Sport management Ph.D.
Review our admission requirements for the Ph.D. in Sport Management program at UF.
Apply Here
Apply to the Sport Management (SPM) Ph.D. program through the UF graduate school application.
Application Deadlines
Fall 2026: Dec. 1, 2025 for international applicants/priority funding consideration, March 1, 2026 for US residents
Admission Requirements
Review these requirements.
Degree Requirements
View the program plan, expectations, and degree requirements prior to applying.
English Proficiency
All international applicants will be required to provide English Proficiency Test Scores (TOEFL or IELTS) and meet the minimum score requirements. Students from countries where English is the only official language, who have attended non-US institutions where the only official language of instruction is English, or who have earned a degree within the United States may qualify for an exemption. The university does not accept scores compiled from multiple tests to meet English proficiency requirements.
For more information, including exemptions, the minimum scores required, and how to officially send scores to the University of Florida, please review the Office of Admissions’ resources for International graduate student applicants.
Admission Criteria
Admission to the program will be based upon the following criteria:
- A recognized baccalaureate, graduate or professional degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or a comparable degree from an international institution
- A minimum grade point average of B (3.0), calculated from all grades and credits after the semester where the applicant reached 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours
- Competitive TOEFL/IELTS scores (if applicable)
- At least three letters of recommendation
- Statement of Purpose
- Compatibility of applicant’s education, experience and research interest with the mission of the program
- Compatibility of the applicant’s background and interests with those of an available advisor
- Teaching, research and other departmental needs in cases where departmental financial support is requested
- Résumé: Pursuant to Florida Statute, your application requires inclusion of all post-high school education and employment, as well as information about ongoing international affiliations and research funding. Please ensure this information is included on your curriculum vitae (CV) or résumé
During the application process, please look through the research interests of individual faculty members and directly contact those who you would be interested in working with. An individual faculty member must accept Ph.D. applicants prior to admission.
Current UF Graduate Students
- Please draft a new Resume/Statement of Purpose that includes the date you anticipate receiving your master’s degree.
- Request 3 new letters of recommendation, with one letter from your current advisor addressing your potential as a PhD student.
- Submit an online application, communicating with spmgrad@hhp.ufl.edu if questions arise.
How to Apply: UF Application System
Submit an online application. Be sure to complete all required information for your personal information, conduct disclosure and application information.
Tell us why you want to attend our graduate program, what you want to do after your degree and any relevant experience you have. Please include the name of a faculty member to work with as your advisor. Please also indicate whether you have spoken with them already, and if they have agreed to be your advisor.
To expedite your application process, you may upload unofficial copies of your transcript(s) in the application portal, or you can e-mail them to spmgrad@hhp.ufl.edu. This allows us to begin the review process while we wait on official copies.
- Arranging to have official transcripts sent to UF (from each postsecondary institution attended) Official transcripts can be sent to UF in two ways: paper transcript received by UF in a sealed envelope or electronic transcripts sent from your institution directly to UF, which can save up to two weeks response time. UF accepts electronic transcripts through FASTER, Parchment, National Student Clearing House, ScribbleSoft, e-Scrip Safe, Credential Solutions, SCOIR or Transcripts Plus. The email address for electronic transcripts is te@admissions.ufl.edu. If you choose to have them mailed, the address is: UF Office of Admissions P. O. Box 114000 Gainesville, FL 32611-4000
- If you attended UF as your postsecondary institution, you do not have to order a transcript from the Office of the University Registrar.
- International applicants must submit official transcripts, mark sheets, and examination certificates in the native language for all secondary and/or postsecondary coursework, along with certified, literal (exact) English translations for documents not originally issued in English.
The GRE is not required.
TOEFL/IELTS English Proficiency Test Scores (if applicable)
Arrange to have the test scores officially sent to the University of Florida
Note – Scores are only valid for two years from the date the test was taken.
Three letters are required, and without them, the application will be considered incomplete.
- The department prefers that at least 2 of these letters of recommendation come from academic sources. The third letter can be from someone known to you in a professional or academic capacity.
- Letters can be submitted electronically through the online application (preferred) or e-mailed directly to the department (spmgrad@hhp.ufl.edu). If sending letters directly to the department, please also use the recommendation form found here.
- College: Health and Human Performance (GRHHU)
- Major: Health & Human Performance (HHU_PHD)
- Concentration: Sport Management (HHU_PHD11)
Contact Information
SPM Department
(352) 392-1636
SPMGRAD@hhp.ufl.edu