Degree Offered
- Master of Science
Nature of the Program
Students have two options for completing a master's degree in sport management: 1) On-Campus and 2) Distance-Learning with Areas of Emphasis in either Comprehensive Sport Industry Management or Interscholastic Athletic Administration.
The Master of Science in Sport Management prepares students to compete in the global job sport market as an industry leader. This 36-credit hour program is delivered on-campus and provides real-world training in a range of areas including sport marketing and finance, fund-raising and development, sponsorship and sales, NCAA compliance and more. Students maintain a variety of professional and career goals, so the curriculum is designed to provide them with a broad professional preparation in the sport management field. The plan of study also affords students with the opportunity to further specialize in one of two tracks: (1) Professional Track with a required internship, or (2) Thesis Track with a research component.
This Professional Track is developed for those students who are seeking entry into the sport management workplace immediately following degree completion. The internship requirement represents the signature feature of the Professional Track. Learning across a range of applied settings, the internship provides students with hands-on work experiences targeting knowledge and skill development that is unattainable in the traditional classroom, while also enhancing your job marketability. The Thesis Track is available for students who are considering doctoral level work in the future. Sport Management has continued to emerge as a popular area of study in colleges and universities across the world. The completion of a master’s thesis remains an important benchmark for those students who aspire to faculty and/or research positions in higher education. The ability to effectively collect, manage, analyze, and interpret data also has implications for leaders of many non-profit organizations and sport associations.
Admissions
These programs utilize the University GPA requirement for entry to both programs.
On-Campus
- Resume: including any professional experiences in the sport industry
- Personal statement: 1-2 written pages on professional goals and reasons for seeking admission (students interested in thesis track should describe their research interests)
- Letters of recommendation (2)
Apply by December 1 for priority consideration. Applications that are incomplete or are submitted after the deadline may be reviewed if openings remain. Admission is limited to a fall start only.
Admission Requirements 2024-2025
The Admission Requirements above will be the same for the 2024-2025 Academic Year.
On campus Major Code: 5532
Degree Requirements: Campus Program
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Minimum overall GPA of 3.0 or higher required. | ||
A grade of C or higher must be earned in all major courses | ||
Core Coursework | ||
SM 527 | Legal Issues in Sport Administration | 3 |
SM 575 | Fund-Raising and Development | 3 |
SM 535 | Sport Management Processes | 3 |
SM 546 | Sport Marketing | 3 |
SM 570 | Sport Finance | 3 |
SM 580 | Sociocultural and Ethical Dimensions of Sport | 3 |
SM 621 | Sport Publicity/Public Relations | 3 |
SM 630 | Sport Sponsorship and Sales Management | 3 |
SM 660 | NCAA Compliance and Current Issues | 3 |
Select one of the following tracks: | 9 | |
Traditional Track | ||
Sport Marketing Research Methods | ||
Internship in Sport Management | ||
Thesis Track * | ||
Research Methodology in Physical Education | ||
or SEP 726 | Advanced Measurement and Research in Physical Education | |
or EDP 613 | Statistical Methods 1 | |
or SCFD 615 | Qualitative Research Methods | |
Research | ||
Total Hours | 36 |
- *
Students will substitute SM 516 (Research Methods in Sport Marketing) for SEP 615.
Students will also substitute any of the three-credit hour SM courses for one three-credit statistics (SEP 726 or EDP 613) or qualitative methods course (SCFD 615).
Students will substitute six credit hours of SM 686 of the internship for six credit hours of SM 698 Research (Master thesis).
Suggested Plan of Study: Traditional Track
First Year | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer | Hours |
SM 621 | 3 | SM 630 | 3 | SM 685 | 6 |
SM 580 | 3 | SM 660 | 3 | ||
SM 527 | 3 | SM 516 | 3 | ||
SM 546 | 3 | SM 535 | 3 | ||
SM 575 | 3 | SM 570 | 3 | ||
15 | 15 | 6 | |||
Total credit hours: 36 |
Suggested Plan of Study: Thesis Track
First Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
SM 580 | 3 | SM 630 | 3 |
SM 546 | 3 | SM 660 | 3 |
SEP 615 | 3 | SEP 726, EDP 613, or SCFD 615 | 3 |
9 | 9 | ||
Second Year | |||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
SM 527 | 3 | SM 535 | 3 |
SM 575 | 3 | SM 570 | 3 |
SM 697 | 3 | SM 697 | 3 |
9 | 9 | ||
Total credit hours: 36 |
Major Learning Outcomes
Sport Management
Professional Knowledge - Understand advanced disciplinary knowledge and the primary modes of inquiry that form the basis for evidence-informed practice in their field.
Professional Practice - Apply evidence-informed strategies in their professional practice to meet the differentiated needs of the client groups and key stakeholders whom they serve.
Professional Leadership - Contribute to the leadership of communities of professional practice as collaborative learners who can facilitate their own continued development and that of others.
Program Learning Outcomes
Sport Management
The goal of the program is for students to graduate with the essential skills and knowledge necessary to prepare them for immediately entry into a career in the field of sport management.
- Professional Knowledge - Understand advanced disciplinary knowledge and the primary modes of inquiry that form the basis for evidence-informed practice in their field.
- Professional Practice - Apply evidence-informed strategies in their professional practice to meet the differentiated needs of the client groups and key stakeholders whom they serve.
- Professional Leadership - Contribute to the leadership of communities of professional practice as collaborative learners who can facilitate their own continued development and that of others.