Sport and Entertainment Management, B.S.

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 Sport and Entertainment Management and the Retailing majors requires 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 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 - 2.25; interdisciplinary studies (2.0 and separate application required); retailing - 2.50; tourism management - 2.25; 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 - 2.25; interdisciplinary studies (2.0 and separate application required); retailing - 2.50; tourism management - 2.25; and sport and entertainment management - 3.0.

Degree Requirements (120 hours)

Program of Study

Requirements Credit Hours
1. Carolina Core 31-43
2. College Requirements 21
3. Program Requirements 14-26
4. Major Requirements 42

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.

1. Carolina Core Requirements (31-43 hours)

CMW – Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Written (6 hours)

must be passed with a grade of C or higher​

ARP – Analytical Reasoning and Problem Solving (6-7 hours) 

SCI – Scientific Literacy (7 hours)

Two approved CC-SCI courses from the natural sciences including one laboratory selected from Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geology, Marine Science or Physics

GFL – Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Foreign Language  (0-6 hours)

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 by completing one foreign language course through 110 or 121.

GHS – ​Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Historical Thinking (3 hours) 

GSS – Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Social Sciences (3 hours) 

AIU – Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding (3 hours)

CMS – Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Spoken Component1 (0-3 hours)

INF – Information Literacy1 (0-3 hours)

VSR – Values, Ethics, and Social Responsibility1 (0-3 hours)

1

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.

2. College Requirements (21 hours)

All college required courses must be passed with a grade of C or higher

Pre-Professional Division Courses (9 hours)

Course Title Credits
RETL 261Principles of Accounting I3
RETL 262Principles of Accounting II3
SPTE 274Computer Applications in Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management3
Total Credit Hours9

College-Required Courses (12 hours)

Course Title Credits
HRSM 301HRSM Professional Development Seminar3
HTMT 344Personnel Organization and Supervision3
RETL 242HRSM Professional Communications3
or ENGL 463 Business Writing
SPTE 240Business Law3
Total Credit Hours12

3. Program Requirements (14-26 hours)

Supporting Courses (12 hours)

Course Title Credits
Pre-Professional Related Coursework
ECON 224Introduction to Economics3
MGMT 371Principles of Management3
MKTG 350Principles of Marketing3
Other Related Coursework
FINA 363Introduction to Finance3
or FINA 333 Finance and Markets
Total Credit Hours12

Minor (18 hours) optional

Sport and Entertainment Management majors may pursue a minor in any course of study offered by the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management (HRSM) as well as any other University program with an approved minor. College of HRSM required courses may not be counted toward a minor.

Electives (2-14 hours)

The SPTE curriculum includes 2-14 hours of electives, depending on how students fulfill the Carolina Core requirements. Courses used to satisfy the elective requirement, which may include additional SPTE Major Electives, must be approved by the SPTE advisor.

4. Major Requirements (42 hours)

A minimum grade of C is required in all major courses

Major Courses (42 hours)

Course Title Credits
Pre-Professional Division Major Courses
SPTE 195Sport and Entertainment Careers0
SPTE 201Introduction to Sport Management3
SPTE 202Introduction to Live Entertainment Management3
SPTE 203Introduction to Event and Venue Management3
SPTE 295Internship I in Sport and Entertainment Management 16
Professional Division Major Courses
SPTE 380Sport and Entertainment Marketing3
SPTE 440Sport and Entertainment Business and Finance3
SPTE 444Sports and Entertainment Event Management3
SPTE 495Internship II in Sport and Entertainment Management6
Select 12 hours from the following:12
The Student-Athlete Experience
Sport and Entertainment in American Life
Artist Representation and Management
Live Entertainment Tour Management
The Business of NASCAR
Collegiate Athletics
NCAA Compliance
Sport and the Law
Resort and Club Recreation Programming
The Summer Olympic Games
The Business of Baseball
The Sporting Goods Industry
Sport and Entertainment Contracts and Negotiations
Risk Management in Sport and Entertainment
Ethics in Sport and Entertainment Business
Independent Study
Entertainment and the Law
Promoting Entertainment Events
Sport and Entertainment in Popular Culture
Sport and Entertainment Services Marketing
Spectator Facilities Management
Sales in Sport and Entertainment Business
Special Topics in Sport and Entertainment Management
Research Experience
Senior Thesis
Trends and Issues in Sport and Entertainment Management
Sport in Film
Managing Part-Time Employees and Volunteers
The Business of Esports
Performing Arts Management and Leadership
Special Topics in Global Sport
Business Principles in Sport Management.
Sports Economics
Special Topics in Live Entertainment and Sport
Sport and Entertainment Event Development
Integrated Marketing Communication in Sport and Entertainment
Social Media in Live Entertainment and Sport
Total Credit Hours42
1

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.

Concentrations (12 hours) optional

Sport and Entertainment Management majors may pursue a concentration in one of three areas: entertainment management, sport management, or venue and event management. The concentration will fulfill the SPTE Electives requirement of the major. Requirements for the concentrations are:

Entertainment Management (12 hours)

Course Title Credits
SPTE 302Artist Representation and Management3
SPTE 303Live Entertainment Tour Management3
SPTE 402Entertainment and the Law3
SPTE 590Special Topics in Live Entertainment and Sport3
Total Credit Hours12

Sport Management (12 hours)

Course Title Credits
SPTE 310Collegiate Athletics3
SPTE 320Sport and the Law3
SPTE 450Sales in Sport and Entertainment Business3
SPTE 580Business Principles in Sport Management.3
Total Credit Hours12

Venue and Event Management (12 hours)

Course Title Credits
SPTE 325Resort and Club Recreation Programming3
SPTE 342Sport and Entertainment Contracts and Negotiations3
SPTE 435Spectator Facilities Management3
SPTE 545Managing Part-Time Employees and Volunteers3
Total Credit Hours12

B.S. with Distinction (51 hours)

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.

Prerequisite

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

Requirements

Three courses in addition to the major requirements:

Course Title Credits
SPTE 498Research Experience3
SPTE 499Senior Thesis3
SPTE 501Trends and Issues in Sport and Entertainment Management3
Total Credit Hours9

Additional Requirements

  • Presentation of the senior thesis in an appropriate venue (SEVT, USC Discovery Day, IAVM research session, NASSM, 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