Program Overview
This 60-credit hour Doctor of Education in Sports Management program empowers ambitious professionals to become visionary leaders who shape the future of the global sport industry. Blending cutting edge sport business strategy, ethical leadership, and research driven innovation, the program equips students to influence organizations at the highest level. USSU stands apart through its industry immersive approach, commitment to inclusive sport leadership, and a culture of continuous professional growth that prepares graduates to thrive in a rapidly evolving sports marketplace.
Why Choose This Program
The Doctor of Sports Management program gives you a competitive edge by combining elite leadership training, industrydriven coursework, and a legacy of excellence inspired by its founder and Cronan & Summitt. Designed for ambitious professionals, it delivers the strategic insight, ethical foundation, and realworld application needed to lead confidently in todays’ evolving sport landscape.
Executive Level Leadership Training and Preparation
Build the vision and skills to lead major sport organizations.
Real World, Applied Learning
Every course connects directly to current industry challenges.
Ethics & Inclusion at the Core
Develop the integrity and cultural awareness top employers expect.
Faculty With Industry Expertise
Learn from leaders who’ve shaped collegiate and professional sport.
Future Focused Curriculum
Stay ahead of emerging trends, technologies, and global shifts.
Who This Program Is For
The Doctor of Sports Management is for experienced individuals and professionals who want to lead at the highest levels of the sport industry. Its’ designed for individuals ready to expand their strategic influence, deepen their expertise, and shape the future of sport through advanced leadership, research, and innovation.
What You’ll Learn
Students in the Cronan-Summitt School of Sport Business gain the advanced knowledge and leadership capabilities needed to excel in the fastmoving sport industry.
The curriculum blends business fundamentals with the unique demands of sport, preparing graduates to lead with purpose, strategy, and integrity.
Sport Business Leadership: develop the ability to create vision, build high performing teams, and lead complex sport organizations with confidence and clarity.
Strategic Sport Management: learn to design and execute long range plans, evaluate organizational performance, and navigate the competitive sport marketplace.
Ethical Decision Making: strengthen your ability to uphold integrity, transparency, and responsible leadership across all levels of sport business.
Risk Management in Sport: build expertise in creating safe, inclusive, and compliant environments through effective policies and operational oversight.
Sport Marketing & Fan Engagement: explore branding, digital engagement, sponsorship, and consumer behavior tailored to the sport ecosystem.
Financial & Business Operations: gain fluency in budgeting, revenue generation, analytics, and financial strategy specific to sport organizations.
Applied Research & Scholarship: engage in rigorous academic inquiry that advances the field and strengthens your professional expertise.
Innovation & Industry Trends: stay ahead of evolving technologies, market shifts, and global developments shaping the future of sport.
Program Overview
The Doctor of Sports Management program empowers ambitious professionals to become visionary leaders who shape the future of the global sport industry. Blending cutting edge sport business strategy, ethical leadership, and research driven innovation, the program equips students to influence organizations at the highest level.
USSU stands apart through its industry immersive approach, commitment to inclusive sport leadership, and a culture of continuous professional growth that prepares graduates to thrive in a rapidly evolving sports marketplace.
Why Choose This Program
The Doctor of Sports Management program gives you a competitive edge by combining elite leadership training, industry driven coursework, and a legacy of excellence inspired by its founder and Cronan & Summitt. Designed for ambitious professionals, it delivers the strategic insight, ethical foundation, and real world application needed to lead confidently in todays’ evolving sport landscape.
Executive Level Leadership Training and Preparation
Build the vision and skills to lead major sport organizations.
Real World, Applied Learning
Every course connects directly to current industry challenges.
Ethics & Inclusion at the Core
Develop the integrity and cultural awareness top employers expect.
Faculty With Industry Expertise
Learn from leaders who’ve shaped collegiate and professional sport.
Future Focused Curriculum
Stay ahead of emerging trends, technologies, and global shifts.
Who This Program Is For
The Doctor of Sports Management is for experienced individuals and professionals who want to lead at the highest levels of the sport industry. Its’ designed for individuals ready to expand their strategic influence, deepen their expertise, and shape the future of sport through advanced leadership, research, and innovation.
What You’ll Learn
Students in the Cronan-Summitt School of Sport Business gain the advanced knowledge and leadership capabilities needed to excel in the fastmoving sport industry.
The curriculum blends business fundamentals with the unique demands of sport, preparing graduates to lead with purpose, strategy, and integrity.
Sport Business Leadership:
develop the ability to create vision, build high performing teams, and lead complex sport organizations with confidence and clarity.
