Communication Studies Minor
Advantages
Study communication theory, visual literacy, and digital media informatics courses to learn to creatively tell your sport or event story.
Outcome
Sports Information Director for NFL Films
Undergraduate Major
Sport & Event Management Major: Bachelor’s Degree in Business (BSBA)
Majoring in sports management or event management will kickstart your career creating memorable entertainment experiences.
At a Glance
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Offered as
Major
4+1 Bachelor's + Master's
College/School
Campus Location
- Chester, PA
Explore the Sport & Event Management Major
Event management in sports and entertainment is a highly-competitive and ever-evolving global industry. At Widener, you'll receive the experience-rich education from a top business school dedicated to turning your passion into your future work. Start by choosing a track:
- Sport Management for careers in team operations, sports facilities, community recreation, and more
- Event Management for careers in event planning, venue management, and more
In both tracks, you'll learn from industry-leading professors and get connected with directors of event venues, sports executives, and other expert insiders. With Philadelphia just a short drive away, you'll have access to internships with legendary professional sports teams and distinguished event venues. When you graduate, you'll be a pro—ready to take your organization to the next level.
The School of Business Administration is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). This professional accreditation places Widener among the top one-third of college business schools in the U.S. and Europe.
Program Specializations
Sport Management
Prepare for a career in the management of professional sports, intercollegiate sports, interscholastic sports, health/sports facilities, and community recreation, as well as in marketing of sports and entertainment-related products and programs. You'll gain real-world experience through two distinct internships and graduate ready for a leadership role in the thriving sports industry.
Event Management
Prepare for a career in the events industry from promoting and selling products to designing and executing memorable event experiences at a wide range of venues all over the world. You'll gain real-world experience through two distinct internships and graduate ready for a leadership role in the thriving events industry.
Sport & Event Management Program Options
Prepare for rapid career growth by completing two degrees in five years. When you graduate, you’ll receive a bachelor’s degree in sport and event management and a master’s degree in one of several graduate programs in the School of Business Administration.
Explore graduate business degrees.
Plant yourself in a region known for championship-contending sports teams and world-renowned events. You'll study 12 miles from the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, home to the Phillies, Flyers, and Eagles, and three miles from the Philadelphia Union's stadium. Throughout the Philadelphia area, you'll uncover internationally acclaimed historical sites and event venues. You can use your industry connections to intern with these organizations—experience that will distinguish your resume and help launch your career.
Our acclaimed co-op program and emphasis on internships will transform your powerful Widener education into action, helping you gain the experiences, connections, and career-building moments that will benefit you for a lifetime.
Tap into powerful networks of faculty mentors and Career Design & Development professionals to secure real-world work experience that matches your career goals.
The best part? You can get paid and still graduate on time.
The business honors program is an exciting opportunity for academically talented students to enrich their business education with advanced honors courses, an honors seminar, collaboration with faculty on research, civic engagement, and professional and leadership development opportunities.
Students can complete their program of study in 4 years graduating with a certificate of honors in business.
Eligibility
Students are admitted to the School of Business Administration Honors Program as entering freshmen, based on high school GPA and academic credentials. If numbers permit, then additional students may be admitted at the end of freshman year (based on GPA).
Requirements
- Take 5 business honors courses during the first 6 semesters. A co-op can substitute for one of the business honors courses.
- Maintain a minimum 3.25 GPA.
- Complete two of the following enrichment experiences: honors international trip, graduate course, research with a faculty member, passing a professional exam, or working in the Small Business Development Center.
Benefits
- Eligibility to take honors sections of required business courses, which typically cover the material in greater breadth and depth, and often with a focus on experiential learning.
- Opportunity to participate in an honors international trip.
- Special distinction at commencement wearing the honors cord. In addition, a certificate of honors awarded at commencement and on official transcript.
Pair Your Sport & Event Management Major with a Minor or Certificate
Career Outlook & Outcomes for Sport & Event Management Majors
Why Study Sport & Event Management at Widener?
Connect With Industry Experts
From your first semester forward, you'll keep company with industry experts. Our Sport Management Advisory Board includes an impressive array of leaders from the US Olympic Committee, Dick's Sporting Goods, the Philadelphia Phillies, and several professional sports teams.
In addition, Widener's unique Executives in Residence program brings industry leaders to campus, providing you with career mentorship and networking opportunities with experts in the field.
Engage & Strengthen Your Business Network
On campus, you can join a variety of clubs and organizations to expand your network with your peers, Widener business alums, and faculty. For those who want to play sports and manage teams on campus, Widener's 25 athletic teams compete at the NCAA Division III intercollegiate level. The University also sponsors intramural and club teams.
You can even live with fellow classmates in our Business (Developing Entrepreneurs) Living Learning Community (LLC). This unique experience enables you to form even closer relationships with business majors outside of the classroom while you explore the real-life experiences of entrepreneurs.
Experience Mentorship & Support From Day One
We want to get to know you and see you succeed. Professors will pay attention to how you learn and what you want to accomplish. Your Personal Student Success Team—faculty and peer mentors and liaisons for campus resources—will make sure your first year runs smoothly.
Without skipping a beat, you’ll have what you need to make Widener your second home. And you’ll know how to invest in the greater community, from professional opportunities in Philadelphia to volunteer experiences in your new backyard.
