The Sport and Entertainment Management (SPTE) Department at the University of South Carolina prepares students for a variety of managerial positions in the sport and entertainment industry.

The goal of the SPTE department is to create an integrated academic learning environment for analyzing and resolving the challenges in the business of sport and entertainment. The SPTE department provides a comprehensive curriculum that includes courses in general education, business and sport and entertainment management, as well as two experiential learning experiences (Internship I in Sport and Entertainment Management and Internship II in Sport and Entertainment Management) under the supervision of industry professionals and SPTE faculty.

The faculty and staff are committed to providing support for student achievement. Students can enter the industry with exceptional knowledge, professional preparation, a strong alumni network, and the confidence to assume leadership positions.

Learning Outcomes

1. Students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of the qualifications, job requirements, and working conditions for a sport and entertainment industry position. 
2. Students should be able to demonstrate the computer and technical skills needed for a sport and entertainment industry position. 
3. Students should be able to apply learned concepts and theory to demonstrate an understanding of the nature of the sport and entertainment industry. 

Progression and Graduation Requirements

In order to enroll in the Professional Division of SPTE, students must complete 48-49 credit hours in the courses indicated as Pre-Professional Division with a minimum grade point average of 2.75. Students who do not meet the grade point average requirement for progression must continue in the Pre-Professional division until they achieve a 2.75 GPA or change to another major. Only students admitted to the professional division of Sport and Entertainment Management will be allowed to enroll for more than 18 credit hours of SPTE course work. Graduation requires a 2.75 GPA in order to satisfy the requirements for a degree in Sport and Entertainment Management.

Pre-Professional courses include the following:

• Carolina Core Courses within the CMW, ARP and CMS areas
• Pre-Professional College Required Courses
• Pre-Professional Related Courses
• Pre-Professional Major Courses

Admissions

Entrance Requirements

The College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management has a pre-professional and a professional division of student classification. All new students will begin in the pre-professional division. Progression into the professional division requires the approval of the department and the successful completion of the requirements indicated under each departmental heading.

In addition to the academic admission requirements of the University and of the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management for admission to the pre-professional division, an enrollment limit into the professional division may be imposed by various departments. Such a limit would become necessary if enrollment levels exceed available department staffing and facility resources. In the event of an enrollment limit, admission to a department may take into account the applicant’s grade point average and other factors which may include the applicant’s potential for success in that major.

Freshmen Students

In order to be admitted to a program of study in the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management, freshmen applicants must meet all University admission requirements through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Transfer Students

In order to be admitted to a program of study in the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management, transfer applicants from outside of the USC system must meet all University admission requirements through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and have at least a 2.25 GPA. The Hospitality, Tourism, Retailing, and Sport and Entertainment Management majors require a higher GPA than the minimum University entrance standards. Transfer applicants for Sport and Entertainment must have a cumulative GPA of a 3.0 on all college-level work attempted. Transfer applicants for Hospitality, Tourism, and Retailing must have a cumulative GPA of a 2.5 on all college-level work attempted. 

Students from other USC campuses who wish to enter the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management must fulfill one of the following requirements:

1. Be in good standing, meet all University admission requirements through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, and have the cumulative GPA required for the program (see below).
2. Be in good standing and have completed 30 semester hours with the cumulative GPA required for the program (see below).

Required GPA for Change of Campus: hospitality management - 2.50; interdisciplinary studies (2.0 and separate application required); retailing - 2.50; tourism management - 2.50; and sport and entertainment management - 3.0.

Students enrolled in other colleges on the Columbia campus must meet the following GPA requirements on all work taken: hospitality management - 2.50; interdisciplinary studies (2.0 and separate application required); retailing - 2.50; tourism management - 2.50; and sport and entertainment management - 3.0.

Degree Requirements (120 hours)

Program of Study

Founding Documents Requirement

All undergraduate students must take a 3-credit course or its equivalent with a passing grade in the subject areas of History, Political Science, or African American Studies that covers the founding documents including the United State Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Emancipation Proclamation and one or more documents that are foundational to the African American Freedom struggle, and a minimum of five essays from the Federalist papers.  This course may count as a requirement in any part of the program of study including the Carolina Core, the major, minor or cognate, or as a general elective.  Courses that meet this requirement are listed here.

Requirements (120 hours)

¹

Must be passed with a grade of C or higher.

²

Carolina Core Stand Alone or Overlay Eligible Requirements — Overlay-approved courses offer students the option of meeting two Carolina Core components in a single course. A maximum of two overlays is allowed. The total Carolina Core credit hours must add up to a minimum of 31 hours. Some programs may have a higher number of minimum Carolina Core hours due to specified requirements.

