Online Professional Master’s of Sports Administration

Description 

• Degree: Online Professional Master’s of Sports Administration
• Duration: 21 Months 
• Start: August
• Modality: Online
• Language: English 
• Price : Ohio resident : $29664 Non resident : $30348

Professional MSA

The Professional MSA is designed for working sport professionals to advance their education without putting your career on hold. The curriculum is delivered in a manageable, online format that provides students with a master’s level understanding of core sport business principles. But you’ll also learn outside the classroom through engaging class projects, symposiums, and networking opportunities. 

SAFM Alumni Network

More than 85 percent of our 1,700+ graduates are employed in key positions within intercollegiate athletics, professional sports, public assembly facilities, sports tours, motor sports, corporate sports organizations, sports media, and the entertainment industries. The loyalty of our alumni and the reputation of the program translate into a wide variety of networking and career development opportunities.

COSMA Accredited

COSMAOur undergraduate and graduate programs are accredited by the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA), a specialized accrediting body that promotes and recognizes excellence in sport management education in colleges at the baccalaureate and graduate

Application Requirements and Deadlines

Our holistic approach to admissions.

OHIO’s College of Business takes a holistic approach to considering a candidate’s application package, which means we’ll consider all parts of your application so you have an opportunity to highlight your strengths.

Application Requirements

• To be admitted to Ohio University’s Professional MSA program, you must generally meet the following requirements:
• Bachelor’s degree from accredited institution
• Three or more years of professional work experience in the sport industry
• GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Two letters of recommendation
• Current resume
• Official/certified transcripts (sealed) from all institutions of higher education attended
• Professional statement
• No GMAT or GRE required
• TOEFL or IELTS required if English is not your first language
• A maximum of six transfer credits are accepted from AACSB-accredited business schools or colleges. Some restrictions may apply.

Application Deadlines

Professional MSA cohorts start in August. Admission to this program is selective, with a limited number of seats available for qualified candidates. We seat our cohort through five rounds of admission with dates listed below. Admission decisions are made after each round of admission, meaning that fewer seats are available in later rounds. Apply to the earliest round for maximum consideration for the cohort.  After you apply, you may be invited to interview for a spot in the program. 

Admission Rounds for Fall 2021 Professional MSA Cohort

Admission Round Application Deadline Decision Day

Admission Round 1 November 30 December 18

Admission Round 2 February 15 March 12

Admission Round 3 March 31 April 23

Admission Round 4 May 15 June 11

Admission Round 5 June 30 July 23

How to Apply

Let us know when you’re ready to join our Professional MSA program and we’ll help you get started.

Getting started with your application is easy and we’re here to help. Below is a checklist that will walk you step by step through the process. 

Step 1: Online application and transcripts 

Start your application

The online graduate student application allows you to create a password-protected account so you can return to the application, enter information, and upload documents at your convenience.

• Start your online application
• The non-refundable application fee is $50 for U.S citizens/permanent residents and $55 for international applicants.  
• Program name is Professional MSA
• Program code is MS8161
• For campus choose “online”
• Choose the appropriate entry term (for August cohorts, choose “fall”)

Transcripts

Request an official transcript from all institutions of higher education you have attended and arrange for them to be sent to OHIO’s Graduate College.

Electronic submission (preferred): 

Choose “Ohio University” as recipient and use graduate@ohio.edu for email if needed.

Mailing address (if electronic submission is not available):

Ohio University

Graduate College

220 Research & Technology Center

Athens, OH 45701-2979

Transcripts from non-U.S. institutions must be official or registrar-certified and in envelopes sealed by the issuing institution, if possible. Learn more about international transcripts.

Step 2: Prepare deliverables 

Recommendation Letters

Arrange for two individuals to submit letters of recommendation on your behalf, including one from your immediate supervisor. Applicants who are self-employed can ask their legal counsel, accountant, or a client to submit letters on their behalf. Letters of recommendation should speak to your level of maturity, leadership qualities, and potential for senior management responsibility, and include the provider’s relationship to you and their complete address and contact information, including a clearly identifiable professional email address.

When prompted on the online application, request that your recommenders be contacted through the online application process for electronic submission of their recommendation letters. You’ll need to enter each individual’s name and email address.

Resume

Upload a current professional resume as an attachment to your online application in the supplemental materials section. We’re interested in the length of professional experience in the sport industry, demonstrated leadership and management skills, and potential for growth.

Professional Statement

Your professional statement should include your accomplishments, career goals, objectives, and the value of the MSA degree to achieving your career goals. Please also address any weaknesses in your application materials, such as a low GPA. 

Upload this document to your online application in the supplemental materials section. Please limit the length of your statement to no more than two double-spaced pages.

Step 3: Interview and admissions decisions  

Interview

Admission to the Professional MSA program is highly competitive and selective. Factors considered in the admission decision include years of experience, strength of recommendation letters, fit, academic and career achievements, and finally a pre-admission interview. Once the application and all supporting documents are on file with the College of Business, selected applicants will be invited for an interview.

Admissions Decisions

Admissions decisions are typically made within two weeks of the interview. A letter will be emailed to each applicant from the College of Business, followed by an official letter from the Graduate College.

Delivery Format

Manageable online format designed for active professionals.

Professional MSA curriculum is delivered in a manageable, online format so you can earn your master’s degree without putting your career on hold. 

Generally, students enroll in one class every seven weeks with a one-week break between. Courses are delivered through Blackboard where our instructors provide a variety of methods for teaching the course topics. This includes live virtual classrooms and presenters, recorded lectures, discussion boards, and case studies.   

Residencies  

The OHIO family is important to the Professional MSA experience. The PMSA program offers six (6) residency opportunities during the program where we combine in-person classwork on Special Topics (ex. eSports, Sports Gambling/Betting, Diversity & Inclusion) with networking opportunities with current PMSA students, on campus students, faculty and alumni.

Residencies take place on Ohio University’s main campus in Athens or in conjunction with top industry Conferences (i.e., National Sports Forum). Students are required to earn five residency credit hours (SASM 6900) with alternative options for students unable to attend residencies in person. However, attendance at all residencies is highly encouraged. Attendance at four of the six is required.

 The Professional MSA is an investment in yourself and your future. Educational assets – time, money and effort – are enormously valuable. Invest wisely.

Tuition and fees are for estimating purposes and are subject to change. 

Pending Board of Trustees’ approval.