Christopher M. Harris, Ed.D.
Director of Graduate Marketing and Recruitment
College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management
MSEM Program Essentials
Explore admissions requirements, application details and program information for all Master of Sport and Entertainment Management options. Use the links below to start your application or connect with our team for more information.
Two World-Class Programs
The University of South Carolina is home to some of the best master's degree programs in the nation for sport and entertainment management and business administration.
The Master of Sport and Entertainment Management (MSEM) degree program is ranked No. 1 in the SEC and No. 6 in the world (SportBusiness, 2024). It is based in the prestigious David and Nicole Tepper Department of Sport and Entertainment Management within USC's College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management.
With the No. 1 international MBA in the nation, the Darla Moore School of Business has built a reputation of success for its top-ranked MBA programs. The One-Year Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program provides a rigorous curriculum designed to have an immediate impact on your career.
The MBA / MSEM combination degree will empower students to earn both of these degrees in just two years — maximizing their investment and career advancement opportunity.
Program Benefits
- Gain a distinctive career edge
- Specialized sport and entertainment management and dynamic business curriculum
- 12 consolidated credit hours
- Earn two master's degrees in two years
MBA/MSEM Student Testimonials
I arrived at South Carolina with an acute interest in sport business, so the university physically placed me in front of industry leaders. I was given the opportunity to apply my studies with Green Jackets at the Masters, NFL executives at SoFi Stadium, FIFA officials at the Gold Cup and team owners in the Austrian Alps. I leave South Carolina with two postgraduate degrees and a range of hard skills like regression analysis to soft skills like leadership. The MSEM program entails a three-month work-study, so I have been the country manager at a sport finance startup called Fan Owned Club. We provide the experience of owning a European soccer club to the common fan. I am based in the Austrian Alps at FC Pinzgau Saalfelden.
Since my junior year in high school, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in sports. The undergraduate Sport and Entertainment Management program was such a great fit for me to thrive in a new environment. After the pandemic hit, I knew that I wanted to pursue a graduate degree. Returning to USC after my Disney College Program was an even more perfect fit, as the timing lined up for me to be a part of the new dual-degree graduate program. The dual-degree program provided me with all of the necessary resources to reach my full potential. The people were truly the best part. There were countless opportunities to gain beyond-the-classroom experience and the relationships I formed are invaluable. There was never a dull moment because the accelerated curriculum always kept me moving forward.
Dual Degree Value – Why MBA + Sport and Entertainment Management?
Earning an MBA alongside a Master of Sport and Entertainment Management (MSEM) offers a unique educational experience that equips students with a powerful combination of business acumen and expertise. The University of South Carolina’s MBA / MSEM combination degree allows students to deepen their understanding of sport and entertainment management while simultaneously developing a strong foundation in core business disciplines such as finance, marketing, strategy, and leadership.
This dual-degree approach can provide graduates with the versatility to pursue a wide range of careers across the sport, entertainment, and business sectors. Organizations within these industries increasingly value professionals who not only understand the nuances of event management, sponsorship deals, and media rights but also possess the strategic and financial skills to drive organizational growth and success.
Through this program, students gain insight into the intersection of business strategy and the dynamic world of sport and entertainment. They explore how key business functions such as operations, data analytics, and corporate partnerships influence the success of teams, venues, and entertainment companies.
Combining these two master’s degrees into an accelerated two-year program can allow students to develop a comprehensive skill set that may open doors to leadership positions in fields such as team operations, venue management, entertainment finance, sports marketing, and more.
Get in Touch
Program Directors
Khalid Ballouli, Ph.D.
MSEM Program Director
Associate Chair
Professor
David and Nicole Tepper Department of Sport and Entertainment Management
Diondra Smalls Black
Director of Recruiting, Full-Time MBA Programs
Darla Moore School of Business