As a child, perhaps you dreamed of suiting up for the Super Bowl or being an Olympian in gymnastics. Well, the dream to excel in sports does not have to end with the realization that one’s athletic prowess is insufficient for stardom. Intellectual and leadership skills may be your ticket to the big leagues when developed in a Master of Science in Sports Administration online program at Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
A Sampling of Opportunities
With the right education, you can enter a $498.4 billion industry. You can represent an NFL quarterback in contract negotiations, become a university athletic director or train the next Jim Thorpe (a Native American who was one of America’s greatest all-time athletes). Because sports-related careers are so diverse in size and scope, Southeastern has developed four online programs to prepare you for leadership in a variety of industries:
| Professional Sports Leagues | College Sports | Sports & Player Associations | Sports Agency & Management |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coach | Coach | Management Representative | Agent |
| General Manager | Athletic Director | Owner Representative | Marketing Director |
| Manager | Manager | Player Representative | Information Director |
| Trainer | Trainer | Negotiator | Business Manager |
| Executive | Facilities Coordinator | Lawyer | PR Spokesperson |
| Sales Representative | Sales Representative | Ethics Specialist | Publicist |
| Analytics Specialist | Analytics Specialist | Compliance Specialist | Analyst |
| PR Spokesperson | PR Spokesperson | Adviser/Consultant | Executive |
| Director, Corporate Partnerships | Marketing Manager | PR Spokesperson | Sales Representative |
| Sporting Equipment & Supplies | Media, PR, Advertising | State & Local Sports Programs | Leisure Sports & Resorts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Proprietor | Sports Reporter | Event Planner | Event Planner |
| Executive | Broadcaster | Athletic Director | Golf/Tennis Club Manager |
| Sales Representative | Producer | Tribal Fitness Director | Athletic Director |
| Research and Development | Director | Athletic Trainer | Hotel Facilities Manager |
| Marketing Manager | Publicist | Recreation Center Manager | Tribal Sports Director |
| PR Manager | PR Director | Recreation Program Manager | Athletic Trainer |
| Legal Adviser | Information Director | Park Manager | Tournament Director |
| Product Designer | Sponsorship Director | Program Manager | Director, Business Development |
Unique Sports Administration Degrees
Whether you are interested in working for a professional sports organization, a sporting goods manufacturer or a tribal school system, Southeastern Oklahoma State University has a degree emphasis that matches your aspirations. Each program includes foundational courses including Sport and Society, Legal Aspects, Administration of Athletics, and Facility Planning and Event Management.
The Master of Science in Sports Administration – General online program prepares you for administration in pro sports, intercollegiate or interscholastic athletics, sports facilities and sports marketing. The broadest of the four offerings, the emphasis courses cover nutritional strategies, the development of strength training programs to maximize athletic performance, and advanced coaching techniques.
The Master of Science in Sports Administration – Business online program spotlights sports science, applied research in sports, and event management. Specialized coursework includes Marketing Management, Social Media Marketing, Contemporary Issues in Management, and Principle-Centered Leadership and Ethics. The course Marketing Management uses a comprehensive case study method to develop strategies and prepare students for high-demand, lucrative roles in sports promotion.
The Master of Science in Sports Administration – Educational Leadership online program builds on the foundation with additional focus on public school administration and community relations. Elective courses include Public School Law, School and Community Relations, School Administration, and School Operations Management. Sports have increasingly become a reason to move into certain school districts or attend particular colleges; the courses prepare graduates to benefit from these trends with skills that are scarce in today’s job market.
The Master of Science in Sports Administration – Native American Leadership online program prepares students to develop sports or health and wellness programs within a tribal nation. Emphasis courses include Ethnohistory of Native Peoples and Current Topics in Indian Country. Economic development, health and education, social services, culture and language, and tribal governance are studied to broaden the range of knowledge. Students leave the program prepared to make an impact on the lives of Native Americans through sports and fitness.
Each of these 30-credit-hour accelerated programs can be completed in 12 months. There are four start dates per year, enabling students to begin when ready, and tuition is only $11,640, including fees.
You may not be the next Tom Brady or Simone Biles, but if you have comparable determination, you can make a meaningful impact and enjoy a successful career in the world of sports.
Learn more about Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s online Master of Science in Sports Administration programs.
Sources:
Forbes: The Sports-Related Jobs With The Strongest Growth