Curriculum: Master of Science in Sport Administration

Next Term Application Deadline

08.13.2025

Total Credits

30 credit hours

Next Term Starts

08.25.2025

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Curriculum at a Glance

The online Master of Science in Sport Administration degree at the University of Cincinnati takes a comprehensive approach to sports management education. Our online courses develop proficiency in key business areas, such as marketing and finance, with a curriculum tailored to the challenges of intercollegiate, interscholastic and professional sports.

Each course in this online program approaches athletic administration from a different angle, giving students the opportunity to develop advanced knowledge in many areas that can prepare them for future high school, college and professional sports management careers.

This program will culminate in a capstone project where you will demonstrate mastery of your new skills. You will select an industry partner, with faculty approval, to tackle a real-world challenge in your area of interest.

Our faculty has over 40 years of high school and college athletic administration experience and by partnering with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), together, we will provide the very best possible educational opportunities and cultivate the next generation of sport industry leaders in athletic administration.

Take control of your future and prepare for leadership positions in athletic administration with our online Master in Sport Administration.

Course	Title / Description	Credit
SPAD7028	Managerial Strategies in Athletics Course: SPAD7028 Credit: 3 The focus of this course is on the application of leadership and management theory to issues in interscholastic and intercollegiate athletics, including organizational behavior, strategic planning, and effective human resources management. Emphasis will be placed on the issues, forces, and problems impacting decision making. The course will utilize case studies and draw from current events and trends to connect theories with practice.	3
SPAD7013	Strategic Athletic Marketing and Communications Course: SPAD7013 Credit: 3 This course focuses on development of marketing and communication strategies associated with interscholastic and intercollegiate athletics; specifically, market and customer analysis, market segmentation, and marketing mix tactics. Topics will cover the strategies used to market the teams and maintain a relationship between the athletic department and media.	3
SPAD7036	Applied Financial Management Strategies in Athletics Course: SPAD7036 Credit: 3 This course will examine the application and effectiveness of the predominant forms of revenue generation and budgeting being utilized at both the intercollegiate and interscholastic levels. Students will gain an appreciation for the intricacies of financial strategies and acquisition techniques used for various types of private fundraising campaigns, corporate sponsorship programs, ticket sales efforts, and in other areas such as trademarks, licensing, and special promotions.	3
SPAD7032	Sport Facility Operations and Systems Management Course: SPAD7032 Credit: 3 The course will examine facility and event management within interscholastic and intercollegiate athletics. The course will examine the process of planning or renovating a new facility through a feasibility study. Management systems will include capacity management, booking and scheduling, bidding on events, maintenance and security, and ADA compliance. Issues of volunteer recruitment and management, event evaluation, and sustainability will be addressed.	3
SPAD7012	Sport and the Social Context Course: SPAD7012 Credit: 3 This course is designed to provide students with an overview of the major sociological issues in interscholastic and intercollegiate athletic administration. All primary issues impacting athletics are covered, including but not limited to gender and sex, race and ethnicity, disability, religion, media involvement, and globalization.	3
SPAD7001	Applied Research Methods for Athletic Administration Course: SPAD7001 Credit: 3 This course is designed to change the way sport administrators approach problem-solving. Students will learn best-practice approaches to applied research, with the goal of generating trustworthy data to address real-world issues, challenges, problems and opportunities within the context of interscholastic and intercollegiate athletics.	3
SPAD7023	Athletic Governance and Compliance Course: SPAD7023 Credit: 3 This course focuses on the structure and operations of interscholastic and intercollegiate athletic governing bodies. The class will discuss the role compliance serves in the management of athletic administration and how rules and regulations impact practices and procedures of athletic administration. Emphasis will be placed on discerning regulations, eligibility, practice, procedures, and bylaws by proactive oversight.	3
SPAD7014	Risk Management in Sport Course: SPAD7014 Credit: 3 This course is designed to focus on applying knowledge and skills needed to mitigate risks in athletics. Emphasis will be placed on administering civil law concepts to common scenarios within interscholastic and intercollegiate athletics. Additionally, students will learn how to develop, implement and evaluate policies and procedures addressing areas of liability within sport organizations. Students will be able to identify proper safety guidelines and standards within a diverse set of sport contexts based on relevant case law, statutes, federal law, and industry standards.	3
SPAD7090	Capstone in Athletic Administration Course: SPAD7090 Credit: 3 This culminating capstone course is designed to assess students on problem identification, analysis, and decision-making regarding challenges and opportunities within the context of interscholastic and intercollegiate athletics. Applied, real-world case studies will be used to drive student assessment and class discussion, focusing on the key topical areas throughout the sport administration curriculum.	3
SPAD7040	Student-Athlete Development Course: SPAD7040 Credit: 3 This course will examine the unique, historical, and contemporary issues faced by student-athletes including mental health, student-athlete identity, and athlete transitions. Discussions will include theoretical approaches, practitioner recommendations, and established programming that are currently utilized for student-athlete development.	3