Master of Science in Sport and Recreation Management
Step into an exciting career with an online Master of Science in Sport and Recreation Management. North Alabama offers the education you need to give you a competitive edge in the professional world of sports.
In this Sport and Recreation Management master's program, you will experience quantitative and qualitative research methods related to the field of professional sports as well as finance and accounting, media relations, marketing, risk management and the law, sport facility planning, and organizational behavior.
Time to Complete
12 Months Full Time
Mode Offered
Online
Credentials
MS
Why the University of North Alabama?
By pursuing a master’s in Sport and Recreation Management at the University of North Alabama, you’ll benefit from our unique background and experience.
First, you’ll have the opportunity to take advantage of our growing network of alumni employers and partnerships including the Huntsville Havoc, Houston Astros, Tennessee Titans, various NCAA Athletic Departments, parks and recreation agencies around the region—and more as this list continues to expand.
Second, as part of the Department of Kinesiology at the University of North Alabama, this master’s in Sport and Recreation Management degree program is dedicated to preparing you with the foundations necessary to assume leadership roles in the highly competitive sport and recreation management field.
Finally, the master’s in Sport and Recreation Management degree at UNA is 100% online and designed for working professionals in a variety of careers and life stages. The program is flexible and can be customized to meet your needs and schedule.
Concentrations
The Master of Science in Sport and Recreation management is comprised of a 12-credit-hour core, as well as thesis and non-thesis degree options. The program core consists of the following:
SRM 540: Applied Research Methods in Sport & Recreation Management
SRM 650: Leadership Concepts in Sport and Recreation Management
SRM 665: Risk Management in Sport & Recreation Management
SRM 675: Legal Issues in Sport & Recreation Management
Once you have completed these, you will choose from two concentrations:
The Sport Management concentration prepares you for a career in amateur or professional sports. Opportunities exist for internships and volunteer work with youth sports teams, with graduate assistant (GA) positions in the university athletic department, and through our relationships with regional professional sports teams. Skills you’ll learn with a sport management degree include media relations, organizational behavior, risk management, and sport management research methods.
Go here for the Sport Management Concentration Catalog
Recreation Management (18 hours (+)
The Recreation Management concentration prepares you for roles in facilities and event management in leisure and fitness industries such as gyms, golf courses, stadiums, arenas, city parks and recreation departments, tournaments, and festivals. Skills you’ll learn include business management, organization, budgeting, marketing, and negotiating.
Go here for the Recreation Management Concentration Catalog
Faculty
Faculty in the Department of Kinesiology possess knowledge and experiences in a wide variety of
areas. They are dedicated to helping undergraduate sport management majors and graduate
students gain an edge in this highly competitive field. Many have professional publications and have
presented at state, district, national, and international conferences. Many also serve as consultants to
various school systems, sport and recreational agencies, mental health associations, sports medicine
clinics, health and fitness centers, hospitals, and corporate wellness centers. Research areas and
expertise found in the Sport and Recreation Management faculty include Risk Management,
Legal Issues in Sport, Sport Communications, Intercollegiate Athletics, Career Development, Work
Engagement, Positive Youth Development & Sport, Sport Marketing, Sport Branding, and Sport
Consumption Behavior.
Accreditations
The University of North Alabama is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate level degrees. Questions about the accreditation of the University of North Alabama may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
What can I do with an MS in Sport and Recreation Management?
The purpose of a master’s in Sport and Recreation Management beyond an undergraduate degree as a sport management major is to provide training in the theory and practice in the aspects of managing sport and recreational facilities or amateur, collegiate, and professional sports teams. Job titles you may qualify for with this graduate-level Sport and Recreation Management degree include Sport Manager, Athletic Administrator, Sport Coach, Sport Recruiter, Facility Manager, Sport Marketing Manager, Stadium Manager, and Game Day Event Manager.
Admissions Requirements
The minimum requirements for acceptance into the program include the following:
- Preparation: must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution. (Note: International students must submit either a WES or ECE evaluation to determine if any additional prerequisite courses are needed.)
- Scholastic achievement: minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (4.0 scale) on undergraduate work for unconditional admission.
- Conditional admission: minimum overall GPA of 2.50 (4.0 scale) with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 in undergraduate major work or overall GPA of 2.50 if the applicant has at least three years of full-time experience in the sport and recreation management field.
- Recommendations: three letters of recommendation to be addressed to the Chair or Graduate Program Coordinator of Department of Kinesiology from professionals that can attest to the candidate’s academic ability and potential for success as a graduate student.
- Essay: (typed, maximum two pages) indicating your academic interests, professional goals, and the role of graduate education in achieving those goals.
For a full list of requirements, go to the Graduate Admissions Requirements page for the Department of Kinesiology.
Tuition & Aid
$495 per credit hour plus fees
2023-2024 Tuition Cost
Master of Science in Sport and Recreation Management
$495 per credit hour plus fees