Sport Management (MS)
College: College of Natural & Health Sciences
Goals of the Program
In a 2010 survey regarding the size of the sports industry, Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal (SBJ) stated that the sports industry is “one of the largest and fastest growing industries in the United States” with a size of $213 billion. According to SBJ, approximately $23 billion was spent on operating expenses alone at all levels of sport. Spectator spending exceeded $26 billion according to the same publication. The publication goes on to state that the sports industry “…is far more than twice the size of the auto industry and seven times the size of the movie industry.”
These numbers illustrate the overall economic power of the sports industry and, as one might assume, an industry of this size continually needs an infusion of highly educated and qualified personnel in order to thrive. Simply stated, the overall goal of the Master of Science in Sport Management degree program is to provide the industry with graduates that possess the tools and skills necessary to succeed at levels of organized sport in today’s ultra-competitive 21st century sports business environment.
Program Overview
The 33-credit master of science in sport management degree requires a combination of core classes (21 credits) designed to ensure all graduates have the basic, requisite skills needed to succeed in the industry. There are an additional six credits of required electives with a wide array of offerings designed to ensure maximum flexibility for the student to pursue additional knowledge beneficial to their chosen career. Finally, students will need to complete either a thesis addressing a major issue in sport management or a combination of two courses with a practical/industry-based focus that will ensure they are ready for success in the industry. Both the thesis and non-thesis options require six credits.
The program is offered in both in-person (MSSM) and fully online (MSSO) formats. Both formats were designed with timing flexibility in mind, which should allow students to complete it on their own terms/timetable. The degree can be completed fully in-person, online or through a combination of the two course formats. Assuming an average nine- to twelve-credit load, most students will be able to complete the proposed program in one-and-a-half to two years. However, if a student wishes to be aggressive with credit load, course format and scheduling (adding winterim and/or summer courses), the degree could be completed in one calendar year. If someone wishes to proceed at a slower pace, the flexible schedule and delivery format along with the frequent course offerings should allow a student to complete the program at whatever pace they wish subject only to the seven-year completion window for graduate programs at UW-Parkside.
Student Learning Outcomes
The Health, Kinesiology and Sport Management Department has identified three key core competencies and outcomes that students will develop as a result of completing the Master of Science in Sport Management degree program.
Competency A: Demonstrate Effective Communication Skills
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate professional interpersonal skills
- Demonstrate the ability to develop and deliver professional messages in oral, written and visual forms of communication in various types of settings
- Demonstrate negotiation skills
Competency B: Demonstrate Effective Management Skills
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of and ability to comply with legal, HR and other forms of rules and compliance-related situations.
- Demonstrate the ability to act in an ethical manner including in areas of diversity and Corporate Social Responsibility.
- Demonstrate knowledge of sound financial management practices including revenue generation methods such as marketing and sales along with efficient facility/organization planning on the expense side.
- Demonstrate inclusive leadership skills including the ability to lead meetings.
- Demonstrate the ability to collect, manage, analyze and interpret sport management data.
- Demonstrate the ability to identify and solve problems faced by sports organizations.
Competency C: Demonstrate Ability to Utilize Skills, Knowledge and Competencies Learned in the Program in a Real-World Setting
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to utilize the skills, knowledge and competencies illustrated above in a real-world setting with a sports organization.
Transfer Policies
Graduate-level work completed at other regionally-accredited institutions may be transferred toward the master’s degree in sport management at UW-Parkside but such transfers are subject to the following provisions:
- A maximum of 12 credits may be transferred;
- Only the courses with a grade of B or better can be transferred;
- The student must petition for the transfer upon admission to the program. Transfer credit will be formally granted after the student has successfully completed a minimum of eight (8) semester hours of graduate course work at UW-Parkside;
- An admitted student who plans to take a course at another institution and transfer it back to UW-Parkside must obtain prior permission from the program director; and
- Exceptions to the above transfer policy can be considered after written request to the program director.
Timing Policies
As noted in UW-Parkside policy, students who do not complete a course within a period of 12 months will be dropped as a student unless they apply for and are granted a leave of absence from graduate work. Dropped students or students exceeding the term of leave may apply for readmission to the program.
