JMU SRM Ranked #36

James Madison University is a public institution dating back to 1908. The school is located in the historic and urban area of Harrisonburg, Virginia, approximately two hours from Richmond and Washington, D.C.

U.S. News and World Report ranks James Madison University as the 6th Best Regional University in the South, the 2nd Top Public School, and 6th among the Most Up-and-Coming Schools in the country. The school offers a Sport and Recreation Management degree program that is designed to prepare students with the skills necessary to succeed in the sports management industry. The program requires a practicum or internship, and provides opportunities to work with national organizations such as the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education and the North American Society for Sport Management.

For individuals with an interest in professional or recreational sports, earning a sports management degree means fulfilling a childhood dream. Getting the most out of a sports management degree program means paying attention to campus location. Not all programs provide connections to professional teams and large sport organizations that urban campus programs offer.

Urban settings provide access to professional sport teams, large fitness foundations, and full-service recreational programs. Students participating in sports management programs at schools near large cities have access to internship opportunities that small town colleges do not offer. NFL, MLB, and NBA teams are generally found in urban areas; through internships, students gain experience working directly with these professional teams. Often, sports management internships turn into viable employment following graduation.