Sport Management Graduate Program Earns Top International Ranking

The McCormack Department of Sport Management's graduate program—which includes MBA/MS and MS degrees—ranks first in the world among programs in its discipline, according to a survey by the British-based publication SportBusiness. In the annual survey, the Isenberg program also finished first in the subcategories of most valuable program in furthering careers, top program in North America, most useful program for alumni in their current professional roles, and most favorably reviewed program among academic peers. The Isenberg program earned special kudos in the overall ranking for its “strong showing for diversity—with a third of its students coming from a minority ethnic background and close to a third from overseas,” according to SportBusiness.

Graduate Program Director Steve McKelvey attributes the Isenberg program’s strong showing both to its exceptional faculty and participation of alumni. The latter, he emphasizes, serve as mentors, guest speakers, and conduits to internships and jobs after graduation. “Their involvement gives us and our students a true competitive edge,” he says.

In its best-on-the-planet showing, the Isenberg program dislodged Ohio University from first-place status—only the second time in the rankings’ eight years of publication that Ohio hasn’t been number one. To determine the rankings, SportBusiness polls alumni who graduated in 2016. That reflects sufficient industry experience coupled with recent proximity to current programs and their offerings.