As also noted in UW-Parkside policy, a student may take no more than seven years to complete the master of science degree in sport management. This time period begins with the semester in which they complete their first course as a degree-seeking graduate student.
Requirements for the Master of Science in Sport Management
To graduate with a master of science in sport management degree, students must satisfy each of the following three requirements and achieve an overall grade point average of 3.0 or better:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Required Courses | ||
MSSM 700 | Sports Research and Analysis Methodology | 3 |
MSSM 701 | Amateur Sports Governance and Administration | 3 |
or MSSM 702 | Professional Sports Governance and Administration | |
MSSM 710 | Sports Law | 3 |
MSSM 711 | Ethical Issues and Leadership in Sports | 3 |
MSSM 712 | Social and International Issues in 21st Century Sports | 3 |
MSSM 720 | Revenue Generation and Sales in Sports Organizations | 3 |
MSSM 721 | Financial Management for Sports Organizations | 3 |
Elective Courses | ||
Select two of the following: | 6 | |
Sustainable Sport Management | ||
Sports Communication | ||
Sports Analytics | ||
Athletic Fundraising | ||
Sports Facility and Event Management | ||
Special Topics in Sport Management | ||
Sport Management Internship | ||
Independent Study | ||
Completion Options - Non-Thesis or Thesis | ||
Select one of the following: | 6 | |
Non-Thesis Option | ||
Current Issues in Sport Management Seminar | ||
Sport Management Practicum and Portfolio | ||
Thesis Option | ||
Thesis in Sport Management | ||
Total Credits | 33 |
Admission Requirements for the Master of Science in Sport Management
For unconditional admission into the Master of Science in Sport Management program, a prospective student must hold a bachelor’s degree in sport management or business and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
Applicants who do not have this background may be admitted following the admission requirements below.
- Overall Undergraduate GPA of 2.75 and above – Students must submit a resume and statement of purpose.
- Overall Undergraduate GPA below 2.75 – Students must submit a resume and statement of purpose. In addition, three letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional references must be submitted.
- Graduate exam scores are not required for admission. However, prospective students can submit relevant graduate exam scores as part of the admission process if they choose to do so.
- Writing samples may be requested and used toward an admissions decision if warranted.
Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended, regardless if they appear on the degree awarding transcript or not, should be mailed directly from the institution(s) to UW-Parkside at this address:
Admissions Office
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
900 Wood Road
Kenosha, WI 53144
Application Procedure
All applications must be submitted online through the UW-Parkside website. Please visit https://www.uwp.edu/apply/admissions/graduate/ to submit the following:
- A completed online application form;
- A non-refundable application fee;
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate and post-graduate institution attended by the applicant;
- Other required materials as noted above.
Admissions will occur on a rolling basis with new applicants able to start the program during each of the academic terms: fall, winterim, spring and summer.
International Student Application Procedure
In addition to submitting the above application materials, international applicants must submit the following items:
- A completed online Application for Graduate International Student Admission.
- If applicant’s native language is not English then an Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score must be obtained. A score of 525 on the paper test (197 computer based or 71 internet based) is required. For information regarding the location of the test centers nearest you and for making arrangements to take the TOEFL test visit the website: http://www.ets.org/toefl
- A Sponsorship Statement Form documenting support for one year of study.
- Original bank statement or bank letter documenting sufficient funds for one year of study. Photocopies and FAX cannot be accepted.
- Official transcripts from all secondary schools, colleges and universities attended. Records must be in the original language with certified English translations. Official records should include all exam, test results, certificates, diplomas or degrees received.
- To receive transfer credits from a foreign university, a prospective student must have their transcripts evaluated through one of the recommended companies:
- ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators)
- WES (World Education Services)
- One Earth International Credit Evaluators
- Finally, potential graduate students must purchase the “Catalog Match Request” to ensure transferability of coursework.
Courses in Sport Management
(Graduate level)
MSSM 539 | Sustainable Sport Management | 3 cr
Surveys sustainable business techniques employed by sports organizations in the areas of facility financing, facility development, marketing and event operations. Examines how sports organizations employ marketing techniques focused on and including sustainable/green concepts. Not open to those with credit in SPMT 339.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Spring (even years).
