Sport Administration (MS)
Sports on Location
The Sport Administration (MS) program emphasizes experiential learning, allowing students to gain hands-on experience through internships, international study and connections with major organizations. Located in Louisville—a hub for professional and collegiate sports—students have opportunities to work with partners like UofL Athletics, Churchill Downs, and the Louisville Sports Commission. Expand your expertise and pursue careers in fields such as sport marketing, event management and sport governance.
Course Catalog
Master of Science in Sport Administration
Unit: College of Education and Human Development (GE)
Department: Health and Sport Sciences
Program Webpage
Academic Plan Code(s): SPADMS, SPADMS_O
Program Information
This program can be completed 100% online.
The Master of Science in Sport Administration is accredited by the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA).
The College of Education and Human Development's Sport Administration program at the University of Louisville prepares students for a variety of management positions in the sport industry. The goals of the faculty and the program are to create an active learning environment for each student and to encourage students to demonstrate a commitment to education, community involvement, and their fellow students. A strong foundation in education, community service, peer networks, and alumni networks is invaluable to students as they prepare to enter the sport industry. Exceptional theoretical and practical knowledge gained through the Sport Administration Program will also provide students with the foundation to become the next generation of leaders, decision makers, and managers in the sport industry.
Degree Summary
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Coursework | 27 | |
| Electives | 9 | |
| Minimum Total Hours | 36 | |
Admission Requirements
Admission will be based on a holistic approach using the following:
- GPA: Students are recommended to have earned a grade-point average of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 point scale in their undergraduate program.
- Prior course work
- Experience
- Two letters of recommendation
- Resume
- A personal statement explaining interest in the program and long-term objectives
In addition, the student must complete the application procedure as required by the Graduate School.
Admission to the program is competitive.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ||
| SPAD 604 | Sport Finance and Economics | 3 |
| SPAD 625 | Sport Management and Leadership | 3 |
| SPAD 635 | Research in Sport Administration | 3 |
| SPAD 637 | Sport Analytics | 3 |
| SPAD 645 | Sport Communication Theory and Practice | 3 |
| SPAD 683 | Strategic Sport Marketing | 3 |
| SPAD 684 | Sport Policy | 3 |
| SPAD 689 | Legal Aspects in the Sport Industry | 3 |
| SPAD 692 | Internship in Sport Administration | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select nine (9) credit hours of courses approved by advisor | 9 | |
| Minimum Total Hours | 36 | |
Exit Requirement
To complete the program, students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. No credit shall be accepted for carrying a grade lower than C (no C-minus).
Sport Administration (MS)
Student Opportunities
Our students gain valuable experience working, interning, and volunteering with a variety of sport industry partners. In recent years, some partners have included: UofL Athletics, adidas, SP+ GameDay Management & the Kentucky Derby, Louisville City FC, Louisville Bats Baseball Club, the Louisville Sports Commission, NCAA Final Four, the NFL, and the PGA Championships.
Additionally, students are given the opportunity to join the SPAD Association. The SPAD Association welcomes various industry professionals to campus through their monthly speaker series to speak with our students about how to excel as a business professional in the sport industry.
Lastly, the Department of Health & Sport Sciences offers International Study Abroad and International Service-Learning programs for students. This program has taken students to volunteer at events and communities in locations such as Toronto, Amsterdam, Denmark, Poland, London Gibraltar, and Ghana.
Opportunities in Louisville
If you are considering the University of Louisville as a college option, then consider the exciting possibilities that Louisville itself has to offer you.
The Louisville community provides numerous opportunities for students to gain practical experience while completing their academic programs. Our students have worked with local organizations such as Bellarmine University, Churchill Downs, YMCA, UofL Athletics, Louisville Bats, Louisville Slugger, Louisville Sports Commission, Mid-South Conference, the KFC Yum! Center, Louisville City Football Club, Racing Louisville Football Club, and USTA of Southern Kentucky.
In addition, Louisville hosts dozens of major indoor and outdoor recreational and professional sporting events, including the Kentucky Derby, Ironman Triathlon, Kentucky Derby Festival, NCAA Championship Events, and Breeders Cup.
What will I learn as a M.S. in Sport Administration student?
The expertise you’ll develop as a student in the Sport Administration master’s program will enable you to become a capable leader and decision maker in sports business. You’ll develop a deeper understanding of management, finance, leadership, ethics, communication, and marketing, as well as policy and law practiced within the field.
Specific expertise gained from the program will include:
- A comprehensive understanding of financial and managerial accounting concepts that emphasize understanding annual reports, financial analysis ratios, as well as methods for increasing for revenue and cost control.
- Close examination of legal issues relevant to the field such as negligence, constitutional law, employment law, as well as intellectual property law and contract law.
- An overview of the skills needed to plan and conduct health and sport sciences research.
What can I do with a M.S. in Sport Administration?
Career opportunities are available to M.S. in Sport Administration graduates in fields such as:
- Ticket, marketing, sales, and service operations
- College athletics administration
- DEI leadership
- Sport facility management
- Sport event management
- Sport analytics
- Sports reporting
- Many other diverse and unique opportunities in the sport industry!
The 2019-2029 occupational outlook for administrative services and facilities managers is expected to grow 6% nationwide, which is faster than the average national occupation growth rate and have a median annual salary of $98,890 (bls.gov).
Evan Frederick
Department of Health & Sport Sciences
College of Education & Human Development
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292
502-852-5093
See all Sport Administration and HSS Faculty
Connect with us on social media!
Instagram: UofL Sport Administration (@uofl_spad) • Instagram photos and videos
Facebook: University of Louisville Sport Administration | Facebook
FAQ: Sport Administration (MS)
Once you are admitted to the program, you may request to transfer up to 6 credit hours if your UofL advisor approves the request. Transfer requests are then submitted to the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies.
Most students can complete the program in 1 1/2 to 2 years. The length of the program typically depends on three factors:
- Academic pace - most students take 9-12 hours per semester
- work schedule - many students either volunteer or work in the industry during their program
- Internship choice - some students complete their internships while taking classes, some choose to complete their internships during the summer, while others prefer to complete their class work before starting their internship.
Most in-person core curriculum classes are offered in the evenings (4:30 pm or 5:30 pm). All required courses are offered during fall and spring semesters. Additional courses are often offered during summer sessions.
The MS program is fully accredited through the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA). Our program was the first in the country accredited at all three levels (undergraduate, master’s and doctoral).
We admit applicants from all undergraduate majors, with a few having undergraduate degrees in sport administration or sport management. You are not required to take any prerequisite courses before beginning the program.
The minimum guidelines for unconditional admission are an undergraduate GPA of 3.0. However, we review the entire application holistically and strongly consider the applicant's goals, recommendations, and related work experiences in addition to academic credentials.
To complete the program, students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. No credit shall be accepted for carrying a grade lower than C (no C-minus).
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