X. Degree Programs

Bachelor of Commerce (B.Comm.)

Sport and Event Management (SPMT)

School of Hospitality, Food & Tourism Management, Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics

The objective of the Sport and Event Management major is to provide students with advanced knowledge of the field, from the business value of sport and events to their contribution to community and society, and to inspire and engage students to become innovative leaders in this dynamic sector of our economy. Building on a strong foundation of commerce courses in marketing, accounting, economics, human resource management and strategy, students in Sport and Event Management will develop depth of knowledge in key aspects of sport, including sponsorship, media, event hosting, stakeholder engagement and organizational leadership.

Courses extend beyond the traditional lecture-based format to include community based group projects, guest lecturers, in-class simulations and case-based learning to help link academic expertise and theory with industry practice. An integral part of the program is experiential learning to balance theory with practice. Experiential courses are embedded in the curriculum, and students are also encouraged to participate in guided learning opportunities outside the conventional classroom through independent study courses, study abroad, and industry networking events. On completion of the program, students have the analytical and communication skills and experience required for a career with government organizations, commercial clubs, professional teams or sport businesses, in Canada and internationally. Graduates are prepared for positions in sport promotion and marketing, facility and event management, sport media and communication, and sport policy development.

Students who are not admitted directly in the SPMT major and subsequently wish to declare it as their major must apply directly to the School of Hospitality, Food and Tourism Management by the last day of classes in the winter semester. In order to be eligible, applicants must have a cumulative average of 70% or better in the previous two semesters. Students must have completed at least 4.00 credits from which 3.00 credits must be from the following prefixes – ACCT, BUS, ECON, FARE, FIN, HROB, HTM, MGMT, MCS, REAL.

Acceptance will be competitive based on available spaces. Students with an average below 70% will not be considered for admission to the major. All decisions will be made by the end of June.

Additional information:

  • 1200 hours of verified work experience in sport and event related industry is required for students to be eligible for graduation.

  • 700 hours of sport and event related work experience must be completed before a student enrolls in HTM*4080.

Degree Requirements (20.00 Total Credits)

15.00 - Required Core Courses

1.50 - Restricted Electives

0.00 – MGMT*1100 (Business Career Preparation)

1.50 - Liberal Education Electives

2.00 - Free Electives

The recommended program sequence is outlined below.

Major

Semester 1
ACCT*1220 [0.50] Introductory Financial Accounting
ECON*1050 [0.50] Introductory Microeconomics
MCS*1000 [0.50] Introductory Marketing
MGMT*1000 [1.00] Introduction to Business
Semester 2
ECON*1100 [0.50] Introductory Macroeconomics
HROB*2090 [0.50] Individuals and Groups in Organizations
HTM*2020 [0.50] The Business of Sport and Event Tourism
MATH*1030 [0.50] Business Mathematics
0.50 electives
Semester 3
ACCT*2230 [0.50] Management Accounting
HTM*2220 [0.50] Communication and Media Strategy in Sport and Events
MCS*2020 [0.50] Information Management
STAT*2060 [0.50] Statistics for Business Decisions
0.50 electives
Semester 4
FIN*2000 [0.50] Introduction to Finance
HTM*2070 [0.50] Event Management
HTM*3220 [0.50] Sales, Sponsorship and Stakeholder Engagement in Sport
MCS*3030 [0.50] Research Methods
MGMT*1100 [0.00] Business Career Preparation
0.50 electives
Semester 5
HTM*3020 [0.50] The Impact of Business on Sport Industry
HTM*3120 [0.50] Service Operations Analysis
HTM*3160 [0.50] Destination Management and Marketing
MGMT*3140 [0.50] Business Analytics
0.50 electives
Semester 6
HROB*2290 [0.50] Human Resources Management
MCS*3040 [0.50] Business and Consumer Law
MGMT*3020 [0.50] Corporate Social Responsibility
MGMT*3320 [0.50] Financial Management
0.50 electives
Semester 7
HTM*4080 [0.50] Experiential Learning and Leadership in the Service Industry
HTM*4090 [0.50] Hospitality Development, Design and Sustainability
MGMT*4000 [0.50] Strategic Management
1.00 electives
Semester 8
HTM*4020 [0.50] Advanced Concepts in Sport and Event Management
HTM*4250 [0.50] Hospitality Revenue Management
1.50 electives
Restricted Electives for the Sport and Event Management Major

In addition to the required credits listed above, students must take a minimum of 1.50 credits in restricted electives. Restricted electives are listed below:

EDRD*3160 [0.50] International Communication
EDRD*3500 [0.50] Recreation and Tourism Planning
HIST*2130 [0.50] Modern Sport – A Global History
HIST*2280 [0.50] Hockey in Canadian History
HROB*2010 [0.50] Foundations of Leadership
HROB*3090 [0.50] Training and Development
HROB*3100 [0.50] Developing Management and Leadership Competencies
MCS*2600 [0.50] Fundamentals of Consumer Behaviour
MCS*4300 [0.50] Marketing and Society
PSYC*3480 [0.50] Psychology of Sport

Minor (Honours Program)

A minimum of 5.00 credits is required including:

HTM*2020 [0.50] The Business of Sport and Event Tourism
HTM*2070 [0.50] Event Management
HTM*2220 [0.50] Communication and Media Strategy in Sport and Events
HTM*3220 [0.50] Sales, Sponsorship and Stakeholder Engagement in Sport
MCS*1000 [0.50] Introductory Marketing
0.50 additional credits from Ethics
MGMT*3020 [0.50] Corporate Social Responsibility
PHIL*2120 [0.50] Ethics
PHIL*2600 [0.50] Business and Professional Ethics
POLS*3440 [0.50] Corruption, Scandal and Political Ethics
Restricted electives (2.00 credits) from list below:
EDRD*3160 [0.50] International Communication
EDRD*3500 [0.50] Recreation and Tourism Planning
HIST*2130 [0.50] Modern Sport – A Global History
HIST*2280 [0.50] Hockey in Canadian History
HROB*2010 [0.50] Foundations of Leadership
HROB*3090 [0.50] Training and Development
HROB*3100 [0.50] Developing Management and Leadership Competencies
HTM*3020 [0.50] The Impact of Business on Sport Industry
HTM*3160 [0.50] Destination Management and Marketing
MCS*2600 [0.50] Fundamentals of Consumer Behaviour
MCS*4300 [0.50] Marketing and Society
MGMT*2150 [0.50] Introduction to Canadian Business Management
MGMT*3140 [0.50] Business Analytics
PSYC*3480 [0.50] Psychology of Sport
1.50 credits may also come from outside this list with prefix HK, NUTR, or in consultation with a faculty advisor.

Note: Not all restricted elective courses identified in this list will necessarily be open to all students in the Sport and Event Management minor. Some courses have priority access restrictions, or may be limited to students enrolled in the major from which the courses are drawn. In some cases a Course Waiver Request form signed by the instructor / department may be required in order for students to add these courses to their schedule. Please consult with the department offering the course about possible access. Some courses may also have prerequisites which are identified in course descriptions in the academic calendar.

University of Guelph
50 Stone Road East
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1
Canada
519-824-4120