M.Ed. in Special Education
Mississippi College, located in Clinton, Mississippi, offers a comprehensive Master of ...
M.S. in Athletic Administration
Clinton, Mississippi
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The M.S. in Athletic Administration at Mississippi College focuses on providing students with an in-depth understanding of critical aspects within sports administration, including finance, human resources, legal structures, ethics, leadership, and management. The program aims to prepare graduates to develop and manage successful and financially responsible athletic programs within educational institutions. Students can choose between two concentrations: Interscholastic Athletic Administration, which emphasizes leadership skills and personnel management for high school athletics, and Intercollegiate Athletic Administration, which delves into higher education administration, finance, and law within the collegiate sports context. A four-hour practicum experience is a core component of the program, offering valuable hands-on experience, and a comprehensive examination is required for graduation.
Curriculum: The curriculum is comprehensive, covering essential business and administrative principles alongside specific athletic administration topics. Core courses for both concentrations typically include subjects like Public Relations (with an option for Public Relations in College Athletics), Media Sales, Research methods, Societal and Ethical Trends in Athletics, NCAA Rules & Regulations, and dedicated Athletic Administration courses. The Interscholastic concentration includes courses like Basics of Effective Leadership, Issues & Concepts of Personnel Management, Basics of School Finance & Fiscal Control of Schools, and Legal Structures & Legal Issues Pertaining to School Operations. For the Intercollegiate concentration, coursework includes Basic Understanding in Higher Education Administration, Law & Higher Education, Finance in Higher Education, and Issues & Concepts of Personnel Management.
Research Focus: While the program emphasizes practical application through a practicum instead of a thesis, a "Research" course is part of the core curriculum, indicating an emphasis on understanding and applying research methodologies within the field of kinesiology and athletic administration. This likely involves analyzing current trends, data, and best practices to inform administrative decisions and program development. The broader Kinesiology department at Mississippi College also conducts research in areas such as organizational and event management in sports, sport media and communication, and sport marketing and management, which can indirectly inform the athletic administration program's pedagogical approach.
Industry Engagement: Mississippi College's athletic administration program aims to provide students with practical exposure and connections within the industry. The required practicum experience allows students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world administrative roles, potentially within university athletics or other administrative offices. The faculty members often bring real-world experience to the classroom, and there is an emphasis on preparing students for actual careers in interscholastic or intercollegiate athletic administration and related sport business areas. While specific partnerships with external organizations for this particular M.S. program are not explicitly detailed, the university's overall commitment to providing experiential learning and preparing students for professional careers suggests a focus on industry relevance.
Global Perspective: While the M.S. in Athletic Administration program itself doesn't explicitly highlight a global perspective in its core curriculum, Mississippi College as an institution has a strong international presence. It hosts a significant number of international students from various countries and offers an International Institute Global Education department dedicated to supporting and preparing international students. The university also offers courses in intercultural communication within its broader communication programs. This institutional emphasis on global education and diversity can indirectly enrich the learning environment for students in the Athletic Administration program, potentially fostering an awareness of diverse perspectives and practices within the global sports landscape.
Location
Clinton, Mississippi
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 13856
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $40
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 52 or higher.
Mississippi College is making quality education affordable for students from around the world. To support this goal, the college offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid opportunities specifically for international students, helping to reduce the overall cost of tuition and living expenses.
Merit-Based Scholarships: International students with strong academic records are eligible for merit-based scholarships. These awards are determined by evaluating high school GPA (or equivalent), standardized test scores (such as SAT or ACT), and other academic achievements. The scholarship amount varies, with awards ranging from partial to significant tuition discounts, which are renewable based on academic performance.
Presidential and Dean’s Scholarships: Highly qualified international students may receive Presidential or Dean’s Scholarships, two of the most prestigious awards offered by Mississippi College. These scholarships are based on exceptional academic credentials and leadership potential and can cover a substantial portion of tuition costs.
A Master of Science (M.S.) in Athletic Administration from Mississippi College equips graduates with a diverse skillset tailored for leadership and management within the sports industry, particularly in educational and organizational settings. The program's blend of business principles, legal understanding, ethical considerations, and practical experience opens doors to a wide array of career opportunities.
Athletic Director (High School or Collegiate): This is one of the most direct career paths. Graduates are prepared to oversee all aspects of an athletic department, including budgeting, staffing, scheduling, facility management, compliance, and fundraising, whether at the high school or university level.
Associate/Assistant Athletic Director: Supporting the Athletic Director, these roles often specialize in specific areas such as compliance, academic support, facilities, marketing, or development, providing crucial administrative assistance within a larger athletic department.
Sports Information Director (SID): An SID is responsible for managing media relations, public relations, and communication for an athletic department, team, or organization. This includes writing press releases, managing social media, maintaining statistics, and coordinating interviews.
Facilities and Event Manager: This role focuses on the operational aspects of sports venues and events. Responsibilities include scheduling, maintenance, security, concessions, and ensuring smooth execution of games, tournaments, and other sporting events.
Sports Marketing Specialist/Director: Professionals in this field develop and implement marketing strategies for sports teams, organizations, or events. This can involve branding, promotions, advertising, social media campaigns, and ticket sales to enhance fan engagement and revenue.
Compliance Officer: With a strong understanding of NCAA rules and regulations (a core component of the curriculum), graduates can work to ensure that athletic programs adhere to all governing body guidelines, minimizing risks and maintaining eligibility.
Sports Operations Manager/Director: This role involves overseeing the day-to-day business operations of a sports organization, team, or league. It can encompass everything from logistics and vendor relations to budgeting and personnel management.
Recreation Program Manager/Director: Beyond competitive athletics, graduates can apply their administrative skills to managing community or campus recreation programs, overseeing sports leagues, fitness initiatives, and various recreational activities for diverse populations.
Sports Agent (with additional legal training/licensing): While the program provides a strong foundation in legal aspects of sports, becoming a licensed sports agent typically requires further specialized legal education. However, the administrative and business knowledge gained is highly valuable for understanding contracts, negotiations, and athlete representation.
Fundraising/Development Coordinator (Athletics): Many athletic departments rely on external funding. Graduates can work in development roles, cultivating relationships with donors, organizing fundraising events, and securing financial support for athletic programs and scholarships.
