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MS in Kinesiology (Sport Management and Policy)

The University of Georgia M.S. in Kinesiology with a concentration in Sport Management and Policy prepares students for a career in the world of sport through the completion of either a thesis or non-thesis program.

The M.S. Program in Sport Management and Policy includes a 37-credit hour curriculum geared to help you develop a foundation in management, marketing, law, finance, economics, budgeting, governance and policy, sociology, facility design, and event operations. Our courses will assist you in applying this knowledge to a variety of contexts in the sport industry. Students are required to complete a professional internship experience and a Capstone Project prior to graduation.

Upon graduation, many of our non-thesis students begin careers in professional sport, collegiate sport, or in the private or public sector. Our thesis students are well-prepared to enter leading research institutions to pursue doctoral degrees.

Our graduates work for franchises in all of the major North American professional leagues including the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, and MLS; with professional sports franchises such as the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta United, Atlanta Falcons, Gwinnett Stripers, and Dallas Cowboys; within agencies like IMG, Creative Artists Agency, Octagon, and Melt; and with industry-leading organizations such as ESPN, the NCAA, Nike, and many more.

Highlights

  1. Learn business skills as they relate to the sport industry, preparing students for a professional career in a variety of sport-specific settings.
  2. Faculty are experts in marketing and consumer behavior, economics, finance, research and analytics, legal and ethical issues, organizational behavior, sales and strategy, diversity and social justice, and risk management related to sport.
  3. Hands-on experiential learning opportunities at top sport business organizations across the world.
  4. Located in close proximity to franchises in every major professional sport league as well as the UGA Athletic Association, Augusta National, East Lake Country Club, and other top sport venues.
  5. Ability to combine academic coursework through the Terry College of Business, Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, and UGA School of Law.

Video: Study Sport Management at UGA

Understand the law, policies, marketing, and social justice issues that drive the sport industry in the University of Georgia’s Department of Kinesiology.

Curriculum

Our program will help you develop a foundation in finance, economics, budgeting, marketing, law, governance and policy, facility design, event operations and human resources management. Our courses will assist you in applying this knowledge to a variety of contexts in the sport industry.

Courses

Sample course offerings:

  • KINS 7700 (Sport Data Analysis)
  • KINS 6520 (Sport Finance)
  • KINS 6810 (Sport Marketing)
  • KINS 7260 (Legal Issues in Sport Management)
  • KINS 7270 (Facility Design and Event Management)
  • KINS 7370 (Sport Policy and Governance)
  • KINS 7500 (Sport Organizational Behavior)
  • KINS 7560 (Economic and Policy Analysis in Sport)
  • KINS 6850 (Sport Sales and Fundraising)
  • KINS 7220 (Sport and Society)
  • KINS 7290 (Sport Sponsorship)
  • KINS 7320 (Intercollegiate Athletics and Higher Education)
  • KINS 7450 (Internship in Kinesiology)
  • KINS 7800 (Practicum in Kinesiology)

Non-Thesis Track

This is the required track for future practitioners in the field. This track includes 37 hours of coursework, which includes:

  • 21 hours of required coursework in sport management classes
  • 3 hours in data management and analysis in sports
  • 3 hours of internship/practicum
  • 6 hours of electives

The M.S. non-thesis track provides students with the knowledge and skills to manage sport and exercise programs. But the breadth and depth of the program prepares you for diverse career opportunities in organizations such as:

  • Professional sport teams
  • College athletic departments
  • Sport marketing and public relations firms
  • Sports agencies
  • Health and fitness facilities
  • Parks and recreation departments

Thesis Track

If you choose the thesis track, you will become experienced in research under the direction of a sport management faculty member in your area of specific research interest.

This track includes 30 hours of coursework, which includes:

  • 9 hours of required coursework
  • 9 hours of thesis-related courses
  • 6 hours of research courses
  • 6 hours of electives

Our M.S./J.D. joint degree program prepares you to work in a sports leadership role. If you’d like to pursue this joint degree, you will need to apply and receive admission to each program.

Learn more about the M.S. in Sport Management and Policy/J.D. Joint Degree (PDF)

Our faculty have expertise in a range of subjects, with faculty members who serve as advisors to students in the sport management emphasis:

How to Apply

The Graduate School handles admission for all graduate programs at the University of Georgia, including those in the College of Education. The Graduate School website contains important details about the application process, orientation, and many other useful links to guide you through the process of attending UGA at the graduate level.

Start A Graduate School Application

Prospective Graduate Student Application Checklist

The following should be uploaded to the Graduate School’s application:

  • Unofficial transcripts from each institution of higher education attended
  • Statement of Purpose
    • Statement of Purpose should summarize your career goals and how the degree program would help you attain those identified goals.
    • If applying to a M.S.-thesis or Ph.D. program, ensure you describe your research interests and how your interests fit with a specific faculty member within the Department of Kinesiology.
  • A CV or resume
  • Contact information for three references
  • Official GRE scores (M.S. thesis and Ph.D. applicants only)
    • Scores can be sent to UGA’s Graduate School as a designated score recipient using code 5813.

