[ARCHIVED CATALOG] 2014-2015 Undergraduate Academic Catalog 
    
    Oct 15, 2024  
[ARCHIVED CATALOG] 2014-2015 Undergraduate Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Sport Business, B.A.


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The sport industry is recognized as one of the fastest growing areas in our country’s  economy.  According to Plunkett Research Limited, a leading provider of industry sector analysis and research, industry trends and industry statistics, “the estimated value of the entire sport industry in the United States in 2012 was $435 million”, and according to SportBusiness Journal “ that figure is twice the size of the United States auto industry and seven times the size of the movie industry.”  In addition, at a recent global business of sports summit at Georgetown University, it was stated that “ the sports industry, valued at over $1 trillion worldwide, is central in global brand-building and economic expansion strategies for emerging growth companies in apparel, mobile technology, sporting venues and more.”

Saint Leo is the first undergraduate program housed in a school of business in the nation to be accredited by the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA).  This new accreditation was first available in 2010. The program is one of only two programs in the nation to earn accreditation in the first year available, and is one of the few housed in a school of business

University Campus Only Course Requirements


University Explorations (42 credit hours)


Common Body of Knowledge (36 credit hours)


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

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.)

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