Essentials of Sports Management Certificate

Student working on laptop in Business Administration

Essentials of Sports Management Certificate

The Essentials of Sports Management Certificate provides students with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for careers in the field of sports management. This program introduces students to the process of managing sports organizations, marketing strategies, logistics, and facility operations, with a focus on practical applications in both traditional and emerging areas like esports. Students will also gain an understanding of business law and management principles, preparing them for entry-level roles in sports and recreation management or further academic study in business and sports-related fields.

Courses requiring a grade of “C” or better: BUS

Courses in this program

Course Code Course Credit Hours Link to course details

This course introduces the ethics and legal framework of business. Emphasis is placed on contracts, negotiable instruments, Uniform Commercial Code, and the working of the court systems. Upon completion, students should be able to apply ethical issues and laws covered to selected business decision-making situations. This course has been approved for transfer under the CAA as a pre-major and/or elective course requirement.

This course covers the aspects of sports management logistics. Emphasis is placed on managing various logistical elements related to organizing, coordinating, and executing successful sporting events. Upon completion, students will have the necessary knowledge to effectively plan, implement, and evaluate logistical operations within the sports industry.

This course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of how marketing principles and techniques are applied in the context of sports organizations, events, and products. Emphasis is placed on consumer behavior, brand management, sponsorship, digital marketing, and other key areas that contribute to successful sport marketing campaigns. Upon completion, students should be able to develop and execute effective marketing strategies within the sports industry.

This course provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage and operate sport facilities and recreational programs to provide high-quality experiences for participants. Emphasis is placed on facility planning, design, and maintenance; managing operations and risk of sport venues, recreation centers, and public spaces; and event planning and program development. Upon completion, students should be able to manage sport venues, recreation centers, and public spaces to provide inclusive and sustainable recreational programs.

This course introduces the major business aspects of the Esports industry. Topics including Esports origins, governance, management, leadership, communications, finance, law, marketing, and event planning. Upon completion, students should be able to apply business concepts to the Esports industry.

This course is designed to be an overview of the major functions of management. Emphasis is placed on planning, organizing, controlling, directing, and communicating. Upon completion, students should be able to work as contributing members of a team utilizing these functions of management. This course has been approved for transfer under the CAA as a pre-major and/or elective course requirement.

Total Credit Hours Required:
18

The Essentials of Sports Management Certificate is offered in a 100% online format. Distance learning allows the certificate to be completed around the student’s personal schedule without the need to travel to a physical location.

Curriculum is based on the 2026-2027 catalog.

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Good To Know

Why General Education?

You may be asking yourself, “Why do I have to take (course name) when it is not directly related to my major?”

General Education courses will help you develop the skills necessary to be successful in your major and in life. General Education can teach you how to talk to your employer, write a paper in a major course, understand interest rates on your car, and much more. General Education can also give you the skills to be a better member of society and a more informed citizen. Critical thinking, global understanding, and appreciation for the human experience are hallmarks of a well-rounded education.

How many hours of General Education do I have to take?

If you are enrolled in an Associate of Applied Science Degree program, a minimum of 15 general education hours is required in the following categories:

  • Six hours from Communication
  • Three hours from Humanities & Fine Arts
  • Three hours from Social & Behavioral Science
  • Three hours from Natural Science & Mathematics

General Education courses have been pre-selected for you by your faculty from the following list:

CommunicationHumanities & Fine ArtsSocial & Behavioral ScienceNatural Science & Mathematics
COM-110ART-111ECO-251BIO-161
COM-120ART-114ECO-252BIO-163
COM-231ART-115HIS-111BIO-168
ENG-110HUM-110HIS-112MAT-110
ENG-111HUM-115HIS-131MAT-121
ENG-112MUS-110HIS-132MAT-143
ENG-114MUS-112POL-120MAT-152
 PHI-215PSY-150MAT-171
 PHI-240SOC-210PHY-110/110A
  SOC-225PHY-121

 

Degrees designed to transfer to universities require more general education hours. If you are enrolled in the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science, you are required to take 45 hours of General Education from the following categories:

  • Six hours in English Composition
  • Six to nine hours in Communication/Humanities & Fine Arts
  • Six to nine hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences
  • Three to eight hours in Mathematics
  • Four to eight hours in Natural Sciences
  • 11 to 14 additional General Education hours

If you are enrolled in the Associate in Engineering, you are required to take 42 general education hours from the following:

  • Six hours in English Composition
  • Six hours in Communication/Humanities & Fine Arts
  • Six work hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences
  • 12 hours in Mathematics
  • 12 hours in Natural Sciences

If you are enrolled in the Associate in Fine Arts in Visual Arts, you are required to take 25 general education hours from the following:

  • Six hours in English Composition
  • Six hours in Communication/Humanities & Fine Arts
  • Six hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences
  • Three to four hours in Mathematics
  • Four hours in Natural Sciences

Additional information about General Education for transfer degrees, including courses that satisfy each category, may be found in the current College Catalog.

What will I learn in General Education?

At A-B Tech, our faculty have designed a general education core so that A-B Tech graduates will learn the following:

Students will critically evaluate information:

  • Students will demonstrate information literacy.
  • Students will critique works of human expression.
  • Students will analyze scientific literature.

Students will solve problems:

  • Students will identify processes.
  • Students will analyze problems.
  • Students will interpret the results.
  • Students will recommend appropriate strategies or solutions.

Students will effectively communicate.

  • Students will communicate appropriately about the subject.
  • Students will communicate appropriately with the audience.
  • Students will communicate appropriately for the medium.

Ever wonder how A-B Tech awards credit for a certain course?

A-B Tech complies with the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges Code, so your courses are assigned the course level and receive the same amount of credit as courses at all 58 North Carolina Community Colleges.

If you want to read more about this, see the A-B Tech Policy and Procedure for the Assignment of Course Level Credit.