Master of Science in Sport Management (M.S.)

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Master of Science in Sport Management program is to prepare future leaders of the sport industry through critical examination of both academic and practical application of management principles to various segments of the sport industry. The faculty seeks to challenge, engage, and cultivate the students in becoming a skilled and knowledgeable sport manager. To that end, the program will (1) prepare students to work in a variety of sport settings, (2) produce graduates who utilize critical thinking skills to solve controversies and issues in sport management settings, (3) produce graduates who demonstrate an understanding of the issues and principles of law as they apply to sport settings, (4) prepare students to assess the effectiveness of strategies used by sport organizations when developing managerial strategies related to overall organizational success, and (5) develop students’ understanding of basic management strategies used to maintain or improve facility and venue operations. The program will utilize a combination of traditional, experiential, and online instruction methods.

Student Learning Outcomes

After successfully completing the degree requirements:

Students will demonstrate the ability to work in a variety of sport settings.
Students will utilize critical thinking skills to analyze controversies and issues in sport management settings.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the issues and principles of law as they apply to sport settings.
Students will effectively recognize and discuss the effectiveness of strategies used by sport organizations when developing managerial strategies related to overall organizational success.
Students will develop students’ understanding of basic management strategies used to maintain or improve facility and venue operations.
Students will demonstrate the ability to convey information through both written and oral communication techniques.

Admission Requirements

Candidates seeking admission to the Master of Science in Sport Management will submit the following materials.

Completion of graduate application and payment of application fee.
Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or the equivalent at a foreign institution based on a four-year degree.
Submission of official transcripts from all schools or colleges previously attended.
Submission of official GRE or GMAT test scores.
Three (3) letters of recommendation with at least one academic reference and one nonacademic reference.
Submission of resume/vitae.
Submission of a writing sample. The writing sample should answer all the following questions, in complete sentences, paragraph format, using APA format and proper grammatical skills. Samples should not exceed 1,000 words. This sample will allow the committee to learn more about you as an applicant and will serve as a professional writing sample.

a. What specifically about Coastal Carolina University and the Master of Science in Sport Management program attracted your interest?

b. How will a master’s degree in Sport Management help you achieve your career goals?

c. What experience and skills do you have that will lead you to be successful in the CCU Sport Management program?

If a non-native speaker of English, provide official results from tests taken within the last three (3) years or one of the following acceptable means of documenting English language proficiency consistent with success in graduate programs (Note that higher scores may be required of some graduate programs so applicants are urged to consult their desired program to identify whether a higher score is required):

a. A minimum score of 550 on the paper-based (PBT) or 79 on the internet (iBT) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL);

b. A minimum score of 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam;

c. Certificate of Completion of level 112 of English for Academic Purposes (EAP) from an ELS Language Center;

d. Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic with a score of 59;

e. Cambridge CAE (Certificate of Advanced English ) with a minimum level of C1;

f. Cambridge CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English) with a minimum level of C1;

g. MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery) with a score of 77;

h. TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) with a score of 745;

i. Bachelor’s degree earned from a regionally accredited U.S. institution of higher education within the last three (3) years.

Provisional Admission

Applicants may receive provisional admission to the program if they do not meet the stated admission requirements and are entering the University for the first time or are returning to the University after an extended absence. Students who are provisionally are limited to 12 credit hours of course work.

Removal of Provisional Status

To remove provisional status the student must, within the first two academic semesters (either Fall, Spring or Spring, Fall). 1) Maintain a 3.0 GPA in all graduate courses taken 2) Earn a ‘B’ or better in all undergraduate prerequisites required as specified in the provisional acceptance letter 3) Meet all requirements set forth in the provisional acceptance letter.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Sport Management requires:

Successful completion of an approved program of study with a minimum of 30 graduate credit hours;
A minimum grade point average of 3.0 (B) on all course work;
A maximum of 2 classes may be completed below the grade of B before dismissal from the program. Automatic dismissal will result for a grade of F in any course;
Completion of all requirements for the degree during a six-year period;
Successful completion of the comprehensive exam(s);
Successful completion of the thesis or non- thesis option; and
A record of professional performance and integrity during all phases of the program of study.

Non-Degree Students

Students classified as non-degree graduate students may take no more than 12 credit hours of graduate study in related coursework. Non-degree student registrations must be approved by the Program Graduate Director.

