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Ministry-approved title: Sports Administration
Sport Administration professionals are the organizational backbone of Canada’s athletic community, supporting operations from grassroots programs to professional leagues. Whether planning tournaments, managing sponsorships, leading ticket sales, or overseeing facilities, they help sport organizations perform at a high level. This program builds the business skills and industry knowledge needed to succeed in sport. Through hands-on learning and networking, students prepare for careers in sales, partnerships, marketing, event operations, community sport, sporting goods, and facilities management. Students also benefit from partnerships with many organizations, including Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, the Oshawa Generals, and the Toronto Blue Jays through tours, speakers, projects, and placements.
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As Canada’s longest-running college sport program, the Sport Administration diploma program is designed with industry input to ensure graduates develop both broad business acumen and specialized knowledge unique to sport organizations of all sizes. The program begins with coursework in fundamental business skills and an introduction to the sport industry, before progressing into more advanced applications and hands-on learning experiences in later semesters. In addition to classroom learning, the program includes volunteer opportunities, networking activities, and a range of experiential learning options that support career preparation.
Graduates work at the intersection of business acumen and sport, contributing to the complex operations that power Canada’s and the global sport industry. Through sport administration training that balances academic rigour with real-world relevance, students develop professional capabilities and connections that support success in community recreation departments, professional sport franchises, sporting goods companies, and athletic facilities across Canada. Sport administration graduates also work behind the scenes at professional franchises, amateur athletic associations, national sport governing bodies, community recreation departments, and sporting goods companies, supporting efficient and effective operations.
Note: Pathways are available for students seeking to further specialize or advance their studies in the sport industry. The three-year advanced diploma in Sport Management (SPMN) includes a 500-hour full-semester field placement for students seeking an in-depth, work-integrated sport industry experience. Sport Administration students may also choose to transfer into the SPMN program once enrolled. For students who already hold a diploma or degree, the two-semester Sport Business Management graduate certificate offers an alternative pathway focused on advanced, career-ready business skills for the sport industry.
Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or Math. Domestic applicants who are 19 years of age or older as of the start date of their program, and who do not have the required program credit(s), i.e. Grade 12 English and/or Grade 12 Math are eligible to take an admissions assessment test.
Learn more about how to book Pre-Admission Assessment Testing here.
DC also offers Academic Upgrading. Courses are FREE and designed to help you meet the admissions requirements for this program. Available to individuals 18+, these courses are offered on campus at DC. Boost your qualifications with:
Learn more about Academic Upgrading and connect with our team to get started.
Students entering their first year of studies in a Faculty of Business and Information Technology program will receive a membership to all of Durham Region’s Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade for the duration of their studies, plus an additional year following graduation. As one of the only colleges in Ontario with this offering, DC is proud to provide students with access to local businesses at a regional level.
The Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade include:
Membership benefits:
The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC. Students are responsible to ensure they are not duplicating their GNED or FNMI selections as per their diploma requirements. For a successful program completion, students must have successfully completed three unique elective courses as per their program of study.
Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
In person
Students will come to campus to complete in-person learning requirements. Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
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Sport Administration students begin their journey in the first semester with an immersive camp experience designed to build collaboration, leadership, and interpersonal skills. This transformative opportunity encourages students to step out of their comfort zones while forming connections that are integral to the program’s culture. Through structured activities and mentorship from senior students, participants gain practical insights into sport administration and management that will serve them throughout their academic and professional careers. Faculty support ensures the experience is both rewarding and memorable, setting the stage for success in the program and beyond.
Throughout the sport administration program, students gain valuable insights from guest speakers – industry professionals who have achieved success in Sport Management. These sessions provide expert guidance, real-world perspectives, and a unique opportunity to start building a professional network. Students in the program benefit from hearing firsthand accounts of industry challenges, emerging trends, and career pathways directly from those who have been involved in the Canadian sports landscape. This connection to the industry is a key element of the program’s commitment to student growth and career readiness.
Selected Sport Administration students have the opportunity to participate in case competitions, where they tackle real-world business challenges for clients in need. These events sharpen critical thinking skills, encourage innovative problem-solving, and provide invaluable experience addressing industry-relevant issues. By applying theories and concepts from their sport administration and management studies to authentic scenarios, students develop confidence and capabilities that directly transfer to their future careers. Additionally, they offer a platform for students to expand their professional networks and showcase their expertise.
Qualifying graduates of the advanced diploma Sport Management program with a minimum grade point average of 3.5 can apply directly to third year of the Bachelor of Human Kinetics (Sport Management) program at the University of Windsor. Durham College also offers degree completion opportunities with a number of Canadian and international institutions. Sample diploma-to-degree opportunities include:
Advanced Diploma graduates may also be eligible to apply their academic credits to:
Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.
Looking for more pathway opportunities or to transfer to Durham College? Click here for more information.
Sheldon Koufman is a Professor and Program Coordinator for Sport Management programs. Teaching marketing, sales, professionalism, and career courses, Sheldon is the published author of Marketing: The Core 7CE and Retailing Management 7CE. He emphasizes experiential learning through competitions and leadership camps.
As one of the longest-serving members of the Sport Management faculty, along with 10+ years of experience in the professional sport and entertainment industry, Matt Akler will guide students through career preparation in the business of sport while teaching courses in communications, events, leadership and team management.
Ian brings over 20 years of sport management experience to the classroom. He previously worked for sport teams, leagues and a sport marketing agency where he worked alongside some of Canada’s largest brands. His teaching is focused on sport marketing, partnerships and event management. Numerous industry partnerships allow for extensive experiential learning opportunities in his courses.
Nadine has been a PGA of Canada Class A golf professional for over 25 years. With a passion for growing sports at grassroots levels, she ensures that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy sport and recreation, regardless of their ability. As a strong advocate for non-profit organizations, Nadine believes in the power of community and volunteerism to promote equity and inclusion for all. Valuing lifelong learning, Nadine strives to instill this mindset in students, encouraging them to continuously improve and enjoy the journey of learning.
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