The University of New Haven’s M.S. in Sport Management program earned its second top
10 global ranking from SportBusiness in three years, with graduates reporting strong
employment outcomes, career advancement, mentorship, and industry connections.
Graduate students in Sport Management program participated in the prestigious
National Sports Forum (NSF) Case Cup
The University of New Haven’s Master of Science in Sport Management program has once again been recognized as one of the world’s leading graduate sport
management programs, earning the No. 9 global ranking and No. 7 in the United States
in the 2026 SportBusiness rankings.
This achievement marks the program’s second top 10 global ranking in the past three
years. The University of New Haven is the only Connecticut program represented in
the rankings and the only program ranked in the top 10 across the Tri-State Area.
The 2026 rankings are based on the employment outcomes of the Class of 2023, their
experiences in the program, and the value they placed on their education as they transition
into and advance within the sports industry, compared with other post-graduate sport
management programs.
‘Preparing students for successful careers’
Career preparation is at the heart of the University of New Haven’s M.S. in Sport
Management program. The curriculum and student experiences are intentionally designed
to help students develop not only the knowledge required to understand the business
of sport but also the professional skills, relationships, and experiences needed to
succeed in it.
“We have been intentional about designing our program around one central priority:
preparing our students for successful careers in the sport industry,” said Ceyda Mumcu, Ph.D., chair of the Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management Department and coordinator
of the M.S. in Sport Management program. “That means going beyond a strong academic
curriculum. We want our students to develop professionally, build meaningful relationships
with alumni and industry professionals, gain experience in real-world settings, and
stand out in applicant pools.”
The latest SportBusiness rankings offer strong evidence of that career focus. The
program ranks No. 2 in the world for employment at 12 months after graduation, No.
3 for career advancement in the U.S., and No. 5 for current employment in the U.S.
These outcomes reflect a program designed to connect graduate education with the realities
of the sport business industry.
‘Experiential learning opportunities are intentionally integrated into the program’
Experiential education is a key component of that approach. Students are positioned
to apply classroom concepts to real-world challenges, compete at nationwide competitions,
interact with industry professionals, build professional networks, and gain practical
experience through internships and fellowships before entering the workforce.
The program has established partnerships and initiatives specifically designed to
create those opportunities, including through the Pompea College of Business’ role as the first higher education partner of the New York Mets.
The University of New Haven is the first official higher education partner of
the New York Mets.
“Our industry partnerships, fellowships, alumni engagement, mentorship, and experiential
learning opportunities are intentionally integrated into the program so students can
begin building their professional networks and applying what they learn well before
graduation,” Dr. Mumcu said.
Eddie Whitman ’21 M.S., now a Senior Account Executive with the New York Jets, reflects
on the importance of that approach.
“My time at the University of New Haven was instrumental in preparing me for a successful
career in sports,” he said. “The program provided invaluable hands-on experience,
allowing me to develop real-world skills while building meaningful connections through
its strong and supportive alumni network. It served as a true launching pad for my
career.”
‘Exceptional alumni and professional mentorship’
Professional relationships are another defining component of the program. Graduates
ranked the University of New Haven No. 2 in the world for professional mentorship
and No. 7 for job support in the U.S., while the program also earned strong rankings
for its alumni and industry networks.
Those connections are designed to help students navigate the sport industry, identify
career opportunities, learn from professionals working in the field, and develop relationships
that continue beyond their time at the University.
For Karishma Sharma ’23 M.S., those relationships were particularly important as an
international student navigating a new professional environment. Sharma is now a Licenses
Acquisitions Manager – NBA/WNBA at Panini America.
Students heard from John R. Ingram, business leader and Nashville SC owner, in
the University’s Sports Leadership Exchange Speaker Series
“As an international student, I found that adapting to a new culture, educational
system, and job market was a significant challenge,” she shared. “The sport management
program was instrumental in my professional journey, providing the industry knowledge,
a meaningful alumni and industry network, and exceptional faculty mentorship that
transformed those challenges into career opportunities and prepared me for success
in the sport industry.”
The program’s emphasis on mentorship and professional connections is complemented
by an industry-aligned, hands-on curriculum. Graduates ranked the program No. 7 in
the United States for curriculum quality, reinforcing the connection between academic
preparation and professional development, and No.6 in the U.S. for the Return on Investment.
“Our students come to us with different goals, interests, and backgrounds, but they
share an ambition to build a career in sport,” Dr. Mumcu said. “Our job is to help
them turn that ambition into a plan and give them the knowledge, experiences, relationships,
and opportunities to move that plan forward. Our No. 9 global ranking is an important
recognition for this work. More importantly, the ranking reflects graduates’ experiences
and outcomes, providing a meaningful measure of the program delivering on its central
commitment.”
