Luke Mashburn’s passion for sports was sparked at an early age while watching
the Olympic Games unfold in his hometown of Atlanta. That inspiration led to a successful career in event facility management at top universities and a role overseeing stadium operations for pro soccer team Atlanta United. But when he decided to transition from sports management to academia, he knew he needed the right graduate program to make it happen.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s online Master of Science in Sports Administration – Business fit the bill.
An Affordable, Flexible, High-Quality Program
Luke had options when it came to earning his master’s, but Southeastern Online stood out for three key reasons: budget-friendly tuition, accelerated time to completion and respect among top employers.
“I found out pretty quickly that there are a lot of programs that will give you two, but not all three,” says Luke, who graduated in 2019. “Southeastern was the only one that checked every box for me. It was affordable, fairly quick and a quality program.”
That combination made it possible for Luke to keep working while earning his degree, allowing him to immediately apply what he was learning to his job.
Relevant, Customizable and Led by Experts
With years of experience in sports management, Luke valued the ability to tailor his coursework to his professional interests.
“It was really great for me to be able to take my own passions and tie those into each course,” he says. “If I had a tough day at work, I was excited to go back and write this paper about stadiums or things that I was passionate about.”
The faculty’s expertise was another major advantage. “Professors understood that a lot of us were working adults with different goals,” Luke says. Their deep knowledge of both sports and business ensured that assignments were applicable to real-life industry challenges.
Career-Boosting Connections and Opportunities
Beyond the curriculum, Luke found value in the camaraderie among his classmates, many of whom were also working professionals in the sports sector.
“The discussion boards were so good because I saw that a lot of us were in the same boat,” he says. “We had an interesting range of classmates, from high school athletics to college and professional sports.”
Earning his online sports administration master’s degree played a pivotal role in helping Luke transition to his current position as department chair of kinesiology and assistant professor of sports management at Georgia Highlands College.
“[The degree] helped me get a handful of industry interviews that I’m fairly certain I wouldn’t have gotten had I not had a master’s,” he says. “It definitely gave me a leg up, both on the academic side and the industry side.”
For Luke, Southeastern’s online M.S. in Sports Administration – Business wasn’t just a degree—it was the start to a whole new inning of his career.
Prepare To Advance Your Career With an Online M.S. in Sports Administration From Southeastern
Earning an online Master of Science in Sports Administration from Southeastern Oklahoma State University can help you take your career to the next level. Designed for working professionals, this fully online program with multiple options provides the skills, connections and industry knowledge needed to succeed in the fast-paced world of sports management.
Learn From Industry Experts
At Southeastern, you’ll be taught by experienced faculty who bring real-world knowledge to the classroom. Their firsthand expertise in both sports and business ensures you gain insights that go beyond theory. You’ll learn strategies and best practices directly from professionals who have worked in the industry, giving you a competitive edge.
Customize Your Education To Fit Your Goals
This program allows you to tailor your coursework to align with your career aspirations. Whether you’re interested in facility management, marketing, event operations or another area of sports administration, you can focus your studies on what matters most to you. The curriculum is designed to be relevant, practical and applicable to your current or future role in the field.
Earn Your Degree Without Pausing Your Career
Flexibility is key, and Southeastern makes it easy to balance work, life and education. The 100% online format allows you to complete coursework on your schedule, so you can keep working while earning your degree. Whether you’re looking to advance in your current job or transition to a new role, this program fits into your life—not the other way around.
Graduate Faster and Move Forward Sooner
Southeastern’s accelerated format lets you complete your sports administration degree program in as few as 12 months. You’ll gain the knowledge and skills to qualify for exciting opportunities without spending years in school.
A career in sports administration requires expertise, leadership and a deep understanding of the industry. Southeastern offers a variety of online sports administration master’s programs that will prepare you to lead, innovate and succeed.