Recognised as the number one online graduate sport management program in the world in 2023 by SportBusiness, the Online MBA Sport Entertainment Management at the University of North Texas G. Brint Ryan College of Business offers an industry-focused education tailored to the needs of aspiring leaders in the global sports and entertainment industries. In this program, students receive unique access to the most valuable sport franchise in the world – the Dallas Cowboys. Where UNT provides the academic rigour of a Carnegie ranked research university, the Dallas Cowboys provide best practices, insights and case studies.
Students receive coursework in all facets of running a business in general, not just the sport and entertainment industry. Guided by great faculty in general business and those specialised in sport business, this program is uniquely set up to allow career business professionals, professional athletes and coaches to pursue the next step in their respective careers.
Additional Program Insights
This program consists of 36 credit hours and is a combination of core MBA courses and Sport Concentration courses. The sport concentration courses allow students to immerse themselves in the sport industry and develop the core competencies to thrive in the industry, such as branding, corporate partnership, venue and event operations, talent management and sport entertainment analytics. Each sport concentration course is offered in partnership with industry partners like the Dallas Cowboys, the PGA of America, FC Dallas, the Dallas Mavericks, and other notable Dallas-Fort Worth based sport entities. By enrolling in one course every eight weeks, the students can complete the degree program in two years. The online format allows faculty to meet students where they are. Courses are designed to be engaging and interactive, with opportunities for collaboration and networking. Students also have access to UNT’s extensive resources, including career services, academic advising and alumni networks.
Expert Faculty
The program’s faculty bring a wealth of academic expertise and industry experience. Dr Bob Heere, a globally recognised expert in sport entertainment management, leads the program. Guest speakers and adjunct instructors from the industry further enrich the learning experience. In addition to the world-class faculty, and the advanced curriculum with real-world applications, students can partake in immersive onsite boot camps at multiple North Texas locations, including The Star in Frisco, Dallas Cowboys’ World Corporate Headquarters and Training Facility, and AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the program are well-prepared for leadership roles in a variety of settings, including professional sports teams, collegiate athletics, entertainment venues, event management firms and marketing agencies. The program’s emphasis on business acumen and industry-specific expertise ensures that alumni are competitive candidates. As of fall 2022, 100 per cent of graduates are fully employed, and 83 per cent of all graduates received a promotion or started in a new job since they enrolled at UNT. Sixty-six per cent of the graduates are employed in the sport entertainment industry, a number even higher among our female students (81 per cent).
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