skills
• SMC:1050/JMC:1050 Sport and the Media
• SPST:2079/AFAM:2079 Race and Ethnicity in Sport

Entrepreneurship

Course List:

• SRM:1085 Introduction to Travel and Tourism
• SRM:2100 Professional Preparation for Careers in Sport: Building Your Playbook
• SRM:3050 Collaborative Leadership in Sport and Recreation
• SRM:3150 Recreation Administration
• SRM:3176 Sports Analytics for Decision Makers
• SRM:3179 Podcasting for Sport and Recreation Professionals
• SRM:3210 Event Bidding: Processes and Strategies
• SRM:3240 Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in College Athletics
• SRM:3300 Writing for Sport and Recreation Managers
• SRM:3700 Ethics in Sport
• SRM:4158 Advanced Sport Marketing
• SRM:4240 Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL): Simulated Agency Experience
• ARTS:1070 Elements of Graphic Design
• BAIS:1500 Business Computing Essentials
• COMM:1818 Communication Skills for Leadership
• ECON:1100 Principles of Microeconomics
• ECON:1200 Principles of Macroeconomics
• EDTL:3715 Experiential Teaching and Learning
• ENTR:1350 Foundations in Entrepreneurship
• ENTR:2000 Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• ENTR:3100 Entrepreneurial Finance
• ENTR:3200 Entrepreneurial Marketing
• ENTR:3350 Entrepreneurial Strategy
• ENTR:3400 Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation
• ENTR:3500 Social Entrepreneurship
• ENTR:3600 Social Media Strategies for Entrepreneurial Ventures
• ENTR:4400 Managing the Growth Business
• JMC:3530 Social Media Marketing
• JMC:3720/MUSM:3720 Nonprofit Communications
• MGMT:3500/ENTR:3595/MUSM:3500/NURS:3595/RELS:3700/SSW:3500 Nonprofit Organizational Effectiveness I
• RHET:2085 Speaking Skills
• SPST:2079/AFAM:2079 Race and Ethnicity in Sport

Event Management

Course List:

• SRM:3147 Sport Event Management
• SRM:3154 Foundations of Event Management
• SRM:1085 Introduction to Travel and Tourism
• SRM:2100 Professional Preparation for Careers in Sport: Building Your Playbook
• SRM:3146 Sports Officiating: Rules, Theories, and Issues
• SRM:3148 Interscholastic Activities and Athletics Administration
• SRM:3150 Recreation Administration
• SRM:3179 Podcasting for Sport and Recreation Professionals
• SRM:3210 Event Bidding: Processes and Strategies
• SRM:3300 Writing for Sport and Recreation Managers
• SRM:3700 Ethics in Sport
• SRM:3800 Sport Law for Interscholastic Athletic Directors
• SRM:4158 Advanced Sport Marketing
• SRM:4178 Media Relations Strategy in Sport and Recreation
• ARTS:1070 Elements of Graphic Design
• BUS:3800 Business Writing
• COMM:1816 Business and Professional Communication
• EDTL:3715 Experiential Teaching and Learning
• ENTR:1350 Foundations in Entrepreneurship
• ENTR:2000 Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• JMC:1300 Introduction to Journalism and Strategic Communication
• JMC:3530 Social Media Marketing
• JMC:3540/SMC:3540/SPST:3181 The Business of Sport Communication

Recreation Management

Course List:

• SRM:3144 Program Design for Recreational Services
• SRM:3145 Leadership and Group Dynamics in Recreation and Sport
• SRM:1070 Recreation and Parks in the United States: Foundations and Impact
• SRM:1085 Introduction to Travel and Tourism
• SRM:2100 Professional Preparation for Careers in Sport: Building Your Playbook
• SRM:3050 Collaborative Leadership in Sport and Recreation
• SRM:3143 Youth Sports Administration
• SRM:3146 Sports Officiating: Rules, Theories, and Issues
• SRM:3147 Sport Event Management
• SRM:3150 Recreation Administration
• SRM:3179 Podcasting for Sport and Recreation Professionals
• SRM:3210 Event Bidding: Processes and Strategies
• SRM:3300 Writing for Sport and Recreation Managers
• COMM:1819 Organizational Leadership
• COMM:1840 Introduction to Media Production
• EDTL:3715 Experiential Teaching and Learning
• HHP:2280 Cultural Competency and Health
• JMC:3530 Social Media Marketing
• LLS:1150 Leadership in the Outdoors
• MGMT:3500/ENTR:3595/MUSM:3500/NURS:3595/RELS:3700/SSW:3500 Nonprofit Organizational Effectiveness I
• MGMT:4600/MUSM:4600 Nonprofit Ethics and Governance
• SPST:1074/AMST:1074/GWSS:1074 Inequality in American Sport
• SPST:3178/AMST:3178 History of Sport in the United States
• TR:1070 Leisure, Play, and the Human Experience
• TR:2077 Children and Families in Healthcare
• TR:2160 Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation
• TR:3261/HHP:3261 Inclusive Recreation

Organizational Culture Management

Course List:

• SRM:3050 Collaborative Leadership in Sport and Recreation
• SRM:2100 Professional Preparation for Careers in Sport: Building Your Playbook
• SRM:3148 Interscholastic Activities and Athletics Administration
• SRM:3150 Recreation Administration
• SRM:3700 Ethics in Sport
• AFAM:1030 Introduction to African American Society
• AMST:1010 Understanding American Cultures
• DST:1101 Introduction to Disability Studies
• EPLS:4200 Athletic Administration in Educational Settings
• GWSS:1002 Diversity and Power in the U.S.
• HIST:1040 Diversity in History
• JMC:2600 Freedom of Expression
• RELS:2000 Engaging Religious Diversity for Leadership and Entrepreneurship
• RHET:2135/SJUS:2135 Decoding Disability: Rhetoric of Access and Accommodations
• SPAN:2700/IS:2700/LAS:2700/PORT:2700 Introduction to Latin American Studies
• SPST:1074/AMST:1074/GWSS:1074 Inequality in American Sport
• SPST:2078/GWSS:2078 Women, Sport, and Culture
• SPST:2079/AFAM:2079 Race and Ethnicity in Sport
• SPST:2170 Sport and Globalization
• TR:3261/HHP:3261 Inclusive Recreation