³

SPTE 295 is the final course taken in the Pre-Professional Division required hours. Students must achieve the required 2.75 GPA prior to enrolling in SPTE 295.

Undergraduate Research Pathway

The Departmental Undergraduate Research Pathway is available to students majoring in sport and entertainment management who wish to participate in significant research activities of the major field in collaboration with, or under the supervision of, a faculty mentor.

Prerequisite

A minimum GPA of 3.50 in major courses, 3.30 institutional GPA.

Requirements

Three courses in addition to the major requirements:

Additional Requirements

• Presentation of the senior thesis in an appropriate venue (SEVT, Discover USC, NASSM, EASM, SMA, CSRI).
• A written sponsorship agreement from the faculty mentor will be placed on file in the department office.
• Students who successfully fulfill these requirements with a GPA of at least 3.50 in all major courses and a 3.30 overall GPA will be awarded their degree “With Distinction in Sport and Entertainment Management” upon graduation.

Major Map

A major map is a layout of required courses in a given program of study, including critical courses and suggested course sequences to ensure a clear path to graduation.

Major maps are only a suggested or recommended sequence of courses required in a program of study. Please contact your academic advisor for assistance in the application of specific coursework to a program of study and course selection and planning for upcoming semesters.

Sport and Entertainment Management, B.S. No Concentration

Sport and Entertainment Management, B.S. Entertainment Management Concentration

Sport and Entertainment Management, B.S.  Sport Management Concentration

Sport and Entertainment Management, B.S. Venue and Event Management Concentration

Sport and Entertainment Management, B.S. Real Estate Development 

Sport and Entertainment Management, B.S. No Concentration

¹

Regardless of individual course grades, students must maintain a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA.

²

Some colleges require a minimum GPA for major courses. Courses indicated in this column are included in the major GPA for this program of study.

³

The Carolina Core provides the common core of knowledge, skill and academic experience for all Carolina undergraduate students.

⁴

Students who do not place into MATH 122/141 or STAT 201 must take the required prerequisite before proceeding with MATH 122/141 or STAT 201.

⁵

SPTE Electives: SPTE 101, 110, 302, 303, 305, 310, 315, 320, 325, 330, 335, 340, 342, 376, 385, 399, 402, 404, 410, 430, 435, 450, 490, 498, 499, 501, 515, 545, 550, 560, 570, 580, 585, 590, 635, 650, 655.

⁶

Students must complete Carolina Core CMW, CMS, and ARP courses, Pre-Professional college required courses, Pre-Professional Major Courses and Pre-Professional related courses before taking any one Professional Major Course.

⁷

Supervised work experience in a sport or entertainment management area, selected by the student with approval of advisor. Contract approved by advisor or department chair is required for undergraduate students. Students must achieve the required 2.75 GPA prior to enrolling in SPTE 295.

⁸

College of HRSM students must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language by achieving a score of 2 or higher on the foreign language placement test, or credit equivalent to USC 109 and 110 courses, or credit equivalent to the USC 121 course.

⁹

The Sport and Entertainment Management major curriculum includes 3-15 hours of approved electives, depending on how students fulfill the Carolina Core requirements. Courses used to satisfy the elective requirement must be approved by the SPTE advisor (including additional electives in the major).

¹⁰

Placement with a sport or entertainment organization for a supervised learning experience in the student’s career specialization area.

Program Notes:

• All undergraduate students must take a 3-credit course or its equivalent with a passing grade that covers the founding documents. This course may fulfill any requirement in the program of study. Courses that meet this requirement are listed in the academic bulletin.
• The Departmental Undergraduate Research Track is available to students majoring in Sport and Entertainment Management who wish to participate in significant research activities of the major field in collaboration with, or under the supervision of, a faculty mentor. In addition to the major requirements, students must complete: SPTE 498, SPTE 499, and SPTE 501. Additional requirements include: 1) presentation of the senior thesis in an appropriate venue (SEVT, USC Discovery Day, IAVM research session, NASSM, CSRI); 2) a written sponsorship agreement from the faculty mentor placed on file in the department office; and 3) successful completion of all major courses with a GPA of at least 3.50 and 3.30 overall GPA. Students who successfully fulfill these requirements will be awarded a degree “With Distinction in Sport and Entertainment Management” upon graduation.

Sport and Entertainment Management, B.S. Entertainment Management Concentration

¹

Regardless of individual course grades, students must maintain a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA.

²

Some colleges require a minimum GPA for major courses. Courses indicated in this column are included in the major GPA for this program of study.

