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Professional Development in Athletics

5 minute read

The Master’s in Sport Administration program at UC Online is built with the professional in mind. Our curriculum is built so that you can begin or continue your career in athletics, while in the program. The asynchronous scheduling allows you to log on for class when it is convenient for you. Much of the coursework is immediately applicable and intended to help you advance your career while in the program. In addition to the in-classroom experience, there are many tools offered to our student base to support professional growth and networking.

Sports Career Gameplan

The sports industry isn’t just about the grade you receive but also about the connections you make and how you learn to navigate the field. The UC Sport Administration program has partnered with WorkInSports to help our students make the additional connections needed to succeed in the athletic industry. This optional add-on module is discounted for our students and gives you lifetime access to all the resources and coursework within the Sports Career Game Plan and a four-year membership to the premium job board hosted by WorkInSports.com. The Sports Career Gameplan is focused on mastering the art of networking and searching for jobs in the sports industry. The four key areas of the coursework are built around: ·        Gaining the RIGHT Experience ·        Building and Maintaining Your Network ·        Mastering your Resume, Cover Letter, and Personal Brand ·        Interviewing for Jobs and Internships

NIAAA Certification

Several of our alumni have gone on to become athletic directors, which is why Professor Kelley has deemed UC Online the #CradleOfAthleticDirectors. Our curriculum is designed with several professions in mind but will specifically provide you with the tools to succeed in the high school and collegiate levels. The sport administration master’s program utilizes selected NIAAA Leadership Training Institute courses as a part of the degree curriculum.

NIAAA Courses  
LTC 501:  Guiding Foundations and Philosophies RAA CAA
LTC 502:  Strategies for Organization Management RAA CAA
LTC 503:  Enhancing Organization Management RAA CAA
LTC 504:  Legal Issues I: Liability for Sports Injuries & Risk Management CAA 
LTC 506:  Legal Issues II: Title IX & Sexual Harassment CAA 
  One of the benefits of being a student of UC Online is that you can take advantage of our partnership with the NIAAA while in school. There are two option certifications that you can earn alongside your master’s degree if you intend to pursue a career in high school athletics. These discounted courses allow you to receive certification as either a Registered Athletic Administrator (RAA) or a Certified Athletic Administrator (CAA). This certification program is 100% optional but is based on the premise of continuing education, professional growth, and program development in the vocation of interscholastic athletics.
Benefits of obtaining NIAAA Certifications include:

  • Develops a sense of personal and professional satisfaction
  • Demonstrates a commitment to excellence in the profession
  • Provides growth of professional knowledge and expertise
  • Enhances the perception of the profession
  • Increases the potential for employment opportunities or incentives
  • Participation in a nationally registered certification program

Internal Networks

Our community page is where you will go to access your courses. In addition to coursework, you can access our resources section for additional help and networking options. You will find links to sports-specific job boards, useful organizations, and events. You can also check our social channels to hear from our faculty and keep up to date on trends in the industry. Our LinkedIn page is a great area to look for new opportunities and connect with faculty, students, and alumni. Our faculty posts consistently regarding events, articles, and job offerings. Stay up to date with everything going on in the sports world through our Twitter page. The community page also offers several videos featuring industry leaders and tips on networking in the field. You will also gain access to our Sports Learning Online group. This is an additional resource that helps connect current students with our alumni base to provide additional networking opportunities and professional development.  Within this platform, there are educational workshops and other important sport industry resources and best practices being shared by those working in the sports industry.

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