Evaluation of Transfer Credit

After having completed all requirements for admission, matriculated students will be given a statement of credits accepted for transfer by the University within the first semester of enrollment. Students from regionally accredited colleges and universities may transfer credit for academic courses completed with grades of “B” or better, but the University reserves the right to determine what credit, if any, for courses taken elsewhere will be counted toward its degrees. A maximum of twelve (12) transferable credits from any regionally accredited program will be applicable toward a Coastal Carolina University degree. Completion of transfer credits must be within the last six (6) years.

Curriculum

The proposed Master of Sport Management degree will require 30 graduate credit hours. As this degree seeks to provide a broad range of skills and experiences, the curriculum is divided into core coursework, elective coursework and a capstone experience.

Degree Requirements (30 Graduate Credit Hours)

Core Courses (18 Credit Hours)

Electives (6 Credit Hours)

Students may take elective hours that align with their career goal as approved by their advisors. These courses are not limited to graduate classes in sport management and can come from a variety of areas including graduate classes in business, education, and humanities as appropriate.

Capstone (6 Credit Hours)

Total: 30 Graduate Credit Hours

Admission to Candidacy

Admission to the graduate program in Sport Management does not signify Admission to Candidacy. To be eligible for Admission to Candidacy for the Master of Science in Sport Management, a student must choose either the thesis or non-thesis option and then satisfy the corresponding requirements.

Thesis Option

Achieve regular admission status; 2. Have a degree plan and thesis proposal approved by the Thesis advisor professor and Graduate Program Coordinator; 3. Complete a minimum of 12 semester hours of graduate work at Coastal Carolina University; and 4. Have maintained a 3.0 of higher GPA.
Thesis Option: Students choosing the thesis option based on original research must assemble a thesis committee of at least three (3) members by the third semester of enrollment. The committee will consist of at least three (3) full-time CCU faculty members including the major professor who will chair the committee. An approved member from an outside institution may be included. The entire thesis committee will meet with the student at least 1x a semester to assess progress and to give advice. Before graduation, students will submit the completed thesis to their thesis advisor who will schedule the public defense.

Non-Thesis Option

Achieve regular admission status; 2. Have a degree plan and internship proposal approved by your advisor, internship committee, Graduate Program Coordinator; 3. Complete a minimum of 12 semester hours of graduate work at Coastal Carolina University; and 4. Have maintained a 3.0 GPA or better average on all graduate work pursued and have passed SPT 515 .
Students interested in future employment as professionals in the field with federal, state, local agencies, not-for-profit organizations or private businesses may choose a non-thesis option. Students who select a non-thesis option will complete an internship (SPT 590 for a total of 6 credits) with a sponsoring public, non-profit or private agency, or business. The internship will be at least 240 hours. The internship must be approved by the graduate coordinator of the sport management program and the outside supervisor and should be related to the student’s educational and career goals. The details of the work should be described and filed with the graduate coordinator before beginning the internship. Although the faculty will provide guidance to students, it is the responsibility of each student to seek and secure an internship. A special project (outline in the internship manual) is required for graduation and should be filed with the Sport Management Graduate director. The report should analyze and detail how the student’s internship activities integrate with the interdisciplinary field sport management and the current state of knowledge and identify the directions of growth in the future student’s career. The report must be submitted and approved before graduation. The on-campus presentation, summarizing the material in the report, will be followed by a meeting of the candidate with Sport Management graduate committee to discuss the report and its connections to the core and foundational concepts within the sport management Masters’ program.

Comprehensive Examination

Students are required to pass the SPT Comprehensive Examination to be taken during the last semester of coursework completion of the core curriculum courses (not including Thesis/Internship). The format of the exam consists of written and oral components. In the written exam, students will respond to questions established by the SPT Comprehensive Examination Committee to assess the broad range of sub-disciplinary knowledge required to address complex competencies as they relate to the sport management discipline and the ability to identify and explain the linkages between sub-disciplinary concepts and processes. Students must pass all subject areas of the written comprehensive exam with a score of proficient or above. If a student fails any part of the written comprehensive exam, the committee will schedule a follow-up oral examination with each student based on the responses given in the written exam and allow for further examination of sub- and interdisciplinary knowledge and applications not emphasized in the written exam. Following the oral examination, the Committee will identify one of the three following outcomes: pass, fail or retake the exam within three (3) months. Students must pass the SPT Comprehensive Examination to advance to degree candidacy.