Lean more about faculty mentorship
Explore resources for success and support
Student Stories
Our Faculty
"I love connecting Widener students with the many strong leaders in Philadelphia's exciting sports market. Students benefit tremendously from both the networking opportunities and the insider knowledge that comes from these connections."
"The focus of the sport and event management program is to provide a personalized education to our students through the integration of field experiences, career and professional development, and experiential learning. We use the classroom as a place to create tangible experiences that students can use as they move into leadership roles in the industry."
Recent News
It’s a Widener Thing
The university’s connections to the Philadelphia Eagles run deep, as numerous students and alumni have worked for the franchise.
Home Team Advantage: A Glimpse at Widener’s Phillies Connections
Over the years, students from across majors have interned for the 139-year-old franchise, and alumni have gone on to work for - and even play for – the organization.
Business Students ‘Rub Shoulders’ with Industry Leaders from Eagles, Phillies, Hershey, and More
Widener students thrive in the sport and event management program thanks to connections to industry insiders who share their knowledge and access to internships and jobs.
Admissions & Aid
Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to support you every step of the way. Have a question? Ask away!
Admissions
Applying to Widener is easy—and free! Simply complete our Widener Application or the Common Application. You'll also need your official high school transcript and either an admissions essay or your SAT/ACT scores. We're a test-optional school, so there's no need to submit both.
Know you're interested in applying to Widener but unsure if you're ready to zero-in on a major? You can apply as an Exploratory Studies student with an undecided major. This program will help you start your college journey on the right foot while you explore which undergraduate program is the right fit for you.
When to Apply
We accept applications on a rolling basis—there are no hard deadlines. Apply when you're ready and we'll take a look as soon as we receive your app.
Key dates to keep in mind:
- October 1: FAFSA opens for the next academic year (Widener's school code is 003313)
- November 1: Early Action deadline and decision notifications begin
What to Expect After Applying
Once we receive your application and all materials, you can expect to hear back from us quickly. Along with your application decision, you'll also find out about any merit-based scholarship awards. You're automatically considered for merit scholarships as soon as you apply—you don't need to apply separately.
If you apply before November 1, you are considered an Early Action applicant which comes with benefits like:
- Receiving your admissions decision by Thanksgiving
- Early consideration for merit-based scholarships
- Early notification of financial aid offers, including need-based awards
- Priority enrollment for summer registration—where you sign up for classes!
All applications are non-binding, so why wait? Apply today!
Our admissions team will help you make the most of college-level credits earned after high school. We maintain strong partnerships and articulation agreements with numerous local community colleges and also accept a wide range of course credits earned at accredited colleges and universities.
Curious about how many credits may transfer? Email your transcripts to transfer@widener.edu and our transfer coordinator will personally review your coursework as an unofficial credit evaluation. Applicants are given priority during busy seasons, but you don't have to apply to work with our transfer coordinator.
Transferring doesn't have to be a guessing game—share your stats and we'll take it from there!
Widener University serves as a "second home" for students from around the world. We are located just outside of Philadelphia and close to New York City and Washington, D.C.—offering many unique professional and personal opportunities to explore.
Want to know what it's like to be an international student on campus or need assistance navigating English proficiency requirements? We're here to help, and our international admissions director will support you through the application process.
This support doesn't end with admissions—our International Student Support team will serve as a valuable resource throughout your Widener journey—meeting Visa/immigration requirements, getting acclimated to campus, and much more.
Financial Aid
Because Widener is a private institution, we're able to offer financial assistance that brings an exceptional education within reach. Complete your admissions application today to determine your financial aid package, including scholarships and grants.
Submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step to getting you the financial assistance to make the cost of college—an investment in your future—affordable. This free, online application is the gateway to grants, loans, and other forms of financial aid. Every year, the U.S. Department of Education offers billions of dollars in financial aid to eligible students. Widener gets in on the action, too, annually awarding aid to students with need.
You and at least one parent or caregiver will need a separate FSA ID to access the Federal Student Aid's online system and serve as your legal signatures. Make sure to create your unique FSA IDs before you get started. Our school code is 003313.
Paths to Savings
95% of Undergrad Students Receive Financial Aid
Nearly 100% of new students receive significant financial aid offers that reduce out-of-pocket costs and make a Widener education not only affordable, but well worth the investment. In fact, once your total financial aid is calculated, the cost of a Widener education is often equal to if not lower than other competitive universities–but with far superior outcomes for your career and earning potential.
The first step to see how much aid you qualify for is submitting the FAFSA.
Scholarships Start at $90,000 Over 4 Years
(including $20,000 per academic year for transfer students)
Funding you don't have to pay back after graduation? That's a win-win! Scholarships and grants are a way for the university and other organizations to honor the academic, merit, and talent-based achievements of our students.
4+1 Students Save Time & Tuition
In the Accelerated Advantage 4+1 program, you can save up to a year of tuition by pursuing a master's degree—resulting in thousands of dollars in savings. During your fifth year of study, you can also apply for graduate-level scholarships and assistantships to further reduce education costs. To learn more about graduate scholarships and assistantships, please speak with your academic advisor during the spring semester of your senior year.
Earn an Income with a Paid Co-Op & Still Graduate On-Time
Tap into our wide network of Philly-area employers and experience a full-time, paid co-op. In addition to earning an income, you do not pay tuition while on co-op. You can also choose to live on campus, at home, or even travel for your co-op.
