COB HERO IMAGE

M.S. in Sports Administration

With an M.S. in sports administration, Valpo students develop competence and pursue careers in the management of sports personnel and facilities.

OVERVIEW

The Master of Science with a concentration in Sports Administration (MSSA) is a 36-credit program for individuals interested in developing competence and pursuing careers in the management of sports personnel and facilities. Graduates of this program may assume supervisory and administrative positions in a variety of settings, including public recreation systems, voluntary agencies, facility and event management, community based athletic programs, college athletic administration, and professional sports organizations. The program is administered through the College of Business.

The program emphasizes competency in seven core areas:

  • Leadership, management, and organization of recreation and sport
  • Research methods
  • Legal aspects of sports
  • Marketing of programs and facilities
  • Ethics in sports management
  • Sports in a social context
  • Financial aspects of sport

In this interdisciplinary program, students take graduate coursework through the College of Business and other graduate programs, including Education, Psychology, Communication, and Liberal Studies.

CURRICULUM

MS in Sports Administration (36 Cr.)

Business Core 12 credits
MBA 503 Accounting Information for Decision Analysis 3 credits
MBA 508 Strategic Thinking and Action 3 credits
Two of the following:
MBA 506 Leadership in a Global Environment 3 credits
MBA 561 Project Management 3 credits
MBA 565 Developing People 3 credits
Sports Administration Core 15 credits
SMGT 533 Management and Development of Facilities 3 credits
SMGT 570 Sport and the Law 3 credits
ECON 567 Sports Economics 3 credits
One of the following:
SMGT 543 Sports Marketing, Promotions, and Fundraising 3 credits
MBA 505 Marketing Management and Consumer Experience 3 credits
One of the following:
SMGT 533 Management and Development of Facilities 3 credits
MBA 504 Financial Analysis 3 credits
Sports Administration Electives 6 credits
Two courses from the following options:
SMGT 510 Psychology of Sport 3 credits
SMGT 520 Women and Sports 3 credits
SMGT 530 Sport and Society 3 credits
SMGT 590 Special Topics in Sports Management 3 credits
Or a class approved by the College of Business graduate advisor
Internship/CPT: 3 credits
SMGT 586 Internship in Sports Administration 1 credit
SMGT 695 Master’s Thesis 3 credits

ADMISSION

All applicants must meet the admission criteria of the Graduate School. In addition, students must have an undergraduate degree, preferably with the equivalent of 12 credits in KIN, a KIN related area (e.g., Recreation and Leisure), or Business.