If you’re looking to pursue a major or career in sports management, attending a summer program focusing on the business of sport is a great way to demonstrate your passion to colleges. Summer programs and courses are also a great way to simulate the college experience and get a taste for what it’s like to live on your own.
Let’s look at some of the best summer programs for aspiring sports agents, executives, and broadcasters. Many programs are offered both online and in-person, and while most are focused on rising juniors and seniors, there are a number that are open to all high school students.
Application requirements depend on the program, but most will ask for your transcripts, a letter of recommendation, and a personal statement or explanation for why you’re interested in the program.
National Student Leadership Conference – Sports Management
Location: Fordham University, NYC, NY
Overview: The National Student Leadership Conference offers two sections focusing on Sports Management, hosted in-person on Fordham’s campus in NYC. This program features discussions lead by sports executives and media, and introduces students to the fields of sports law, management, and broadcasting.
Age: All HS Students
Application Deadline: Rolling Decision
Dates: July 23rd-July 31st OR August 3rd – August 11th, 2022
Tuition: $3,495
Syracuse University –Sports Management
Location: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Overview: Syracuse University offers a full slate of summer courses for high-school students, and their course on sports management is perfect for aspiring executives and agents. Syracuse offers similar programs online and hybrid, but the information we’ve included here is specific to their on-campus offering.
Age: Students 15+ years old
Application Deadline: May 1st
Dates: July 3rd-July 15th, 2022
Tuition: $3,585
Georgetown University Sports Industry Management Academy
Location: Georgetown, Washington DC
Overview: Georgetown’s Sports Industry Management Academy introduces students to the business of sports through interactive projects, speaker panels, and meetings with various leaders in sports business. Students get an inside look at how sports brands function and how the business is influenced by a variety of professionals.
Age: All HS Students
Application Deadline: May 15th, 2022
Dates: July 10th – July 23rd, 2022
Tuition: $5,300
The School of the New York Times
Location: New York City
Overview: The School of the New York Times offers a Sports Management course in-person in NYC, where students will learn from various sports professionals from the city. The program is offered in-person but features both a commuter and residential option, and is open to all HS students. Students will meet with various executives from the Yankees, Nets, and Mets.
Age: Students 15+ (including graduating seniors)
Application Deadline: April 4th, 2022
Dates: June 5th – June 17th, 2022
Tuition: $5,325 (commuter) or $5,925 (residential)
Wharton Sports Business Academy
Location: UPenn, Philadelphia, PA
Overview: Wharton’s Sports Business Academy focuses on developing leaders in sports business, and the program is split between classroom learning and trips to various sports stadiums and sites in the northeast. The program is split into three separate sections, each one focusing on different aspects of sports management.
Age: Grades 10-12
Application Deadline: May 5th, 2022
Dates: June 28th – July 18th, 2022
Tuition: ~$7,000
NYU Precollege Program
Location: New York City, Online
Overview: NYU’s Pre-College Program allows students to pick from a variety of courses that are offered both online and in-person. Students can select their own course(s) to study, and pay by the credit. The program offers a number of courses focused on the economics of sports that are taught by professors from NYU’s Stern School of Business.
Age: Grades 10-12
Application Deadline: March 15th (priority), June 24th (final)
Dates: July 6th – August 17th, 2022
Tuition: Varies by credits
Harvard Summer School
Location: Cambridge, MA, Online
Overview: Harvard’s Summer School features a number of full-summer courses and shorter two-week immersion programs that are available both online and in-person. Students can select from a variety of courses that detail the sports industry from an economic angle.
Age: 16 or older by June 18th, 2022
Application Deadline: March 2nd, 2022 (regular decision), May 11th, 2022 (Late Decision)
Dates: June 18th-August 6th, 2022
Tuition: $3,500–$13,200
UCLA Summer Discovery at Anderson
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Overview: UCLA’s Anderson School of Management offers a three-week summer Sports Business programs that focuses on career opportunities, site-visits, and case-studies. The program is open to both residential and commuter students, but it is only offered in-person. UCLA also offers online Summer Sessions.
Age: All HS Students
Application Deadline: May 1st, 2022
Dates: Various dates (5 sessions)
Tuition: $6,499 (residential)
Columbia Summer Immersion Program
Location: New York City, Online
Overview: Columbia’s Summer Immersion Program features 70 different courses that are offered both online and in-person. Students can choose to study any number of courses, and the program is open to all students in high school.
Age: All HS Students
Application Deadline: March 3rd, 2022
Dates: Various dates depending on program / course selected (1 week or 3 week, offered at different times in summer.)
Tuition: Varies based on program length and residential/commuter/online
Brown Pre College Programs
Location: Providence, RI, Online
Overview: Brown offers a number of online and on-campus options that focus on sports and economics. Students can choose to study online, but the majority of courses are in-person on campus.
Age: All HS Students
Application Deadline: April 18th, 2022
Dates: Various, courses offered in different sections throughout the summer
Tuition: $2,500-10,000
If you’re hoping to attend a summer sports program, start getting your application ready now—many of the program deadlines are in the coming months. Pre-college programs are a great way to fill your summer, but they’re not your only option.
You can always consider reaching out to local minor-league teams and see if they have internships, or asking your local university if you could become a managerial assistant for one of their teams.
If you have any further questions, or if you’d like to discuss your upcoming summer plans, feel free to reach out to us here.