Concordia University Chicago & SMWW / Doctorate in Leadership: Sports Leadership

PhD or EdD in Sports Leadership – 100% Online

Doctorate in Sports Leadership designed for working sports professionals

Application is due: January 4, 2027 | Classes Start: January 11, 2027

Your next-level sports career starts here. Earn your PhD or EdD in Sports Leadership online from Concordia University Chicago—delivered in partnership with SMWW. Learn strategic sports management, law, finance, and economics from top industry leaders. Finish in just three years while keeping your full-time job.

Concordia University Chicago graduation: Dr. Adrian Griffin -Toronto Raptors Asst. Coach, CUC President, Dr. Nick Nurse - Philadelphia 76ers Head Coach, and Dr. Lynn Lashbrook

Program Highlights

Earn your sports leadership doctorate 100% online with Concordia University Chicago in partnership with SMWW. This online sports PhD and EdD program is designed for working professionals who want to advance their careers without putting life on hold. The degree offers flexible online delivery with no residency requirements, a cohort model, and accelerated pacing, so you can complete your doctorate in approximately three years. At $711 per credit hour, this is an affordable doctoral degree compared to traditional PhD programs while maintaining exceptional academic rigor and industry credibility.

Only 1.68% of U.S. adults hold a doctorate, making this degree a powerful differentiator that positions graduates as leaders in the sports business world.

When you register through SMWW you will be given a discounted rate, guaranteed through the end of your doctoral program!

Career Outcomes

This doctorate prepares you for executive and leadership roles in sports, including athletic directors, front office executives, sports agency leaders, higher education faculty, compliance officers, and wellness program directors. The degree equips you with advanced expertise and research-backed strategies, positioning you as a credible authority with practical, real-world application.

Why This Program

Our graduates learn directly from industry practitioners and thought leaders like Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, SMWW President and pioneer in online sports education. Coursework is designed for immediate application, allowing you to advance your current career while earning a terminal degree. This partnership between Concordia University Chicago and Sports Management Worldwide delivers an unmatched combination of academic excellence, practical experience, and a global network of sports professionals.

Dr. Adrian Griffin -Toronto Raptors Asst. Coach, CUC President, Dr. Nick Nurse - Philadelphia 76ers Head Coach, and Dr. Lynn Lashbrook

SMWW’s Industry Leading Courses Featured In:

Application Deadline:

Application is due: January 4, 2027 | Classes Start: January 11, 2027

Apply Today!

Request More Info

FAQ

A Doctorate Program Designed for Busy Sports Professionals

Earning your Sports Leadership PhD or EdD online makes it possible to achieve a world-class degree while continuing to work full-time. With a flexible online format, you control your learning schedule and pace, all while earning a respected doctorate from an accredited university. This program was created for coaches, executives, administrators, and professionals who want to reach the top of their field without sacrificing their careers.

Graduates gain advanced expertise and are prepared for a wide range of leadership and career opportunities in sports, education, and business, including:

Athletic Director
Sports Agent
Front Office Management
Operations
Media, PR, and Communications
Community Relations
Sports Marketing
Sports Information Director
Compliance Officer
Game Day Operations Director
NCAA Academic Advisor
Director of Ticket Operations
Director of Fundraising and Development
Coach
Professor of Sports Management
Fan & Event Management
Scout
Researcher
Player Personnel Executive

Prestige You Can Be Proud Of

The Concordia University Chicago Sports Leadership Doctorate has produced top industry leaders, including NBA Coach of the Year Nick Nurse and Toronto Raptors Assistant Coach Adrian Griffin, both of whom earned their PhDs through this program.

