Concordia University Chicago & SMWW / Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management
Online Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management – CUC + SMWW
Build Your Career in the Business of Sports
Earn a respected, transfer-friendly Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management from Concordia University Chicago—100% online and built to fit your life.
Application is due: October 12, 2026 | Classes Start: October 19, 2026
The undergraduate application is free. An SMWW career counselor can help you understand the program and your next step.
- 100% Online
- 120 Total credits
- Flexible - Asynchronous learning
- Transfer-friendly
Tuition and credits
Plan Your Investment
CUC’s undergraduate online tuition is charged by the credit hour. Transfer credits may reduce the number of credits a student needs to complete at CUC.
$505 tuition per credit hour, plus an $18-per-credit technology fee. Tuition and fees are subject to change; confirm current costs and financial aid eligibility with CUC.
Program snapshot
Business Fundamentals. Sports Focus.
Success in sports takes more than a love of the game. It takes people who can manage organizations, market events, build partnerships, understand finances, and make sound decisions. This program connects a broad business education to the world of athletics, recreation, and sports organizations.
Learn on your schedule
Complete coursework online and asynchronously while balancing work, family, athletics, military service, or other commitments.
Bring credits with you
CUC evaluates eligible coursework from accredited institutions. Accepted transfer credits may shorten your path to graduation.
Lead with purpose
Build business judgment, communication skills, and an ethical leadership mindset grounded in CUC’s Christian values.
A Simple Application
Your Next Step Is Clear
The easiest shorthand: application plus all college transcripts. A high school transcript is generally needed only when you have fewer than 15 college semester credits or have not completed one full-time college semester.
- Complete CUC’s free undergraduate online application.
- Send official transcripts from every college or university attended.
- Your most recent college transcript should show good standing and at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
- If required, provide a final high school transcript showing graduation or GED documentation.
How enrollment works
- Talk with SMWW - Discuss your goals, background, transfer credits, and questions with a career counselor.
- Apply to CUC - Complete the free online application and request your official transcripts.
- Receive your review - CUC evaluates your admission materials and eligible transfer credit.
- Register for classes - After admission, a CUC enrollment advisor helps you move forward with registration.
What you’ll learn
Understand How Sports Organizations Operate
Coursework connects core business disciplines to the decisions, relationships, and emerging trends shaping today’s sports industry.
- Business foundations - Build practical knowledge in finance, marketing, business law, organizational management, and leadership.
- Sports marketing & communication - Explore fan engagement, sponsorship strategy, professional communication, and relationship building.
- Operations & governance - Examine facility and event management, athletic administration, sports governance, and organizational decision-making.
- Innovation & capstone - Study the impact of streaming, esports, fantasy sports, artificial intelligence, and changing fan expectations—then apply your learning in a Sports Management Capstone.
Program curriculum
Courses That Build Your Sports Business Foundation
The degree combines focused sports management study, business and management coursework, a senior project, general education, and room for electives or a minor.
- BA Sports Management Major - 15 Credits
- SMB-1050 - Foundations of Sports Management
- SMB-2500 - Sport Facility and Event Management
- SMB-3100 - Diversity of Sport
- SMB-3200 - Organization and Administration of Sport
- SMB-3500 - Governance of Sport
- Management Coursework - 18 credits
- ACC-2150 - Managerial Accounting
- OMP-4020 - Systems Approach to Organizational Change
- OMP-4240 - Organizational Communication
- MGT-2011 - Contemporary Business Law
- MGT-2200 - Leading High-Performance Teams
- MKT-2200 - Marketing: From Principles to Digital Practice
- Senior Project - 3 credits
- MGT-4700 - Senior Project
General Education Requirements
- Communication - 9 credit hours
- Humanities and Fine Arts - 9 credit hours
- Social and Behavioral Sciences - 9 credit hours
- Physical and Life Science - 7–8 credit hours
- Mathematics - 3 credit hours
- Theology - 6 credit hours
Build a degree path around your goals. Remaining credits may be completed through elective coursework or eligible minor options, subject to CUC degree requirements and academic advising.
SMWW’s Industry Leading Courses Featured In:
Career possibilities
Turn a Passion for Sports Into Business Skills
Prepare for roles supporting athletes, fans, events, teams, facilities, and communities. Your degree can help build a foundation for opportunities across professional, collegiate, youth, nonprofit, and recreation settings.
- Sports marketing
- Event coordination
- Athletic operations
- Facility management
- Community relations
- Parks & recreation
- Youth & amateur sports
- Collegiate athletics
The SMWW advantage
“Education matters most when you connect what you learn to where you want to go.”
Dr. Lynn Lashbrook
President & Founder, Sports Management Worldwide
SMWW’s team helps students think strategically about sports career direction, professional presentation, and making the most of their education.
Frequently asked questions
The Details You Need
Is the BA in Sports Management fully online?
Yes. CUC offers the program in a fully online, asynchronous format, so you can complete coursework while balancing other responsibilities.
How many credits are required?
The Bachelor of Arts requires 120 total credits. Your completion time depends heavily on how many transfer credits CUC accepts.
Can I transfer previous college credits?
Yes. CUC welcomes transfer students and reviews eligible coursework from accredited institutions. Accepted transfer credit may reduce the number of courses you need to complete
What do I need to apply?
Complete the free undergraduate online application and submit official transcripts from every college or university attended. Your most recent transcript should show good standing and at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
When is a high school transcript required?
CUC generally requires one if you have completed fewer than 15 college semester credits or have not completed at least one full-time college semester. GED documentation may substitute when applicable. CUC may also require it when prior credit came from a non-regionally accredited college.
What happens after I am admitted?
A CUC enrollment advisor will contact you to help with registration and next steps.
Does admission guarantee a job or internship?
No. Admission, transfer-credit evaluation, employment, and internship selection are separate processes and are not guaranteed.
Take the First Step Toward Your Sports Career
*Non-Discriminatory Policy as to Students: Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, Illinois admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students of the University. While it does give preference to members of the Lutheran faith, it does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies and loan programs and athletic and other University-administered programs.