Sport and Recreation Management
Mission Statement
We are dedicated to the development of future leaders in sport and management professions through a course of study that maximizes the potential of individuals and society.
Sport and Recreation Management is committed to providing:
- an outstanding undergraduate program based on the criteria of relevant professional associations, which will enable graduates to be successful in their professional endeavors.
- a program that builds upon the strong liberal studies background provided through General Education.
- opportunities that challenge students to think critically, to use technology, and to appreciate the global community.
- research and development projects that push back the boundaries of knowledge and promote effective practice in sport and recreation management.
Career Opportunities
Graduates with this degree will be employed in professional sport organizations, semi-professional sport organizations, collegiate athletics, sport marketing agencies, sport broadcasting venues, facility management in both sport and recreation, community recreation agencies, commercial recreation agencies, theme parks, military recreation as well as hotels, resorts and other hospitality and entertainment venues.
Careers in sport and recreation management are plentiful. The listing below offers examples of possible career paths and is not meant to be comprehensive.
- Fitness/Health Club Manager
- Sportscaster
- Aerobics Instructor
- Sports Agent
- Athletic Coach
- Athletic Director
- Sports Event Coordinator
- Media Relations Specialist
- Sports Information Specialist
- YMCA Youth Leader
- Recreation Professional
- Sports Marketing Specialist
- Community Center Director
- Corporate Fitness Leader
- Director of Stadium Operations
- Director of Ticket Operations
- Professional Sports Scout
- Promotion Director
- Youth Programs Director
- Campus Recreation Director
- Athletic Contract Manager
- Sports Camp Director
Co-Curricular Activities and Organizations
In order to enhance the educational, experiential, networking and professional opportunities for our students, sport and recreation management (SRM) offers and encourages involvement in a wide variety of co-curricular activities and SRM-related conferences and organizations. Co-curricular activities also include required practicum and internship experiences for which academic credit is given. Below is a list of SRMs most prominent activities:
Conferences and Events
- Sports Events Marketing Experience (SEME)
- Sport Industry Networking and Career Conference (SINC)
- National Intramural Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) Annual Conference and Recreational Sports Expo
- National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) National Conference
- Association of Outdoor Recreation Education Annual Conference
Professional Organizations
- National Intramural Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA)
- National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA)
- North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM)
- American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD)
- Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education
JMU Clubs and Organizations
- Phi Epsilon Kappa
- SRM Major's Club (SLAM)
- Sports Clubs
Practicums and Internships
SRM requires its students to complete a practicum and an internship. Both count as academic credit hours. These are opportunities for the student to gain valuable experience by working in his/her field of choice in a sport or recreation-related agency. The opportunities are almost endless.
Admission Requirements
Competitive students meet all of JMU's undergraduate admission requirements, including:
- Four years of math (one full year beyond Algebra II)
- Three years of laboratory science
- Three to four years in the same foreign language, or two years of two different foreign languages
- Four years of English
- Four years of social studies
Students who challenge themselves with upper-level courses (i.e. Honors-level courses, Advanced Placement classes, dual enrollment) increase their competitiveness. Applicants should also pursue the most demanding college preparatory programs available.
Academic achievement is evaluated through grades in core subject areas of mathematics, English, foreign language, social studies, and lab sciences. A competitive candidate is an "A" or "B" student in core courses, and performance is examined throughout the candidate's high school career. Performance on SAT I or ACT is also considered.
Bachelor of Science in Sport and Recreation Management
| Required courses | Credit Hours |
| General Education | 41 |
| Quantitative requirement (in addition to General Education) | 3 |
| Scientific Literacy requirement (in addition to General Education) | 3-4 |
| Sport and Recreation Management core courses | 9 |
| Major requirements | 36 |
| General Business Minor for Sport and Recreation Management 1 | 18 |
| University Electives | 6-10 |
| 120 | |
1 Successful completion of these courses with a 2.0 GPA will qualify the student for a general business minor; however, it is the responsibility of the student to complete the necessary paperwork in the College of Business to apply for the minor.
Major Requirements
| Required Courses | Credit Hours |
| SRM/HM 201. Foundations of Hospitality, Sport and Recreation Management | 3 |
| SRM/HM 202. Foundations of Leadership in Hospitality, Sport and Recreation | 3 |
| Management | |
| SRM/HM 203. Foundations of Ethics and Law in Hospitality, Sport and Recreation | 3 |
| Management | |
| 9 | |
| Sport and Recreation Management Major Courses | Credit Hours |
| KIN 411. Measurement and Evaluation in Kinesiology | 3 |
| SRM 241. Introduction to Sport and Recreation Management | 3 |
| SRM 282. Practicum in Sport and Recreation Management | 3 |
| SRM 333. Management in Sport, Recreation and Fitness Settings | 3 |
| SRM 332. Introduction to Marketing in the Sport Industry | 3 |
| SRM 434. Ethical and Legal Issues in Sport and Recreation | 3 |
| SRM 435. Sport Sales and Promotion | 3 |
| SRM 436. Facilities Planning and Management in Sport and Recreation | 3 |
| SRM 482. Internship in Sport and Recreation Management | 12 |
| 36 | |
General Business Minor (Required)
| Minor Courses | Credit Hours |
| COB 204. Computer Information Systems | 3 |
| ACTG 244. Accounting for Non-Business Majors 1 | 3 |
| ECON 201. Principles of Economics (Micro) | 3 |
| FIN 345. Finance for the Non-Financial Manager | 3 |
| MGT 305. Management and Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| MKTG 380. Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| 18 | |
1 Students in sport and recreation management must declare the business minor for sport and recreation management through the College of Business. No more than 30 credit hours may be taken in the College of Business.
Recommended Schedule for Majors
| First Year | Credit Hours |
| General Education | 21 |
| SRM/HM 201. Foundations of Hospitality, Sport and Recreation Management | 3 |
| SRM/HM 202. Foundations of Leadership in Hospitality, Sport and Recreation | |
| Management | 3 |
| SRM/HM 203. Foundations of Ethics and Law in Hospitality, Sport and Recreation | |
| Management | 3 |
| 30 | |
| Second Year | Credit Hours |
| General Education | 8-9 |
| SRM 241. Introduction to Sport and Recreation Management | 3 |
| SRM 242. Sociology and Psychology of Sport and Recreation | 3 |
| SRM 282. Practicum in Sport Recreation | 3 |
| COB 204. Computer Information Systems 1 | 3 |
| ECON 201. Principles of Economics (Micro) | 3 |
| ACTG 244. Accounting for Non-Business Majors | 3 |
| Scientific Literacy | 3-4 |
| Quantitative Requirement | 3 |
| 33 | |
1 Successful completion of COB 242 will substitute for ACTG 244.
| Third Year | Credit Hours |
| General Education | 9 |
| SRM 333. Management in Sport and Recreation | 3 |
| SRM 334. Sport Communication | 3 |
| SRM 335. Current Issues | 3 |
| FIN 345. Finance for the Non-Financial Manager | 3 |
| MKTG 380. Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| MGT 305. Management and Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| 27 | |
| Fourth Year | Credit Hours |
| General Education | 3 |
| University Electives | 9 |
| SRM 434. Ethical and Legal Issues in Sport and Recreation | 3 |
| SRM 435. Marketing and Sales | 3 |
| SRM 436. Facilities and Event Management in Sport and Recreation | 3 |
| SRM 437. Programming and Assessment | 3 |
| SRM 482. Internship in Sport and Recreation Management | 6 |
| 30 | |