Program Curriculum:

Ed.D.: 61 semester hours
Ph.D.: 67 semester hours

▸▾ Doctoral Program Core (12 credits)

For the EdD, Practitioner Track

EDL 7211 Policy Analysis [Non-K12] (3 credits)
EDL 7141 Organizational Change [Non-K12] (3 credits)
FPR 7011 Philosophical and Theoretical Foundation of Leadership (3 credits)
SPML 7040 Sports Leadership and Ethics (3 credit)

For the PhD, Researcher Track

EDL 7211 Policy Analysis [Non-K12] (3 credits)
EDL 7141 Organizational Change [Non-K12] (3 credits)
FPR 7300 Philosophical of Scientific Knowledge (3 credits)
SPML 7040 Sports Leadership and Ethics (3 credit)

▸▾ Sports Leadership Specialization Courses (30 credits)

EDL 7121 Research-Based Decision Making [Non-K12] (3 credits)
LDR 7000 Leadership Theories and Professional Practice (3 credits)
LDR 7010 Developing the Organization’s Human Capital (3 credits)
LDR 7020 Leading the Knowledge Enterprise (3 credits)
LDR 7030 Promoting and Leading Change (3 credits)
SPML 7010 Advanced Topics in Sports Administration (3 credits)
SPML 7020 Seminar in Sports Marketing (3 credits)
SPML 7030 Seminar in Advanced Sports Economics and Finance (3 creduts)
SPML 7050 The Essentials of the Law in Sports (3 credits)
SPML-7085 Sports Analytics (3 credits)

▸▾ Research Core (12 - 18 credits)

For the EdD, Practitioner Track (12 hours)

RES 7605 Quantitative Analysis (3 credits)
RES 7700 Qualitative Research (3 credits)
RES 7910 Research Design 1 (3 credits)
RES-7920 Research Design 2 (3 credits)

For the PhD, Researcher Track (18 hours)

RES 7605 Quantitative Analysis (3 credits)
RES 7700 Qualitative Research (3 credits)
RES 7800 Mixed Methods (3 credits)
RES 7620 Advanced Topics in Statistics (3 credits) -or-
RES 7710 Advanced Qualitative Analysis (3 credits)
RES 7910 Research Design 1 (3 credits)
RES 7920 Research Design 2 (3 credits)

▸▾ Comprehensive Exam and Disseration (7 credits)

COMP 7010 Doctoral Comprehensive Exam (1 credit)
DISS 7011 Dissertation Proposal I (3 credits)
DISS 7012 Dissertation Proposal II (3 credits)
DISS 8010 Dissertation Completion (first 8-week session, 0 credits)
DISS 8011 Dissertation Completion (second 8-week session, 0 credits)

Students continue in the DISS-701X sequence until a successful proposal defense. After a student successfully defends their proposal, they apply for candidacy and maintain continuous enrollment in DISS-8010 and DISS 8011 Dissertation Completion until program completion. See Concordia's Academic Calendar and Catalog (www.CUChicago.edu).

NBA Coach of the Year Nick Nurse and Toronto Raptors Assistant Coach Adrian Griffin Graduate from CUC with Phd Degrees

Concordia University Chicago (CUC) offers two (2) 8 weeks sessions within a 16-week term. Students can register for 2 courses per term - one in the first 8-week session and one in the second 8-week session. The tuition fee is $711 per credit hour. (Technology fee an addition $18 per credit hour).

There are Numerous Benefits to Attending CUC

Courses are 100% online, you can take them from anywhere
There is no residency requirement
The program starts every 8 weeks
Coursework is designed for those working in sports, so you can keep working!
Includes live interactive zoom video chats with sports executives
Federal Financial Aid is available
Accredited university with a 150+ year history of preparing leaders
Affordable – often less than 1/3 the cost of other sports leadership programs

There are Numerous Benefits to Being a Part of SMWW:

Network with the alumni of SMWW, over 15,000 strong
Access and exposure to cutting edge software required by the MLB, NFL, NBA, MLS, and NHL
Weekly live interactive zoom video chats with Dr. Lashbrook, fellow sports business students, and sports industry leaders
Professional sports resume redesign and letter of reference upon graduation
Discounts to the SMWW Conferences including NFL Combine, Baseball Winter Meetings, NBA Summer League, NHL Draft, MLS Draft, and more.
Access to the SMWW Staff & Faculty.

