| Next > |
|---|
Currently in America, 144 universities offer masters degree course in Sports Management. All these universities are affiliated to NASSM (North American Society for Sport Management) and NASPE (National Association for Sport and Physical Education). COSMA (Commission on Sport Management Accreditation), a body established jointly by NASSM and NASPE, is responsible for deciding the curriculum relating to athletic administration to be adhered to in these universities and for approving the course outlines offered by these universities.
While no particular ranking is available, some of the universities considered as offering the best academic opportunities in the field are:
- Univ ersity of Michigan
- Texas A&M University
- University of Miami
- New York University
- Ohio State University
- University of Florida
- University of Georgia
- Indiana University in Bloomington
- University of Illinois
- North Carolina State University
- University of South Carolina
- Ithaca College
- Temple University
- University of Minnesota
HOW TO APPLY:
While each college specifies application methods according to its system, some basic features common to all colleges are:
1. Applicants can apply to colleges for this discipline either by submitting an online application or by downloading the application and then submitting it by post or both;
2. Along with the application, all applicants are required to submit their official transcripts certifying sixteen years of academic education;
3. The applicants are also required to have their official GRE(Graduate Record Examination) score sent to the universities from the respective test centres on the codes specified by the college;
4. All international applicants and applicants who are not native speakers of English are also required to submit their official TOEFL/IELTS scores to certify their proficiency in English;
5. Each college also demands that applicants submit letters of recommendation from their former professors, coaches , employers or counsellors
6. Along with the above documents some colleges also expect the applicants to submit a personal statement or statement of purpose or essays with their application to be able to judge them better.
COURSE DURATION:
Usually, the course duration is 30 credit hours, which amounts to about 2 years. Each college according to its specifications breaks down these hours into minimum core curriculum credit hours, elective credit hours and practical educational experience credit hours for internship purposes.
COURSE COST:
The total cost of the course including the tuition fee, hostel fee and living costs for
(a) resident students ranges between $12,000- $20,000 per annum
(b) non-resident and international students ranges between $25,000-$50,000 per annum.
Students can also apply for scholarships and financial aid programs that are offered by the university.
COURSE OUTLINE:
While each college has a course moulded according to its mission and ideals, broadly, during the year, each college covers the following aspects of sports administration:
- Sport Law
- Psychology of Sport
- Sport Governance & Ethics
- Facilities Management
- Sport Marketing
- Philosophy and Principles of Human Movement
- Professional Sales and Marketing
- Field experience in Sport Management
- Current Issues in Sport
JOB PROSPECTS:
A master's degree in the field provides one with job opportunities such as sales, marketing and advertising of sports goods and services, and sports organization management on a national and international level with lucrative salaries. Some of the common jobs readily available after a post graduation degree are:
- Sports agent
- Vice president or manager of a professional sports organization
- Operations manager
- TV rights professional
- Merchandising or licensing executive
- Marketing and events planner
On the completion of this course, students are entitled to pursue careers such as:
- Sports Marketing
- Sports Promotions
- Ticket Sales
- Public Relations
- Facility Management
- Event Management
- Concessions Management
- Equipment Management
- Sport Governing Bodies
- Sport Agent
- Athletic Director
- Sports Writer/Editor
- Stadium Management
- Account Executive
- broadcaster
- Facilities Operator
- Sports Related Sales
- Sports Development Officer
After the completion of the program, students are readily recruited by reputed companies such as National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, Victory Sport Management, Aramark, and The Sport Entertainment & Media Group among others through campus recruitments and are offered pay packets ranging between $25000 and $60000 per annum.
OnlineUniversities.net has more information on sports management courses.
This is Part 3 of a weekly series of Articles on Sports Management as a Career
File Photograph Copyright: Douglas Green
