Sports Media and Communication

A bachelor of arts degree in Sports Media and Communication from the Greenlee School will prepare you for a career in sports media, whether you want to be on the sidelines, in the broadcast booth, behind the cameras or in a newsroom. You’ll get hands-on experience from the outset through practicum experiences, building toward a full-scale internship. You’ll benefit from the experience of faculty who have worked in sports media and from opportunities connected with ISU Athletics and the Big 12 Conference. Coursework in this major focuses on creating compelling content using industry-standard and emerging digital tools.

Greenlee students have interned and/or gone on to careers with NFL/MLB/NBA franchises, NASCAR, college athletic conferences, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, scholastic associations and various news organizations.

Available in the 2025-26 catalog

Students may officially declare the major in Fall 2025. The major program requirements will appear in the University’s academic year 2025-2026 catalog. Current ISU students who change into the SMC major must also change to the 2025-2026 catalog.

Questions about the new major? Contact us at greenlee-smc@iastate.edu

Experiences

Students at Iowa State University can tailor their experience to make sure they gain valuable skills for the future.

A wide variety of student organizations and clubs are available for students to join—including academic, honor societies, political & activism, intramural sports and Greek life. The Greenlee School in particular offers many student media clubs and opportunities for students to become involved in both for fun and to add to their professional portfiolios.

Gain leadership and service experience through the student activities center, go to one of the many fun campus events like the Cyclone Carnival, or learn more about clubs and activities at the annual ClubFest to see the many ways you can get involved during your time at Iowa State.

Career opportunities

Majoring in sports media and communication, you unlock exciting careers in a dynamic field in the fast-paced world of sports. You will use all of the skills you have learned in storytelling, media production, and strategic communication to engage fans and shape narratives around athletic events and organizations. With hands-on training in broadcasting, writing, social media, and public relations, you’ll be well-prepared to excel in an industry where creativity and passion for sports collide. Here are just some examples of the careers you can pursue with a degree in sports media and communication:

• Sports journalist
• Sports broadcaster
• Media relations coordinator
• Sports marketing specialist
• Event coordinator
• Social media manager
• Sports content producer
• Athletic communications director
• and more!

Get to know the LAS career services team to help you explore the many career opportunities a degree in advertising can open for you.