A Message from Dr. Lynn Lashbrook

Dear Potential Student,

Every day I discuss with people the career opportunities in college athletics and Sports Management. For the past 45 years, I have worked in a variety of sports careers including as a Sports Agent, Athletic Director, Academic Advisor, College Coach, Professor, Scout, and Compliance Officer. I know which careers will benefit from a specific degree and which do not. If you are like most people, you are not aware of the opportunities and how one can break this profession, or even if a degree is a good investment for you. When I started Sports Management Worldwide, I searched for a partnership in Higher Education that understands the importance of an online Masters and Doctorate Program for students who want to obtain a career in college and professional athletics. The Concordia University Chicago Sports Management program exceeds my expectations.

I would welcome the chance to discuss career strategies for your specific goals and background.

Fill out this quick form and I will call you to discuss! Or call me at +1(503)445-7105.

Or if you are ready to apply at Concordia University Chicago, fill out this free application for acceptance. I know you will be impressed with how quickly they respond. They are a joy to work with and happy to answer your questions. We have a wide range of students, from young people trying to advance their career, to retired professional athletes and sports executives, we can help you become more marketable in the sports industry!

Dr. G. Lynn Lashbrook, Ed.D
President & Founder
Sports Management Worldwide

Still Have Questions?

Contact SMWW's CUC Specialists today! We can answer your questions and offer advice on how you can earn your degree online.

CUC@SMWW.com
(503)445-7105

We make the admissions process simple, fast, and easy!

Sports Management Worldwide:
(503)445-7105 or Toll Free: 1(888)952-4368
or fill out this "Talk to Dr. Lashbrook" form

Apply Today!

Request More Info

Admission Checklist For Doctoral Students

▸▾ Requirements for Admission

A completed Doctoral Application for Admission.

Apply online. Apply here to get the discounted tuition.

▸▾ Financial Aid Information

https://fafsa.ed.gov/

Apply for financial aid and/or make arrangements for payment after you've submitted your application. You will need to complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. It is in your best interest to complete the financial aid process as early as possible. For assistance, call Concordia University financial aid helpline at 708-209-3347.

CUC’s School Code is 001666.

▸▾ Official Transcripts

Master’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Provide official, sealed transcripts from institutions where degrees were earned showing all college/university coursework.

▸▾ Testing

Please submit Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Millers Analogy Test (MAT) scores. There is no minimum score requirement; however, the score is evaluated by the program coordinator during the application process. GRE or MAT must be taken within the past three years. CUC’s GRE School Code is RA1140. CUC’s MAT School Recipient Code is 2024. Exceptions are applied to those who have past doctorate experience.

▸▾ Submission of Rationale Statement

Submission of rationale statement, including personal goals for applying for admission to the program. This is included on the application.

Provide information on your future educational goals and/or objectives and their relationship to pursuing graduate work at Concordia University Chicago. This is part of the online application.

▸▾ Two Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation from two persons qualified to comment on the applicant’s potential for doctoral study. If you need help sending one or both, let us know. It can be difficult to track down past professors and employers for a quick letter. Letters should be from individuals able to comment on the applicant's academic proficiency, personal character, competence, and effectiveness in professional work.

▸▾ Resume/ CV and Writing Sample

Submit a paper that demonstrates your ability to write in a scholarly manner at a level typical of graduate work. A paper from your master’s program would be most appropriate. This sample should approach, but not exceed, five pages in length.

International Students:

If you are an international student, you must complete the basic steps listed above for your degree and the following information

▸▾ English as a Second Language TOEFL Scores

Please submit TOEFL score of at least 550 (paper-based) or 72 (internet) minimum requirement on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or successful completion of Level 112 at an English Language School (ELS) unless English is the native language, and an unqualified recommendation from an ELS program director is provided. (International students who have earned an advanced degree from an accredited institution in the United States do not need to submit TOEFL scores.)

▸▾ Foreign Transcript Evaluation

Any foreign transcripts must be evaluated by a Concordia approved international credentialing service, such as WES (World Education Services) or ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators). Students should request a “Course-by-Course” evaluation and sent to Concordia University Chicago.

_{*Non-Discriminatory Policy as to Students: Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, Illinois admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students of the University. While it does give preference to members of the Lutheran faith, it does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies and loan programs and athletic and other University-administered programs.}