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 | ||
| ACC 610 | Accounting Information for Decision Analysis | 3 credits | |
| MGT 670 | Strategic Thinking & Action | 3 credits | |
| Two of the following: | |||
| MGT 757 | Developing People | 3 credits | |
| MGT 753 | Project Management | 3 credits | |
| MGT 650 | Leadership in a Global Environment | 3 credits | |
| Sports Administration Core | 15 credits | ||
| KIN 533 | Management and Development of Facilities | 3 credits | |
| KIN 570 | Sport and the Law | 3 credits | |
| ECON 567 | Sports Economics | 3 credits | |
| One of the following: | |||
| KIN 543 | Sports Marketing, Promotions, and Fund-Raising | 3 credits | |
| MKT 630 | Marketing Management and Consumer Experience | 3 credits | |
| One of the following: | |||
| KIN 553 | Financial Aspects of Sport | 3 credits | |
| FIN 620 | Financial Analysis | 3 credits | |
| Sports Administration Electives | 6 credits | ||
| Two courses from the following options: | |||
| KIN 510 | Psychology of Sport | 3 credits | |
| KIN 520 | Women and Sports | 3 credits | |
| KIN 530 | Sport and Society | 3 credits | |
| KIN 590 | Topics | 3 credits | |
| Or a class approved by the College of Business graduate advisor | |||
| Internship/CPT: | 3 credits | ||
| KIN 586 | Internship in Sports Administration | 3-6* credits | |
| KIN 795 | Master’s Thesis | 3 credits | |
| * Internship/CPT exceeding 3 hours can be used as Sports Administration Elective hours | |||
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.