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.