The Master of Arts in Sport Management is now offered at the San Francisco Main Campus and the Los Angeles/Orange Area Campus. The 36-credit interdisciplinary graduate curriculum is structured in courses that meet one evening per week so that working adults who have professional goals in the sports marketplace may complete their master's degree in 23 months.
The master's program is designed for both working professionals who seek graduate education to facilitate career advancement and for those with an undergraduate degree whose objectives are to pursue careers in Sport Management through graduate study. The master's program is designed to facilitate management and marketing skills that lead to long-term professional growth in an intertwined and expanding sports marketplace that includes professional, intercollegiate, and recreational sports and the wide variety of private and public organizations that promote and organize fitness and health programs.
Meeting Tomorrow's Needs of the Sports Industry
Today's sports industry needs highly trained professionals to meet the challenging pace of changes in economics and lifestyle that will define the growth patterns in tomorrow's marketplace. With the expansion of both recreational and spectator sports and society's increasing concern over healthful lifestyles, athletic administration and fitness management are both growing more complex. As a result, successful organizations in the sports industry are increasingly looking for tomorrow's leaders to have specialized training at the graduate level.
Professional Preparation
The aim of the master's program is to provide professional preparation for management or leadership positions with professional sports teams, large and small colleges and universities with intercollegiate and intramural athletics and recreation programs, amateur athletic organizations, private and public health and fitness clubs, corporate fitness and wellness programs, sports stadia and arenas, and the sports and fitness marketing, management, and communications firms that service the larger marketplace.
The Internship Program
The Internship Program is an important aspect of the Master's Program curriculum. Internships or practica in a wide variety of sports and fitness settings help the student build professional competencies and a network of industry contacts. The Master's Program maintains an Internship Site Database for both Northern and Southern California.
The Master's Project
In the last semester, students develop and refine the Master's Project. Designed to demonstrate advanced skills to the professional community, the Master's Project may be a major research paper or a professional document such as a business plan or market research report.
A Distinguished Faculty
The Sport Management faculty is a dedicated team of professional and academic leaders. The collective experience and expertise of the faculty sets a national standard of excellence. The faculty includes collegiate athletic directors, marketing and public relations specialists, sports attorneys, facilities consultants, and internationally recognized scholars.
The Professional Connection
In addition to the teaching faculty, leading California professionals in sports and fitness are speakers in courses and special events sponsored by the Master's Program. This group of professionals keeps our students connected to the pulse of current developments in sports and fitness.
Building Networks
More than just classes, residency in the Master's Program is a 2-year adventure in building a network of professional contacts that can serve as the foundation for lifelong career growth. Faculty, guest lecturers, staff, alumni, and fellow students all can provide referrals to key personnel for insight about career strategies, organizations of interest, and new opportunities.
Student Diversity and the Cohort Experience
Students in the Master's program come from a diverse background of undergraduate and professional experiences. Each class of approximately 35 students begins and completes the Master's Program as a "cohort" or learning community that functions as a support network.
A User-Friendly Calendar
The 36-credit Master's Program Curriculum is delivered in courses that meet one evening per week so working adults may complete their Master's Degree in 23 months.
