Davis & Elkins College will launch its first graduate program in fall 2026, according to a press release from the college.
The Master of Science in Sport Management is a one-year program designed for students seeking leadership roles in athletics, coaching and the business of sport. Applications opened November 1.
“We are thrilled to be able to offer our first master’s program, in Sport Management, beginning in the fall of 2026,” Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Mike Mattison said. “The program will offer the same small class sizes and close relationships with faculty members that our undergraduate programs do, and it will prepare students for a variety of opportunities: in coaching, in athletic administration, and within businesses that have a sport and/or recreation focus.”
Sport Management is already one of D&E’s most popular undergraduate programs. The undergraduate program offers a coaching education emphasis alongside business courses in marketing, finance and accounting.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects more than 30,000 coaching and scouting jobs will be created by 2029. Growth in the field is outpacing many other industries.
“I am happy and excited for the launch of the new Master’s in Sport Management degree for Fall 2026,” department Chair Mary Ann DeLuca said. “This first master’s program is an important step forward for Davis & Elkins College, the Sport Science Department, and for the entire academic community. The College’s mission is to prepare and inspire students for success and for thoughtful engagement in the world. With the growing projections in sport business, students who study in the Sport Management master’s program at D&E will be equipped with strategic, analytical and critical thinking skills to thrive and advance in job opportunities in the growing world of sport.”
The one-year format allows graduates to earn their degree and enter the workforce faster than traditional two-year programs.
The global sports market is projected to grow into the billions by 2030.
For more information, contact DeLuca at delucam@dewv.edu.
