Masters of Science in Sport Administration

Vision

The Masters of Science degree in Sport Administration at Eastern Illinois University strives to prepare graduate students for successful careers in the field of sport. This vision is accomplished by offering a challenging curriculum that has been modeled after the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA) and through partnerships with local and regional sport organizations that provide students with practical experiences while enrolled at EIU. The following provides a more comprehensive explanation of graduate study in sport administration at EIU:

Mission

The mission of the M.S. degree in Sport Administration includes five educational pillars:

  1. Offer a curriculum, modeled in accordance with COSMA standards, that challenges students to engage and critically discuss the key content areas of sport administration.
  2. Integrate practical experience into the general curriculum while providing access to external sport organizations to ensure experiential learning.
  3. Provide advanced discovery and application of sport administration knowledge through guided research and creative activities
  4. Encourage the development of critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills by bridging the gap between coursework, practical experience, and research.
  5. Promote, and develop, service learning initiatives that use sport as a vehicle for social good from a global perspective.

Program Highlights

Our program offers a number of unique opportunities that makes EIU a great place to break into a career in the sport industry.

  1. Existing network in collegiate athletics, professional sport, health and fitness, and recreation.
  2. Course assignments designed to teach fundamental sport administration principles through experiential learning by incorporating local sport administrators and their organizations.
  3. Semi-annual study abroad trip to the United Kingdom where students are hosted by the University of Winchester to study sport from a global perspective.
  4. Opportunities to work collaboratively with faculty in conducting original research that seeks to advance the body of sport administration knowledge.
  5. Flexible learning opportunities facilitated by a unique 3 semester program.

Curriculum (32 total credits required)


Graduate Program Prerequisite Courses*

  • KSS 4760: Sport Law
  • KSS 4761: Sport Management and Administration
  • KSS 4762: Publicity in Sport

* Prerequisites are required of non-sport administration/management majors but may be waived at the discretion of the graduate program coordinator


Core Research Courses (Required)    

  • KSS 5000: Research Methods in Kinesiology & Sport Studies (3 credits)
  • KSS 5001: Statistical Analysis in Kinesiology & Sport Studies (2 credits)


Core Sport Administration Courses (Required)

  • KSS 5120: Social Psychology & Physical Activity (3 credits), OR
  • KSS 5710: Sociological Bases of Sport in America (3 credits)
  • KSS 5213: Facilities and Event Management (3 credits)
  • KSS 5211: Promotions in Sport Administration (3 credits)
  • KSS 5212: Finance in Sport (3 credits)
  • KSS 5980: Internship in Sport Administration (3 credits)**


Elective Sport Administration Courses

  • KSS 5010: Ethics in the Sport Industry (3 credits)
  • KSS 5120: Social Psychology & Physical Activity (3 credits), OR
  • KSS 5710: Sociological Bases of Sport in America (3 credits)
  • KSS 5210: Administration of Interschool Athletics (2 credits)
  • KSS 5214: Governance in Sport (3 credits)
  • STA 5970: The Sport Industry in the United Kingdom (3 credits)
  • KSS 5950: Master’s Thesis (6 credits)
  • KSS 5980: Internship in Sport Administration (3 credits)**

** KSS 5980 may be repeated for up to 6 total credits

Faculty

Brent Walker, Ph.D.; University of Illinois; Associate Professor, Graduate Coordinator
Sport psychology and sociology, achievement goal theory, and social psychology of physical activity
 
Jon Oliver, Ph.D.; University of Kansas; Associate Professor
Contemporary sport management issues, sport facility planning and event management, and human resource management
 
Clinton Warren, Ph.D.; University of Minnesota; Assistant Professor
Sport marketing and consumer behavior, sport consumer psychology and social identification, sport finance and economics
 
Chad Carlson, Ph.D.; Pennsylvania State University; Assistant Professor (arriving Fall 12)
Sport history and philosophy, the development of collegiate athletic governance and ethical behavior, and legal aspects of sport

For more information contact:

Brent Walker, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Graduate Coordinator
Kinesiology & Sport Studies Department
Eastern Illinois University
2504 Lantz Arena
600 Lincoln Ave
Charleston, IL 61920
Email: bwalker@eiu.edu
Phone: 217-581-8580