Masters

Kinesiology & Recreation - Sport Management

Also Available Online

Overview

The Kinesiology and Recreation – Sport Management master’s program helps students make the jump from sports fan to sport manager. It includes innovative curriculum, small class sizes, and numerous opportunities to gain practical, real-world experience.

We offer two ways to complete the M.S. in Kinesiology and Recreation - Sport Management: Traditional (on-campus) or Online.

Traditional Sequence

The traditional sequence is offered on-campus in Normal, IL and courses are offered at a variety of times during the day and evening. Our on-campus students work hard in the field and in the classroom. Through field trips, speakers, and class activities, students can connect with high-level sport executives and get practical experience with assistantships, internships, and volunteer opportunities. During the last year of the program, students will complete a culminating experience on campus or in the region.

See a sample two-year plan of study for the traditional master’s sequence.

Online Sequence

The online sequence offers the same high-quality program taught by our full-time faculty, but courses are offered fully online and asynchronously, making it easy for students to complete the program in a time frame and geographic location that works best for them. Students in the online program will complete a practicum, which provides real-world, hands-on experience in the sport industry. Online students will also receive one-on-one faculty mentorship throughout their studies. The online sequence can be completed in as little as three semesters, but students can also work through the program at their own pace if they prefer a part-time schedule.

Due to the online nature of this sequence, graduate assistantships are not available. Consider our traditional program if you wish to secure a graduate assistantship.

See a sample one-year plan of study for the online master’s sequence.

Point of Pride

Sport Management classes are taught by full-time faculty with years of hands-on sport industry experience. Students in the sport management sequence gain access to an accomplished group of program alumni who are actively employed by professional sports teams, collegiate athletics departments, sport agencies, and more. As a result, students will learn how to think critically about the issues facing the sport industry through real-world application and experience.

Dr. Liz Sattler
(309) 438-1856
McCormick 162

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How to Apply

University Admission Requirements

A student applying to a master's program must:

have earned a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or university that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association, or do so within one academic year
present unofficial transcripts from each college or university other than Illinois State at which graduate, undergraduate, or non-degree credit was earned. The unofficial transcript should be easily readable and clearly indicate degree(s) awarded, courses and course grades for each term. If accepted, official transcripts can be emailed from the university to GraduateAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, Graduate School, 209 Hovey Hall, Campus Box 4040, Normal, IL 61790-4040.

International students can learn more about specific application requirements by visiting the Office of Admissions.

Additional Program Admission Requirements

To be considered for this program, you must meet the following requirements.

GPA

You must have a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for either the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework or any previous work in a master's program.

Resume

Submit a current resume that outlines your education and work history (2-page maximum)

Career Goal Statement

Write a statement of your career goals that discusses:

Why you are seeking Illinois State for graduate school
How the sport management program will prepare you for your future goals

Reference Contact Information

Submit the names and email addresses of three references for letters of recommendation within the online application.

Global Access to Online Degree Programs

When applying, international students applying to a fully online program must agree to our international online and hybrid programs disclosure and disclaimer statements. Due to limited on-campus courses, immigration documentation cannot be issued for students seeking F-1 or J-1 status.

Application Deadlines - Traditional Sequence

Fall Term — February 1

Application Deadlines - Online Sequence

Fall Term — July 15
Spring Term — October 15
Summer Term — April 15

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Graduate Assistantships

The University provides graduate assistantships as a means of financial support. They are intended as a way to facilitate a student's progress to degree while providing important professional development.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an assistantship a student must, generally,

be admitted unconditionally as a degree-seeking student into a graduate academic program, or have a minimum of 120 undergraduate hours if in an integrated degree program
be in good-standing
be enrolled full-time (typically at least 9 credit hours during the fall or spring semesters, or at least 6 hours during the summer session).

Benefits

Graduate assistants receive

monthly wages paid in the form of either a stipend or an hourly wage
a waiver for 100% of tuition during a semester of appointment
a waiver for up to 12 credit hours of tuition for the summer term immediately following a fall or spring appointment

Costs & Funding

See Student Accounts for information on tuition and fees. Funding for graduate students is available from several different sources. Students who have been admitted from contiguous states including Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin will receive in-state tuition.

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