UCSB’s Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) program is breaking into the sports world.
PaCE introduced a Professional Certificate in Sports Management, a brand new certificate that “prepares students to operate within the complex business, governance and operational systems that define modern sport,” according to the PaCE website.
The certificate is offered to UCSB undergraduate students along with early-career professionals and community members throughout Santa Barbara.
“This was always built not just for undergrads. It’s for the younger professional community in Santa Barbara. I know we’re a smaller city, we don’t have a professional team yet, but there’s a lot of sports,” UCSB PaCE program manager Calvin Yoskowitz said.
“Someone can start [in Santa Barbara]. You don’t need to go to LA immediately… There’s a ton of opportunity, and especially if we know that we’re teaching you practical skills to get started. That’s why we did it.”
The certificate was dreamed up during the spring of 2025, and the first classes were offered in spring 2026. After taking the summer off, PaCE will offer three courses this fall: Sports Management Foundations, Sports Law and Ethics and GameDay Operations.
Sports Management Foundations and Sports Law and Ethics are required courses for the certificate, alongside Financial Management in Sports Business.
Those completing the certificate will also have to choose one elective of either Sports Marketing, Game Day Operations and Comparative Global Sport Systems.
“Pretty much everything that we try to offer here is specifically skill-building for career-oriented classes,” Yoskowitz said. “So kind of staying away from theory… We want proof that we taught you something and that it’s tangible and you can put it in an interview.”
The certificate is then rounded out by a final practicum of either a Sports Management Capstone course or an internship in the field.
“The big thing that I’ve communicated with the people I know at UCSB Athletics is I would love specialized internships,” Yoskowitz said. “I want things that are more specialized within departments, like if you’re studying law and ethics with us, I want compliance to have a placement that really makes sense.
“You’re not just doing grunt work, which I know any internship kind of involves some of it, but I want some specialized placements for our students. That would be the big thing.”
The courses are taught in a hybrid format with most meetings once a week for the 11-week quarter. The certificate is estimated to cost $3,520 to the public and $2,663.75 to UCSB students.
While the certificate is already up and running, Yoskowitz and PaCE are hoping to see more participation in the next school year with plans for growth into the Santa Barbara community.
“The bigger goal now is to reach the audience this was intended for: undergraduates and young professionals in Santa Barbara,” Yoskowitz said. “The big thing that is on my plate to still make sure that we’re delivering on creating a proven network.
“We’ve hired teachers, and we’ve built the curriculum. All of the essentials are there, and now we want students to take the classes.”
