Sport Business, B.A.

Common Body of Knowledge (27-30 credit hours)

• Click here to view the Common Body of Knowledge 

SPB majors substitute SPB 430  (which appears in the Major Requirements course listing) for GBA 231  in the Common Body of Knowledge.

University Explorations - 42 credit hours

• Click here to view the University Explorations 

Major Requirements (37 credit hours)

• SPB 101 - Introduction to Sport Business 3 credits

•  

• SPB 230 - Sport Facility and Event Management 3 credits or
• SPB 240 - Media Relations in Sport Business 3 credits

•  

• SPB 295 - Sport Business Apprenticeship 1 credit
• SPB 330 - Social & Ethical Issues in Sport 3 credits
• SPB 350 - Risk Management in Sport 3 credits
• SPB 360 - Sport Marketing and Promotion 3 credits
• SPB 410 - Sport Governance 3 credits
• SPB 420 - Sport Finance 3 credits
• SPB 430 - Legal Issues in Sport 3 credits *

• * Substitute for GBA 231  in the CBK.

• SPB 449 - Professional Development Seminar 3 credits
• SPB 495 - Internship Performance 6 credits
• SPB 496 - Internship Assignments and Colloquium 6 credits

General Elective Credits: Complete enough general elective credit hours to fulfill total hours required for degree completion.

Total Credits: 120

Application to the Major

All students wanting to major in sport business must apply for admission into the major. An application may be filed after a minimum grade of C is achieved in ENG 121 , ENG 122 , and SPB 101 and a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 is achieved. Applications to the major are available from the Department Chair or the academic advisor and must be accompanied by a professional résumé and a cover letter indicating reasons for interest in sport business and career employment goals. Following application, students must interview with department faculty before admission to the major is granted. However, admission is not guaranteed. Other qualifications considered are sport-related experience, active involvement in the student's major association, volunteer experience working sporting events, and performance in the interview. Deadlines for application to the major are March 15, August 15, and October 15 each year. This process is for first-time college students not transferring from another institution.

Transfer students may gain admission to the major prior to matriculation at Saint Leo by obtaining an application and submitting the appropriate documentation as described above. The minimum GPA requirement for transfer students is 2.5 from all college work for which a grade was received. Once the application is received along with transcripts exhibiting a grade of C or higher on two English writing courses and on a comparable Introduction to Sport Business course from a sport business curriculum approved by the department chair, students will be granted an interview either in person or via a conference call. If a transfer student has not taken a sport business course comparable to SPB 101  as described above but all other requirements have been met, conditional acceptance may be granted. Other qualifications considered are sport-related experience, active involvement in the student's major association, volunteer experience working sporting events, and performance in the interview.

Application to Intern

Prior to their last semester of coursework, all sport business majors should contact their advisor to discuss their progress towards eligibility to intern. The internship is considered the key to gaining full employment in the sport business industry, although there are no guarantees this will happen. In order to apply, the student must have a minimum of a 2.5 GPA. It is not the responsibility of Saint Leo University, the academic advisor, the Department of Sport Business, or the Donald R. Tapia School of Business to find an internship placement for the student. However, if the student has been actively involved throughout his or her academic career, every effort will be made to assist the student in finding the best internship available that fits his or her career goals. It is recommended that interns seek out a paid internship as all internships are 40 hours per week. However, the decision to accept a paying or non-paying internship is solely between the site supervisor and student intern. A full-time position in sport can be used as a full-time internship, provided the employer approves. All internships must meet final approval of the advisor/ Sport Business Department Chair. The internship is scheduled during the student's last semester prior to graduation after all required coursework is completed.

If a student does not qualify for the internship by holding the minimum 2.5 GPA, two options are available:

• Option 1: The student may retake courses or take other elective courses to reach the 2.5 requirement and then apply to intern.
• Option 2: In place of the internship, the student can take an established set of sport business or other designated courses equaling twelve credit hours during the last semester prior to graduation. The student will still graduate with a degree in sport business but will not be allowed to enroll in the internship. (Note:  Student may not opt for four courses in place of the internship requirements.)