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College of Professional Studies

Sports Leadership

Master's

Designed to enhance the skills of students at all levels of experience in the industry, the online Master of Sports Leadership program prepares you to excel in diverse fields of sports-related occupations.

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Program Format
Online
Time Commitment
Part time, Full time
Duration
12 - 18 Months
Entry Term(s)
Fall, Spring, Winter
Meets F1 visa requirements
No

Program overview

Create a winning career in sports

The practice-oriented online Master of Sports Leadership is structured to accommodate midcareer athletic administrators and coaches, as well as individuals seeking to prepare for careers in the sports industry.

Developed in collaboration with Northeastern University’s Center for the Study of Sport in Society, the Master of Sports Leadership prepares you for a variety of sport-related occupations. Courses within this unique graduate degree examine the social and business issues that are critical to sports leadership. Offered in an online format with an intensive one-week summer institute in Boston, this practice-oriented degree provides you with a well-rounded educational experience—equipping you to advance your career in the sports industry.

 


Please note: Beginning fall 2026, this program will shift from a quarter-based academic calendar to a semester format. View the program conversion guide for curriculum details or visit our FAQ page for more information.

If you enter this program before fall 2026, your academic advisor will work with you to ensure a smooth transition. This change will not impact your academic progress, path to graduation, or tuition costs.

Accredited by the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA), located in Fort Collins, CO-one of only 18 graduate programs in the U.S. to receive this accreditation.Northeastern’s Master of Sports Leadership was recently inducted into the COSMA Hall of Fame as a Biz Connector for excelling in creating partnerships with professionals in sports.

  • Practice-oriented degree offering hands-on experience, internship, and capstone project
  • Option to take part in integrated experiential learning
  • Concentration choices for a specialized focus on professional or collegiate athletics, analytics, or eSports
  • Online program provides flexibility for working professionals, and summer residency offers enhanced interactive experience

Already a multibillion-dollar field, the sports industry is projected to experience faster-than-average growth over the next several years. Located all over the country, sports-related organizations and businesses require a variety of educated and skilled employees to manage day-to-day operations. While knowledge is crucial, success is often contingent upon your willingness to work beyond 9-5-with many sporting events and related activities taking place on nights, weekends, and holidays. The sports industry is exciting-filled with people who are driven by a passion for what they do and who are extremely satisfied with their career choice.

Admissions

Apply to the program

A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and real-world professional experience in your area of interest. Apply to take your career to the next level.

Our admissions process operates on a rolling basis; however, we do recommend the application guidelines below to ensure you can begin during your desired start term:

Domestic Application Guidelines

International Application Guidelines*

*International deadlines are only applicable if the program is F1 compliant.


  • Online application

  • Professional resumé

  • Unofficial undergraduate transcripts; official transcripts required at the time of admission

    • The Foreign Credential Evaluation (FCE) is a required assessment of all transcripts and documents from non-U.S. accredited post-secondary education institutions. (Review the FCE requirements by country.)

  • English language proficiency proof. Students for whom English is not their primary language must submit one of the following:

    • Official associate or bachelor's degree transcript from an accredited college or university in the U.S., stating degree conferral and date

    • TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo, or NU Global Exam scores

  • Other materials may be required

Program objectives

Gain the expertise to lead

Prepare to lead in various sport-related occupations, including professional or intercollegiate sports teams, with a fitness club or wellness organization, or in marketing, communication, or sports management.

Learn to lead and build teams

Identify your leadership styles and strengths and take steps to improve your leadership capacity and understand what it takes to build highly effective teams.

Manage challenging situations

Obtain approaches and techniques for effectively tackling ethical dilemmas and explore the legal issues related to equipment use, facility management, and accommodation for special populations.

Elevate sports for the greater good

Learn how to leverage sports for greater social and economic good and discover how to use sports to foster diversity, prevent violence, and improve the health of local and global communities.

Sharpen your organizational skills

Examine the planning, scheduling, and financial issues associated with running a successful athletics program.

Connect with us

Want more information?

We’re here to answer your questions about this program, the application process, and more. Complete the form below to receive additional program details and speak with a member of our enrollment team. 

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Market outlook
Industry at a glance
Here's a look at current market trends and the career landscape.

Occupations

Cost of attendance

Tuition and financial aid

  • $41,355
    Tuition in USD

Estimated Total Tuition

This is an estimate based on the tuition rates for Academic Year 2025-2026 and does not include any fees or other expenses. Some courses and labs have tuition rates that may increase or decrease total tuition. Tuition and fees are subject to revision by the president and Board of Trustees at any time. Select programs at select campuses offer additional scholarships of up to 25% off the listed price for domestic students studying on campus. For more detailed information, please visit Student Financial Services.

For students interested in pursuing financial assistance or educational loans, additional educational costs, known as Cost of Attendance (COA) components, can be included in the calculation of aid and loan eligibility. Components may include food, housing, books, course materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, personal expenses, and the cost of obtaining a first professional licensure. You can find comprehensive details on the Student Financial Services website. Please keep in mind that COA can vary significantly depending on academic program, enrollment intensity, and individual circumstances.

There are many ways to pay for your education, including scholarships, financial aid, and more. Connect with a financial counselor to learn about your options and make your dream a reality.

Visit tuition & financial aid
Online Programs

Your education, your way

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Northeastern's online classes give you the same top-tier education you'd get in person, on a schedule that works for your lifestyle and career needs. They offer a range of videos, interactives, breakout sessions, and experience-focused learning opportunities to immerse you in the material and build community. You'll graduate with the same degree as your in-person peers.

#8

Northeastern's national ranking for Most Innovative Schools

(U.S. News & World Report, 2024)

53.5%

Percent of graduate students in the U.S. enrolled in online courses

(NCES, 2022)

97%

Percent of students in the U.S. who recommend online education

(BestColleges, 2024)