Deadline to Apply

Login to Existing Application

Thesis Track

  • January 10th

Non-Thesis Track

Summer or Fall Semester

  • March 15th
  • Students are informed of their admissions decision on a rolling basis through the end of June.

Spring Semester

  • October 15th
  • Students are informed of their admissions decisions on a rolling basis through the end of November.

Graduate Assistantships

You can find more information on departmental assistantships and deadlines on the Department of Kinesiology page .

Experiential Learning

The Sport Management program at the University of Georgia provides intership opportunities that provide valuable educational experiences for students. Students are required to fulfill experiential learning credits as a graduation requirement.

Download the Sport Management Internship Guide (PDF)

Partner Logos

Need to recruit sport management interns?

The Sport Management program will work with partners to meet their talent needs. Have your brand connect with the future of the industry by posting opportunities with the program. To discuss your organization’s specific needs and hire talented students for positions when the fit is mutually beneficial, please contact Michael Slonaker .

UGA Alumni Sports Industry Council

The UGA Alumni Sports Industry Council is an external advisory board made up of sport industry veterans who foster important links between the program and the sports business community. The group also provides student support in the areas of professional mentoring, program services, such as guest lecturers and scholarship support, as well as internship and employment placement.

Alumni Spotlight

Brian Berger (thesis track)

I am the manager for consumer insights at Delta Airlines. Before that, I led analytics and insights for B/R Live, a direct-to-consumer sports offering from Turner Sports. I analyzed fan behavior and consumption patterns in addition to helping the business unit profile potential leagues for acquisition. I communicated these insights to internal and external stakeholders, including PR, marketing, operations, and league executives.

The UGA Sport Management program helped me to think more critically about issues, especially Baker’s Sport Law class. His Socratic approach to teaching made me uncomfortable and helped me grow as a learner. The program also connected me to peers and like-minded professionals with whom I built rapport while in the program.

My advice for current UGA master’s students is simple: conduct informational interviews. Students cannot do enough of these. Pick any organization you might be interested in, search for that organization on LinkedIn, and view the employees who work there. Find an employee in an area you may be interested in, reach out and leverage the UGA brand, saying you’re a student. Kindly ask if that individual would be open to a 30-minute informational interview to learn more. If the employee agrees, follow-up occasionally and stay in touch. Do this for any organization you’re interested in. The worst that can happen is that someone doesn’t respond or says no. The best that can happen is an employer selects you for an open role or even creates a role if you impress them.

Brooke Brumbelow (non-thesis track)

My name is Brooke Brumbelow (McCoy), and I am the communications manager for the Orlando Magic. Some of my primary responsibilities include generating publicity for the Magic’s on and off the court initiatives, serving as a staff writer and copy editor, managing the credentialing process, facilitating media arrangements for home games, producing the game program, assisting in the publication of the media guide, helping to facilitate media interviews and player appearances, and supporting all areas of the communications department.

In addition, I work all games and conduct one-on-one interviews with all players and coaching staff in media preparation, and I get the opportunity to cover events like the NBA All-Star Game and the NBA Draft on behalf of the Magic. I am very blessed to be in this position, and I always thank the University of Georgia and the Sport Management program for helping me get to where I am today. Not only did the program help me to see what I wanted to do with my career, but it allowed me to gain the insight and experience needed to succeed.

I would tell current UGA Sport Management students to never give up and volunteer whenever you can. The sport industry is an amazing industry to be in and, because of that, everyone wants to be a part of it. It is very competitive and a hard field to land in. However, do not give up. Take every “no” as a positive and a piece of encouragement and work harder towards your goal. Volunteer whenever you can. You can never have enough experience in this field, and it allows you to grow as a person and an employee. Lastly, enjoy every minute of it. Sports are fun and it is an amazing and rewarding opportunity that we get to call a job.

Additional Resources

Please use our online form if you have any questions for the department. Please be as specific as possible so that we may quickly assist you.

Faculty and Advisors

The College’s programs are taught by dedicated faculty who are experts in a range of areas and are passionate about helping students succeed both in their programs and professionally.

Meet the Faculty

A close working relationship with your advisor is key as you progress through your program of study. Please note that most graduate students at UGA are not assigned to a faculty advisor until after admittance.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Almost all in-state students begin their studies at UGA paying limited tuition or fees. Please note that these amounts are subject to change and are meant to give prospective students an idea of the costs associated with a degree at the University of Georgia College of Education.

Students may qualify for a variety of assistantships, scholarships, and other financial awards to help offset the cost of tuition, housing, and other expenses.

Tuition Rates   Browse Financial Aid

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