VCU Center for Sport Leadership is ranked 9th worldwide and 8th in North America in the 2023 SportBusiness Postgraduate Course Rankings. It is the eight consecutive year the CSL has been included in the top 15 sports management programs globally.
“We are honored to be named among the best sport management programs in the world,” said Dr. Carrie LeCrom, Executive Director of the Center for Sport Leadership. “This is validation of our commitment to students and alumni. We remain dedicated to creating an impactful learning experience during their time on campus. It is equally important we stay engaged and support them beyond graduation as they advance in their careers.”
CSL ranked 1st in North America in Career Advancement and 7th in the world in Graduate Satisfaction.
This is the 12th year SportBusiness has conducted the definitive rankings for sport business and sports management programs worldwide. The publication received a record number of entries for consideration. The methodology of the rankings is based on several factors: graduates employed within three months of graduation; work placement; male/female ratio; domestic/international student ratio; and average salary after three years of graduation. There is also a student satisfaction component, which is based on a survey filled out by a program’s alumni from a designated year.
The Center for Sport Leadership at VCU was established in 1999, developed with the idea of creating an innovative, practical learning environment that would prepare students interested in the sport industry for a successful career in the business.
Modeled after the highly successful BrandCenter, VCU's nationally ranked graduate advertising program, the Center for Sport Leadership launched as a non-traditional sport leadership graduate program that focuses on experiential learning through hands-on experiences. With full support from the university, the administration understood the unique aspects of the sport industry and placed a high value on practical experience and networking opportunities.
Five years ago, the Center for Sport Leadership joined VCU’s School of Business, strengthening its commitment to teaching the business of sport.
The Center for Sport Leadership at VCU has more than 750 alumni working in all areas of the sport industry including the NFL, NBA, MLB, USGA, and more than 50 Division 1 college athletic departments across the country.