Information for:

Ph.D. Program in Sport Management & Policy (SMP)

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 principles our programs study the place of sport in society, and examine the historical, sociological, psychological, 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 Ph.D. emphasis in SMP is designed to provide the candidate with the qualifications for an academic career and research in the sport management and policy disciplines. The program of study is determined by the student and the doctoral advisory committee, based on the student's background, interests, and career goals. A minimum of thirty hours of course work are required. Students are expected to be involved in research throughout their Ph.D. program. The program requires approximately three years beyond the master's degree to complete. Requirements for the Ph.D. in SMP

Entrance Requirements

Applicants with a baccalaureate and master’s degree in any field of study are eligible to apply to the Ph.D. program in SMP. Complete applications received by February 1 will be given full consideration for admission and graduate assistantships. To be considered for admission, applicants must complete an application for graduate study, submit transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended, submit scores on the GRE, provide three letters of recommendation, a purpose statement, research interests, vita/resume, and complete the department questionnaire.

Minimum Standards

Applicants should have earned a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA and a 3.5 graduate GPA (on a 4.0 scale). A minimum combined GRE score of 1,100 (Verbal and Quantitative sections, with a minimum verbal score of 500 and a minimum quantitative score of 600) and 4.5 on the Analytical Writing section is required for admittance. Minimum GPA and test scores must offset by demonstrated excellent accomplishment in other areas of the application. The statement of purpose portion of the departmental questionnaire should reflect the applicants understanding of, and desire to enter into, an academic career in sport management and policy. Prior experience in the sports industry as it relates to the applicant’s research interests should be highlighted. References must include at least two from a professor or instructor that will speak to the applicant’s potential for success as teacher and researcher.

Application Procedure

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 or teaching undergraduate sport management courses. Other assistantship opportunities are available in the Department of Recreational Sports and with the UGA Athletic Association. Information on Assistantships

Contacts

If you have any questions or problems, please contact Dr. Joel Maxcy (program coordinator) at 706-542-4420 or jmaxcy@uga.edu, Dr. Ted Baumgartner (graduate coordinator) at tbaumgar@uga.edu or 706-542-4424 or Ms. Marlee Stewart (graduate coordinator's assistant) at kins@uga.edu or 706-542-4378.

Program Faculty

Joel Maxcy (Program coordinator), Associate Professor
Ph.D., Economics, Washington State University
Areas of Expertise: Sport economics
Research Interests: Industrial Organization, Labor Economics, Economics of Sport, Law and Economics, Sport Law, Antirust and Regulation, Labor Economics and Policy

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, Terrorism and Sport Facilities

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

Doyeon Won, Assistant Professor
Ph.D., Sport Management, The Ohio State University
Area of Expertise: Sport Management
Research Interests: Strategic Management in Sport, Consumer Behavior in Sport

Affiliated Faculty

Ted Baumgartner, Professor, Graduate Program Coordinator
Ph.D., Physical Education (Measurement), University of Iowa
Research Interests: Techniques of Assessing Reliability, Assessment of Physical Fitness

Rose Chepyator-Thomson, Professor
Ph.D., Physical Education (Curriculum and Instruction), University of Wisconsin at Madison
Research Interests: Gender, Race and Ethnicity in Physical Education and Sport; Multicultural Teacher Education in Physical Education; Globalization and African Issues in Physical Activity and Sport

Paul Schempp, Professor
Sport and Instruction Research Laboratory Director
Ed.D., Physical Education, Boston University
Research Interests: Expert Teaching in Sport and Physical Education, Socialization of Physical Education Teachers, Acquisition of Teachers’ knowledge

Current SMP Ph.D. Students

Daniel Larson
Advisor: Joel Maxcy
Previous Degrees: B.S. Business Management; M.S. Sport Management

Deborah Baclawski
Advisor: Billy Hawkins
Degrees/Major: B.A. Philosophy; M.A. Women’s Studies

Heather McCormick
Advisor: Billy Hawkins
Previous Degrees: B.B.A. Accounting; M.Ed. Physical Education

Doctoral Alumni

Rob Zullo, Ph.D. 2005
Current Employment: Assistant Professor at James Madison University

Matthew Wilson, Ed.D. 2004
Current Employment: Assistant Professor at Stetson University
Past employment: Assistant Professor at The University of Southern Mississippi

Akilah R. Carter, Ph.D. 2008
Current Employment: Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University

Jaeyong Chung, Ph.D. 2008
Current Employment: Broadcast sport journalist for the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS)

UGA Graduate School Information

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UGA Graduate School Information

Expenses

Graduate Assistantships

Student Health Insurance

Graduate Student Handbook

Online Application