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Master's in Sport Administration Online

Arkansas State University’s 100% online M.S. in Sport Administration program, accredited by the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA), spans 36 credit hours, can be completed in as few as 12 months and costs $12,600 in total tuition ($350 per credit hour). Designed for working professionals, with no GRE required to apply, it prepares graduates for leadership in roles such as athletic director, sports marketing manager, sports facility manager, event operations manager, parks and recreation director and other senior positions.

Next Apply Date: 12/28/26
Next Class Start Date: 1/11/27
Apply Now
Next Apply Date: 12/28/26
Next Class Start Date: 1/11/27

Program Overview

What can you expect from A-State's online M.S. in Sport Administration?

From professional teams to secondary and collegiate athletic departments, sports managers are needed to design, implement and evaluate sports programs, strengthen athletic team rosters, improve organization efficiency and maximize profits. If you have a passion for sports and you’re ready to turn it into a rewarding career, Arkansas State University’s M.S. in Sport Administration online is one of the best values around. This 100% online sports management master’s program is built for working professionals by providing a flexible format with curricula available 24/7.

Through your sports management degree, A-State can give you our combination of incredible networking and internship opportunities, instruction from faculty who have experience as sports management professionals, and the flexibility and convenience of online learning – all at an amazing value.

Sports management online courses cover topics that prepare you for leadership in a variety of roles in collegiate and professional sports as well as upper management positions in parks, recreation and leisure. Take advantage of internship opportunities with professional teams, conferences, collegiate athletics and other amateur sport organizations. You'll graduate with credentials and connections that will give you an edge over your competition in the job market.

Additional documents

M.S. Sport Administration Internship Information

Textbook Information (.PDF)

State Program Approvals (.PDF)

Student Outcomes

In this program you will learn how to:

  • Apply an ethical lens to topics affecting the sports industry
  • Understand broadly the areas involved in a sports organization or related business: legal, governance, accounting and financial, communication, marketing, and leadership
  • Articulate the current issues and challenges within the sports industry
  • Understand and utilize research techniques used in physical education and related fields
In this program you will learn how to:+
  • Apply an ethical lens to topics affecting the sports industry
  • Understand broadly the areas involved in a sports organization or related business: legal, governance, accounting and financial, communication, marketing, and leadership
  • Articulate the current issues and challenges within the sports industry
  • Understand and utilize research techniques used in physical education and related fields

Your online degree in sports management can prepare you for a variety of settings, including:

  • Health and fitness clubs
  • Collegiate athletic departments
  • Stadiums and arenas
  • Community sport organizations
  • Country clubs
  • Professional sports organizations
Your online degree in sports management can prepare you for a variety of settings, including:+
  • Health and fitness clubs
  • Collegiate athletic departments
  • Stadiums and arenas
  • Community sport organizations
  • Country clubs
  • Professional sports organizations

As a graduate, you will be prepared for leadership roles such as:

  • Athletic Director
  • Assistant Athletic Director
  • Sports Marketing Manager
  • Sports Operations Manager
  • Sports Facility Manager
  • Event Operations Manager
  • Parks and Recreation Director
  • Recreation Director
  • Community Sports Program Director
  • Country Club Manager

For the athletic director path in depth, read Do You Need a Master's to Become an Athletic Director?.

As a graduate, you will be prepared for leadership roles such as:+
  • Athletic Director
  • Assistant Athletic Director
  • Sports Marketing Manager
  • Sports Operations Manager
  • Sports Facility Manager
  • Event Operations Manager
  • Parks and Recreation Director
  • Recreation Director
  • Community Sports Program Director
  • Country Club Manager

For the athletic director path in depth, read Do You Need a Master's to Become an Athletic Director?.

Also available:

A-State offers a variety of graduate programs in a convenient online format. Explore our full range of online graduate programs.

Total Tuition: $12,600
Program Duration: As few as 12 months
Credit Hours 36

Accreditation

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Need More Information?

Call 866-621-8096

Call 866-621-8096

Tuition

How much does the online M.S. in Sport Administration program cost?

Our M.S. in Sport Administration online program offers the same affordable tuition to all U.S. residents. All fees are included. Tuition may be subject to change on a yearly basis.

Tuition breakdown:

Per Credit Hour: $350
Total Tuition: $12,600

Calendar

When can you start the online M.S. in Sport Administration program?

Our M.S. in Sport Administration online program is designed to be flexible and convenient for working professionals, featuring accelerated coursework and multiple start dates a year.

Please note Summer 1 and Summer 2 terms are 5 weeks in duration for this program.

View full calendar +

TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Fall 210/12/269/28/269/28/2610/8/2610/9/2612/4/26
Spring 11/11/2712/28/2612/28/261/7/271/8/272/26/27
Spring 23/8/272/22/272/22/273/4/273/5/274/30/27

Now enrolling:

Next Apply Date 12/28/26
Start Class 1/11/27

Have questions or need more information about A‑State online programs?

Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from A-State?

Apply Now

Admissions

What are the admission requirements for the online M.S. in Sport Administration program?

A-State Online offers a streamlined admission process for both new students and transfers. Students who are interested in the M.S. in Sport Administration online program must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. Review full admission requirements below.

Admission Requirements:

  • Online application
  • Official transcripts
  • Current resume
View all admission requirements +

Admission requirements

  • Unconditional admission: Minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA, or a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of university work (4.0 scale). For those with graduate credits, must have earned a minimum 3.0 graduate GPA with at least six earned credit hours.
  • Conditional admission: Students may be conditionally admitted with less than a 2.75 GPA, provided work experience in the program field is detailed on the resume and supported by one professional work reference letter (past or present employer) to be submitted with application materials. For conditional admission, students must maintain a grade of B or better for the first 9 credits of graduate work in the program.

