Master’s Degree

PLAN OF STUDY

Research and Statistics (3 hrs)

  • EPSY 5601 Principles and Methods in Educational Research [required]
  • EPSY 5605 Quantitative Methods in Educational Research I [no longer required for students entering in Summer / Fall of 2023 / Recommended for students selecting the thesis option]
    • EPSY 5607 Quantitative Methods in Educational Research II, or
    • EDCI 6000 Qualitative Methods in Educational Research I

    Sport Management Major Courses (15 credits)

    • EDLR 5380 Sport Marketing
    • EDLR 5385 Sport Facility and Event Management
    • EDLR 5300 Management of Sport Services
    • EDLR 5325 Legal Aspects of Sport
    • EDLR 5315 Sport in Society

    Electives (9 credits)

    • Three 5000 level courses to be taken from outside the Sport Management Major Courses. Discuss with major advisor
    • Additional elective available in EDLR:
      • EDLR 5518 Introduction to Sport Based Youth Development

    Capstone

    • Option 1 (non-thesis option):
      • EDLR 5091 Internship (6 credits) OR
      • EDLR 5085 Research Project (6 credits)
        • Should be taken after the satisfactory completion of all coursework and successful completion of the comprehensive examination
    • Option 2 (thesis option):
      • GRAD 5950 Thesis Research (9 credits)*
        • Students selecting to write a thesis are not required to complete comprehensive exam

    *You must register for 9 credits of GRAD 5950 in order to graduate


    Download the full 2018-2019 Master’s Guidelines / Policies & Procedures document

    HOW TO APPLY

    Successful applicants to the Master's Sport Management programs in Educational Leadership generally have completed the following:

      • Applied to the Master’s degree program by the annual deadline of December 1st
        • Listed in online application as Education: Sport Management (MS)
        • Completed a 2-3 page, double-spaced response to one of the following essay prompts:
          • Select an event in sport that has pushed you to examine your beliefs about sport and explain the impact that event has had on your future
          • Describe the characteristics of an exceptional manager by examining someone whom you have observed or with whom you have worked. Illustrate how their management style has influenced you
      • Earned sufficient credits to be eligible for consideration
      • Accumulated sufficient experience related to the sport industry
      • Written a two to three page, double-spaced personal statement. Statements should elaborate on the applicant’s educational background, professional and volunteer experiences, and qualifications for the program. Applicants should also speak to why they believe the UConn program is the right program for them and why they are a good fit for the UConn program
      • Requested three letters of recommendation submitted on applicant’s behalf. Letters should be submitted as PDFs on professional letterhead with signature and be no more than two pages in length each. At least one of the letters must be from academic references, and the others can be from professional references. Letters should address the context in which the writer knows the applicant and his/her opinion of the applicant’s ability to succeed in UConn’s program

    In an effort to share pertinent information for applicants throughout the application process, we compiled our most popular questions into a slideshow and shared them on Instagram for a Virtual Open House.  This information is intended to support you during this process, but for even more information, follow us at @UConnSPM.

    APPLICATION CHECKLIST

    • Assemble your application materials in electronic format:
      • Personal statement
      • Completed a 2-3 page, double-spaced essay response
      • A resume of no more than two pages
      • Contact information for three references/recommenders1
    • Complete the online application from the Graduate School website
    • Upload unofficial transcripts to your electronic application

      • Upon admission, official transcripts will need to be sent to the Graduate School
      • Official transcripts are not required by UConn students
    • The Admissions Committee will only review completed applications received by December 1st

    1During the application process, an applicant is asked to provide contact information for three recommenders. The people submitting reference letters on your behalf may do so electronically through our application system. Be sure to mark “Yes” for the online submission question on the Provider Input Form. For additional information, please contact sportmanagement@uconn.edu

     

    FUNDING

    What should all students know about funding and aid?

    If provided, graduate assistantships are designed to provide experience directly relevant to their advisor’s research. Income from assistantships may aid a student over the course of their studies; however, it is important for students to appreciate that assistantships, if provided, are not guaranteed. Summer funding may not be available or may be dispersed late into the summer.

    According to the graduate school, “The holder of a full assistantship devotes one half of available time to studies and one-half (approximately 20 hours per week) to assistantship duties, while the holder of a half assistantship ordinarily devotes three-quarters of available time to studies and one-quarter (approximately 10 hours per week) to assistantship duties.” Students with assistantships have a lower academic credit minimum (6 credits per semester versus 9 for unfunded) to accommodate their assistantship project.

    What important notes should students consider?

    We strongly encourage filling out your FAFSA as early in the application process as possible – even if you have not sent in applications for admission. The FAFSA application is a generic application. Do not forget to send FAFSA results to the school.

    Students with Graduate Assistantships should be aware that school fees are not covered by a tuition waiver (but can be covered by student loans). The current rates for school fees are available via the Bursar’s Office (typically amount to about $1,000). These are due prior to class registration.

    The Office of Financial Aid typically offers loan money to both funded and unfunded students. This is based on anticipated needs for rent and other living expenses (more information available through The Office of Financial Aid). The Office of Financial Aid will determine the amount you are eligible to receive (on average, funded students are offered under $10,000 each semester, which is split between subsidized and unsubsidized student loans).

    The Graduate Student Senate also offers short-term, interest-free loans in case of an emergency to graduate students performing coursework on the Storrs campus (in addition to students in the Public Policy or Marine Sciences programs). To qualify for the loan, students must also be in good financial standing with the university. Additional information on these interest-free loan opportunities, including supplementary critera, can be found here.

    Where can I get information about financial aid?

    We strongly encourage filling out your FAFSA as early in the application process as possible – even if you have not sent in applications. Do not forget to send FAFSA results to the university.

    How do I apply for a graduate assistantship?

    There is no formal application process for graduate assistantships in the Sport Management Program. Indicate your interest in a position on your application. A limited number of assistantships are available through the department. It is advisable to work with your prospective advisor to pursue assistantship opportunities that may be available.For more information, please visit the Graduate School's website.

    What types of assistantships are available?

    Most internal graduate assistantships involve teaching or research. Sometimes, there are other limited options external to the department including graduate assistantships within the Division of Athletics or other offices on campus. It is advisable to contact those offices and work with your prospective advisor to pursue assistantship opportunities.

    Many master’s students work in the Division of Athletics as either assistant coaches or administrators. Their work experience involves practical experience in NCAA Division I athletics. Ph.D. students typically work as either teaching or research assistants for individual faculty members. That experience is outlined and managed by the faculty member. A full graduate assistantship is 20 hours of work per week. A half graduate assistantship is 10. For more information on pay rates please see the Payroll Department’s information for Graduate Assistants.

    Outside Employment

    The Residence Requirement of the University of Connecticut requires that a student devote “full-time effort to studies, without undue distraction caused by outside employment”. In addition, funded students may not work outside of their assistantship without prior approval from their advisor. According to this policy, your advisory committee may record and report a “description of the nature, extent, and period(s) of outside employment” to the graduate school as part of your Plan of Study. Please discuss your plans with your advisor in advance. We recommend that students inquire about loan programs available through Financial Aid to offset costs of attendance if necessary.