Ohio University’s College of Business announces sport management double degree in partnership with University of Bayreuth

Ohio University’s College of Business is partnering with the University of Bayreuth (UBT) in Germany to offer students an undergraduate double degree in sport management. In only four years, students can earn bachelor’s degrees from OHIO and UBT, two internationally respected institutions known for developing leaders in the sports industry.  

“We are very excited to officially launch the Ohio-Bayreuth sport management double degree. Many sectors at both universities have come together and worked hard to make this vision happen,” David Ridpath, program director and associate professor of sport management in OHIO’s College of Business, said. “This program only elevates Ohio University’s stature as the best sport management program in the world, and it is even better to partner with one of the top international programs in a cutting-edge and unique academic program such as this.”

“Ohio University is considered to be the top university in the U.S., and the University of Bayreuth is considered as pioneers in Europe in this field,” Herbert Woratschek, program coordinator and chair of marketing and service management at UBT, said. “The value for the participants is to receive a top international education with experience in the very different sports systems in different cultural settings. Thus, their career opportunities are outstanding.”

Both programs offer students an international, interdisciplinary experience that combines coursework in business management theory and the sport industry. The curriculum for these degrees focuses on practical applications and current challenges in sport management. Students who successfully complete program requirements will receive a Bachelor of Sport Management from OHIO and a Bachelor of Science in Sport, Business & Law from UBT.

OHIO and UBT faculty help students find internships with professional sports organizations and gain hands-on experience through consulting projects with executives from adidas, Puma, and other partners. UBT in particular has a strong regional and national network with the leading German sporting goods manufacturers and sports organizations, while OHIO maintains the largest network of sport management alumni in the world.

Through the program coursework, internships, and projects, students will establish connections with practitioners, experts, and researchers in the global sports industry. This professional network gives students an advantage to secure employment domestically or internationally after graduation in fields including sports information, marketing and promotions, event and facility management, ticketing and business operations, and sporting goods manufacturing. 

“This double degree program will position students from both our universities to become leaders in the global sports industry,” said Hugh Sherman, dean of OHIO’s College of Business. “Through the program’s curriculum and hands-on experiences, they will have numerous opportunities to develop their potential and be primed to excel.”

During the program, OHIO students will spend one year in Bayreuth, Germany, and UBT students will spend two years at OHIO’s Athens campus. During the first year in the program, students remain at their home institution. In the second year, UBT students will study at OHIO before returning to Bayreuth for their third year.

OHIO students will join UBT students in Bayreuth for the third year when they complete requirements for UBT’s Bachelor of Science in Sport, Business & Law. OHIO and UBT students return to Athens for the fourth year to complete requirements for OHIO’s Bachelor of Sport Management. This mutual exchange allows students in the program opportunities to work together for the three years they are together in Athens and Bayreuth.

Through the experiences and connections formed over the course of the program, graduates enter the sport management industry prepared to become global leaders.

Due to COVID-19, students will not be traveling for this program until travel returns to normal. OHIO and UBT put the safety of their students at the forefront.