Degree Title and Name:  Master of Sports Administration

Program Name and Number:  Sports Administration (Professional) – MS8161

Department/Unit:   Sports Administration

Delivery Mode:  Hybrid

 Term(s) of Entry:  Fall

Program Overview:

The mission of the Professional MSA program is to provide professionals in the sports industry with a foundation in leadership, critical decision-making skills and sport-specific knowledge to immediately add value to their organizations.

The Professional MSA program is on the cutting edge of the sports industry. The curriculum facilitates the connection of classroom knowledge to professional experiences and provides students the opportunity to immediately apply learning to their professional context.

The unique curriculum is centered on three major components: a sports administration core, applied projects, and current issues. The sports administration core allows students to develop foundational knowledge in critical sports business functions such as revenue generation, facilities and event management, human resources, and leadership. Students will also explore sponsorship, sports governance, and topics in sports law. In addition to the core, students will apply their learning through applied projects and the exploration of current issues in the sports industry.

The Professional MSA is delivered through online modules and virtual classes. Additionally, students are provided up to six on-site residency experiences in Athens on campus or in conjunction with top industry Conferences (i.e., National Sports Forum). Students are required to earn five residency credit hours (SASM 6900) with alternative options for students unable to attend residencies in person. Expected time to complete the degree is 21 months.

Program Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of sport business knowledge across business disciplines.
2. Develop professional skills and abilities relevant to the sports business profession.

Link to Program:  https://business.ohio.edu/academics/graduate-degrees/professional-master-of-sports-administration/

Graduation Requirements:

The program curriculum is a 36 credit hour, lock-step program. Students will take the following courses over the course of five semesters.

Core

• SASM 6100 - Leadership in Sports Administration (3 hours)
• SASM 6260 - Sports Governance and Policy Development (3 hours)
• BUSL 5650 - Sports Law (3 hours)
• SASM 6480 - Management of Public Assembly Facilities (3 hours)
• SASM 6700 - Financial Administration of Sport (3 hours)
• SASM 6800 - Introduction to Sport Analytics (4 hours)
• SASM 6585 - Revenue Generation Strategies for Sports Organizations (4 hours)
• Choose one of the following three courses:
  • SASM 6560 - Applied Sports Marketing Project (2 hours)
  • SASM 6575 - Applied Sports Sponsorship Project (2 hours)
  • SASM 6475 - Applied Fundraising and Development in Intercollegiate Athletics (2 hours)
• SASM 6670 - Human Resource Management in Sport (3 hours)
• SASM 6990 - Capstone Seminar (3 hours)

Applied Projects and Current Issues

• SASM 6900 - Contemporary Issues in Sport Sciences (5 x 1 hours)

Culminating Experience:  Capstone Seminar—Designed to examine current trends and issues in the study of sports administration. The field of sports administration is in a dynamic state. New theories, practices, and processes are constantly being developed. Perspectives on these trends and issues will be analyzed by drawing on current literature and research. Students will focus on performance of the firm as an outcome of strategy in a competitive environment. The objective of this course is to synthesize knowledge gained through experience and previous graduate coursework, and develop advanced understanding of the firm’s behavior in a competitive environment.

Admission Requirements:

• Regionally accredited bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of three years of professional experience in the sport industry.
• Three letters of recommendation from professional or academic references.  At least one letter from a supervisor is strongly recommended.
• Official transcripts from all degree bearing institutions at the bachelor’s level or higher and unofficial transcript for any additional college coursework.
• A professional plan statement discussing your career goals, how the master’s degree will help you achieve those goals, areas or competencies that you expect the program will help you strengthen, and what you plan to contribute to the learning community.
• Current resume.
• TOEFL or IELTS for non-native English speakers. 

Transfer credits are not accepted for this program. 

International Students:  This program does not permit full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 cannot be issued based on admission to this program.