Strategic Sport Management:
learn to design and execute long range plans, evaluate organizational performance, and navigate the competitive sport marketplace.
Ethical Decision Making:
strengthen your ability to uphold integrity, transparency, and responsible leadership across all levels of sport business.
Risk Management in Sport:
build expertise in creating safe, inclusive, and compliant environments through effective policies and operational oversight.
Sport Marketing & Fan Engagement:
explore branding, digital engagement, sponsorship, and consumer behavior tailored to the sport ecosystem.
Financial & Business Operations:
gain fluency in budgeting, revenue generation, analytics, and financial strategy specific to sport organizations.
Applied Research & Scholarship:
engage in rigorous academic inquiry that advances the field and strengthens your professional expertise.
Innovation & Industry Trends:
stay ahead of evolving technologies, market shifts, and global developments shaping the future of sport.
“USSU’s doctoral program stands out because of the genuine support and mentorship students receive from the faculty. Professors do not just teach they invest in who you are and who you are becoming, offering guidance that reaches far beyond the classroom. The program pushes you to think deeply, ask hard questions, and produce meaningful research, but you are never left to navigate that journey alone. That blend of academic rigor, approachability, and truly personalized support creates a doctoral experience that is both challenging and deeply encouraging something I have found to be uniquely true at USSU.”
-Dr. Fred Cromartie
Chair of Doctoral Studies
“The doctoral experience at USSU is distinguished by the exceptional level of faculty support and mentorship. Faculty members are deeply invested in students’ academic, professional, and personal growth, providing guidance that extends well beyond the classroom. The program challenges students to think critically and conduct meaningful research while ensuring they never feel alone in the process. This combination of rigor, accessibility, and individualized support creates a doctoral experience that is truly unparalleled.”
-Dr. Qshequilla Mitchell
Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies
Assistant Professor
Career Outlook
Graduates of the Doctor of Education in Sports Management program are prepared for highlevel leadership roles across the sport industry, combining advanced strategic insight with the ability to manage complex organizations. The degree positions professionals for executive, administrative, and consulting careers in collegiate, professional, nonprofit, and commercial sport sectors.
Career Outlook
Graduates of the Doctor of Sports Management program are prepared for highlevel leadership roles across the sport industry, combining advanced strategic insight with the ability to manage complex organizations. The degree positions professionals for executive, administrative, and consulting careers in collegiate, professional, nonprofit, and commercial sport sectors.
Athletic Director
Program Director
Professor/Instructor
General Manger
Sports Operations
Sport Industry Consultant
Entrepreneur
Business Owner
Athletic Director
Program Director
Professor/Instructor
General Manger
Sports Operations
Sport Industry Consultant
Entrepreneur
Business Owner
Colleges/Universities (Teaching)
Professional Sports
Minor League Sports
Athletic Associations
Nonprofit Sport Foundations
NCAA Institutions
NAIA Institutions
& More!
Colleges/Universities (Teaching)
Professional Sports
Minor League Sports
Athletic Associations
Nonprofit Sport Foundations
NCAA Institutions
NAIA Institutions
& More!
Courses
The Doctor of Education in Sports Management combines advanced leadership, business, ethics, research, and sport management courses with specialized areas like sports marketing, performance psychology, coaching, sports medicine, and governance. Students not only study theory, but also complete hands-on experiential learning and doctoral research designed to connect academics directly to the real sports industry. What makes the program different is its broad, interdisciplinary approach to sports and its focus on practical leadership, applied learning, and industry-relevant experience that prepares graduates for high-level roles across many areas of sport.
Specialization areas
core courses
Courses
The Doctor of Education in Sports Management combines advanced leadership, business, ethics, research, and sport management courses with specialized areas like sports marketing, performance psychology, coaching, sports medicine, and governance. Students not only study theory, but also complete hands-on experiential learning and doctoral research designed to connect academics directly to the real sports industry. What makes the program different is its broad, interdisciplinary approach to sports and its focus on practical leadership, applied learning, and industry-relevant experience that prepares graduates for high-level roles across many areas of sport.
Core Courses
Specialization Areas
FastTrack your Doctoral Degree
USSU’s FastTrack doctoral degree option allows you to earn your Doctor of Education in Sports Management in as little as three years, plus one additional year for your doctoral dissertation.
Learn More
Email [email protected] for questions about your timeline.
FastTrack your
Doctoral Degree
USSU’s FastTrack doctoral degree option allows you to earn your Doctor of Education in Sports Management in as little as three years, plus one additional year for your doctoral dissertation.
Learn More
Email [email protected]
for questions about your timeline.
