SUNY Canton Sports Management Program Awarded Accreditation by COSMA

SUNY Canton’s Sports Management bachelor’s degree has recently received a prestigious accreditation by the leading organization that recognizes sports management educational excellence.

The Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA) Board of Commissioners granted the status after a multi-step process that included the completion of a candidacy application, a self-study and a site visit by the accreditation team. 

Patrick Murray ´17 and Kyle Dora ´17 stand outside the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida during the 2018 NHL All-Star game.

“Our top priority has always been to provide students with a quality education using a hands-on approach to enhance learning and skill development, and recognition and accreditation through COSMA affirms our high standards,” said Sports Management Program Director Diane J. Para, Ph.D.  “Our faculty are committed teaching practitioners with years of professional experience in the field which enhances the quality of education. Earning COSMA’s accreditation was a long and fruitful process that will help ensure our continued commitment to this goal.”

SUNY Canton joins an elite group of 53 colleges in the nation that are approved by COSMA, and it is the only SUNY school currently accredited by the organization. 

Para said students learn skills that will prepare them for a variety of career options. Course topics include sports event coordination, operations and facilities management, marketing, public relations, legal issues, and sales and finance.

Since the college launched the degree in 2010, graduates have gone on to work at prominent professional and collegiate athletic organizations such as the Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins, Ontario Reign, Syracuse Crunch, St. Lawrence University, and Penn State University. Other alumni have elected to pursue advanced degrees at prestigious institutions such as Georgetown University, St. John’s University, Boston College, Arizona State University, Clarkson University and the University of Tennessee. 

Sports Management graduate and Assistant Director of Sports Information at George Fox University Jenea Shoemaker, class of 2017, credits the faculty with providing a solid foundation to begin her career.

“I could not have asked for a better learning environment with more dedicated professors who combine passion with years of industry involvement,” she said. “They prepare students with a curriculum full of real-world experiences and help each individual achieve their goals.”

During their final semester, seniors can elect to complete an internship to gain additional hands-on experience and build a strong professional network. Many students have completed their final requirements at prominent organizations such as the Baltimore Orioles, Charlotte Speedway, USA Luge, Special Olympics, Dallas Stars, Nashville Predators, Manchester Monarchs, and Syracuse University Athletics.

View more information about COSMA and its member institutions.