Over the past two decades, the sports industry has seen explosive growth and is predicted
to reach $680 billion globally by 2028, according to Statista. Focused on research
in leading sports areas and concepts, Troy University's Ph.D. in sport management
prepares you to become an expert in this exciting and ever-expanding field. Whether
you want to teach sport management at a college or university or become the CEO of
an award-winning team, TROY's doctorate in sport management will help you get there.
“I would recommend TROY's Ph.D. in sport management because the faculty's expertise,
attentiveness and mentorship is truly one of a kind. Small class sizes allow for a
personalized experience. It is an environment of collaboration where faculty and fellow
classmates want to see you grow and offer support every step of the way.”
Lynne Firmin George | Director of Economic Development and the IDEA Bank at Troy University | Graduate,
Ph.D. in Sport Management
A Flexible Ph.D. in Sport Management Program
The first of its kind to be offered in an online and hybrid format, TROY's sport management
Ph.D. program allows for flexibility and balance. Take traditional courses on the
main Troy Campus and online classes from anywhere. Or, work with your advisor to earn
your Ph.D. in sport management completely online. Whatever your circumstance, at TROY,
there is an option for you.
A Strong Focus on Research
TROY's program is designed to sharpen your critical thinking, analytical, statistical
and research skills, preparing you to be a sport management scholar or an industry
leader. At TROY, you'll gain experience in conducting, writing and presenting research
in collaboration with faculty and peers to advance our understanding of sports. You'll
also gain teaching, leadership and management skills, preparing you to manage classrooms,
an organization or a sports team.
TROY's sport management Ph.D. is offered online and through a blend of online and face-to-face courses. For more information about program availability and delivery options, call 1-800-414-5756
You'll benefit from a program led by faculty with expertise in a wide breadth of topics.
TROY's doctorate in sports management faculty includes Packianathan Chelladurai, who
is known as the “Father of Modern Sport Management.” Whether publishing manuscripts
in leading peer-reviewed journals or serving on doctoral dissertation committees,
our faculty are well positioned to help you advance in the sport management field.
TROY's sport management faculty have published hundreds of articles, numerous textbooks
and nearly 100 textbook chapters. They've delivered nearly 650 peer-reviewed presentations
and served as members of more than 20 editorial boards. Many faculty have also served
in such organizations as the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA)
and bring many years of industry experience to the program. As a sport management
Ph.D. student, you'll have access to their expertise and mentorship, positioning you
for success well beyond the program.
Sport Management Ph.D. Jobs
Sport management careers for graduates with a doctoral degree include higher education,
research, sport analytics, and executive roles in amateur and professional sports.
Faculty Profiles
Win (Gi-Yong) Koo, Ph.D.
Dr. Koo, sport management Ph.D. Coordinator, earned his doctoral degree from the University
of Arkansas in recreation and sport management with an emphasis in sport marketing
and statistics. He teaches sport marketing, sport finance, research methods and statistics.
His research interests include marketing and consumer behavior in sports.
TROY's sport management Ph.D. program allows you to pursue research interests of your
choice alongside a TROY faculty member. Current faculty research interests include:
Sport marketing
Consumer behavior in sports
Sport pedagogy
Organizational behavior
Sport ethics
Sporting event management
Sports wagering
Sportsmanship
Legal aspects of sport
Sport analytics
Global sport
Disability sport
Scholarships and Funding
Sport Management Ph.D. Teaching Assistantships
If you reside in Troy, Alabama, and are interested in pursuing a higher education
career, you may qualify for sport management teaching assistantships. As a teaching
assistant, you'll teach introductory courses and receive a competitive salary and
benefits. Email the program coordinator for more information.
Learn more about the sport management field and our doctoral program.
What can you do with a Ph.D. in sport management?
With a Ph.D. in sport management, you can become a professor in sport management,
CEO/director of sports teams or organizations, athletic agent, coach, scout, sports
marketing director, researcher, career coach, sporting events director, or director
of partnerships or sponsorships.
Is a Ph.D. in sport management worth it?
