Minor in Sport Communication

The sport business industry is one of the largest and fastest growing industries in the U.S., generating billions of dollars each year. And the sport communication minor at WVU can prepare you for a career in this exciting field. As a sport communication minor, you will gain practical skills in media writing, public relations, and strategic communications, as well as an understanding of the issues affecting professional and college sports today. Job areas could include advertising, media relations, media sales, athlete endorsements, media placement, merchandise licensing, media broadcasting rights, sport information, community relations and more.

Sport Communication Minor Requirements

This blended minor requires 18 hours, nine of which are offered from the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences and nine of which are offered from the College of Media, and includes both on-campus and online courses (additional online course fees may apply). Students should also consult theWVU Undergraduate Catalog for course descriptions and information. 

ONE of the following: (3 hours)

• ADV 201 – Advertising & Society, 3 hours Must be taken online. As a social institution, advertising plays a critical role in our daily lives. This course examines the social, economic and legal aspects of advertising.

• ADV 215 – Principles of Advertising, 3 hours Can be taken on campus or online. An introduction to all sides of the advertising field and to the process, quantitative, strategic and aesthetic, by which the sales message is planned, produced and delivered.

• PR 215 – Introduction to Public Relations, 3 hours Can be taken on campus or online. Introduces the principles of public relations. Examines the definition and historical development, opportunities and challenges and techniques and management of public relations.

Required Course:

• JRL 361 – Media Relations in Sport, 3 hours
  Prerequisites: One of the following: ADV 201, ADV 215 or PR 215 | Can be taken on campus or online. Provides an in-depth understanding of how effective public relations plays an integral role in any sports organization via a myriad of communication efforts used in the dissemination of information to the media and the public.

ONE of the following: (3 hours)

• JRL 412 – Sport Journalism, 3 hours
  Prerequisites: ADV 201, ADV 215, or PR 215 | Can be taken on campus or online. Develops critical thinking skills in reporting and writing stories. Students examine the value of sports journalism, the way sports function in society and gain an understanding of ethics in sports journalism.

• PR 412 – IMC for Sport, 3 hours
  Prerequisites: ADV 201, ADV 215, or PR 215 | Must be taken online. Describes the essential role of public relations in integrated marketing communication using sport-specific examples to examine the attributes of successful IMC campaigns and “the campaign mindset” as it applies to sport promotion and communications. 
  

Required Course:

• SEP 271 Sport in American Society, 3 hours Can be taken on campus or online. This course is generally taught every term. This course provides a comprehensive analysis of sport structures with a close view of who competes and the consequences of such competition. A major emphasis is placed on the sociological phenomena that contribute to sport in the United States. In-depth discussion of the apparent positive and negative consequences of the way sport is organized in society will occur.

TWO of the following: (6 hours)

• SM 426 Liability in Sport (Sport Law), 3 hours Can be taken online or on campus. This class is generally offered in the summer. Recommended to complete SEP 271 before enrolling in this course. This course includes an in-depth study of professional sport leagues, their constitution, by laws, regulations, collective bargaining agreements, standard player contracts; legal issues involving sport agents.

• SM 485 Sport Management, 3 hours Can be taken online or on campus. This class is generally offered in the summer. Recommended to complete SEP 271 before enrolling in this course. In this course students analyze management processes utilized in sport businesses. A focus is on the planning, organization, leading, and evaluation processes that are unique to the sport industry.

• SM 486 Sport Marketing, 3 hours Can be taken online or on campus. This class is generally offered in the summer. Recommended to complete SEP 271 before enrolling in this course. This course provides an analysis of marketing sport enterprises; the marketing planning process, and marketing information systems.

To earn a minor in Sport Communication, a student must earn a grade of C or better and earn a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 or better in all courses required for the minor. Students completing the entire minor online can expect to complete it in one year.

Students who would like to double-minor or triple-minor or who are interested in the College’sMultidisciplinary Studies (MDS) major should speak with an advisor to ensure that they cover the requirements for all three minors.

To register for these courses, call Academic Innovation at 1-800-2Learn2. For more information, please contact College of Media at 304-293-3133 or MediaCollegeOnline@mail.wvu.edu.

For more information about College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences classes, visithttp://cpass.wvu.edu/.

*This minor is open to College of Media students. College of Media majors who wish to minor in Sport Communication must complete the same College of Media courses as noted for the minor (nine credits total), as well as all 12 credits from CPASS: SEP 271 Sport in society, SM 426 Sport Law, SM 485 Sport Management, and SM 486 Sport Marketing.