Submitted photo Angie Scott, Davis & Elkins College's Senior Director of Enrollment Management & Student Success, at left, and Mary Ann DeLuca, Ed.D., Department Chair and Program Director for D&E’s new graduate program, cut the ribbon alongside the school’s mascot, Mr. Senator.

ELKINS — Davis & Elkins College will mark a new milestone in fall 2026 with the launch of its first graduate program, a Master of Science in Sport Management, designed for students who want to move quickly into leadership roles in athletics, coaching and the business of sport.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer our first master’s program, in Sport Management, beginning in the fall of 2026,” Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Mike Mattison said. “The program will offer the same small class sizes and close relationships with faculty members that our undergraduate programs do, and it will prepare students for a variety of opportunities: in coaching, in athletic administration, and within businesses that have a sport and/or recreation focus.”

The “innovative one-year program blends academic rigor with hands-on learning, preparing graduates for the rapidly growing opportunities in the sport industry,” a D&E press release states.

The demand for sport professionals continues to rise. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 30,000 coaching and scouting jobs will be created by 2029, and growth across the field is outpacing many other industries. D&E’s one-year format means graduates can earn their degree and enter the workforce faster, ensuring a strong return on investment.

With sport management at the crossroads of athletics and business, the new master’s is designed to attract students from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds. From athletic departments and nonprofit programs to professional clubs and recreation-focused businesses, opportunities await those with the skills to lead.

Sport Management has already proven to be one of D&E’s most popular undergraduate programs, offering a coaching education emphasis in tandem with business courses in marketing, finance and accounting, the release states. The new graduate degree builds on this momentum, expanding opportunities for advanced study while staying true to the College’s commitment to personalized instruction and experiential learning.

“I am happy and excited for the launch of the new Master’s in Sport Management degree for Fall 2026,” said department Chair Mary Ann DeLuca. “This first master’s program is an important step forward for Davis & Elkins College, the Sport Science Department, and for the entire academic community. The College’s mission is to prepare and inspire students for success and for thoughtful engagement in the world.

“With the growing projections in sport business, students who study in the Sport Management master’s program at D&E will be equipped with strategic, analytical and critical thinking skills to thrive and advance in job opportunities in the growing world of sport.”

The global sports market is projected to grow into the billions by 2030. With its unique curriculum and emphasis on applied learning, D&E’s program gives students a competitive edge in a worldwide industry, the release states. The College’s distinctive setting, offering the intimacy of small class sizes combined with hands-on partnerships at the local, state and national levels, ensures graduates are not only well-prepared academically but also professionally connected.

Applications for the Master of Science in Sport Management opened this week. Students can expect a program that reflects the hallmarks of a D&E education: close faculty mentorship, experiential learning, and preparation for meaningful careers.

For more information or to ask questions about the program, prospective students may contact DeLuca at delucam@dewv.edu.