M.S. (Thesis Option) in Sport Management & Policy

Sport Management and Policy graduate programs prepare graduates for a variety of positions in the sport industry and academia. The graduate curriculum addresses the economic, legal, social, and ethical, issues affecting the sport industry. In addition to the application of business and management principles, our programs study the place of sport in society, and examine the historical, sociological, and philosophical dimensions of sport. Examination of governmental and industry policies as they apply to sports is critical to each degree program.

Description of the Program

The M.S. thesis option is designed to prepare students for a research career in the sport industry or academia, including preparation for Ph.D. studies. The 30 hour program of study includes 9 hours of required courses in SMP, 12 hours of research related courses including a 6 credit hour thesis, and 9 hours of electives. Requirements for the M.S. in Sport Management and Policy.

Entrance Requirements

Applicants with a baccalaureate degree in any field of study are eligible to apply to the M.S. program in sport management and policy (SMP). Complete applications must be received by February 1 to be considered for admission and assistantships in the Fall. Late applications cannot be given full consideration. To be considered for admission, applicants must complete an application for graduate study, submit transcripts from all undergraduate institutions attended, submit scores on the GRE, provide three letters of recommendation, and complete a departmental questionnaire.

Application Procedures

1. Steps for Applying to the Graduate School

To apply to the Graduate School, access the Graduate School application web page. Read the information on the application procedure. The link to the online application is at the bottom of the page. At the bottom of the first page of the application, you must select a major. You will select one of four options Kinesiology MS, Kinesiology MS-nonthesis, Kinesiology PhD. or Kinesiology Nondegree. Once you select one of these options, you will be asked to select a specialization. If you are applying for a master’s degree program, select Kinesiology MS or Kinesiology MS-nonthesis. The MS programs are research-oriented programs designed for students who want an in-depth research experience that involves completing a thesis. If you are interested in continuing for the PhD at UGA or another institution, you should select this option. The specializations available for Kinesiology MS are: biomechanics, exercise physiology, exercise psychology, measurement, motor behavior, pedagogy, and sport management and policy. The MS-non-thesis programs are professional programs designed for students who do not plan to conduct research as part of their career and do not plan to continue for a Ph.D. The specializations available for the MS-nonthesis are: athletic training, clinical exercise physiology, general exercise science, motor behavior (adapted physical education), pedagogy and sport management and policy. Students interested in a doctoral program should select Kinesiology PhD. Specializations available include biomechanics, exercise physiology, exercise psychology, measurement, motor behavior, pedagogy, and sport management and policy. If you are interested in athletic training or exercise epidemiology, please contact a faculty member with expertise in your area of interest prior to completing the application. If you are not interested in completing a degree, but only in taking some courses, you should select the Kinesiology Nondegree option.

Follow all the steps for submitting your online application, registration fee, transcripts (using the transcript request form), test scores and three letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation should be electronically submitted as described in the online Graduate School application.

1. Make arrangements to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) test if you have not already done so. The GRE is required for all graduate students and the scores should be sent directly to the Graduate School.
2. International applicants whose primary language in not English must also arrange to take the Internet-Based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), which includes a speaking of English score. The English speaking score is required if applying for an assistantship. Have your scores sent directly to the Graduate School.

When your file is complete you will receive confirmation from the Graduate School.

2. Steps for Applying to the Department of Kinesiology

Send electronic copies in Word or Adobe pdf format as e-mail attachments to Melissa Farmer, kins@uga.edu. If you are interested in an assistantship, the Application for Graduate Assistantship form (below) should be filled out online, and submitted electronically (using the Submit by E-mail button).

Application for Graduate Assistantship

Purpose Statement: In a typed statement describe your interest in Kinesiology, graduate education goals, and career objectives.

Research Interests:If you are applying for entrance into a thesis program (M.S. or Ph.D.), provide a brief statement of your research interests.

Interest in The University of Georgia: In an attached statement, indicate why you are applying to the graduate program in Kinesiology at UGA (e.g., reputation of program, to work with a particular professor, recommended by friend or college professor, location of University, etc.).

Vita/Resume: In a resume or vita summarize your work experience, certifications held, college distinctions (honors, scholarships, activities), title of Master’s Thesis (if applicable), experience with computer use and research, and professional publications and presentations.

When your file is complete, it will be reviewed by the Department and a recommendation on admission will be made to the Graduate School. They, in turn, will send out the official acceptance or denial letter. A student may not register for classes unless they have been notified of admission by the Graduate School.

Departmental assistantships are chosen once a year for the coming academic year. Students with an assistantship must be enrolled during the academic year. Applications are reviewed starting around February 1. Usually 80% of the assistantships are awarded during the month of March and the remainder during April. A prospective graduate student cannot be awarded a teaching or research assistantship until he/she has been admitted to a degree program in the University.

All other financial aid information can be requested from the Office of Student Financial Aid at their web site: http://www.uga.edu/osfa/

The following deadlines are in effect for completed admission files (all materials):

Decisions concerning admission into the Kinesiology Department are made in February, March or April for Summer or Fall Semester admittance. Students are rarely admitted to start in the spring semester.

The deadline for receipt of applications for admission and for an assistantship is February 1. The deadline to be admitted and not considered for an assistantship is April 1. Applications received after April 1 are rarely considered.

International Applicants
February 1 to be admitted and considered for an assistantship. March 1 to be admitted.

Assistantships

Graduate teaching assistantships are available in the Department of Kinesiology. Duties involve the teaching of activity courses in the required physical education activity program. Other assistantship opportunities are available in the Department of Recreational Sports and with the UGA Athletic Association. Information on Assistantships.

Program Faculty

Thomas Baker, Assistant Professor
Ph.D., Sport Management, University of Florida
J.D., Loyola University School of Law
Area of Expertise: Sport Law
Research Interests: Sport Law and Risk Management

Kevin K. Byon, Assistant Professor
Ph.D., Sport Management, University of Florida
Areas of Expertise: Sport Marketing
Research Interests: Sport Consumer Behavior, Sport
Sponsorship, Sport Tourism, Measurement and Statistics

Rose Chepyator-Thomson, Professor
Ph.D., Physical Education/Educational Policy, University of Wisconsin at Madison
Areas of Expertise: Global and policy issues in sport and physical activity, multiculturalism in schools and higher education, and Globalization and African Sports
Research Interests: Gender, Race and Ethnicity in Physical Education and Sport; urban and transnational diversity in Physical Education and sport; international sport and public policy; colonialism and post colonialism in context of African sporting bodies

Billy Hawkins, Associate Professor, Program Coordinator
Ph.D., Sociology of Sport and Cultural Studies, University of Iowa
Area of Expertise: Sociology of Sport, Cultural Studies
Research Interests: Race and Sport, Religion and Sport, Collegiate Athletics

James J. Zhang, Professor and Director
International Center for Sport Management
Ph.D., Measurement/Sport Administration, Springfield College-Massachusetts
Areas of Expertise: Sport Consumer Behavior, Sport Organizational Behavior, Research Design, Measurement, and Statistics
Research Interests: Applied Measurement and/or Applied Studies Examining Sport Consumer and Organizational Behavior

Contacts

If you have any questions or problems, please contact Dr. James Zhang (program coordinator) at 706-542-4420 or jamesz48@uga.edu or Ms. Melissa Farmer (graduate coordinator’s assistant) at kins@uga.edu or 706-542-4378.