Our Master's in Sports Leadership program will prepare you for leadership positions within professional and intercollegiate sports organizations, amateur athletic organizations, and more.
Bring out the leader in you and mold the future of sports!
Make Your Next Move Count
Get Your MA in Sports Leadership
The art of being a leader is in the ability to get a group of people to stretch beyond their current capabilities. As a student in our Masters in Sports Leadership program, we will help you stretch beyond your current abilities so that you can help others to do the same.
The MA in Sports Leadership program at Concordia University Chicago, in conjunction with Sports Management Worldwide, teaches the fundamentals of leadership and develops graduates ready to step to the front of any sports business.
Why Concordia?
- AFFORDABLE! Our program is often less than ⅓ the price of other MA programs.
- ONLINE! Keep your day job and learn while you earn. Our flexible program fits you.
- REPUTABLE! Sports industry leaders like Toronto Raptors Head Coach, Nick Nurse, and NBA Executive of the Year, Mark Warkentien, are proud CUC students!
Our programs are as ambitious as you are!
- All courses are 100% online, no campus visit required
- 33 credits required for completion, comprised of 11, 8-week courses
- MA Sports Leadership Program begins three times annually: fall, spring, summer
- Affordable tuition is guaranteed throughout the entire program
- Small cohort/class sizes, 10-18 students
- Regionally accredited institution qualified to offer federal financial aid to students
- $460 per credit hour
- Program is in partnership with Sports Management Worldwide, a leading institution for sports management education offering 35 online courses and 3 degree programs.
- Application for admission: apply online
- Objective Statement: provide Information on your future educational goals and/or objectives and their relationship to pursuing graduate work at Concordia University Chicago.
- Transcripts: provide one official, sealed transcript from each institution through which a degree was earned.
- International Transcripts: any foreign transcripts must be evaluated by a Concordia Chicago-approved international credentialing service, such as WES (World Education Services) or ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators).
- Two letters of recommendation: letters should be from individuals able to comment on the applicant's academic proficiency, personal character, competence, and effectiveness in professional work.
- All documents should be submitted to:
- Concordia University Chicago
- Office of Graduate Admissions
- Addison Hall, 158
- 7400 Augusta Street
- River Forest, Illinois 60305-1499
- Application documents for the MA Sports Leadership program may also be emailed to CUC@smww.com or faxed to (708) 209-3454.
- A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or an equivalent non-U.S. degree.
- To be considered for Full Admission, candidates will present a cumulative grade point average above 2.85 or will have earned a master's degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher.
- To be considered for Provisional Admission, candidates will present credentials that generally satisfy full admission requirements and additional admission requirements such as special program prerequisites. All admission requirements must be satisfied by the end of the candidate's first semester of enrollment to continue in the program. Provisional Admission is only available to U.S. residents and citizens.
- To be considered for Probationary Admission, one or more of the following special conditions may exist: 1) a cumulative GPA between 2.25 and 2.84 (on a 4.0 scale); 2) holding a master's degree with a cumulative GPA below 3.0; and/or 3) credentials/documents that raise cause for reservation for admission. Students admitted on probationary status must earn a 3.0 GPA in graduate course work within their first semester of enrollment to continue in the program.
