At The Sports Intern, many of our readers are already in college and thinking about whether a graduate degree in sport management is worth it. A master’s program can absolutely help you break into the industry. But only if it gives you real access, real experience, and real career momentum.
Graduate school should not just add letters after your name. It should expand your network, sharpen your skills, and move you closer to a full-time job in sports.
Here’s what to look for before you commit.
-
Will This Program Actually Connect You to the Industry?
A strong graduate program should have real partnerships with professional teams, college athletic departments, agencies, brands, or leagues. There should be built-in internship or practicum opportunities and consistent interaction with industry professionals, not just one guest speaker per semester.
If most of your time is spent in a classroom with limited access to actual sports organizations, that is something to think about.
-
Will You Graduate With Real Experience, Not Just Papers?
Graduate school should prepare you for the type of work you will actually be doing in sports. Look for consulting-style capstone projects with real organizations, analytics or strategy-based assignments, sponsorship or marketing projects, and hands-on operational work.
You want portfolio-ready experience that shows employers what you can do.
-
Are the Professors Connected to the Sports World?
Ask about the background of the faculty. Have they worked in professional sports, college athletics, media, sponsorship, or operations? Are they still connected to the industry? Do they help students land internships or jobs?
A professor who is willing to make introductions can make a big difference.
-
Where Are Graduates Actually Ending Up?
Graduate school is a big investment. You deserve transparency.
Look for internship placement support, employment data within six to twelve months of graduation, and examples of the kinds of roles alumni are landing. Are graduates working in different sectors and markets, or mostly in one local organization?
If outcomes are unclear, ask directly.
-
How Strong Is the Network?
In sports, your network matters. A lot.
Look for programs with engaged alumni, mentorship opportunities, and small enough cohorts that you can build real relationships. Graduate school is often as much about who you meet as what you study.
-
Does the Curriculum Match Where Sports Is Headed?
Review the course list carefully. Strong programs include areas like analytics, digital media, sponsorship and revenue strategy, leadership, diversity in sport, negotiation, and communication.
If the curriculum feels outdated or overly theoretical, it may not fully prepare you for today’s job market.
Questions to Ask Graduate Program Directors
Academics and Program Structure
• What makes this program different from other sport management master’s programs?
• What real-world projects will I complete before graduation?
• Is an internship required?
Career Outcomes
• What percentage of graduates are working in sports within six to twelve months?
• What kinds of jobs are they landing?
• How do you support students who are trying to break into the industry?
Industry Access
• How often do students interact with sports professionals?
• Do professors actively introduce students to people in the industry?
• Are there partnerships that regularly lead to internships?
Alumni and Mentorship
• How involved are alumni with current students?
• Can I talk to a recent graduate about their experience?
• Are there structured mentorship opportunities?
Return on Investment
• For someone at my stage, how will this program help me move faster toward a sports career?
• What would I gain here that I could not gain through internships and networking alone?
A graduate degree in sport management can absolutely be the right move. But it should clearly expand your network, increase your access, and strengthen your chances of landing a job in sports.
Do not just look at the website. Reach out. Ask real questions. Advocate for yourself.
You are not just choosing a degree. You are choosing a launchpad for your career.