Student-Designed Concentration

If a student wishes to develop a concentration area focused on a specialized area that is not covered by an existing concentration area, the student must consult with an advisor in the sport and recreation management program. After consultation, the student must submit a written proposal to the sport and recreation management program director for approval. The proposal should provide a rationale for, and description of, the student-designed concentration, including proposed courses.

Honors in the Major

Students have the opportunity to graduate with honors in the major. Departmental honors students must maintain a cumulative University of Iowa grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.33 and a major GPA of at least 3.50, and earn a grade of at least a B-plus in SRM:4195 Honors Problems. During SRM:4195 Honors Problems, the student works on a project under the supervision of a program faculty member.

University of Iowa Honors Program

In addition to honors in the major, students have opportunities for honors study and activities through membership in the University of Iowa Honors Program.

GE CLAS Core

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences GE CLAS Core requirements provide students with a broad foundation of knowledge and a focused practice of transferable skills necessary for a lifetime of learning.

Communication and Literacy

• Understanding Cultural Perspectives: a minimum of 3 s.h.
• Interpretation of Literature: a minimum of 3 s.h.
• Rhetoric: a minimum of 4 s.h.
• World Languages Pathways: required credit varies

Sustainability

Courses in the Sustainability area focus on identifying concepts and terminology associated with sustainability and systems-thinking, investigating the interconnectedness of human and natural systems, and evaluating how students’ own actions affect and are affected by society’s ability to meet sustainability goals.

Natural, Quantitative, and Social Sciences

• Natural Sciences: a minimum of 7 s.h.; must include one lab
• Quantitative or Formal Reasoning: a minimum of 3 s.h.
• Social Sciences: a minimum of 3 s.h.

Culture, Society, and the Arts

• Historical Perspectives: a minimum of 3 s.h.
• International and Global Issues: a minimum of 3 s.h.
• Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts: a minimum of 3 s.h.
• Values and Society: a minimum of 3 s.h.

Career Advancement

Sport and recreation management majors find employment in municipal or campus recreation; interscholastic, high school, or college athletic administration; intramural departments; community private clubs or community parks and recreation departments; nonprofit organizations; armed forces recreation; professional or Olympic sports organizations; commercial fitness businesses; and in firms specializing in sport marketing or sport sponsorship.

Four-Year Graduation Plan

The following checkpoints list the minimum requirements students must complete by certain semesters in order to stay on the university's Four-Year Graduation Plan.

• Before the fifth semester begins: four foundation courses, at least 3 s.h. in the concentration area, and 3 s.h. in a field experience course.
• Before the seventh semester begins: two more foundation courses (total of six), an additional 6 s.h. in the concentration area, and at least 90 s.h. earned toward the degree.
• Before the eighth semester begins: two more foundation courses (total of eight), an additional 3 s.h. in a field experience course, and one remaining concentration area course (3 s.h.).
• During the eighth semester: enrollment in the final 3 s.h. in a field experience course, all remaining coursework in the major, all remaining GE CLAS Core courses, and a sufficient number of semester hours to graduate.

Sample Plan of Study

Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor.

First Year:

• Fall: SRM:1060 Contemporary Issues in Sports, RHET:1030 Rhetoric: Writing and Communication, GE CLAS Core: Social Sciences, GE CLAS Core: Values and Society, CSI:1600 Success at Iowa, Elective course
• Spring: SRM:3157 Managerial Operations in Sport and Recreation, SRM:2100 Professional Preparation for Careers in Sport: Building Your Playbook, RHET:1030 Rhetoric: Writing and Communication, GE CLAS Core: Understanding Cultural Perspectives, GE CLAS Core: Natural Sciences with Lab, Elective course

Second Year:

• Fall: SRM:3175 Sales in Sport, GE CLAS Core: Quantitative or Formal Reasoning, GE CLAS Core: World Languages First Level Proficiency or elective course, Elective course
• Spring: SRM:3152 Design and Management of Sport and Recreation Facilities, SRM:3178 Communications and Public Relations in Sports, Major: concentration course, GE CLAS Core: Natural Sciences without Lab, GE CLAS Core: World Languages Second Level Proficiency or elective course

Third Year:

• Fall: SRM:3158 Sport and Recreation Promotion, SRM:4199 Independent Sport and Recreation Field Experience, Major: concentration course, GE CLAS Core: International and Global Issues, GE CLAS Core: World Languages Third Level Proficiency or elective course
• Spring: SRM:3153 Sport Business Practices, Major: concentration course, GE CLAS Core: World Languages Fourth Level Proficiency or elective course, Elective course, Elective course

Fourth Year:

• Fall: SRM:3172 Finance in Sport and Recreation, SRM:4197 Sport and Recreation Field Experience, Major: concentration course, GE CLAS Core: Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts, Elective course
• Spring: SRM:3151 Liability in Sport and Recreation, SRM:4199 Independent Sport and Recreation Field Experience, GE CLAS Core: Historical Perspectives, Elective course, Elective course, Degree Application: apply on MyUI before deadline (typically in February for spring, September for fall)