• Sport Studies Program
  • Program Mission
  • Academic Program
  • Four Year Plan
  • Faculty
  • Internships
  • Sportsmanship Conference
  • Speaker Series
  • Sport Studies Club
• Admissions
• STUDENT LINKS & RESOURCES

ACADEMIC PROGRAM Sport Studies

The Sport Management Program at St. John Fisher College offers students the opportunity to study the business aspects of sport, the role of sport in society, and to explore career opportunities through course work and practical experience. The sport industry encompasses activities and organizations ranging from local youth programs to professional sports leagues and represents a large and growing share of economic activity. Students will examine common principles in the sport industry (management, marketing, finance, law) and apply them to the various segments of the industry (health clubs, high school, collegiate, professional). Sport occupies a prominent role in our popular culture, both reflecting and influencing it. As such, students will critically analyze societal issues such as drugs, violence, gambling, and discrimination based on race, ethnicity, and gender.

The Sport Management major is designed to provide students with a broad-based foundation of knowledge in the liberal arts and in business and will prepare students for employment in the multibillion dollar sport industry. The curriculum stresses strong writing and oral communication skills, as well as the computer skills necessary to effectively communicate ideas in today’s work environment.

The interdisciplinary nature of the Sport Management program provides students with a broad perspective of the role of sport in society. To narrow their perspective, students are strongly encouraged to minor in one of the following related areas: Communication/Journalism, Management (General Business, Finance, Marketing), Computer Applications, Accounting, Economics, Psychology, Sociology, or Pre-Law.

Requirements for the Sport Management Major

*These courses fulfill portions of the college core.

For students majoring in Sport Management, the 33 hours of required and elective Sport Management (SPST) courses are included in the determination of the grade point average in the major.

Sport Management majors must obtain a grade of “C” or higher in all SPST courses used for major requirements. SPST courses in which the student earns a “C-” or lower must be repeated if the course is to be used as part of the major program.

Practicum, Internship and Advanced Field Experience

An important part of the Sport Management major is the experiential learning opportunities offered through the practicum and internship courses. These courses allow students to learn more effectively by applying classroom theory to real work experience. Students will also build a portfolio and make contacts with leading professionals. The College’s location provides a unique opportunity for quality internship experiences. In Rochester alone, there are a number of minor league sport teams that offer potential internship experiences in soccer, baseball, ice hockey, and indoor lacrosse. In addition, the College has formed an academic partnership with the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. Through this partnership, Bills’ personnel serve the program as guest lecturers and the Bills’ summer training camp, held at Fisher, will offer a number of additional experiential opportunities for students.

A student is eligible for the practicum course upon earning 60 credit hours (with a minimum GPA of 2.75 in the major) and is eligible for the internship upon earning 90 credit hours (with a minimum GPA of 2.75 in the major).

Finally, for those students who have demonstrated both excellence in the classroom and an ability to work independently, a twelve (12) credit Advanced Field Experience is available. This course, taken in lieu of the Internship (SPST 490) and two (2) Sport Management electives, allows a student to gain extensive experience with an approved sport organization for an entire semester. A minimum of 600 hours is required along with additional responsibilities that will be determined in consultation with the program director. AFE candidates must have reached senior status and possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the major, successfully completed their Practicum (SPST 390), and receive permission from the program director.

The Minor's Significance

As students progress through the Sport Management curriculum, they may become interested in a specific aspect of the sport industry. As a result, students are encouraged to focus on obtaining an academic minor in a particular area of interest. The following minors will serve to enhance the value of the B.S. in Sport Management.

• Management (General Business, Marketing, Finance)
• Communication/Journalism
• Computer Applications
• Accounting
• Economics
• Sociology
• Psychology
• Pre-Law