Online Executive Master in Sport Administration
Program Overview
Turn your professional experience into your next leadership opportunity. UC's Online Executive MS in Sport Administration offers a flexible pathway for working professionals in athletics and sport organizations.
The Online Executive Master of Science in Sport Administration from the University of Cincinnati is designed specifically for working professionals looking to advance their careers without putting them on hold. Built for adult learners, this innovative pathway combines flexible online learning, opportunities for credit for prior learning (CPL), and competency-based educational experiences that recognize the knowledge and skills professionals have developed throughout their careers.
Whether you are an athletic director, coach, athletics administrator, or sport industry professional, the Executive Sport Administration program provides an opportunity to build on your existing experience while earning a respected graduate degree. Through applied coursework focused on athletic leadership, governance, compliance, budgeting, fundraising, facility management, and strategic planning, students gain the advanced skills needed to lead in today's evolving sport environment.
The program is designed to help experienced professionals maximize their prior learning and professional accomplishments while creating opportunities for accelerated degree completion. By connecting academic learning directly to workplace challenges and real-world sport administration experiences, students can immediately apply what they learn to their careers while progressing toward their degree.
Program Highlights
High Quality Education
- Adult learner focus
- Opportunities for credit for prior learning
- Accelerated completion opportunities
- Curriculum built around real-world athletic administration challenges
Flexibility
- 100% online. No campus visit required
- Asynchronous scheduling means you can complete coursework on your time
- Financial aid available
- Semester start dates in spring, summer, and fall
- Transfer credit may be applicable
Support from Application through Graduation
At UC, you’ll have a full support team behind you:
Enrollment Services Advisor: Your partner through the application process, getting enrolled, and starting your program
Student Success Coordinator: Helping you prepare for classes and stay on track
Access to Resources: Access to university resources that will support you through your program including online learning expectations and resources, health and wellness resources, and academic support
Curriculum
The Online Executive Master of Science in Sport Administration curriculum is designed for working professionals seeking a flexible path to career advancement. Through competency-based learning experiences and opportunities for credit for prior learning, students can build on their existing knowledge while progressing toward their degree.
CPL Opportunity
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Admission Requirements
Prerequisites
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college/university.
- An overall 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) or higher from all previous undergraduate coursework. Those with less than a 3.0 GPA, may be considered for acceptance if the applicant takes the GRE or has a minimum of 3 years work experience in Sport Administration post bachelor degree.
- Proof of English proficiency if English is not the applicant’s native language.
Admission Materials
- Resume or CV.
- Transcripts.
- Goal Statement.
- Two Letters of Reference.
Complete the online application and submit the application fee.
Standard Application Fees*:
- $65.00 for domestic applicants to most degree programs
- $70.00 for international applicants to most degree programs
- $20.00 for domestic applicants to Graduate Certificates
- $25.00 for international applicants to Graduate Certificates
- Fee waivers are automatically applied for applicants who:
- are currently serving in the US armed forces
- are veterans of the US armed forces
*Application fees are waived for Fall 2026 applications submitted by July 1st, 2026
All applicants are required to upload unofficial transcripts during the application process, showing all undergraduate and graduate course work completed, including degrees granted and dates of conferral.
Official transcripts are not required until the student has received and accepted an offer of admission from the university. Once the offer has been confirmed, the student must submit official transcripts.
Students who have received degrees from the University of Cincinnati do not need to submit official paper copies of their UC transcripts.
Transcripts can be submitted electronically or by mail. To see if your transcript(s) can be ordered electronically, visit the links below and search for your previous school(s).
- Parchment
- Please select “University of Cincinnati – Main Campus” as the recipient of your transcript.
- National Student Clearinghouse
- Please have your transcript sent directly to grad.admissions@uc.edu.
If you do not see your past school(s) listed on either site, please contact the school(s) directly. Then, mail your sealed, unopened, official transcripts to:
Please mail sealed, unopened, official transcripts to:
University of Cincinnati
Graduate Admissions
2618 University Circle
PO Box 210091
Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0091
Current resume or curriculum vitae.
Two letters of reference from individuals who know you professionally or academically.
Applicants will need to provide a letter detailing their interest in the program and how it may match future professional goals.
Applicants with an undergraduate GPA below 3.0 will need to receive a score of 297 or higher on their GRE or request for a GRE waiver. To be eligible for the GRE waiver, the prospective student must have three or more years of post-undergraduate sport industry work experience.
For International students, an English proficiency test:
- TOEFL minimum Internet-based 80
- Paper-based 520
- Computer-based 190
- IELTS minimum 6.5
Application Deadlines
| Term | Application Deadline | Classes Start |
|---|---|---|
Fall 2027
|
August 13, 2027
|
August 23, 2027
|
Tuition & Fees
The University of Cincinnati's online programs allow students to pursue degrees without having to quit their jobs. Our online courses offer the same quality education found on campus in a modern format that fits students’ tight budgets and busy schedules.
The University of Cincinnati's online course fees differ depending on the program.
To view tuition information and program costs, visit the Online Program Fees page.
Accreditation & Rankings
- The University of Cincinnati and all of its regional campuses are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Faculty
Meet the EXE SPAD Program Coordinator
Matt Huml
Assoc Professor, CECH Human Services
Teachers College
Partnerships
Careers
Obtaining employment in sports requires a distinctive game plan that often draws heavily on face-to- face networking with industry professionals. That’s why we developed our online Master of Science in Sport Administration program to leverage the Bearcat Nation’s vast alumni network and UC faculty members with close industry connections. Distance learners will benefit from a framework built specifically for work in sports.
Distance learners will benefit from a framework built specifically for working in athletics including options to:
- Connect directly with UC alumni and other sport professionals who hold positions relevant to individual career aspirations
- Join our sport administration specific social media pages, including our LinkedIn group for job postings and discussions on the sports industry
- Apply learnings from in-class projects and assignments to make an immediate impact on your current or future job in athletics
- Work with faculty who will help formulate a transition plan for UC’s online MS in Sport Administration to the next career phase
While completing your degree, you will also have the opportunity to complete the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Certification (NIAAA) Program. The NIAAA program is known for cultivating a high standard of excellence as it helps prepare you for countless career opportunities.
Career Opportunities with a EXE Sport Administration Degree
Careers in the sports industry vary greatly. With a Sport Administration Master’s degree from The University of Cincinnati, you will have the business acumen combined with an understanding of the special nature of an athletic department that will prepare you for the competitive world of sports business.
Examples of careers our graduates pursue include:
- Athletic Director
- Coach
- Public Relations Director
- Facility Manager
- Director of Operations
- Event Coordinator
- Marketing Director
- Finance Director
- Corporate Partnerships Manager
- Student Athlete Advising Services
- Fundraiser
The position of athletic director is one of the most common in the field. These are the central decision makers responsible for supervising almost every aspect of an athletic department or sports organization. Check out our Athletic Director Guide.
Those with an increased focus for an organization may want to work as event coordinators, guest relations managers or facility operations managers. These roles focus on the event itself, ensuring effective game day coordination, facilitating guest experiences and acting as the liaison between the event staff, team and fans.
Marketing is another high-demand area within the realm of sports management. Sports marketing professionals manage conversations about their franchise. They may also oversee sponsorship’s and have a hand in all public relations activity. Similarly, a corporate partnerships manager seeks out new opportunities for relationships that are mutually beneficial to both brands.
Financial and contract analysts focus on ensuring that the team or organization is fiscally sound and responsible. They can also analyze incoming contracts to make sure they represent the best interests of the organization.
Testimonials
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