Application submission requirements

  • Complete online application
  • Pay the nonrefundable $30 application fee.
  • Send official transcript(s) from the college/university attended. Official transcripts are sealed transcripts sent from the granting institution.
  • A current resume.
  • One professional reference that speaks to applicant’s professional responsibilities or academic potential.

Submit all documents to:

A-State Online
P.O. Box 2520
State University, AR 72467


Fax: 870-972-3548
Email: [email protected]

“The master’s degree most definitely helped me land this [new career] opportunity,” she said. “It gave me the confidence to push myself to see what I am capable of professionally."

Ruthanne Duffy, A-State online M.S. in Sport Administration graduate

Ranked #2 in the "Best 45 Accredited Online Master's in Sports Management Programs" by Intelligent.com, 2025

Courses

What courses are in the online M.S. in Sport Administration curriculum?

Students pursuing this degree must complete 36 credit hours, which includes an internship for six credit hours.

You can view your schedule of courses for this degree through the Course Smartsheet:

View the AOS Course Smartsheet

How to Use the Course Smartsheet

Expand All
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines contemporary views of moral and ethical issues within various sport environments. Course includes discussion of major social criti­cisms and constructs of sport, analysis of relevant ethical theories in sport, application of critical self-evaluation, and synthesizing ethical reasoning knowledge and skills.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
In-depth understanding on a variety of legal issues pertaining to the amateur and professional sport environment. Tort law, negligence, contract, antitrust, labor, prem­ise operator, exculpatory, and licensing law will be analyzed in the context of sports-related cases.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Provides students with advanced knowledge, skills and un­derstanding necessary to propose, develop and conduct strategic marketing plans for sport orga­nizations. Also covers essential elements of sport promotions and sport consumer behavior within professional and amateur sports.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Topics as they relate to fiscal and budgetary control of professional and amateur sport organizations. Included are: public sport facility financing, ownership, financial analysis, feasibility and economic impact studies. Analyzes financial challenges and strategies of professional and intercollegiate.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Provides students with advanced knowledge, skills and understanding relating to all aspects of the sport media and communication industry and how each is integral to the management, marketing, and operational goals of sport organizations at all levels. Use of technology in sport communications also covered.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Provides students with advanced knowledge, skills and un­derstanding relating to leadership principles and aspects in sport organizations. Course content includes organizational goals, strategy, environments, culture, power, conflict, leadership, and change affecting sport managers and organizations.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Provides students with knowledge and un­derstanding of the governance policies and procedures in professional and collegiate sports. Also covers essential elements of facility and game operations within intercollegiate, professional sports, and major sports events.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An introduction to sport sociology with special emphasis on is­sues that relate directly to the practicing physical educator and/or coach.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Study and critical analysis of recent trends and significant contemporary issues in Exercise Science, Physical Education and Sport.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of basic research techniques and design utilized in physical education and allied fields.
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 6
Supervised professional participation in an approved organizational setting. Prerequisite: Permission of the HPESS Department Graduate Internship Coordinator. Internships are offered during the Summer terms only. Students should make arrangements with the intern site at least a full semester in advance, and submit the application by the first Monday in February. Duration: Two seven-week terms
Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 6
Faculty guided research study whereby students conduct original research and present findings to the student’s thesis committee. Duration: Two seven-week terms

Built for Your Schedule, Not Your Zip Code

Arkansas State University’s M.S. in Sport Administration is built for working professionals anywhere in the U.S. who want a graduate credential in sport leadership without relocating. Because the program is completed entirely online and every U.S. resident pays the same tuition ($12,600 total), your location does not limit your access. The program carries accreditation from COSMA, giving you a nationally recognized credential from a public university. Students in or near Arkansas can also draw on the state’s employer network, and students with program approval can complete part of the internship at their workplace. Arkansas National Guard members may qualify for the state’s National Guard Tuition Waiver; see A-State’s military page.

FAQ

Sport Administration Master’s Online FAQs

Intro copy

Internships run during summer terms only, over two seven-week terms (14 weeks) for six credit hours. Students arrange the intern site at least a full semester ahead, with approval from the HPESS Department Graduate Internship Coordinator. Because the internship is offered once a year, students map their start term against the summer internship term when planning.
The names overlap, and the difference is usually emphasis rather than a separate field. A-State’s degree is titled Master of Science in Sport Administration and is accredited by COSMA, whose accreditation covers sport management degree programs. Its coursework spans law, governance, finance, marketing, communication and leadership. For a deeper comparison, read Sport Administration vs. Sport Management Master's: Which Fits You?.
Sport Administration and the MPA – Public Management are both 36 credit hours at $12,600 total, but Sport Administration can be completed in as few as 12 months while the MPA is as few as 18. The M.S. in Organizational Leadership is 30 credit hours at $10,500 and can be completed in as few as 12 months. Sport Administration concentrates coursework on sport law, finance, marketing, governance and operations; the MPA centers on public financial management, policy analysis and administrative behavior.
Admission requires a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution; no specific major is required. Unconditional admission requires a 2.75 cumulative GPA or a 3.0 in the last 60 hours. Applicants below 2.75 can be admitted conditionally if their resume shows work experience in the field and a professional reference letter supports the application; conditionally admitted students must earn a B or better in the first nine credit hours of graduate work. Every applicant submits a current resume and one professional reference.

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