³

The Carolina Core provides the common core of knowledge, skill and academic experience for all Carolina undergraduate students.

⁴

Students who do not place into MATH 122/141 or STAT 201 must take the required prerequisite before proceeding with MATH 122/141 or STAT 201.

⁵

Students must complete Carolina Core CMW, CMS, and ARP courses, Pre-Professional college required courses, Pre-Professional Major Courses and Pre-Professional related courses before taking any one Professional Major Course.

⁶

Supervised work experience in a sport or entertainment management area, selected by the student with approval of advisor. Contract approved by advisor or department chair is required for undergraduate students. Students must achieve the required 2.75 GPA prior to enrolling in SPTE 295.

⁷

College of HRSM students must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language by achieving a score of 2 or higher on the foreign language placement test, or credit equivalent to USC 109 and 110 courses, or credit equivalent to the USC 121 course.

⁸

The Sport and Entertainment Management major curriculum includes 2-14 hours of approved electives, depending on how students fulfill the Carolina Core requirements. Courses used to satisfy the elective requirement must be approved by the SPTE advisor (including additional electives in the major).

⁹

Placement with a sport or entertainment organization for a supervised learning experience in the student’s career specialization area.

Program Notes:

• All undergraduate students must take a 3-credit course or its equivalent with a passing grade that covers the founding documents. This course may fulfill any requirement in the program of study. Courses that meet this requirement are listed in the academic bulletin.
• The Departmental Undergraduate Research Track is available to students majoring in Sport and Entertainment Management who wish to participate in significant research activities of the major field in collaboration with, or under the supervision of, a faculty mentor. In addition to the major requirements, students must complete: SPTE 498, SPTE 499, and SPTE 501. Additional requirements include: 1) presentation of the senior thesis in an appropriate venue (SEVT, USC Discovery Day, IAVM research session, NASSM, CSRI); 2) a written sponsorship agreement from the faculty mentor placed on file in the department office; and 3) successful completion of all major courses with a GPA of at least 3.50 and 3.30 overall GPA. Students who successfully fulfill these requirements will be awarded a degree “With Distinction in Sport and Entertainment Management” upon graduation.

Sport and Entertainment Management, B.S.  Sport Management Concentration

¹

Regardless of individual course grades, students must maintain a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA.

²

Some colleges require a minimum GPA for major courses. Courses indicated in this column are included in the major GPA for this program of study.

³

The Carolina Core provides the common core of knowledge, skill and academic experience for all Carolina undergraduate students.

⁴

Students who do not place into MATH 122/141 or STAT 201 must take the required prerequisite before proceeding with MATH 122/141 or STAT 201.

⁵

Students must complete Carolina Core CMW, CMS, and ARP courses, Pre-Professional college required courses, Pre-Professional Major Courses and Pre-Professional related courses before taking any one Professional Major Course.

⁶

Supervised work experience in a sport or entertainment management area, selected by the student with approval of advisor. Contract approved by advisor or department chair is required for undergraduate students. Students must achieve the required 2.75 GPA prior to enrolling in SPTE 295.

⁷

College of HRSM students must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language by achieving a score of 2 or higher on the foreign language placement test, or credit equivalent to USC 109 and 110 courses, or credit equivalent to the USC 121 course.

⁸

The Sport and Entertainment Management major curriculum includes 2-14 hours of approved electives, depending on how students fulfill the Carolina Core requirements. Courses used to satisfy the elective requirement must be approved by the SPTE advisor (including additional electives in the major).

⁹

Placement with a sport or entertainment organization for a supervised learning experience in the student’s career specialization area.

Program Notes:

• All undergraduate students must take a 3-credit course or its equivalent with a passing grade that covers the founding documents. This course may fulfill any requirement in the program of study. Courses that meet this requirement are listed in the academic bulletin.
• The Departmental Undergraduate Research Track is available to students majoring in Sport and Entertainment Management who wish to participate in significant research activities of the major field in collaboration with, or under the supervision of, a faculty mentor. In addition to the major requirements, students must complete: SPTE 498, SPTE 499, and SPTE 501. Additional requirements include: 1) presentation of the senior thesis in an appropriate venue (SEVT, USC Discovery Day, IAVM research session, NASSM, CSRI); 2) a written sponsorship agreement from the faculty mentor placed on file in the department office; and 3) successful completion of all major courses with a GPA of at least 3.50 and 3.30 overall GPA. Students who successfully fulfill these requirements will be awarded a degree “With Distinction in Sport and Entertainment Management” upon graduation.

Sport and Entertainment Management, B.S. Venue and Event Management Concentration

¹

Regardless of individual course grades, students must maintain a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA.

