Program Overview
A Snapshot of A-State’s Online Master’s Degree 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. In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor projects jobs in sports management to grow up to 25%! 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.




The sport management degree program at Arkansas State University has received specialized accreditation through the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA) located in Fort Collins, CO, USA. The sport management programs in the following degrees are accredited by COSMA: Bachelor of Science in Sport Management (Residential) and Master of Science in Sport Administration (Hybrid and Online).
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.
Your online degree in sports management can prepare you for sports management jobs in marketing and sales, athletics administration, facility management, fiscal management and other areas in a variety of organizations, including:
- Health and fitness clubs
- Collegiate athletic departments
- Stadiums and arenas
- Community sport organizations
- Country clubs
- Professional sport organizations
M.S. Sport Administration Internship Information
State Program Approvals (.PDF)
Also available:
Join our Top Ranked Online Program
A-State's Master of Science in Sport Administration online is ranked #1 among the Best Accredited Online Master's in Sports Management Programs by BestColleges.com in 2020
Tuition
Pay for Your Online Program by the Course
Our M.S. in Sports Administration online program offers the same affordable tuition to all U.S. residents. All fees are included in the total tuition.


Per Credit Hour | Per Course | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
U.S. Resident Tuition | Required Fees | Total | U.S. Resident Tuition | Required Fees | Total |
$277.00 | $40.00 | $317.00 | $831.00 | $120.00 | $951.00 |

A-State's online M.S. in Sport Administration is ranked #1 on the list of 25 Best Online Master's in Sports Management Degree Programs –Sports Management Degree Guide (2019)
Calendar
Milestones to Guide Your Student Journey
Our M.S. in Sports Administration online program is designed to be flexible and convenient for working professionals, featuring accelerated coursework and multiple start dates a year.
Next Start & Application Due Dates:


Term | Length | Course Begin | Course End | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Deadline | Last Day to Withdraw |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spring 2022 | 7 wk | 01/11/2022 | 02/25/2022 | 12/15/2021 | 12/17/2021 | 01/06/2022 | 01/07/2022 | 02/11/2022 |
7 wk | 03/07/2022 | 04/29/2022 | 02/21/2022 | 02/25/2022 | 03/03/2022 | 03/04/2022 | 04/15/2022 | |
Summer 2022 | 5 wk | 05/31/2022 | 07/01/2022 | 05/16/2022 | 05/20/2022 | 05/26/2022 | 05/27/2022 | 06/17/2022 |
5 wk | 07/05/2022 | 08/05/2022 | 06/20/2022 | 06/24/2022 | 06/30/2022 | 07/01/2022 | 07/22/2022 | |
Fall 2022 | 7 wk | 08/23/2022 | 10/07/2022 | 08/08/2022 | 08/12/2022 | 08/18/2022 | 08/19/2022 | 09/24/2022 |
7 wk | 10/17/2022 | 12/09/2022 | 10/03/2022 | 10/07/2022 | 10/13/2022 | 10/14/2022 | 11/26/2022 |
Admissions
Read the Details of Our Admission Criteria
A-State Online offers a streamlined admission process for both new students and transfers. Students who are interested in the M.S. in Sports Administration online program must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. Review full admission requirements below.
- Complete online application and submit a nonrefundable $30 fee
- Submit official transcript(s) sent from the registrar of the college/university attended. Official transcripts are sealed transcripts sent from the sending institution.
- Have a baccalaureate degree or a master's degree with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 (or 3.25 on last 60 credit hours) on a 4.0 scale from an accredited institution. (Conditional requirements allow students to have a 2.75 cumulative, or 3.0 GPA during the last 60 credit hours of university work.)
- Submit a formal Statement of Goals which should explain in at least 500 words why he/she wants to be admitted into the program and what he/she plans to do with the degree.
- Provide a current resume.
- Provide two letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to the applicant's academic potential and professional capabilities. One should be from a university faculty member who is familiar with the applicant's work as a student. One should come from a supervisor in which he/she has evaluated the applicant's current or prior work.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all foreign students from countries in which English is not the native language. Students holding a baccalaureate or advanced degree from an accredited institution in the U.S. are exempt from this requirement.
Faculty may require interviews in addition to written credentials as part of the admission process. In addition to these requirements, admission to the degree program may require completion of specific prerequisite undergraduate courses.
Applicants will be considered for admission during a given review cycle only if all of the above materials have been received by the Graduate School's application deadlines. After the initial review of admission materials the committee members can either choose to reject the candidate without an interview or decide to proceed with an interview. Following the interview phase, the Admissions Committee makes its final recommendation to accept the candidate for admission or to deny admission. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Additional Information
Up to 9 graduate hours from A-State or other higher education institutions may be credited toward a program. No course can be older than six years by graduation time. Transfer credit will be evaluated by the Director of the Program. To request prior credit be evaluated, please complete the Graduate Transfer Credit Evaluation Form.
Submit all documents to:
A-State OnlineP.O. Box 2520
State University, AR 72467
Fax: 870-972-3548
Email: [email protected]
For Non-US Postal Mail Overnight Delivery Only:
Academic Partnershipsc/o Central Receiving
2713 Pawnee St.
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Ranked #5
A-State was ranked #5 among the Top 15 Best Sports Management Master's Degree Programs in 2020 by SportsManagementDegrees.com.
Courses
Read About Our Sport Administration Online Classes
Students pursuing this degree must complete 36 credit hours, which includes an internship for six credit hours.
ESPE 6103: Ethical Issues in Sport
Duration: 7 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.
ESPE 6113: Sport Law
Duration: 7 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.
ESPE 6123: Sport Marketing
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course guides students in an examination of the complex field of sport marketing. In an online seminar format, this course uses extensive student participation. Special attention is given to the components of managing sport marketing , such as segmentation, branding, licensing, pricing, sales, promotions, the 5Ps of sport marketing, and public relations among other; the marketing plan; and research in sport marketing.
ESPE 6133: Sport Finance & Budgeting
Duration: 7 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.
ESPE 6143: Sport Communications
Duration: 7 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.
ESPE 6153: Sport Leadership
Duration: 7 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.
ESPE 6163: Sport Governance & Operations
Duration: 7 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.
ESPE 6603: Sport in Society
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
An exploration in the role and impact of sports in our society from a social view. The course will discuss various sociological constructs as they impact all levels of sport participation including amateur and professional team sports, and the challenges of these constructs in managing sport organizations.
ESPE 6643: Current Readings Seminar in Physical Education and Sport Science
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Study and critical analysis of recent trends and significant contemporary issues in sport through current literature.
ESPE 6673: Research Design
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
A study of basic research techniques and design utilized in physical education and allied fields.
ESPE 681V: Internship
Duration: Two seven-week terms | 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.
M.S. Sport Administration Online Course Rotation (.PDF)