We are the only Sports and Entertainment Facility Management degree offered within the California State University system. The emphasis offers a unique combination of academic courses and hands on experience to provide the knowledge & skills necessary to fill career positions.
Department of Recreation Administration
Sports and Entertainment Facility Management
Exploring Sports and Entertainment Facilities Management
Experience in the Profession
Students supplement classroom teaching with a variety of practical experiences through venue visitations, on-site analysis and by working in industry settings through completion of pre-internship hours. A minimum of 200 pre-internship hours with SEFM industry related organizations is to be completed prior to internship. Upon completion of degree coursework, and pre-internship hours, students complete a 525-hour semester-long internship. Students in Sports & Entertainment Facility Management gain both the knowledge and practical experiences which are necessary for their future success in a variety of industry related careers.
SEFM students at Fresno State have opportunities to apply for industry sponsored scholarships, attend educational sessions and partake in networking opportunities as volunteers at professional conferences like the Stadium Managers Association annual seminar and IAVM Region 7 conference.
Job Placements and Career Outlook
Graduates are eligible for careers in facility management, event management, ticketing, venue operations, concession management, event marketing, customer accommodations, crowd safety, and parking management. hosting sports events, fairs & festivals, concerts, performing arts, family shows, trade shows, meetings/conventions, and special events.
Typical job placement sites include auditoriums, arenas, convention centers, exhibit halls, stadiums, performing arts centers, university complexes, amphitheaters and fairgrounds.
Although not limited to the following, IAVM and SMA (industry associations) provide job boards for members, and private venue management companies such as ASM Global provide internship and employment opportunities at facilities like the Save Mart Center at Fresno State, and other public assembly venues throughout California.
A sample of careers within the industry include:
- Facility/Venue Manager
- Booking Manager
- Box Office/Ticketing Manager
- Club/Luxury Seating Manager
- Crowd Safety Manager
- Entertainment Manager
- Event Coordinator
- Patron Services Manager
- Sustainability Manager
- Venue Operations Manager
- Venue Marketing and Sales Manager
Curriculum
Major requirements (67-69 units)
The following core program courses are required of all candidates for this degree.
Additional required courses dependent upon the selected option area.
- RA 55. Foundations and Careers in RPT
- RA 60. Technologies in RPT
- RA 73S. Leadership in RPT
- RA 77S. Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Programming
- RA 80. Lifelong Learning in the Natural Environment
- RA 101. Leisure and Human Behavior
- RA 125. Diversity and Inclusive Practices in RPT
- RA 128. Legal and Financial Aspects of RPT
- RA 179. Supervision and Administration in RPT
- RA 180. Professional Placement in RPT
*27 units total
- RA 117. Special Event Planning
- RA 133. Recreation and Parks Facilities Planning and Operations
- RA 135 or MKTG 100S. Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Marketing or Marketing Concepts
- RA 139. Research and Evaluation in RPT
- RA 150. Sports and Entertainment Facility Management
- RA 152. Sports and Entertainment Facility Booking, Promotion and Box Office Operations
- RA 154. Sports and Entertainment Facility Operations
- RA 184I. Internship in RPT
- ACCT 3 or ACCT 4A. Essentials of Accounting or Financial Accounting Principles and Systems
*37-38 total units
- RA 119. Conference, Convention, and Meeting Planning
- RA 156. Crowd Safety in Sports & Entertainment
*3-4 total units
General Education requirements (48 units)
Other requirements (9 units) American Governments and Institutions (PLSI 2), Multicultural and International (MI), and Upper-division writing
Sufficient elective units to meet required total units (varies)
*Total units (120)
Contact Us
Dr. Michael Mahoney
Chair, Professor, and Option Coordinator
mmahoney@csufresno.edu
559.278.5263
PHS 121