The Sport and Entertainment Management (SPTE) program at the University of South Carolina (USC) was recognized by SportBusiness International, an industry trade publication, as one of the top programs in the world.

In the 2015 SportBusiness International’s Sports Course Rankings released in early June, the graduate program climbed up seven spots from 2014 to No. 13 globally while moving up two spots in the United States to No. 8.

The rankings were based on the program’s curriculum and student success once they graduate and enter the workforce.

For the first time, SportBusiness International began ranking undergraduate programs in 2015 and the SPTE program at USC came in ranked fifth globally and No. 3 in the United States.

The SPTE program is housed in the University of South Carolina’s College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management (HRSM) and is joined only by the University of Massachusetts and Ohio University as the only schools in the United States to have both their undergraduate and graduate programs ranked in the Top 10.

“This is thrilling news for the hard-working faculty, staff and students of the program here at USC,” stated Matt Brown, associate professor and chair of the SPTE program. “Congratulations to our alumni. Their success working in this industry has established a strong reputation for our program, both in the U.S. and abroad.”

The program houses roughly 750 students enrolled, 50 of which are pursuing a master’s degree. The SPTE program also includes four PhD students after launching their doctoral program in the fall of 2014.