MA Sports Leadership Curriculum
| COURSE NUMBER | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
|---|---|---|
| SPML 6090 | Sports Administration
This course seeks to answer the question, which occupations benefit from a Masters in Sports Leadership? Emphasis on practical application of concepts, principles, and practices between sports organizations and community associations, and the role of sport leader and administrator. |
3 |
| SPML 6130 | Social and Historical Foundations of Sport
Examines the social, political, cultural, philosophical, psychological, historical, and practical aspects of sport history and evolution. Role of sport in contemporary society nationally and internationally. |
3 |
| SPML 6030 | Sports Leadership and Ethics
A Masters in Sports Leadership requires an expert level understanding of leadership and ethical practices in business decision making in the field of sports management. This course will prepare students to make and explain ethical decisions in the field of sports management. |
3 |
| SPML 6140 | Research in Sports
A leadership role in the sports industry requires a basic understanding of ongoing research. This course explores and examines the different methodological approaches to researching contemporary issues in sports; research design and reporting; bibliography. |
3 |
| COURSE NUMBER | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
|---|---|---|
| SPML 6010 | Essentials of Law
The law, legal issues, and professional ramifications in the field of sports management. |
3 |
| SPML 6020 | Economic of Sport
Understanding the role of economics in the sports industry is pivotal for anyone holding a sports leadership role. Specifically, economics related to the business of sports, revenue sharing, profit margins, and marginal revenue product. Economic theory and the tools of quantitative analysis used in management decision making. |
3 |
| SPML 6040 | Sports Finance
Fiscal responsibility and financial stewardship in the field of sports management. |
3 |
| SPML 6070 | Sports Promotion
Explore and examine the relationship between the mass media and the sports industry. Topics include sports broadcasting, print media and the development of public relation tools such as media guides and press releases, effective principles, theories, practices, and methods involved with all aspects of sports communications. |
3 |
| SPML 6050 | Leading in Time of Change
Change theory, change processes, and change agency in the field of sports leadership and management. |
3 |
| SPML 6060 | Diversity in Sports
Managers require understanding in diversity. The MA in Sports Management graduate degree gives a deeper understanding of diversity in the field of sports in general and specifically in relationship to gender, race, and various cultures. |
3 |
| COURSE NUMBER | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
|---|---|---|
| SPML 6100 | Sports Leadership Capstone
Students propose, develop, and write a master’s project demonstrating research skills and understanding of sports leadership. |
3 |
- In business, we often use the term ROI (Return On Investment) to quantify the impact of a purchase or expenditure. ROI is an applicable term here because your education is exactly the type of investment that you want to see a high return on!
- According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2011, the median amount earned for adults ages 25-34 working full-time, year-round, with a master's degree or higher was $59,200, compared to just $44,970 for individuals with a bachelor's degree.
- That's a good start, but let's take this equation one step further.
- To acquire a master's degree, and that aforementioned higher salary, requires a monetary investment that on average is between $1,000-$7,000 per credit hour. But at Concordia University Chicago, our master's program is just $460 per credit hour — a huge savings! As an accredited university, federal financial aid is also available for those in need.
- A master's degree will help you make more money in your career, and a masters at Concordia University Chicago is more affordable than the national average...now that is a positive ROI!
- (Congrats on completing your first business lesson!)
| MA SPORTS LEADERSHIP | COST |
|---|---|
| Tuition (Per Credit Hour) | $460 |
| Technology Fee (Per Credit Hour) | $15 |
| Books (Approximate) | $800 |
| TOTAL | $16,475 |
What Can You Do With a Master’s in Sports Leadership?
The Sports Industry Needs More Business Leaders – You Can Fill That Need
Every organization, from sports networks to professional teams, thrives when they have strong executive leadership. The leaders at the top of an organization help form the culture and environment that either propels a business forward or leads to its demise.
Our Master in Sports Leadership program teaches the essential skills to develop and lead an organization into the future, functioning at their most efficient. The program's foundation is in sports leadership, research, and administration while offering elective courses covering sports finance, sports promotion, sports facility and event management, sports law, and more.
Our Master’s in Sports Leadership program is an asset to anyone aspiring to work in:
- Player Personnel
- Sports Analytics
- Operations
- Media, PR, & Communications
- Community Relations
- Front Office Management
- Sports Marketing
- Sports Agency
- Athletic Administration
- Sports Information
- Compliance
- Game Day Operations
- NCAA Academic Advising
- Ticket Operations
- Fund raising & Development
- Coaching
- Sports Management Education
- Fan & Event Management
- Scouting
- ...& more
Our Master in Sports Leadership program will open doors for your sports career — make your move today and invest in your future!
