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.
The University of New Haven’s 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 .
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 , 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 ’ role as the first 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.
“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.”
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