The Sports Administration & Facility Management Program is administered by the School of Recreation and Sports Sciences within Ohio University’s College of Health and Human Services. The Sports Administration & Facility Management Program offers three degree options:

• Master of Business Administration/Master of Sports Administration (MBA/MSA) Dual-Degree Program
• Jurist Doctorate/Master of Sports Administration (JD/MSA) Dual-Degree Program*
• Master of Sports Administration (MSA) Degree Program**

Option 1: MBA/MSA Dual-Degree Program

The two-year MBA/MSA program prepares students for leadership positions by combining the business teaching of the Ohio University MBA program with sport-specific knowledge during the MSA program. The MBA program is fully accredited by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business. In total, the MBA/MSA program is a 24 month, 115 quarter hour program.

Year One – The MBA Program: During the first year, students are enrolled in Ohio University’s MBA program. The MBA program begins in June each year, and involves a lock-stepped, four-quarter academic program, consisting of 72 credit hours. Students who join the program without an undergraduate background in business must begin their MBA study in June with an intensive 10-week prerequisite program. Please connect to the following link for more information on the MBA Program at Ohio University:

Ohio University MBA Program

Twelve of the 72 hours during the first year will satisfy the requirements of both the MBA and MSA programs. These twelve credits involve one, four-credit course each quarter that deal specifically with sports administration.

Internship: During the fourth (summer) quarter, the dual-degree students complete sports industry internships, which satisfy 9 credit requirements of both the MBA and MSA program. Internship opportunities have been provided by more than 400 different organizations throughout the world, including professional teams, corporate services, sports facilities, arenas, and collegiate programs. For more information regarding internships, please see the internship link.

Year Two – The MSA Program: During the second year, students enter the sports administration portion of the program. The MSA program requires the completion of 55-credit hours, of which 12 will have been earned while working on the MBA. Students are required to take two mandatory courses during the year, and the remaining hours (up to 34) consist of elective classes identified by the student and his or her academic advisor.

The freedom to choose classes allows students to focus on building further foundations and knowledge needed in their desired career. Students may choose to concentrate on sports management, journalism, marketing, facility and event management, or other specialties. There is a variety of course options during year two of the program, such as Sports and Consumers, Sponsorships in Sports, Licensing in Sports, Financial Administration of Sports Facilities and Programs, Athletic Fundraising, Sports Media, and Governance in Intercollegiate Athletics.

Learning also take places outside the classroom as students work on class projects, such as the program’s annual alumni symposium and various opportunities offered by the Ohio University Athletic Department. Many also choose to pursue work opportunities during the winter break of the second year. In recent years, students have interned at the Baseball Winter Meetings, the Sugar Bowl, the Orange Bowl, and the NCAA Soccer Championships. Other opportunities are included in program curriculum via practicum credits. In recent years, students have received this type of credit for events like the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Super Bowl, and Hula Bowl, as well as many others.

Option 2: JD/MSA Dual-Degree Program

With increasing frequency, sports administration and facility management professionals are faced with a wide variety of legal issues. The combination of a law degree and a MSA can provide graduates with flexibility in pursuing career opportunities. Ohio University’s Sports Administration & Facility Management Program and Capital University Law School (Columbus, Ohio) have created a joint degree program that allows students to enroll cooperatively in both programs. This gives students the opportunity to complete both degrees with a reduction in total credit hours. To qualify, students must apply and be admitted to both programs, and proposed curriculum must be approved by both institutions.

Students pursue legal studies at Capital University Law School in Columbus, Ohio. Capital University offers the JD degree in a full-time or part-time status. MSA coursework is completed, in residence, in Athens, Ohio. Ohio University's classes for the joint degree program are offered on a full-time basis only.

Generally, a full-time joint degree candidate is able to complete both degrees within three and a half to four years. Part-time joint degree candidates can complete both programs in five years, including summers. However, part-time law students will be required to transfer to full-time status while enrolled in the two-quarter residency requirement of Ohio's program. Both institutions require that candidates complete their programs within six years.

More information on Capital University Law School can be found at www.law.capital.edu or by calling 614-236-6310.

Option 3: MSA Program

Prospective students with a previous graduate degree (e.g. law, business, or other approved graduate degree) may be considered for the one-year MSA program. The MSA program requires the completion of 55 credit hours. Fifty hours are earned in at least three academic quarters of residence at Ohio University, followed by a five-hour internship.

Students may choose to concentrate on sports management, communications, journalism, marketing, facility and event management, or other specialties. There is a variety of course options for the MSA program, such as Sports and Consumers, Sponsorships in Sports, Licensing in Sports, Facility Management, Sports Finance, Athletic Fundraising, Sports Media, and Governance of Intercollegiate Athletics.

The required internship lasts anywhere from three months to a year and may include experiences in event operations, public relations, promotions, fund raising, ticket sales, sports information, business management, or other sport-specific specialties.

*The JD/MSA program is a dual-degree program with Capital University Law School located in Columbus, Ohio.

**Prospective students with a previous graduate degree (e.g. law, business, or other approved graduate degree) may be considered for the one-year MSA program.