EdD Sports Leadership Program Overview
Become a Doctor of Education in Sports Leadership Online

edd phd leadership

Take the Next Step in Your Sports Career Development

A Doctor of Education in Sports Leadership degree is ideal for aspiring sports administration and business professionals yearning to learn the skills necessary to improve the structure and capabilities of a sports organization. Through our online EdD in Sports Leadership degree program, you will become adept at solving real-world problems, leading teams, advancing the goals of an organization, and improving the bottom line.

So what is the difference between a PhD and an EdD?

Rather than focusing on developing new research as a PhD would, an EdD uses existing research and case studies to develop informed decisions that lead to improved strategy and tactical deployment within an organization.

If you want to go into research, a PhD would be a good option. But if you want to be a change agent within an organization, such as a professional sports team, governing body, NCAA, or High School Athletic Administration, an EdD would be your most beneficial choice.

Many of our students are actively working in the NHL, NFL, NBA, MLS, MLB, and minor leagues as they pursue their doctorate online. With many of our students coming from diverse professional backgrounds, a wide network of contacts is a positive by-product of the program. Our faculty helps students traverse the next phases of their post-graduate career – but so do our fellow students!

What makes our Online EdD in Sports Leadership unique is its connectivity with our faculty.

Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, an industry leading voice and active participant in the sports industry for over 46 years, will be your mentor, advisor, advocate, and guide through the intricacies of the sports world. A passionate pioneer in online education who has taught students from over 140 different countries, Dr. Lashbrook has worked at 16 different colleges as a coach, administrator, compliance officer, professor, athletic director, and more.

Bottom line, Dr. Lashbrook has done it all and will teach it to you.

The EdD in Sports Leadership program at Concordia University, in conjunction with Sports Management Worldwide, advances research-based decision making, leadership excellence, and strategic forecasting – developing graduates ready to step to the front of any sports business. Our program is affordable, often less than 1/3 of the price of other sports management programs, and completely online, allowing you to keep your day job while you work towards your future.

Program Features

  • 100% online
  • Interdisciplinary degree programs
  • Nationally recognized faculty
  • No residency or on site visits required
  • Tuition Guarantee
  • Fall, Spring, and Summer start dates available
  • $710 per credit hour

Program Admissions Requirements

  • Master's Degree in Health Science, Sports Leadership, or a related field with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
  • No GRE required.

Required Documentation

  • Application for admission: apply online.
  • Writing sample that demonstrates your ability to write in a scholarly manner and at a level typical of graduate work. A paper from your master's program would be most appropriate. This sample should approach, but not exceed, five pages in length.
  • Resume/Curriculum Vitae
  • Letter of application that includes a statement of career goals and research interests.
  • Transcripts: provide one official, sealed transcript from each institution through which a degree was earned.
  • International transcripts: all foreign transcripts must be evaluated by a Concordia-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
    College of Graduate and Innovative Programs
    Addison Hall, Office 158
    7400 Augusta Street
    River Forest, Illinois 60305-1499
  • Application Documents may also be emailed to CUC@smww.com or faxed to (708) 777-4773.

PROGRAM INFORMATION

calendar Start Date: May 6, 2024

timeCourse Length: 8 weeks

computerDelivery Format: 100% Online

applicationApplication Deadline: April 29, 2024

EdD Sports Leadership Curriculum
Sports Leadership Specialization Courses 30 Credit Hours