MSSM 560 | Sports Communication | 3 cr
Examines how sports organizations interact with the media and fans/customers through various forms of electronic and social media. Not open to those with credit in SPMT 360.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Yearly.
MSSM 600 | Sports Analytics | 3 cr
Examines the design, collection, analysis, and use of data to measure performance and make decisions in competitive sports. Reviews basic concepts and skills needed to develop and apply analytical skills to sport from different perspectives: coaching, management, business, media, etc. Not open to those with credit in SPMT 400.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Yearly.
MSSM 635 | Athletic Fundraising | 3 cr
Examines the development of successful fundraising programs in interscholastic and intercollegiate athletic programs. Not open to those with credit in SPMT 435.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Yearly.
MSSM 700 | Sports Research and Analysis Methodology | 3 cr
Analyzes research in the sport management field to help solve issues within the sport industry. Introduces different methods for conducting and analyzing research. Examines how research articles are organized to assist in both reading and conducting research.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Yearly.
MSSM 701 | Amateur Sports Governance and Administration | 3 cr
Explores the managerial activities essential to amateur sports administration. Examines the structure and function of amateur sport organizations and how individual sport organizations fit into the greater sport industry. Focuses on high school and intercollegiate athletics.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Yearly.
MSSM 702 | Professional Sports Governance and Administration | 3 cr
Explores the managerial activities essential to governance and policy development in professional sport, and reviews the structure and function of these organizations. Demonstrates where the power lies in an organization or industry segment and how individual sport organizations fit into the greater sport industry.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Yearly.
MSSM 710 | Sports Law | 3 cr
Examines sport law as it applies to sport managers by identifying liability of situations in the supervision, management and conduct of sport. Introduces how to design and develop strategies for limiting liability including constitutional law, negligence, contract and employment law.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Yearly.
MSSM 711 | Ethical Issues and Leadership in Sports | 3 cr
Introduces various leadership theories and ethical considerations in sport. Examines leadership and ethical issues when leading a sport organization including topics in human resources and effective management.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Yearly.
MSSM 712 | Social and International Issues in 21st Century Sports | 3 cr
Introduces sociological concepts within sport. Examines how global society impacts sport.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Yearly.
MSSM 720 | Revenue Generation and Sales in Sports Organizations | 3 cr
Examines revenue generation and sales processes for sports organizations including the various revenue streams available at all levels of sport through developing buyer proposals and learning contract negotiation processes for agreements.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Yearly.
MSSM 721 | Financial Management for Sports Organizations | 3 cr
Covers budgeting and financial reporting for sports organizations. Explores methods of financing for both sports organizations and sports facilities.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Yearly.
MSSM 722 | Sports Facility and Event Management | 3 cr
Covers planning, development and management of sport facilities and events. Includes topics in needs assessment, risk management, site selection, financial planning, operations, crowd control, event staffing, marketing, media, and sponsorships and participant prizes.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Yearly.
MSSM 790 | Special Topics in Sport Management | 3 cr
Examines topics in sport management. May be repeated for credit with different topic.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Occasionally.
MSSM 791 | Current Issues in Sport Management Seminar | 3 cr
Explores current and ongoing issues in the sport management industry. Discusses and analyzes current topics preparing student to face these issues in the real world as a sport manager.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Fall, Spring.
MSSM 792 | Sport Management Practicum and Portfolio | 3 cr
Provides opportunity for professional skills development through supervised work in the field of sport management. Applies learned knowledge and enhances experience and skills in a practical and relevant setting while completing a project with both faculty and site supervisors.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
MSSM 794 | Sport Management Internship | 3 cr
Provides opportunity for professional skills development through supervised work in the field of sport management. Applies learned knowledge and enhances experience and skills in a practical and relevant setting. May be repeated one time for additional three credits.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and department chair.
Offered: Yearly.
MSSM 798 | Thesis in Sport Management | 1-6 cr
Provides opportunity to complete a master's thesis in sport management by reviewing existing research and conducting original, independent research. May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Occasionally.
MSSM 799 | Independent Study | 3 cr
Provides opportunity for independent work in specific areas under the supervision of a department faculty member. May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and department chair.
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.