The Master of Science in Sport Management degree program prepares professionals for advanced careers in the expanding sport industry by enhancing their critical thinking skills and exposing them to expert knowledge and research in the field of sport. The curriculum is designed to enable students to acquire and demonstrate a set of management skills and an understanding of the sport industry through a combination of required core courses, electives, research and experiential components.
This master’s degree program is available fully online, on the Hattiesburg campus, or a combination of online and traditional courses.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements and procedures are the same as those required by the Graduate School.
Integrity Assurance Program (IAP)
All faculty holding Regular or Associate graduate faculty status, must complete CITI training modules required by the Graduate School and their departments. All graduate students must complete the CITI training modules required by the Graduate School and their departments the first semester they are enrolled in graduate school. The IAP policy and training information are found on the Graduate School web page – www.usm.edu/graduate-school. Contact the Dean of the Graduate School if you have any questions regarding the policy of training information.
Career Opportunities
The degree program is designed to prepare students for a career in the sport business industry, including facility/arena management, club management, corporate sport operations, professional team management, and state and national governing agency administration.
Degree Requirements
Successful completion of a minimum of thirty six (36) hours as follows:
Core Requirements (27 hours)
Non-Thesis Option:
Thesis Option:
Laboratories, Field Experiences, Internships, Practica
KIN 691 - Research and KIN 694 - Field Problems provide the student with an opportunity to perform applied research and problem solving under academic supervision in an area of career interest within the sport industry.
KIN 696 - Practicum offers the student the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in the actual work environment under the tutelage of an athletic administrator or sport industry professional. Each semester hour of academic credit requires a minimum of 50 clock hours of on-the-job training and is performed under the framework of a contract mutually agreed upon by the student, faculty supervisor, and agency personnel.
SM 700 - Sport Management Internship is full-time on the job training for students working with a sport industry organization. The nine semester hours course involves a full semester commitment by the student being mentored by a sports business professional.
Special Program Requirements
A previous record of academic study in one of the areas of business administration is valuable and highly recommended in sport management.
Comprehensive Exam
A comprehensive exam is required for all master’s students and must be passed before proceeding to graduation. A 3.0 GPA is required for graduation.
