Graduate Certificate in Sports Communication

Purdue University’s online Graduate Certificate in Sports Communication offers training in sports media communication and public relations. It builds expertise in broadcasting and digital content creation, helping graduates connect athletes, teams and brands with audiences. This specialized knowledge can help open doors in sports organizations, media outlets and marketing agencies.

Graduate Certificate in Sports Communication

Purdue University’s online Graduate Certificate in Sports Communication offers training in sports media communication and public relations. It builds expertise in broadcasting and digital content creation, helping graduates connect athletes, teams and brands with audiences. This specialized knowledge can help open doors in sports organizations, media outlets and marketing agencies.

Graduate Certificate in Sports Communication Overview

Purdue University’s online Graduate Certificate in Sports Communication provides students with comprehensive instruction in strategic communication and media management tailored to the sports industry. The program covers navigating the 24/7 news cycle, managing social media platforms, and preparing for crisis events, ensuring students are ready to protect and enhance an organization’s reputation. The program’s curriculum focuses on collegiate and professional athletics, equipping students with the skills needed to excel in the sports media landscape.

Through completing rigorous coursework and real-world case studies, students learn to convey health information clearly and persuasively so they can improve health outcomes in various settings. This certificate also transfers seamlessly into Purdue’s online Master of Science in Communication and the master’s in Corporate Training and Communication degrees, offering further opportunities for growth and advancement.

Explore other Brian Lamb College of Communication graduate certificates, including communication and leadershipstrategic communication managementdigital media and communication technologyhealth communication and branding and marketing communication. These credentials give you even more options for stacking skills and building your resume. Prepare to lead in a career that is as rewarding as it is impactful — become a branding and marketing communication expert and make your mark in your field.

A graduate certificate is a specialized credential that provides advanced knowledge in a specific field. Available to those with a bachelor’s degree, Purdue’s 100% online graduate certificates take less time than a full master’s degree program. They are valuable for individuals looking to quickly advance their careers or pivot to a new industry. Graduate certificates also can serve as a stepping stone toward a master’s degree since they allow students to earn academic credits that may apply to a future graduate program. Ask your enrollment counselor for details or learn more about graduate certificates here.

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Plan Your Path

24
weeks to completion
9
number of credits required
$520
cost per credit hour (Indiana Resident)
$820
cost per credit hour (Non-Indiana Resident)

The cost of attending Purdue varies depending on where you choose to live, enrollment in a specific program or college, food and travel expenses, and other variables. The Office of the Bursar website shows estimated costs for the current aid year for students by semester and academic year. These amounts are used in determining a student’s estimated eligibility for financial aid. You can also use our tuition calculator to estimate tuition costs.

More information on courses and faculty can be found at the program website.

Courses
30k
Unique Job Postings
10.7%
Projected Growth
$90.6k
Median Advertised salaries

Source: LightcastTM (2025). Unique job postings for July 2024-25. Projected growth for years 2019-2029.


Top Job Titles

Sports communication prepares professionals for dynamic roles focused on media relations, brand management, and audience engagement within the sports industry. These include Directors of Communications, Social Media Manager, and Sports Public Relations Agent, each responsible for shaping public perception and managing communication across platforms. Additionally, Communications Specialists/Managers support strategic messaging, media coordination, and fan engagement initiatives for sports organizations and teams.

Top Industries

Several major industries offer strong career opportunities for professionals in sports communication. These include Higher Education Institutions (Colleges & Universities) and Professional Schools & Community Colleges, both of which rely on effective communication to support athletic programs and institutional branding. Additionally, Government Organizations & Public Sector Agencies and Major Corporations & Global Enterprises depend on sports communication professionals to manage public relations, sponsorships, and large-scale engagement initiatives.

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