Course Number Course Title Credits
SPML 6030
Sports Leadership and Ethics
3
SPML 6090
Sports Administration
This course is designed to emphasize the practical application of concepts, principles, and practices between sports organizations and community associations as it relates to the role of sport leader and administrator. Students will be required to review course materials, participate in discussion forums, and conduct research to acquire a thorough understanding of sports administration principles and theories.
3
LDR 6030
Leadership Theories and Professional Practice
In this course, students explore and examine contemporary and classical leadership theories and their application to a variety of professional settings; students assess and evaluate organization’s leadership platform, policies and professional practices.
3
LDR 7010
Developing Organization's Human Capital
3
LDR 7020
Leading the Knowledge Enterprise
Leading the Knowledge Enterprise is a course that introduces students to the exciting and sometimes hard to define field of knowledge management. The role of the leader is emphasized, especially as it relates to identifying and leveraging the intellectual capital of an organization; promoting and facilitating knowledge sharing and innovation; intellectual assets, knowledge management strategy, knowledge management cycle and knowledge taxonomies.
3
LDR 7030
Promoting and Leading Change
Effective change leadership requires an understanding of the basic principles and practices underlying innovation, change processes and sustainability in organizations. The focus of LDR-7030 is initiating, implementing and ensuring continuation of change as a key leadership challenge. Various change theories and principles are examined with an emphasis on the leader’s role in capacity building, creativity, organizational strengths and style. Participants are encouraged to develop a more situated and experience informed approach to change in the organizational front lines.
3
Pick four:    
LDR 6010
Pursuit of Leadership Excellence
In this course, concepts, skills and strategies for the enhancement of personal and professional leadership are examined. One’s fundamental leadership beliefs and assumptions are explored along with organizational performance and achievement.
3
LDR 6020
Critical Issues in Leadership
This course is designed to provide students with an overview of the critical issues faced by leaders in every organization in the 21st century. Current, relevant, and timely resources are explored to provide students with opportunities to analyze both organizations and their leadership.
3
LDR 7040
Creating & Leading a Learning Organization
In this course, students explore and examine the five disciplines of learning organizations; characteristics of learning organizations, growth cycles, building capacity and sustainability.
3
LDR 7050
Strategic Forecasting and Planning
This course examines strategic planning models, forecasting methods, trend analysis, futuring, problem-based learning, return on investment, organizational health and effectiveness, cost/benefit analysis and research and planning.
3
SPML 6010
The Essentials of the Law in Sports
This course introduces legal issues, and professional ramifications in field of sports management through the examination of regulations, government intervention, and ethically pertinent scenarios. This course allows learners to acquire a thorough understanding of legal considerations, which affect the interaction of league officials and athletes, their professional behavior, and what laws are established to protect their rights and assure they accountable for their actions.
3
SPML 6020
The Economics of Sport
The domain of sports, most notably, professional sports, has been elevated to one of the highest rungs of the financial ladder by having entered the world of professional entertainment industry. In the 21st century, sport has secured its place as one of the paramount forms of entertainment from Friday night high school football games to the Olympic venues. To function as an administrator within this profession, it is imperative to have a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic role of economics. In this course, students explore and examine the concepts and models of micro and intermediate economics as related to the business of sport.
3
SPML 6040
Sports Finance
In this course, students develop a framework with an in-depth analysis of the various tools, techniques, ratios, formulas, and other finance-related information, complex financial concerns in the sports workplace.
3
SPML 6050
Leading in Time of Change
This course introduces students to the valuable change management process in the dynamic world of sports leadership and management, preparing them to use and apply these skills practically with an understanding of varying concepts, theories and opinions.
3
SPML 6060
Diversity in Sports
This course is designed to teach students what diversity is and how it applies to sports in general and more specifically to gender, race, and various cultures. The course will help Learners understand the unique challenge for sports leaders to better understand diversity and through this understanding help “level the playing field.”
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 6110
Facilities and Events Management
Examines the principles and practices necessary to plan, develop, promote, operate and maintain sporting events, athletic centers and recreational facilities. Emphasis is on issues concerning personnel, finance, profitability, security, concessions, convention centers, event scheduling, equipment management, facilities maintenance and topics related to liability and risk management.
3
SPML 6120
Dynamics of Coaching
Coaching requires leadership abilities, social awareness, expertise in athletic components, and the ability to transcend these principles through recognized methodologies. This course focuses on the major coaching theories and models, methods, practices, and outcomes. Topics include study of first principles in coaching, coaching cases and analyses, great coaches, coaching decision making, and other contemporary issues.
3
SPML 6130
Social and Historical Foundations of Modern Sport
Sports are integrated into society and enjoyed throughout the world on a cultural and competitive level. This course examines the social, political, cultural, philosophical, psychological, historical and practical aspects of sport history and evolution.
3
SPML 6000
Organization and Administration of Recreation and Leisure Programs
This course provides an overview of principles and practices related to effectively managing a recreation and leisure program. Issues of branding, marketing, media, and personnel selection and development are considered.
3
SPML 6150
Philosophy & Educational Value of Sport
This course will build on Foundations & Theoretical Perspectives and provide students academic opportunities to identify and establish their personal and professional ideals and dispositions in relation to the academic literature and the mission/vision of their educational, recreational, and professional setting. Academic/co-curricular connectivity of sport and society.
3
SPML 6160
Assessment and Evaluation of Recreation and Leisure Programs
This course explores and examines the purpose and added value of assessment and evaluation in the recreation/leisure settings. Basic procedures and designs are used to develop a professional program evaluation/assessment plan. Cycle of evaluation/assessment, needs assessment, program planning and design, outcomes, objectives, findings, reporting for data driven decision-making.
3
SPML 6170
Current Trends in Recreation and Leisure
This course explores and examines the purpose and added value of assessment and evaluation in the recreation/leisure settings. Basic procedures and designs are used to develop a professional program evaluation/assessment plan. Cycle of evaluation/assessment, needs assessment, program planning and design, outcomes, objectives, findings, reporting for data driven decision-making.
3
SPML 6180
Foundations and Theoretical Perspectives of Recreation and Leisure Programs
This course explores and examines the purpose and added value of assessment and evaluation in the recreation/leisure settings. Basic procedures and designs are used to develop a professional program evaluation/assessment plan. Cycle of evaluation/assessment, needs assessment, program planning and design, outcomes, objectives, findings, reporting for data driven decision-making.
3
Research and Statistics 10 Credit Hours
Course Number Course Title Credits
RES 7605
Quantitative Research
3
RES 7700
Qualitative Research
3
RES 7900
Research Design
Principles of research theory, methods, inquiry, problem formulation, data collection, literature searches, and ethical considerations. Emphasis on how to design a doctoral-level research study.
4
Foundations/Philosophy/Ethics 12 Credit Hours
Course Number Course Title Credits
EDL 7140
Organizational Change
Application of change theory to large and small organizations. Leadership strategies for successful change implementation.
3
EDL 7120
Research-Based Decision Making
3
EDL 7211
Policy Analysis (non K-12)
Educational policy-making at the macro (national, regional and state) and micro (local and institutional) levels. Selected educational policies.
3
FPR 7011
Philosophical and Theorical Foundations of Leadership
3
Dissertation/Comprehensive Exam 9 Credit Hours
Course Number Course Title Credits
COMP 7000
Comprehensive Exam (fee)
 