Tuition Guarantee
CU Chicago's tuition guarantee program is an important way we help keep tuition affordable and predictable, so you know what the total cost of your education will be. We guarantee your tuition will remain the same and never increase while earning your degree.*
Accelerated Program
Complete your Master’s degree in as little as one year, or take just one class at a time and finish in 18 months.
100% Online
All of our graduate Sports Leadership programs are completely online and do not require any campus visit.
Transfer - Friendly
Up to 50% of the required course work may be transferred from another institution. Coursework from another institution will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by graduate admission office .
- Lynn Lashbrook, EdD
EDUCATION:
- EdD, Kinesiology. University of Northern Colorado
- EMEd, Health and Physical Education. Springfield College
- EBS, Health and Physical Education. Fort Hays State University
- Donna Blaess, PhD
EDUCATION:
- PhD, Educational Psychology. University of Iowa
- MA, Guidance and Counseling. University of South Florida
- BA, English and History. University of Tampa
- Paul Bucchi, PhD
EDUCATION:
- PhD, Business Administration with Electronic Commerce Specialization. Northcentral University
- MBA, Management Information Systems Specialization. Northcentral University
- BS, Advertising and Marketing Specialization. University of Florida
- PhD, Business Administration with Electronic Commerce Specialization. Northcentral University
- Kathryn Hollywood, PhD
EDUCATION:
- PhD, Administration & Supervision, Concentration in Church Organizational Leadership. Fordham University
- Professional Diploma, Pastoral Counseling. Fordham University
- MA, Theology. St. John’s University
- MA, Clinical Psychology. St. John’s University
- BA, Psychology. St. John’s University
- Juan Vives, PhD, EdD
EDUCATION:
- PhD, Organizational Leadership Concordia University Chicago, Organizational Leadership
- EdD, Educational Leadership Northcentral University, Educational Leadership
- MEd, School Supervision and Administration Bank Street College of Education
- MS, Reading, State University of New York at Albany
- BA, State University of New York at Albany
- Sharon Beverly, PhD
EDUCATION:
- PhD Leadership in Higher Education
- MS Education, Queens College
- BA Physical Education
- Sandra Svoboda, EdD
EDUCATION:
- EdD Educational Leadership, Northcentral University
- MA Educational Policy and Leadership, The Ohio State University
- BGS, Literature, Science and Art, The University of Michigan
- Micheal Heifferon, PhD
EDUCATION:
- PhD — Motor Learning/Orthopedic Sports Medicine, The University of Toledo
- MS – Strength Training and Athletic Conditioning, The Ohio State University
- MBA — Healthcare Administration, Baker College, Flint Michigan, MI
- BA – Physical Education, The Ohio State University
Bio:
- A native of Rochester New York, Michael Heifferon completed his Bachelor of Education and Master of Science at The Ohio State University. He earned his Doctorate of Science from The University of Toledo and Masters in Business Administration from Baker College. Over the past 29 years as an athletic trainer, Michael has worked with the New York Yankees, The Ohio State University, The United States Olympic Committee and United States Anti-Doping Agency. Additionally, during that period of time Michael was selected to participate as a Doping Control Officer for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games and the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.
- Additionally, from 1992 until present Michael has remained a health care administrator with a career in strengthening and leading all areas of operations within ambulatory, orthopedic, primary care, occupational, pain management and sports medicine practices. His diverse healthcare management experience includes achieving bottom line objectives, improving organization communication, and negotiator with success in securing advantageous contracts with strategic business partners, professional staff, insurance providers, and vendors. Other areas of interest and strengths include marketing, financial budgets, joint ventures, benchmarking and strategic planning and implementation.
- Melvin Landry, Jr., MBA
EDUCATION:
- MBA, Marketing, University of New Orleans
- MS, Agricultural Economics
- BS, Agricultural Economics
