Overview
The Bachelor of Arts in Sports Media, housed within Temple University's Klein College of Media and Communication, prepares students to thrive in the fast-evolving world of sports journalism, production, public relations, and strategic communication. Offered through the Office of Klein Interdisciplinary Programs, the Sports Media major enables students to explore the intersection of sports, media, and society while building the professional and creative skills needed to shape the stories and experiences that define modern sports culture.
Students complete a minimum of 45 credit hours across core, foundation, and concentration courses drawn from Klein's departments of Journalism, Media Studies and Production, Advertising and Public Relations, and Communication. From writing and on-air performance to media production and data storytelling, students gain critical knowledge and practical experience in the many facets of sports media. Students will graduate with a robust portfolio and real-world experience through internships, study-away programs, and projects with outlets like TUTV, OwlSports Update, and local media partners.
This interdisciplinary major is ideal for students who are passionate about sports and want to build careers as reporters, producers, broadcasters, brand strategists, sports information directors, media relations professionals, publicists, or content creators. The Philadelphia region's rich sports culture and professional networks, combined with Klein College's legacy of industry-connected alumni, offer unmatched opportunities for hands-on learning and career growth. Students may also pursue electives in areas like sports management, history, and sociology through Temple's other schools and colleges.
The Sports Media major is closely tied to the Claire Smith Center for Sports Media, which champions diversity and excellence in the field and hosts public lectures, seminars, and the annual Sports Media Summit. Students will be well-prepared to contribute to the sports media industry with integrity, creativity, and a deep understanding of the cultural and business forces that shape it.
Campus Location: Main
Program Code: CO-SPTM-BA
Contact Information
Lauren Bullock, Director
sptm@temple.edu
These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2025-2026. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2025 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.
Summary of Requirements
The degree of Bachelor of Arts may be conferred upon a student majoring in Sports Media (SPTM) by the recommendation of the faculty and upon satisfactory completion of a minimum of 124 semester hours of credit with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher overall and in the major.
Students must meet the following requirements:
- University requirements:
- New students are required to complete the General Education (GenEd) curriculum.
- All students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive (WI) courses in the major at Temple University.
- Lew Klein College of Media and Communication requirements, including KLN 1001 and KLN 1002.
- Minimum of 57 credits in the major.
- A grade of C- or higher must be attained for each course that fulfills a requirement for the Sports Media major.
- No more than 12 semester hours of transfer credits may be applied to the Sports Media major requirements.
Sports Media Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Courses | ||
| ADV 1001 | Introduction to Digital Design Tools for Advertising | 3 |
| COMC 1118 | Presentations for the Digital Workplace | 3 |
| MSP 1701 | Introduction to Media Production | 3 |
| Core Courses | ||
| MSP 1655 | Introduction to Media Business | 3 |
| SPME 3296 | 3 | |
| SPME 3401 | Sports Media Relations | 3 |
| SPME 3763 | The Influence of Sports Media on Modern Society | 3 |
| Focus Areas | ||
| Select at least one course from each area and a total of five courses from across all three areas (minimum 15 credit hours). | 15 | |
| Sports Media: Production and Performance | ||
| Select at least one of the following: | ||
| Sports Production Practicum | ||
SPME 4723 | ||
SPME 4772 | ||
| Television Production Workshop Practicum | ||
| Sports Media: Communication | ||
| Select at least one of the following: | ||
| Social Media Marketing | ||
| Conflict and Communication Behavior | ||
| Intercultural and Cross-Cultural Conflict | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| Communication, Culture and Identity | ||
| Multiparty Conflict Processes: Dialogue, Facilitation and Multiparty Mediation | ||
| Introduction to Public Relations | ||
| Communicating Civic Engagement Through Sports | ||
| Digital and Social Media in Sport | ||
| Sports Media: Journalism | ||
| Select at least one of the following: | ||
| Advanced Sports Reporting | ||
| Beyond the Lines: Producing Sports Journalism | ||
SPME 3764 | ||
| Communicating Sports Statistics and Data | ||
| Additional Requirements for the Major | ||
| Writing Intensive Course | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Persuasive Writing (WI) | ||
| Professional Writing for Science, Health, and Policy Issues | ||
| Writing and Reporting (WI) | ||
| Communication in Media Organizations (WI) | ||
| News Writing and Media Relations (WI) | ||
| Sports Production Practicum 1, 2 | ||
or MSP 4597 | OwlSports Update Productions Practicum | |
or JRN 4597 | Sports Production Practicum | |
| Internship / Field Experience | ||
| SPME 3112 | Sports Media Learning Experience | 3 |
| Capstone or Study Away 3 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
SPME 4501 | ||
| International Studies in Media and Communication | ||
| Required Courses from Outside Klein College (Sport and Entertainment Management) 4 | ||
| SEM 1211 | Sport, Entertainment and Society | 3 |
| SEM 3221 | Athletics Administration | 3 |
| SEM 3222 | Global Sport Management | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Law and Ethics in Sport and Entertainment | ||
| Applied Sport Analytics | ||
| Consumer Behavior in Sport and Entertainment | ||
| Esports Social Media Management and Fan Engagement | ||
| Personal Branding of Athletes: Name, Image, and Likeness | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 57 | |
- 1
If this course is taken to fulfill the Media Production and Performance focus area above, complete an additional elective course from any of the array of courses for the focus areas.
- 2
Must first complete MSP 1655, SPME 3401, and SPME 3763 with a grade of C- or better, and students must be enrolled at the Junior (60 to 89 credits) or Senior (90 to 119 credits) level.
- 3
Must complete a minimum of 3 credit hours in Capstone or Study Away courses.
- 4
By completing (with a grade of C- or better) an additional 2-3 SEM or STHM courses (6-9 credit hours) beyond these major requirements, a student can complete the Sport Management minor.
Suggested Academic Plan
Please note that this is a suggested academic plan. Depending on your situation, your academic plan may look different.
Bachelor of Arts in Sports Media
Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2025-2026 Academic Year
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| ADV 1001 | Introduction to Digital Design Tools for Advertising | 3 |
| MSP 1701 | Introduction to Media Production | 3 |
| KLN 1001 | Klein First-Year Seminar | 1 |
| ENG 0802 | Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL [GW] or Honors Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] | 4 |
| GenEd Quantitative Literacy Course [GQ] | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| COMC 1118 | Presentations for the Digital Workplace | 3 |
| KLN 1002 | Klein College Introduction to Professional Development | 1 |
| Sports Media: Communication Focus Area Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| MSP 1655 | Introduction to Media Business | 3 |
| SEM 1211 | Sport, Entertainment and Society | 3 |
| IH 0851 or IH 0951 | Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SEM 3221 | Athletics Administration | 3 |
| SEM 3222 | Global Sport Management | 3 |
| Writing Intensive Course | 3 | |
| IH 0852 or IH 0952 | Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| SPME 3112 | Sports Media Learning Experience | 3 |
| SPME 3296 | 3 | |
| SPME 3763 | The Influence of Sports Media on Modern Society | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Electives | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| SPME 3401 | Sports Media Relations | 3 |
| Sports Media: Journalism Focus Area Course | 3 | |
| Sports Media Focus Area Course (any focus area) | 3 | |
| Sport and Entertainment Management (SEM) Elective Course | 3 | |
| Electives | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
SPME 4501 | ||
| International Studies in Media and Communication | ||
| Sports Media: Production and Performance Focus Area Course | 3 | |
| Electives | 10 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Sports Media Focus Area Course (any focus area) | 3 | |
| Electives | 12 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 124 | |