Sport Management

[1] Objectives

The Department of Exercise and Sport Science offers the executive-style Master of Arts (MA) in Sport Management in a completely online format. The MA in Sport Management is aimed to enhance the knowledge base of sport management through an online learning environment. This aim will support students who are currently working and possess the desire to achieve an advanced degree in the hopes of advancing their careers in the sport industry. The purpose is to have students engage in the broad topics within the sport management discipline in an intense program to provide students a deep level of understanding within each topic. As a result, each student will obtain knowledge in the advanced workings of the management, marketing, leadership, legal, and financial aspects of the sport industry. The executive style of the program allows students to continue to keep working while enrolled in 8-week courses (2 courses per semester)—5-week courses in the summer—and finish the degree in 20 months.

[2] Program Information

[2.1] Mission Statement

The Sport Management program serves as a catalyst for student success to achieve professional advancement within the sport industry. This is achieved through curriculum built on practical application of theoretical and experiential knowledge. Graduates of the program will be prepared to advance in their careers to higher-level management positions in sport organizations, or to begin their career path anew in the sport industry.

[2.2] Course of Study

Students who are admitted to the executive MA in Sport Management program will have completed and submitted a successful application that has gone through the competitive admission process. Students will then complete 30 (non-thesis) graduate credit hours scheduled across a 20-month period. While progressing through the degree students will be exposed to a variety of subjects pertinent to sport management through an engaging and interactive online classroom environment. For course list and progression outline, see § 3 below.

[2.3] Program Admission Requirements

Students must provide the following materials/meet the following criteria.

1. Evidence of a completed baccalaureate degree at the time of application submission. The degree can be in sport management, business management, marketing, psychology, kinesiology, or a related field. Other disciplines will be considered as well on a case by case basis. Prospective applicants may contact the Department of Exercise and Sport Science with questions regarding their baccalaureate subjects.
2. Students must be admitted to the UCA Graduate School and meet all admissions requirements for the School.
3. Preference will be given to applicants with experience in sport management or a related field.
4. Possession of a cumulative GPA of 2.8 minimum based on a 4.0 scale or possess at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale on the last 60 hours of course work.
5. One letter of intent submitted directly to the Department of Exercise and Sport Science stating why the student is interested in applying for the executive MA in Sport Management program. The letter should state what relevant experience the student has that will help them through the program, what knowledge they can contribute to discussions on course topics, and how the graduate degree will help to advance their career.
6. Two letters of reference submitted directly to the Department of Exercise and Sport Science stating the student’s qualifications for the program and their strengths for potentially becoming a member of the program.
7. A résumé or CV submitted directly to the Department of Exercise and Sport Science.

Admission to the Sport Management program is competitive, and the entire application packet will be considered. Therefore, a thoroughly strong and complete application packet will have the best opportunity for admission as one of the 25 available candidate positions. Students should not rely on just one aspect of their application packet to gain admission; rather the entire packet will be reviewed and compared to other applicants. The top candidates will be notified of acceptance when the review process has been completed. Students not selected for acceptance will also be notified along with feedback for potential future re-application.

[2.4] Tuition and Fees

Students should check for the most up to date information on tuition and other fees on the UCA Office of Student Accounts page, since fees are subject to change.

[2.5] Program Retention Requirements

To remain in good standing in the program, students must

1. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale.
2. Not have more than three C’s throughout the program. A fourth C will result in being withdrawn from the program. Grades of D or F will not count toward completion of the program. Courses with a grade of D or F can be retaken a maximum of one time in order to earn a grade of C or better. If a course is retaken and results in a D or F, the student will be dismissed from the program.
3. Pass the Capstone Course and Exam with a C minimum.
4. Meet all UCA Graduate School requirements for graduation.

[3] Course Progression Outline

Fall 1

EXSS 5305 Sport Management Introduction and Governance (3 credit hours [CH]; eight weeks)
EXSS 5315 Leadership in Sport Management (3 CH; eight weeks)

Spring 1

EXSS 5325 Financial Principles in Sport Management (3 CH; eight weeks)
EXSS 5335 Sport Marketing Principles and Strategy (3 CH; eight weeks)

Summer

EXSS 5345 Sport Public Relations, Communication, and Crisis Management (3 CH; five weeks)
EXSS 6325 Sport Law Aspects (3 CH; five weeks)

Fall 2

EXSS 6316 Data Analysis (3 CH; eight weeks)
EXSS 6305 Sport Organization Communication (3 CH; eight weeks)

Spring 2

EXSS 6605 Sport Management Capstone Course: Business Simulation (6 CH; full semester)*, **

* The capstone course simulation is performed through Capsim. This course and simulation involves practice rounds (fiscal years) of students managing a business in order to get acclimated to the software and time requirements for running a successful business during the course. Students will be required to run a business successfully (turning a profit, identifying a market niche to position their business in, completing quizzes/performance checkpoints during the semester) during the entire simulation, which will include the practice rounds and then the performance rounds for the semester. At the end of the semester, students will then take the Comp-XM through the Capsim website. This along with their performance during the simulation will encompass how students are evaluated for the course.

** Students are expected to pass the Capstone course the first time. However, should performance not garner a passing grade during the first attempt, students will be allowed one opportunity to retake the Capstone course. Students needing to retake the course will have to wait until the next Spring semester when the course will be offered again. Failure to pass the course upon a second attempt will result in the student failing to complete the degree program; the student will not be allowed to retake the course a third time.

[4] Graduate Courses in Exercise and Sport Science (EXSS)

Follow this link to EXSS course descriptions: course link.