0
DIS 7010-7030
Dissertation
 
9

PROGRAM INFORMATION

calendar Start Date: May 6, 2024

timeCourse Length: 8 weeks

computerDelivery Format: 100% Online

applicationApplication Deadline: April 29, 2024

EdD Sports Leadership Faculty

Dr. Lynn Lashbrook

Meet the EdD in Sports Leadership Faculty

A degree program is only as good as it’s professors – that is a fact.

Ask yourself, what makes a good professor? Is it their experience? Their published research? Their teaching style?

Most would agree a top-notch professor is dependent on many factors, unique to the individual. But at Concordia University, Chicago we strongly value active experience in our faculty.

We believe that in order to keep up with the rapidly changing global sports industry, our faculty needs to be in the action seeing first-hand the results of their complex business decisions. That is why our team of sports leadership faculty are all active participants in the fields they teach. They bring day-to-day experience to their virtual classrooms, and you are the beneficiary.

It all starts with Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, a respected voice in the sports industry who has been an industry expert for outlets including ESPN Outside the Lines, CNN, Fox Sports, Sports Business Journal, Yahoo Sports, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and multiple other publications.  

Dr. Lashbrook brings 46 years of sports industry experience to the online classroom as an expert in sports administration, entrepreneurship, agency, marketing, compliance, coaching, and more. His network is vast, having taught at 16 different colleges, represented over 100 professional athletes, and taught students from 162 different countries now working in all aspects of the global sports industry. 

You’ll love Dr. Lashbrook’s live Sunday morning video chats, where you get to interact with one of the foremost minds in the sports industry today and hear first-hand about new technologies professional sports teams are using in their organizations today.

Lynn Lashbrook, EdD
EDUCATION:
EdD, Kinesiology. University of Northern Colorado
MEd, Health and Physical Education. Springfield College
BS, 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
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
Michael 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

PROGRAM INFORMATION

calendarNext Start Date: May 6, 2024

timeCourse Length: 8 weeks

computerDelivery Format: 100% Online

applicationApplication Deadline: April 29, 2024

EdD Sports Leadership Tuition & Fees
Understanding the Costs of an EdD in Sports Leadership

Only 1.68% of the U.S. population over age 25 has their doctorate degree. Let that sink in a moment. Just 1.68%!

An EdD is the differentiator you’ve been looking for, a way to stand out in the competitive sports landscape and show you have taken your career preparation seriously. By receiving your Doctorate, you are showing a dedication to you craft that not many others can boast. 

Concordia University Chicago is committed to providing students with a high-quality education at a reasonable cost. Our Doctoral degree program costs an unheard of at $711/credit hour, which is 1/3 the cost of competitors' programs. Because our programs are online, we can save on many operational costs – allowing us to pass those benefits on to you.

Our EdD in Sports Leadership program is a win for your career, and your wallet.

EdD Sports Leadership Cost
Tuition (Per Credit Hour) $711
Technology Fee (Per Credit Hour) $15
Books (Approximate) $1625
TOTAL $45,911

PROGRAM INFORMATION

calendarNext Start Date: May 6, 2024

timeCourse Length: 8 weeks

computerDelivery Format: 100% Online

applicationApplication Deadline: April 29, 2024

EdD Sports Leadership Career Options
What Can You Do With an EdD in Sports Leadership?

Every day businesses are troubled by complex decisions and are often saddled with executive staff unable to make tough choices based on anything but their hunches and instincts.

As a student in the EdD in Sports Leadership program, you will be trained to use research and data to understand and evaluate logical steps toward thoughtful business decision making. You will become the asset that sports organizations need, qualified to lead and manage teams through the intricacies of the sports business landscape.

This degree program will qualify you for roles in:

  • Education
  • Research
  • Sports Agency
  • Player Personnel
  • Business Operations
  • Media, PR, and Communications
  • Community Relations
  • Front Office Management
  • Sports Marketing
  • Athletic Director
  • Sports Information Director
  • Compliance Officer
  • NCAA Academic Advisor
  • Director of Fundraising and Development
  • Coaching
  • Professor of Sports Management

Lucky for you, you’ll also learn from Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, who is one of the most connected men in the sports industry and is dedicated to helping you find the right career opportunities after you complete the program.

Our EdD in Sports Leadership program will open doors for your sports career – make your move today and invest in your future!

PROGRAM INFORMATION

calendarNext Start Date: May 6, 2024

timeCourse Length: 8 weeks

computerDelivery Format: 100% Online

applicationApplication Deadline: April 29, 2024

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