Faculty:
Dr. Shawn O'Rourke, Director; Bill Berard, Laura Barnum, Andy Wilcox, John Livsey, Dr. Paul Bieron, Dr. Greg Reeds.

The master's degree program in sport administration provides graduate students with skills to effectively manage in a wide range of sport-related enterprises including intercollegiate athletics, amateur and professional sports, sport-marketing firms, special-event management, and facility management.

It is designed for students who are currently in or who plan to enter professional staff and management positions in the public and private sectors.

Though separate, the sport administration program includes a business management core of courses in accounting, economics, statistics, marketing and management offered in the AACSB-accredited M.B.A. program of the Richard J. Wehle School of Business.

The sport administration program is fully accredited with the North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM), the recognized accrediting agency for sport administration programs.

The faculty includes professionals from college academic departments, professional sports and intercollegiate athletic organizations.

Admission
Admission to the sport administration program is open to any qualified holder of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Admission standards include a number of factors, such as academic record, scores on the Graduate Management Admission Test (G.M.A.T.), personal statement, resume, three letters of reference and an in-person interview is required. In its decision the Admissions Committee takes into consideration the undergraduate Q.P.A. and the scores on the Graduate Management Admission Test. To qualify for admission, the applicant should have one of the following:

A minimum total of at least 1100 points based on the formula: 200 x undergraduate Q.P.A. (4.0 scale) + G.M.A.T. score.

The Admissions Committee recognizes the need to adjust these criteria for pre-service and in-service professionals. In order to increase the quality of professional personnel entering the program, final judgment on admission is based on a combination of several of the above factors rather than on a single criterion.

Sport Administration curriculum:
Business management core:

MBA 522		Statistics		3
MBA 523		Economics		3
MBA 524		Financial Accounting		3
MBA 525		Organizational Behavior		3
MBA 543		Marketing		1.5
MBA 575		Marketing/Strategies Analysis		1.5
TOTAL 15

Sport administration core:

MSA 520		Leadership in Sport Administration		3
MSA 560		Philosophy and Ethics of Sport		3
MSA 611		Sport Law		3
MSA 660		Financial Aspects of Sport		3
MSA 550		Sport Marketing		3
MSA 799		Internship in Sport Administration		6
TOTAL 21

Specialization / elective area:

Any two of the following.

MSA 540		Behavioral Concepts in Sport Organization		3
MSA 555		Event and Program Management		3
MSA 565		Media Relations in Sport		3
MSA 599		Independent Study		3
MSA 612		Contract Negotiation in the Sport Industry		3
MSA 621		Facility Planning, Design, and Management		3
MSA 631		Intercollegiate Athletics		3
MSA 641		Globalization of Sport		3
MSA 650		Sport Event Management Seminar		3
MSA 690		Research Methods in Sport Administration		3
TOTAL 6
PROGRAM TOTAL 42

COURSES 2002-2004

MSA 520 Leadership in Sport Administration (3 credits)
This course will examine the concepts relating to efficient management and leadership of the sport industry. Emphasis will be placed on principles and techniques of management relating to programs, facilities, special events and personnel.

MSA 540 Behavioral Concepts in Sport Organizations (3 credits)
Theories, research and current practices emphasizing the fundamentals of managing individuals and groups. Selected topics may include volunteer recruitment and management, motivation, problem solving, conflict resolution and organizational change.

MSA 550 Sport Marketing, Public and Media Sport Relations (3 credits)
A study of marketing concepts with application to sport organizations. Topics include promotions and public relations, sport consumer behavior, strategic market planning, marketing information management, marketing communications and sponsorship.

MSA 555 Event and Program Management (3 credits)
Planning and evaluation theory and practice for sport-related events and programs. Topics may include the bidding process, logistical management and future trends.

MSA 560 Philosophy and Ethics in Sport (3 credits)
The purpose of this course is to help you establish a fundamental philosophy for sport in your life (both personal as well as professional). The course will address the questions of why you are/want to be involved in sports in a professional capacity, what values will drive your actions and decision-making in your professional life and what type of ethical code you will adopt.

MSA 565 Media Relations in Sport (3 credits)
A study of basic knowledge and understanding of media relations in sport. Emphasis on building and managing an effective media relations program on the intercollegiate and professional level. Examines news releases, home town features, contest management, press conferences, statistics and publications.

MSA 599 Independent Study (3 credits)

MSA 611 Sport Law (3 credits)
This course will be directed at understanding basic legal concepts as they apply in the sport setting. As a practical matter, the course will aid the student in recognizing how these legal concepts can be applied in the administration and management of sport programs, facilities and personnel.

MSA 612 Contract Negotiation in the Collegiate and Professional Sports Industry (3 credits)
The process and substance of the negotiation of contracts in areas such as player representation, team representation, licensing and merchandising and area leasing.

MSA 621 Facility Planning, Design, and Management (3 credits)
Problem-solving team approach to planning facilities. Class focus will be the design and management of a multi-purpose athletic arena. Schematic designs will be completed based on recommended programs with future revenue projections.

MSA 631 Intercollegiate Athletics (3 credits)
An introduction to the management of intercollegiate athletics; a review of organizational structure in regards to the intercollegiate athletic department, conferences and the NCAA. Analysis of prevailing issues in college athletics including financial trends, academic recruiting, legislation, conference realignment, reform and Title IX/gender equity.

MSA 641 Globalization of Sport (3 credits)
The growth and development of sport within the global community. The management structures which govern international sport organizations.

MSA 650 Sport Event Management Seminar (3 credits)
Overview of all elements involved in sport event management. Key components of the course are the planning, organizing, marketing and conducting of an event during the semester.

MSA 660 Financial Aspects of Sport Administration (3 credits)
An overview of general business economics and financial principles. Topics include private and public sector funding, economic impact analysis, sponsorship, partnerships and fundraising related to sport and sport organizations.

MSA 690 Research Methods in Sport Administration (3 credits)
Provides insights into the critical elements of research and enables the student to formulate an original hypothesis culminating in the master's project or thesis.

MSA 799 Internship in Sport Administration (3 credits)
Individually structured work-related independent research guided by faculty/staff member. Goal is to integrate student's academic experience with that of the work place. Research report required.

Prerequisites: Completion of all other required courses; signature and approval of program director.

MSA 899 Practica for International Students (0 credits)
Allows the international student to learn and gain experience in the workings of a sport and/or entertainment organization in the United States.

Prerequisite: All international students must register each semester.