Master of Sports Leadership
Overview
Now offered in hybrid format at Northeastern's Charlotte campus.
The practice-oriented sports leadership master’s degree is structured to accommodate mid-career athletic administrators and coaches, as well as individuals seeking to prepare for careers in the sports industry.
Developed in collaboration with Northeastern University's Center for the Study of Sport in Society, the Master of Sports Leadership prepares you for a variety of sport-related occupations—whether it’s working with a professional or intercollegiate sports team, a fitness club or wellness organization, in marketing, communication, or sports management. Courses within this unique graduate degree examine the social and business issues that are critical to sports leadership. Offered in an online format with an intensive one-week summer institute in Boston, this practice-oriented degree provides you with a well-rounded educational experience—equipping you to advance your career in the sports industry.
Program Objectives
- Identify your leadership styles and strengths and take steps to improve your leadership capacity
- Understand what it takes to build highly effective teams
- Obtain approaches and techniques for effectively tackling ethical dilemmas
- Explore the legal issues related to equipment use, facility management, and accommodation for special populations
- Learn how to leverage sports for greater social and economic good
- Examine the planning, scheduling, and financial issues associated with running a successful athletics program
- Discover how to use sports to foster diversity, prevent violence, and improve the health of local and global communities
Interested in learning more?
Curriculum
Attention students enrolled before winter 2012: download your curriculum here. |
Total Quarter Hours: 45
(effective for students starting in winter 2012)
Required Courses (24 q.h.)
| LDR 6100 | Developing Your Leadership Capability | 3 q.h. |
| LDR 6135 | The Ethical Leader | 3 q.h. |
| LDR 6400 | Sports Management | 3 q.h. |
| LDR 6405 | Sport in Society* | 3 q.h. |
| LDR 6410 | Leadership and Organization in Sport | 3 q.h. |
| LDR 6430 | Sports Law | 3 q.h. |
| LDR 6441 | Sports Media Relations* | 3 q.h. |
*Summer institute course; only available on-campus in Boston. Summer institute courses should be taken only after students have completed their first year of classes.
Choose one of the following courses (should be taken as last course and requires faculty adviser approval):
| LDR 6961 | Internship | 3 q.h. |
| LDR 6995 | Graduate Project | 3 q.h. |
Elective Courses (18 q.h.)
Choose six of the following courses:
| CMN 6015 | Introduction to the Digital Era: The Power of Social Media | 3 q.h. |
| LDR 6615 | Academic Advising and Life Skills | 3 q.h. |
| LDR 6323 | Event Management | 3 q.h. |
| LDR 6427 | Gender and Diversity in Sport | 3 q.h. |
| LDR 6435 | Fiscal Practices in Sports | 3 q.h. |
| LDR 6440 | Sports Marketing and Promotions | 3 q.h. |
| LDR 6442 | Athletic Fundraising | 3 q.h. |
| LDR 6443 | Ticket Sales and Strategies | 3 q.h. |
| LDR 6445 | Corporate Sponsorships | 3 q.h. |
| LDR 6455 | NCAA Compliance | 3 q.h. |
| LDR 6460 | Risk Management in Athletics | 3 q.h. |
| LDR 6465 | Title IX | 3 q.h. |
Open Electives (3 q.h.)
Choose one course from any College of Professional Studies graduate programs.
Total Quarter Hours: 45
Tuition rates, all fees, rules and regulations, courses, and course content are subject to revision by the president and the Board of Trustees at any time.
Admissions Requirements
Below are the official Admissions Requirements for this program.
- Online application
- Statement of purpose (500-1000 words): identifying your educational goals and expectations from the program; please be aware that the University's academic policy on plagiarism applies to applicant's statement of purpose
- Professional resume: current resume that displays job responsibilities, relevant experience, and education history
- Two letters of recommendation: from individual(s) with either academic or professional knowledge of your capabilities, such as a faculty member, current employer, mentor, or colleague
- Official undergraduate degree documentation
- Proof of English language proficiency: ONLY for students for whom English is not their primary language: English language proficiency guidelines
For general admissions information and recommended admissions deadlines, Graduate Admissions.
All requirements must be received prior to review.
Tuition
Estimated total tuition for this program is $24,075.00.
Tuition for individual courses is based on the number of quarter hours. Most courses are 3-6 quarter hours. See Graduate Tuition Rates for details.
Use our Tuition Calculator below to see if transfer credit or tuition reimbursement from your employer could reduce your total tuition.
Tuition Calculator
Please note: The estimated total tuition is based on tuition rates for Academic Year 2011-12 and does not include any fees or other expenses. Some courses and labs have tuition rates that may increase or decrease total tuition. Tuition and fees are subject to revision by the president and Board of Trustees at any time.
Student Profile
Who Will Your Classmates Be?
This program is suited for administrators and coaches who wish to advance their career positions, and those who seek to gain a foothold in the sports industry. Incoming students often work in the sports field—for schools, non-profit organizations, retail organizations, or in hospitality/entertainment.
Typical job titles may include:
- Manager
- Athletic Director
- Assistant Athletic Director
- Head Coach
- Assistant Coach
- Teacher
At least three years of experience is preferred and an undergraduate degree is required.
Career Outlook
Put Your Degree to Work
Already a multi-billion-dollar field, the sports industry is projected to experience faster-than-average growth over the next several years. Located all over the country, sports-related organizations and businesses require a variety of educated and skilled employees to manage day-to-day operations.
While knowledge is crucial, success is often contingent upon your willingness to work beyond 9-5—with many sporting events and related activities taking place on nights, weekends, and holidays. The sports industry is exciting—filled with people who are driven by a passion for what they do and who are extremely satisfied with their career choice.
Faculty Spotlight
Dr. Robert Prior
Robert Prior is a full-time faculty member with Northeastern University’s College of Professional Studies, teaching graduate-level courses in the Master of Sports Leadership program. He has a wealth of experience as a practitioner in the sports industry, having worked at both the professional and collegiate levels.
In the professional sports sector, Prior served as Director of Media Relations for the Boston Celtics and the Director of Information and New Media for Major League Soccer. He was a Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator for the Atlanta Braves during their three National League Championships and two World Series appearances in the early 90’s. He also worked as a Venue Manager for the Olympic Center during the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.
Following his experience in professional sports, Prior spent six years as the Associate Director of Athletics Communications and External Operations for Nova Southeastern University (NSU) where he played an integral role in transitioning the NSU athletic program into the NCAA Division II. He also contributed to the planning, building, and operating the NCU Center, a 325,000 square foot athletic and recreation facility.
During the past three years, Prior he previously served as Associate Professor for Sport Management at Lasell College as well as an adjunct Instructor at Northeastern University, teaching master’s level courses in sports leadership and athletic administration.
He holds a Doctor of Education from Nova Southeastern University, a Master of Science in Sports Management from Saint Thomas University, and a Bachelor of Science in Sport Fitness and Leisure Studies from Salem State College.
Talk to an Enrollment Coach
We can walk you through your program options and the application process.
- Call Toll Free:
- 877.668.7727
- Email:
- Contact Us
Upcoming Academic Term Dates
-
Spring Term
April 9, 2012 (6- & 12-week classes)
May 21, 2012 (6-week classes) -
Summer Term
July 2, 2012 (8-, 6-, and 4- week classes)
July 30, 2012 (4-week classes)