Sports Media

You like to cross the finish line first. We like that top-notch ranking, too. The College of Communication’s Sports Media major is the only degreed program of its kind in Indiana and one of only a handful of degreed programs in the Midwest. You’ll be able to take advantage of competitors with a unique and innovative skill set that puts you ahead of the pack and is founded on the integration of sports journalism and digital sports production.

Sports media careers have become some of the most highly competitive and sought-after positions in the job market. It’s a multi-billion-dollar industry that drives audience interaction and interest in sports on a worldwide scale. And, you’ll have access to hands-on learning day-one in one of the richest sports cities in the world that plays home to the NCAA, Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Fever, Indiana Pacers, and the Indy 500 to name just a few.

COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION REQUIREMENTS

126 Total Credit Hours (Includes Butler University Core Requirements)

COM 101 Rhetoric and the American Democratic Tradition

SW 266-CCM Media Literacy

Foreign Language of Choice (3 credit hours at 204 level or above)

Communication & Culture course (selected from approved list)

Second major, minor or concentration area required

Description of Sports Media Major (SPM) – Major 41/42 Required Credit Hours

SPM offers a solid foundation in media production, writing, and multimedia storytelling. Hands-on opportunities provide students with the skills and understanding necessary to thrive in the modern sports media landscape. SPM has a strong relationship with the vibrant Indianapolis sports scene. It regularly hosts speakers from the sports media industry and often sends students out to work with events/organizations such as the Indy 500, the Indiana Pacers, the Indianapolis Colts, the Big Ten Football Championship, and the NCAA.

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

SPM 101 Introduction to Sports Media

SPM 120 Introduction to Sports Production

SPM 220 Sports Shooting and Editing

SPM 320 Live Sports Production

SPM 458 Perspectives in Sports Media OR

CCM 470 Sports, Media and Culture

SPM 405 Sports Newsroom

SPM 400 Sports Media Capstone

SPM 440 Internship

JR 112 Introduction to Multimedia Journalism

JR 210 Reporting and Writing

JR 312 Multimedia Journalism

JR 414 Media Law OR

CME 452 Entertainment Media and the Law

COM 245 Media Analytics

COM 480 Media Entrepreneurship

STR 356 Sports Promotion

One elective from the following approved courses:

SPM 101 Introduction to Sports Media

SPM 140 Esports: The World of Competitive Gaming

JR 412 In-Depth Journalism

SPM 310 Sports Fan Identity, Attitudes, and Behaviors

JR 417 Global Media

SPM 390 Special Topics

JR 421 Media Ethics

SPM 458 Perspectives in Sports Media

JR 427 Special Topics

JR 325 Gender and News: Global Views

CCM 470 Media, Sports and Culture

JR 409 Media Economics and Regulation

CCM 390 Special Topics

JR 414 Media Law

CME 452 Entertainment Media and the Law

JR 411 Multimedia Newsroom

The information found on this website with respect to major/minor/program requirements is primarily directed at providing prospective students a general roadmap of the curriculum. Current Butler students are expected to review their degree audit report at my.butler.edu and speak with their advisor regularly for detailed information regarding their specific degree requirements and their progress toward degree completion.

Student Work

Butler Press Pass, Episode 1.6

The Bark, Episode 1.10

Experiential Learning

“It’s been a great experience—a once in a lifetime thing, for sure!”

Caroline Crosby, a junior Sports Media major, is working for the NCAA^® this semester as an extern in the Division I Women’s Basketball Championships and Alliances Division. Part of her role consists of traveling to San Antonio, Texas, for three weeks to help organize the NCAA^® Women’s Basketball tournament.

See Caroline’s Story

Student standing in front of an NCAA sign in an arena

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Sports Media