This degree is designed for those who are interested in sports management, coaching, and administration. The core curriculum includes the social contexts of sport in historical and modern society, fundamentals of the sports industry, and specific focuses in sports law, marketing, promotion, public relations, finance, and economics. Students are provided with an opportunity to concentrate in an area of specific interest, to include sports administration for the aspiring collegiate, community, or high school athletic official; coaching theory and strategy for those interested in leading and coaching teams; management for those interested in general sports management opportunities and business administration for those interested in running the front office. Degree Program Objectives
In addition to the institutional and degree level learning outcomes objectives, the Master of Science in Sports Management also seeks the following specific learning outcomes of its graduates. With reference to each of the respective areas of sports management, graduates in this degree program will be able t - Apply qualitative and quantitative research practices to sports management, issues and problems including the development and assessment of research proposals; analyze and communicate the findings from data; and summarize and communicate conclusions.
- Evaluate cultural and economic dynamics that have impacted the emergence and development of sports and the sports industry in contemporary society.
- Analyze economic decision making as it relates to sports in contemporary society.
- Apply advanced finance theory and concepts to sports and sports-related enterprises.
- Apply marketing and public relations strategies to sports-related enterprises.
- Discuss the context of sports in contemporary society and business through an analysis of the historical and cultural evolution of the sports industry and enterprise.
- Analyze and apply relevant business, legal, and ethical issues to the field of sports management
Degree Program Requirements Core Courses (21 semester hours)
RC595 / SPM 600 - Research Methods in Sports and Health Sciences
DM600 / SPM 601 - History, Culture, and Social Contexts of Sport
DM691 / SPM 607 - The Sports Industry
DM692 / SPM 608 - Sports Law
DM693 / SPM 609 - Sports Marketing, Promotion, and Public Relations
DM694 / SPM 610 - Sports Finance
DM695 / SPM 611 - Economics of Sport Major Courses (Select 12 semester hours)
Students may choose to focus their study in one concentration or opt for the general program. Students pursuing a concentration should select all their major courses from the appropriate concentration list. Students seeking a general degree may choose four courses from the general program list.
General Program without a concentration
Choose four (4) courses from the list below
DM601 / SPM 602 - Collegiate Sports Administration
DM602 / SPM 603 - High School Sports Administration
DM603 /SPM 604 - Community Sports and Recreation Administration
DM604 / SPM 605 - Coaching Leadership
DM605 / SPM 606 - Techniques in Coaching Strategy
DM696 / SPM 612 - Sports Event Management
DM697 / SPM 613 - Sports Entrepreneurship
DM698 / SPM 614 - Coaching Theory, Methods, and Issues Concentration in Sports Administration
Concentration Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration the student will be able t - Analyze and discuss the complexities and issues of academic sports administration from either a collegiate or sports event context.
- Assess and develop your leadership and management styles as a sports administrator.
- Assess and discuss the role of stakeholders in the sports industry including associations, the community, and recreation administration and discuss all related regulations and guidelines.
- Develop, design, and assess a comprehensive sports event management plan to include functional plans, training plans, legal, financial, accounting, public relationships, human resources, promotions and leadership.
Concentration Requirements
Choose four (4) courses from the list below
DM696 / SPM 612 - Sports Event Management
DM697 / SPM 613 - Sports Entrepreneurship
Please pick two (2) courses from the list below
DM601 / SPM 602 - Collegiate Sports Administration
DM602 / SPM 603 - High School Sports Administration
DM603 / SPM 604 - Community Sports and Recreation Administration Concentration in Coaching Theory and Strategy
Concentration Objectives
Upon successful completion of this concentration the student will be able t - Analyze and discuss the complexities and issues of academic sports administration from a collegiate context.
- Assess the strengths, qualities and weaknesses of a successful coach, including an analysis of the leadership style and multiple roles required of coaches in contemporary sports.
- Select, predict, and evaluate current ethical, management, and controversial issues in coaching today.
- Compare and contrast the roles and responsibilities of a coach and assistant coaches and discuss the levels of coaching relevant to these roles.
Concentration Requirements
Choose four (4) courses from the list below
DM604 / SPM 605 - Coaching Leadership
DM698 / SPM 614 - Coaching Theory, Methods, and Issues
DM605 / SPM 606 - Techniques in Coaching Strategy Please pick one (1) course from the list below
DM601 / SPM 602 - Collegiate Sports Administration
DM602 / SPM 603 - High School Sports Administration
DM603 / SPM 604 - Community Sports and Recreation Administration
Graduate Electives
(3 semester hours) From other courses not taken to meet required, core, or major requirements.
End of program requirement - Select either Practicum OR Comprehensive Exam
DM705 / SPM 701 - Sports Management Practicum and Integration Project (3 semester hours) The Masters of Science in Sports Management is a multi-faceted degree that allows a student to select one of three areas of specialization within Sports Management including Sports Administration, Coaching Theory and Strategy, and General. At its core the Sports Management program seeks to develop an advanced understanding of the Sports industry from either a Coaches point of view or the Administrative point of view. The ability to apply learning to practice is a key requirement for demonstrated success in learning. To achieve and demonstrate learning, a practicum and integration seminar is offered to students in this degree as an alternative to the comprehensive exam. This option can be undertaken by any student seriously interested in the integration and application of theory and practice. Students selecting this option are exempt from comprehensive exams. The course requires that the student: - Identify and obtain approval for an organization or project of interest
- Select and obtain an approval for a workplace mentor
- Complete a 120 hour practicum in the approved organization under the guidance of the mentor
- Keep a log of work completed to be signed by the mentor
- Submit a 25 page integrative applied research paper using Kolb’s experiential learning cycle as the basis for reflection on that experience.
The experiential or practical component of the class aims to apply learning in an aspect of interest related to the degree and concentrations of the student’s areas of specialization. It is understood to be a supervised practicum that requires approval by APUS before entering into the relationship with the organization. The selection of an organization or site for the practicum must relate to the content of the student’s course work and/or concentration. Goals of the applied practicum and integration seminar will be submitted by the student for approval using an application for approval to the Faculty member, Department Chair and Dean of Graduate Studies. The organization will serve as an opportunity to experience the practice of an area of Sports Management related to the focus of the student’s degree. This option will act as a capstone of the student’s program and is to be completed in the student’s final semester. Or select the comprehensive exam option
DM702 / SPM 700 - Separate Comprehensive Examination Taken once all other degree requirements have been met. Total hours: 36 semester hours |
