South Carolina’s Department of Sport and Entertainment Management unites theory and practice at the highest level with an award-winning roster of exceptional faculty. Faculty who’ve served as presidents of NFL, NHL and NBA teams — who’ve sold out arenas and managed headliner tours. Their industry expertise brings unprecedented value in the classroom and is matched only by the scholarship of the department’s impactful research.
The program is a component of the No. 3-ranked sport science school and department in the nation.
Degree Programs
The Department of Sport and Entertainment Management offers an undergraduate degree, master’s degree and doctoral degree program.
- B.S. Sport and Entertainment Management
- Entertainment Management
- Sport Management
- Venue and Event Management
- Research Track
- Master of Sport and Entertainment Management (MSEM)
- MBA / Master of Sport and Entertainment Management (MSEM)
- Ph.D. Sport and Entertainment Management
Certificate Programs
We now offer a graduate certificate in interscholastic athletic administration to provide participants with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the dynamic world of high school sports. This 18-credit hour program equips participants with skills in budget management, fundraising, event management, legal statutes, risk management and human resource issues.
Joint Master's Degree
Department of Sport and Entertainment Management offers a joint degree option of its prestigious Master of Sport and Entertainment Management — ranked No. 8 globally in the 2023 SportBusiness Postgraduate Course Rankings — with Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) in Doha, Qatar. The 36-credit hour master's degree is taught over two years in English and is designed to train students for management roles in sport, entertainment and venue industries.
Real-World Experience
Providing students with unique opportunities to connect with top employers and gain real-world experience gives them a competitive career edge. Our students learn about the business of NASCAR at the track with racing executives. They build their resumes working at events like PGA championships, the Kentucky Derby, March Madness and Disney on Ice. They engage with an exclusive lineup of guest lecturers, including industry professionals from the Carolina Panthers, Feld Entertainment, Contemporary Services Corporation, Live Nation, the SEC, ESPN and more.
Research
The department is at the cutting edge of the most important issues impacting the industry, and our faculty and staff are conducting innovative research on topics like big data, sport law, ticket sales, fantasy sport, sport gambling, social media, sustainability, college sport and more.
The department is home to the College Sport Research Institute and Center for the Advancement of Sport and Entertainment. Learn more about our sport and entertainment management research here.
Industry Events
The Department of Sport and Entertainment Management hosts two annual conferences: Sport, Entertainment and Venues Tomorrow and the College Sport Research Institute Conference on College Sport. These events bring industry and academic leaders from across the country to share knowledge and spark discussion that advances industry innovation and research. In addition, the department hosts several speaking events throughout the year, including the Thomas H. Regan Executive Sport Seminar and the Columbia Sport + Entertainment + Business networking breakfast.