Sport Management (SPMT)

Program Overview

Michelle Gray
Department Head
306 HPER Building
479-575-6713
Email: rgray@uark.edu

Amanda Sullivan
Assistant Department Head and Graduate Coordinator
308U HPER Building
479-575-4099
Email: alsulliv@uark.edu

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Website

Degrees Conferred:
M.S. in Sport Management (SPMT)

Program Description: The Master of Science in Sport Management prepares students to enter the work force in entry-level administrative positions in college athletics departments. However, many of the skills and knowledge elements from the M.S. transfer to other areas of recreation and sport management including community recreation, university recreation, and professional sports settings, including sport marketing, administration, and facility management. A minimum of 30 credit hours is required for the M.S. degree.

M.S. in Sport Management

Prerequisites to Degree Program: The Sport Management program undertakes a holistic review of applicants. For acceptance to the program, the student must meet the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School, have earned an undergraduate degree in sport management (or a related field), and must have a minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework. Further, the student will submit a resume and statement of interest to be considered for program admission.

Application to Accelerated Degree Program: Applicants for the M.S. in Sport Management under the Accelerated Degree Program must be a University of Arkansas undergraduate student pursuing a bachelor's degree, completed at least 60 credit hours towards a bachelor's degree, and must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25.

All prospective students who apply to the Accelerated Degree Program are evaluated by the Sport Management Program faculty using a variety of factors, including GPA, resume, 500-word interest statement, and contact information for three references.

Courses Completed during the Final Undergraduate Year: Accelerated Degree Program students may take up to 12 credit hours of graduate coursework (50000 and 60000 level coursework) in the last 12 months of their undergraduate degree that will be counted toward both their bachelor's and master's degrees. The four courses are SPMT 58803 in lieu of RESM 38803 or a general elective, SPMT 58103 in lieu of RESM 40103 or a general elective, SPMT 58903 in lieu of RESM 38903 or a general elective, and/or SPMT 65303 in lieu of RESM 38703 or a general elective. Upon completion of the bachelor's degree (including the graduate courses), the Accelerated Degree Program students who have an average 3.0 GPA or higher in up to 12 hours of graduate courses will be accepted by the Sport Management Program faculty into the M.S. in Sport Management degree program after admittance into the Graduate School.

Requirements for the Master of Education Degree: Candidates for a Master of Science in Sport Management must complete 30 semester hours of graduate coursework. In addition to the program requirements listed below, all candidates must successfully complete a written comprehensive examination, except students completing a thesis.

Students should also be aware of Graduate School requirements with regard to master's degrees.

Sport Management: (30 hours)

Required Courses
SPMT 52903	Athletics and Higher Education	3
SPMT 58103	Social Issues in Sport	3
SPMT 58703	Leadership in Sport Management	3
SPMT 58803	Sport Marketing	3
SPMT 58903	Sport Finance	3
SPMT 65303	Legal and Political Aspects	3
SPMT 58503	Capstone in Sport Management	3
Thesis Option
SPMT 6000V	Master's Thesis	6
Approved Elective		3
Non-Thesis Option
Approved Electives		9
Total Hours		30

Area of Study: The program prepares qualified students for professional competence and service in the area of sport management.

Courses

SPMT 52903. Athletics and Higher Education. 3 Hours.

This course features an examination of the historical development of athletics within American institutions of higher learning with an emphasis upon concepts and ideals that underlie the developments and the major problems affecting contemporary intercollegiate athletics. The purpose of this course is to teach the learner about the development of intercollegiate athletics from the mid-19th century to today. A second purpose of this course is to examine the major issues facing sport administrators within intercollegiate athletics today. (Typically offered: Fall)

SPMT 5740V. Internship. 1-3 Hour.

This experiential-based course requires 37.5 hours of work in a recreation or sport setting per 1 credit hour. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

SPMT 58003. NCAA Governance, Legislation, & Compliance. 3 Hours.

This course examines NCAA governance and both the NCAA legislative and infractions processes. As familiarity with and knowledge of NCAA legislation becomes increasingly important within the college athletics industry, a purpose of the course is to examine the NCAA's operative bylaws (11 through 17). The course will incorporate NCAA infractions cases as a method to learn application of the legislation. An overarching objective is to increase appreciation of NCAA rules compliance yet encourage critical thought of both the infractions process and legislative content. (Typically offered: Irregular)
This course is cross-listed with LAWW 58003.

SPMT 58103. Social Issues in Sport. 3 Hours.

Using sociological theories and scholarship to examine social and cultural influences on sport. Course is based on a social justice framework and a cultural studies perspective. (Typically offered: Fall)

SPMT 58503. Capstone in Sport Management. 3 Hours.

Capstone course where students utilize program courses to solve administrative issues which may arise in an organization. Attention is given to how departmental organization, administrative practices and policies, strategic planning, personnel management, finances, and legal areas are integrated to create solutions to broad-based contemporary issues. (Typically offered: Spring)

SPMT 58703. Leadership in Sport Management. 3 Hours.

Considers research, theory, and practical applications of leadership principles utilized in the provision of sport management. Focus is on motivation, attitude, communication, group dynamics, and problem solving. (Typically offered: Spring)

SPMT 58803. Sport Marketing. 3 Hours.

Examines specific strategies for marketing sport programs. (Typically offered: Fall)

SPMT 58903. Sport Finance. 3 Hours.

Develops an understanding of both public and private finance management for students in public and private management positions. Provides an understanding of the budgeting processes and techniques used in obtaining and controlling funds, including private sector finance problems in areas of credit, pricing, indexing, and debt management. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

SPMT 6000V. Master's Thesis. 1-18 Hour.

Master's Thesis. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer) May be repeated for degree credit.

SPMT 6050V. Independent Study. 1-3 Hour.

Independent study. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer) May be repeated for up to 3 hours of degree credit.

SPMT 65303. Legal and Political Aspects. 3 Hours.

An overview of major legislation affecting sport management professions, how to operate within these laws, and methods for influencing new legislation. Also discusses political aspects of professions both outside and inside government agencies. (Typically offered: Spring)
This course is cross-listed with LAWW 59203.