Buffalo, NY - Canisius University is getting into the game of sports analytics with a new academic offering for professionals looking to enter one of the fastest-growing sectors in sports and data science. Launching in fall 2025, the university’s fully online, 12-credit Advanced Certificate in Sport Data Analytics will prepare students for success in a $4.4 billion global market that is projected to grow by more than 30% annually.
Sport Analytics Job Outlook
“The field is evolving quickly, with more than three-quarters of professional sports teams now using real-time analytics to gain a competitive advantage,” says Shawn O'Rourke, PhD, dean of the Division of Business, Communications & Health Studies. “This program equips professionals to interpret complex data and apply it in ways that directly impact performance, strategy and decision-making.”
Designed to be completed in one year or less, the Advanced Certificate in Sport Data Analytics offers maximum flexibility for working professionals, recent graduates and career changers. Students will gain hands-on experience with real sports datasets and develop proficiency using industry-standard tools such as R and Tableau.
Sport Analytics Jobs and Career Paths
The curriculum emphasizes essential skills in data management, reproducible research and ethical data practices, along with advanced visualization techniques and predictive modeling. Students also explore emerging areas such as player tracking analysis, biomechanics, and sports betting analytics, while developing specialized expertise in risk modeling and market analytics. Graduates will be prepared for careers such as sport data analysts, performance analysts or sport technology specialists.
“What sets this program apart is its blend of technical rigor and real-world application,” O'Rourke. “We train students to work with the exact types of data, tools and challenges they'll encounter in the industry, whether in a professional team's Analytics Department, a sports tech company or a betting firm.”
The program also benefits from Canisius' location in Buffalo, NY, which is home to NFL, NHL and NLL franchises, with a USL professional soccer team set to debut in 2026. These regional connections, combined with the university’s established professional network, provide students with access to real-world experiences and direct career pathways in sport analytics.
Who Should Enroll in the Sport Data Analytics Certificate Program
The program targets professionals from diverse backgrounds who want to apply data-driven strategies in sports settings. It is ideal for sports professionals and coaches looking to improve performance and strategy; data analysts seeking to transition into the sports industry; sports business and marketing professionals wanting to leverage data for competitive insights; and strength and conditioning specialists interested in performance metrics.
Applicants to the program must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience. While no coding background is required, basic statistics knowledge is helpful.
The new program in sport data analytics complements Canisius' existing graduate programs in data analytics and business analytics. The university also offers 4+1 degree in mathematics leading to an MS in data analytics and a 4+1 degree in psychology leading to an MS in data analytics.
Apply to the Advanced Certificate in Sport Data Analytics Program
For more information about the Advanced Certificate in Sport Data Analytics or to apply, visit the website or contact Program Director Sana Spector, PhD, at @email or 716-888-2845.
Canisius was founded in 1870 in Buffalo, NY, and is one of 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the U.S. Consistently ranked among the top institutions in the Northeast, Canisius offers undergraduate, graduate and pre-professional programs distinguished by close student-faculty collaboration, mentoring and an emphasis on ethical, purpose-driven leadership.
