Master of Strategic Sports Management

Program Overview

The Master of Strategic Sports Management program at ISM prepares students for management roles in the global sports industry. The program emphasizes practical application of management principles, focusing on current and future topics like leadership, digitalization, and sustainability. Students benefit from expert lectures, industry collaborations, and an integrated semester abroad, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to navigate the evolving sports landscape.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Master of Strategic Sports Management is a 3-semester program (plus 1 semester for the master thesis) designed to prepare students for management positions in the global sports industry. The program focuses on practical application of theoretical management principles to the sports sector, emphasizing global future topics like leadership, digitalization, sustainability, integrative management, health and tourism, as well as consulting. The program aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate current and future trends and challenges in the sports business.

Key facts about this program:

• The program is offered in English at the Berlin campus.
• The program is AACSB accredited, which is a prestigious seal of quality certifying excellence in research and teaching.
• The program offers a "Fast Track" option that allows students to complete the master's degree in 3 semesters with 90 ECTS by omitting the semester abroad and shortening the internship period.
• The program includes a compulsory integrated semester abroad at one of ISM's 190 partner universities.
• Students can choose elective courses during their semester abroad, focusing on either supplementary content from Sports Management or a specialization in Marketing and Management.
• The program is not subject to a Numerus Clausus (NC) admission restriction.
• The program has a strong international orientation with students from 84 nationalities and 30% international students.
• The program offers a network of 190 partner universities for the semester abroad.
• The program provides a personal teaching atmosphere with small learning groups.
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• The admission process consists of uploading certain documents, an interview with program director and presenting a short case study powerpoint.

Program Content Sports Management Master

1st Semester

Leadership Skills

• Corporate Governance & Business Ethics (2 ECTS)
• Negotiation, Communication & Executive Presentations (2 ECTS)
• Cross Cultural Leadership (2 ECTS)

Strategy & Innovation in Sports

• Business Models & Strategies in Sports (2 ECTS)
• Value Creation & Sports Platform Strategy (2 ECTS)
• Innovation Management (2 ECTS)

Strategic Sports Marketing

• Marketing & Sales Management in Sports (2 ECTS)
• Brand Management in Sports (2 ECTS)
• Sports Sponsoring & Media Management (2 ECTS)

Research and Evaluation in Sports

• Evaluation Methods in Sports (2 ECTS)
• Evaluating Sports Brands (2 ECTS)
• Research Project Management (2 ECTS)

Sustainability in Sports

• Sustainable Sports Organizations (2 ECTS)
• Sustainable Sports Events (2 ECTS)
• New Business Models & Design Thinking in Sports (2 ECTS)

2. Semester

Digitalization in Sports

• Digital Transformations in Sports (2 ECTS)
• Digital Sports Products (2 ECTS)
• Management of eSports (2 ECTS)

Integrative Sports Management

• Stakeholder Management in modern Sports Organizations (2 ECTS)
• Developing and New Sports Markets (2 ECTS)
• Integrative Sports Facility Development (2 ECTS)

Nature, Sports and Tourism

• Sports Tourism (2 ECTS)
• Nature and Outdoor Sports (2 ECTS)
• Activity & Health (2 ECTS)

Market Research/Consulting Project (6 ECTS)

Internship

• Practical experience phase 1 (6 ECTS)

3. Semester - Integrated Semester Abroad

You will spend the third semester at one selected partner university which is available from our network of 190 international schools (24 ECTS). You can select courses according to your individual focus.

Internship

• Practical experience phase 2 (6 ECTS)

4. Semester - Master Thesis

You will receive 30 ECTS for your master thesis.

In addition, you also get the opportunity to earn an international Double Degree from a partner university as well.

Teaching:

• The program features a strong practical orientation with lectures delivered by experts from the sports field.
• The program emphasizes close practical relevance in individual courses.
• The program incorporates cooperation with sports organizations from areas of professional sports, sports associations, sporting goods manufacturers, fitness and health sports, as well as sports agencies.
• The program encourages interdisciplinary thinking and cooperation through collaboration with other master's programs at ISM.

Careers:

• The program prepares students for careers in various sports organizations, including professional sports, sport federations, sports clubs, sporting goods and sports equipment manufacturers, marketing and communications agencies, management consultancies, health insurance companies and hospitals, public sports administrations, sports facility operators, (sports) event agencies, (sports) travel providers and (sports) destinations, as well as sports media.