Frequently Asked Questions

A sport management degree gives you graduate-level preparation to work in the business and operations side of sport. It covers the areas that keep sport organizations running, including marketing, finance, law, communications, analytics and event management.

At the master's level, you study sport-specific knowledge that moves you into higher-responsibility roles. That includes the legal frameworks behind contracts and NIL, the financial structures and revenue models that make sport its own kind of industry, the analytics that drive decisions in front offices and athletic departments, and the global context that shapes how organizations operate across markets and cultures.

You also build the leadership and communication skills crucial to nearly every sport career, from managing a team to representing an organization to the public and the media.

The MS in Sport Management is a 100% sport-focused program. Every course centers on the sport industry, from sport law and finance to global sport business, NIL and analytics. You graduate with deep, specialized expertise in how sport organizations can thrive.

The MBA with a sport management emphasis is a comprehensive business program with sport specialization added through four targeted electives. You complete the same core business coursework as every other MBA student, then use your emphasis courses to focus on sport.

The right choice depends on what you want your graduate degree to do for you. If your career goals are in sport and you want real depth in how the industry works, the MS in Sport Management is built for that. If you want a general business and leadership credential and see sport as one possible direction among several, the MBA gives you that broad foundation with a sport focus layered on.

If you have questions about which of these degree options fit your goals, talk to an enrollment specialist at 805-521-9856.

This is a 100% online degree — you will not need to attend any on-campus courses.

If you choose the internship option for your capstone, you may need to attend in person at the sport organization you choose.

Most students complete the degree in about a year if they take two courses per term. The degree requires 10 courses (30 credits), and there are five, eight-week terms per year. See more on our curriculum page.

Most students take two courses per term while working full time. Each course runs about 10 hours per week between live sessions and assignments, so a typical two-course term works out to around 20 hours a week.

Work comes in a mix of formats: pre-class prep like videos or discussion boards, weekly assignments and group projects with classmates.

Yes, you can choose an optional emphasis area in Digital Media, Communication and Marketing or Global Sport Business.

You can also pursue a general sport management master’s degree without a concentration.

No. The program is built to welcome people from a range of backgrounds, including those coming from adjacent fields or those with no direct connection to sport.

What matters more than your background is your interest in the field. We’re looking for students who go beyond just loving sports to wanting to understand the industry and discipline. Consider these questions: Does the business and culture of sport hold your attention the way the games themselves do? Are you ready to study it with the same seriousness you would bring to any other professional field?

If you have questions about whether the degree is a good fit for you, we encourage you to talk one-on-one with an enrollment specialist at 805-521-9856.

Yes, Cal Lutheran offers a variety of funding options from internal and external sources. These include:

• Scholarships
• Grants
• Credit reductions
• Veterans benefits
• Employer discounts

Visit our financial aid page for detailed information. You can also call a graduate enrollment specialist at 805-521-9856 to learn more about funding your education.

Cal Lutheran MBA students have access to our university-wide Career Services office, which includes career counseling, workshops, interview prep and a job and internship board with over 200 weekly listings from a network of 20,000-plus employer contacts. These resources are available to current students and stay open to alumni.

The School of Management also runs its own networking programs, including the Entrepreneur Speaker Series, the New Venture Fair, the PRiME Competition and Business School on Rails. Beyond formal programs, professors actively introduce students to executives for jobs, internships and advice, and the Steven Dorfman Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship supports students with business ideas they want to develop alongside their coursework.

You can browse our Career Services page or see what events are coming up on our events page.

Cal Lutheran being designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) signifies that we meet specific criteria set by the U.S. Department of Education, primarily that at least 25% of our full-time undergraduate student population identifies as Hispanic or Latino. Being an HSI reflects Cal Lutheran’s broader commitment to diversity and community engagement. We offer a wide range of resources and opportunities, including scholarships, mentorship programs and courses that celebrate Hispanic cultures and heritage. We believe in creating a supportive space where students from all backgrounds can thrive and make lasting connections.

Cal Lutheran warmly welcomes individuals of all faiths and belief systems. Our inclusive community does not require affiliation with any church, religion or religious organization. We embrace diversity in all walks of life, so that every member of our community feels valued and respected.