Master's Degree Programme in Sport Business Management

Key learning outcomes

The principal focus of the degree programme in Sport Business Management is to enable the student to develop their professional skills, innovate new ideas and solve business problems in the sport management field, conduct development projects for sport organisations, and explore new sustainable business opportunities in the field of sport. The programme is aimed at those who, after working full-time or on a voluntary basis in the sport business industry, want to take their careers forward and upgrade their sports business management competences.

Education content and professional growth and know-how

The 90 ECTS programme is designed as obligatory core Sport Business Management studies, Management studies, Research and Development, master’s thesis and elective studies. Within the Sport Business Management studies, students can critically review and understand the core concepts of sport business management and gain knowledge and skills in sport management, sport marketing, entrepreneurship and finance. The student will be able to apply innovative and sustainable solutions to sport business management problems and utilise business intelligence data in decision-making. The programme gives the student good knowledge of sustainable sport management development goals and prepares the student to implement different sustainability programmes in sport organisations. The programme operates in an international environment and students work in a multicultural community.

The professional growth of students is led by a tutoring process which starts at the very beginning of the studies and continues until graduation. In this process, students complete personal learning plans and discuss what they need to develop their competences with their tutors. The tutoring discussion leads to making appropriate choices in elective studies.

Flexible studies

Students can carry out the studies part-time (in three years) or full-time (in one and a half years) based on their preference. Most of the courses are implemented by blending in-class activities with learning in virtual environments.

You can choose your alternative or elective studies from EduJyväskylä partner institutions (University of Jyväskylä and Gradia) and international studies from European EUDRES higher education institutions. You can also choose from Finnish and foreign partner universities, such as other universities of applied sciences and universities. You can apply for accreditation of higher education studies that you have completed elsewhere.

Working life oriented learning

Working life cooperation is an ongoing practice in the programme's curriculum as part-time students continuously reflect on their learning in the courses in light of their current and previous experiences at their work experiences. Interaction with sport organisations is intensified during the master’s thesis stage when students aim to develop practices at their workplaces or other sport organisations. Guest lecturing by industry professionals further enhance the working life cooperation.

Career opportunities and employment

The sport business is a globally growing field of business and offers multiple job opportunities. The students are able to carry out managerial duties in demanding development projects, organise sporting events, manage marketing tasks and act as an entrepreneur on both national and international levels.

Qualifications

There are no specific degree-related or statutory qualification requirements in the field.

Further studies

You may, after graduating, apply for postgraduate studies at universities or studies at the School of Professional Teacher Education. You can also continue your studies by applying for corresponding further education programmes in foreign higher education institutions, such as EUDRES higher education institutions. The university of applied sciences offers opportunities for competence development in various institutes, such as the open university of applied sciences, specialisation training and work-oriented continuing education.

Education planning

The learning outcomes laid down in the curriculum of the degree programme have been derived from the analysis of the operating environment produced by the School of Business, Jamk's own strategy, and the school's core competence areas. Planning has been carried out in cooperation with representatives from national and regional sport organisations. The development proposals and course feedback submitted by the students of the degree programme have been considered in the development of the curriculum. Foreseeing international expertise takes place by comparing the contents of the educational offerings of partner universities and using the expertise of the visiting lecturers. Representatives of the degree programme are closely involved in the activities of national and international networks, such as the European Association for Sport Management, the World Association for Sport Management, the Finnish Research Institute for Olympic Sports, national and international federations and multiple international research networks. Students have multiple opportunities to utilise this network and to participate in international projects and study abroad programmes such as the EASM Student Seminar.

Contact Information

Aila Ahonen
Principal Lecturer
School of Business
+358505921143
firstname.lastname@jamk.fi