If you are interested in working in higher education or executive-level positions
in the sports industry, a doctoral degree in sport management is absolutely worth
it. Providing extensive and specialized experience in research, pedagogy and leadership,
a doctorate in sport management qualifies you for numerous high-level sports leadership positions.
What do I need to apply for the TROY sport management Ph.D. program?
To apply for the doctorate in sports management program, you'll need to submit the following:
One official transcript per each institution of higher education ever attended
Contact information for three (3) references or completion of a reference form
References should be able to address your readiness to enroll in a doctoral program.
We recommend that references be previous undergraduate or graduate professors, advisors
or others who can substantiate your academic preparation for admittance to a doctoral
program.
Statement of Intent. The statement of intent should include:
Details of your rationale for pursuing a Ph.D. in Sport Management
Details regarding your career and research interests
The goal of the writing sample is to measure your ability to write clearly and succinctly
in an academic fashion. The writing sample may include a thesis completed by the student,
a significant research or case study class project, preferably written at the graduate
level.
It is expected that you will be either the first or second author if the submission
was a group project. The paper must be double-spaced, 12-point, Times New Roman font
with 1-inch margins on all sides.
Since the American Psychological Association (APA) style is followed in all written
assignments in the Ph.D. program, we recommended that the sample also be written in
APA format. However, other writing styles, including but not limited to Chicago, Modern
Language Association (MLA), Turbian, AMA Manual or other accepted research writing
styles, will be considered.
Note: The writing sample could also include accepted or published research where you
were either the sole or co-author. The applicant must submit a PDF of the paper or
a link as proof of publication.
Are teaching assistantships available for doctorate in sport management students?
Yes, teaching assistantships are available for doctoral students in the sport management
program. However, you must live in Troy, Alabama, to qualify. Previous experience
in teaching sport management is highly beneficial. Generally, teaching assistantships
are for two years and offer a competitive salary and benefits.
Do I need to take the GRE or other exams to be admitted to the sport management Ph.D.
program?
No, you are not required to take entrance exams such as the Graduate Record Examination
(GRE), Miller's Analogy Test (MAT) or General Management Admissions Test (GMAT). However,
if you have taken an entrance exam and feel it will enhance your application, you
may submit official scores during the Ph.D. application process.
How often does TROY consider applications for the sport management doctoral program?
Applications may be submitted twice per academic year, once in fall and once in spring.
In order to be given full consideration, all requested materials must be received
by the deadlines listed below:
Application Deadlines:
Fall Admission for U.S. citizens: June 1
Fall Admission for international students: April 1
Spring Admission for U.S. citizens: October 1
Spring Admission for international students: September 1
Do I need a sport management background to apply?
No, you are not required to have a sport management background to apply. While many
students have an undergraduate or graduate degree in sport management, Ph.D. in sport management students come from a variety of educational backgrounds. However, in your statement
of intent, you should indicate a clear research focus in sport management that mirrors
the research interests of a doctorate in sport faculty member.
Can I transfer credits from another Ph.D. in sport management program?
Yes, you may be able to transfer up to 16 credits from another sport management doctoral
program. All transfer courses must be comparable to TROY's graduate courses and approved
by the doctoral admissions committee.
What are the research expectations of doctorate in sport management students?
If accepted into the program, in collaboration with your advisor, you'll be expected
to develop proposals and present at conferences, assist in writing and submitting
work to publications, assist with research projects and complete a dissertation. You
may also assist with grant proposals for research projects.
Can I earn my doctorate in sport management completely online?
Yes, you can earn your doctorate in sport management online at TROY. You may take traditional in-person courses at the main Troy Campus. Generally,
in-person classes are elective while the doctoral core, elective, research and statistics
courses will be offered online. Your advisor can assist you in scheduling your courses
in the format that works best for you.
What Can a Ph.D. in Sport Management Do for Your Career?
As a sixth-degree black belt in Taekwondo, Dr. Win Koo achieved the status of
master of martial arts in his native South Korea before becoming a grandmaster in
the United States.