²

Some colleges require a minimum GPA for major courses. Courses indicated in this column are included in the major GPA for this program of study.

³

The Carolina Core provides the common core of knowledge, skill and academic experience for all Carolina undergraduate students.

⁴

Students who do not place into MATH 122/141 or STAT 201 must take the required prerequisite before proceeding with MATH 122/141 or STAT 201.

⁵

Students must complete Carolina Core CMW, CMS, and ARP courses, Pre-Professional college required courses, Pre-Professional Major Courses and Pre-Professional related courses before taking any one Professional Major Course.

⁶

Supervised work experience in a sport or entertainment management area, selected by the student with approval of advisor. Contract approved by advisor or department chair is required for undergraduate students. Students must achieve the required 2.75 GPA prior to enrolling in SPTE 295.

⁷

College of HRSM students must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language by achieving a score of 2 or higher on the foreign language placement test, or credit equivalent to USC 109 and 110 courses, or credit equivalent to the USC 121 course.

⁸

The Sport and Entertainment Management major curriculum includes 2-14 hours of approved electives, depending on how students fulfill the Carolina Core requirements. Courses used to satisfy the elective requirement must be approved by the SPTE advisor (including additional electives in the major).

⁹

Placement with a sport or entertainment organization for a supervised learning experience in the student’s career specialization area.

Program Notes:

• All undergraduate students must take a 3-credit course or its equivalent with a passing grade that covers the founding documents. This course may fulfill any requirement in the program of study. Courses that meet this requirement are listed in the academic bulletin.
• The Departmental Undergraduate Research Track is available to students majoring in Sport and Entertainment Management who wish to participate in significant research activities of the major field in collaboration with, or under the supervision of, a faculty mentor. In addition to the major requirements, students must complete: SPTE 498, SPTE 499, and SPTE 501. Additional requirements include: 1) presentation of the senior thesis in an appropriate venue (SEVT, USC Discovery Day, IAVM research session, NASSM, CSRI); 2) a written sponsorship agreement from the faculty mentor placed on file in the department office; and 3) successful completion of all major courses with a GPA of at least 3.50 and 3.30 overall GPA. Students who successfully fulfill these requirements will be awarded a degree “With Distinction in Sport and Entertainment Management” upon graduation.

 Sport and Entertainment Management, B.S. Real Estate Development 

¹

Regardless of individual course grades, students must maintain a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA.

²

Some colleges require a minimum GPA for major courses. Courses indicated in this column are included in the major GPA for this program of study.

³

The Carolina Core provides the common core of knowledge, skill and academic experience for all Carolina undergraduate students.

⁴

Students who do not place into MATH 122/141 or STAT 201 must take the required prerequisite before proceeding with MATH 122/141 or STAT 201.

⁵

Supervised work experience in a sport or entertainment management area, selected by the student with approval of advisor. Contract approved by advisor or department chair is required for undergraduate students. Students must achieve the required 2.75 GPA prior to enrolling in SPTE 295.

⁶

Students must complete Carolina Core CMW, CMS, and ARP courses, Pre-Professional college required courses, Pre-Professional Major Courses and Pre-Professional related courses before taking any one Professional Major Course.

⁷

College of HRSM students must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language by achieving a score of 2 or higher on the foreign language placement test, or credit equivalent to USC 109 and 110 courses, or credit equivalent to the USC 121 course.

⁸

The Sport and Entertainment Management major curriculum includes 3-15 hours of approved electives, depending on how students fulfill the Carolina Core requirements. Courses used to satisfy the elective requirement must be approved by the SPTE advisor (including additional electives in the major).

⁹

Placement with a sport or entertainment organization for a supervised learning experience in the student’s career specialization area.

Program Notes:

• All undergraduate students must take a 3-credit course or its equivalent with a passing grade that covers the founding documents. This course may fulfill any requirement in the program of study. Courses that meet this requirement are listed in the academic bulletin.
• The Departmental Undergraduate Research Track is available to students majoring in Sport and Entertainment Management who wish to participate in significant research activities of the major field in collaboration with, or under the supervision of, a faculty mentor. In addition to the major requirements, students must complete: SPTE 498, SPTE 499, and SPTE 501. Additional requirements include: 1) presentation of the senior thesis in an appropriate venue (SEVT, USC Discovery Day, IAVM research session, NASSM, CSRI); 2) a written sponsorship agreement from the faculty mentor placed on file in the department office; and 3) successful completion of all major courses with a GPA of at least 3.50 and 3.30 overall GPA. Students who successfully fulfill these requirements will be awarded a degree “With Distinction in Sport and Entertainment Management” upon graduation.