Program Description

Full Description

The Master of Arts degree in Sport Administration provides students a knowledge base in management theory and application in sport settings. The program culminates with an internship, research project or thesis.

Students have the opportunity to complete a dual degree program with the Master of Business Administration degree.

Admissions

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Goal statement
• Two letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:¹
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 DET score

¹

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Spring Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Summer Term
  • Rolling admissions

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the knowledge and experience necessary to become successful as a professional in the sport industry.
2. Apply theoretical and practical knowledge of the industry in a professional career.
3. Engage and expand the number of international promotional, scholarly and educational research/presentation opportunities in the profession.

Dual Degree

Dual Degree With Master of Business Administration

Students have the opportunity to complete a dual degree program with the M.A. degree in Sport Administration and the M.B.A. degree in Business Administration. A separate application must be submitted for each program. Students can view admission requirements for each program on their respective catalog page.

The dual M.B.A./M.A. in Sports Administration provides students with an integrated business and sports management education and prepares students for responsible leadership positions in sports settings.  The program culminates with an internship, research project or thesis.

Dual Degree Requirements

¹

Students who select SPAD 63098 or SPAD 65092 as the culminating requirement must select 9 credit hours of Sport Administration electives.

²

Students choosing SPAD 65092 may be required to complete state or Federal background checks for their practicum or internship experience.

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Admissions

Admission Requirements

Admission to a minor is open to students declared in a bachelor’s degree, the A.A.B. or A.A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree (not Individualized Program major). Students declared only in the A.A. or A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree in Individualized Program may not declare a minor. Students may not pursue a minor and a major in the same discipline.

To declare this minor, students must have attempted a minimum 12 credit hours at Kent State and earned a minimum 2.000 overall Kent State GPA. Students who have not attempted 12 credit hours at Kent State will be evaluated for admission based on their high school GPA for new students or transfer GPA for transfer students. Transfer students who have not attempted 12 credit hours of college-level coursework at Kent State and/or other institutions will be evaluated based on both their high school GPA and college GPA. 

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Program Description

Full Description

The Bachelor of Science degree in Sport Administration prepares students for careers in the sport industry through a balanced academic program and numerous practical experiences.

Students complete a core group of courses developed to exceed accreditation guidelines, and all students are required to complete one of the following minors:

• Business
• Data Analytics
• Finance
• International Business for Non-Business Majors
• Management for Non-Business Majors
• Marketing

The curricular balance of sport, business and sociological courses along with three required practical experiences make the program of study one that is cutting edge compared to other programs within the state of Ohio and across the country.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of proficiency of the English language (unless they meet specific exceptions) through the submission of an English language proficiency test score or by completing English language classes at Kent State’s English as a Second Language Center before entering their program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Former Students: Former Kent State students or graduates who have not attended another college or university since Kent State may complete the reenrollment or reinstatement form on the University Registrar’s website.

Current Kent State and Transfer Students: Active Kent State students who wish to change their major must have attempted a minimum 12 credit hours at Kent State and earned a minimum 2.000 overall Kent State GPA to be admitted. Students who have not attempted 12 credit hours at Kent State will be evaluated for admission based on their high school GPA for new students or transfer GPA for transfer students. Transfer students who have not attempted 12 credit hours of college-level coursework at Kent State and/or other institutions will be evaluated based on both their high school GPA and college GPA.

Transfer students visit the admissions website for transfer students for more information.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog's Academic Policies.

Students may be required to meet certain criteria to progress in their program. Any progression requirements will be listed on the program's Coursework tab

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge in the areas of promotion and marketing as related to sport.
2. Effectively and safely implement sporting events and fundraising events.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the policies and organizations that govern sport.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of basic legal concepts and theory as it applies to sport.
5. Demonstrate financial knowledge of accounting, economics and finance as it applies to sport.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of ethics in sport management.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of management and organizational skills in sport.
8. Demonstrate an understanding of behavioral dimensions in sport.

Roadmap

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Program Description

Full Description

The Qualitative Research graduate certificate is for students who wish to improve their ability to design, conduct, analyze and quality-assess qualitative approaches to research used in the context of funded research, educational assessment, program evaluation, critical, creative, exploratory or theoretical endeavors or other applications.

The courses in this program offer students inter- and trans-disciplinary opportunities to learn and develop skills in qualitative methodologies, including grounded theory, phenomenology, ethnography and descriptive approach; as well as methods, including observation, interviewing, transcription, data analysis, use of software, analytic memoing and others.

Admissions

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Résumé
• Goal statement
• Two letters of recommendations
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:¹
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 DET score

Review of applications will be handled by one of the certificate co-coordinators, who will also evaluate prerequisites (if substitute syllabi are submitted by student).

¹

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Spring Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Summer Term
  • Rolling admissions

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Argue for the value of qualitative methodological approaches and help others understand the value of this form of inquiry to enhance understanding within their respective fields.
2. Critique and review a wide variety of qualitative research in their respective fields.
3. Create and enact a variety of forms of high-quality, ethical qualitative research in their respective fields.

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Program Description

Full Description

The Ph.D. degree in Research, Measurement and Statistics develops professionals who have the theoretical knowledge base and application skills to teach courses at the college level in research design, statistics, measurement and evaluation; conceptualize, design and evaluate a wide variety of research methodologies; choose appropriate analyses for questions and designs that have been proposed; communicate effectively with educators and other professionals in the development and application of research and psychometric materials; and evaluate programs culminating in written reports.

Course offerings encompass the broad range of expertise required of those who will assume leadership roles in the conduct and teaching of research, measurement, statistics and evaluation.

Admissions

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 3.500 GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Résumé or curriculum vitae
• Goal statement
• Two letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:¹
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 DET score

¹

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Priority deadline: March 15
• Spring Semester
  • Priority deadline: October 15
• Summer Term
  • Priority deadline: March 15

Applications submitted by this deadline will receive the strongest consideration for admission.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of descriptive and inferential statistics at a conceptual and application level.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of research design and methods by selecting and executing the appropriate research design and methods for a variety of applications.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of measurement, including the methods to develop valid and reliable measures of constructs.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary and classic theories in program evaluation, the purposes and logic of program evaluation and the processes of different types of program evaluation.

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of descriptive and inferential statistics at a conceptual and application level.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of research design and methods by selecting and executing the appropriate research design and methods for a variety of applications.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of measurement, including the methods to develop valid and reliable measures of constructs.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary and classic theories in program evaluation, the purposes and logic of program evaluation and the processes of different types of program evaluation.

Admissions

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Goal statement
• Two letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:¹
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 DET score

¹

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Priority deadline: March 15
• Spring Semester
  • Priority deadline: October 15
• Summer Term
  • Priority deadline: March 15

Applications submitted by this deadline will receive the strongest consideration for admission.

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • Fully online
  • Mostly online
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates with this minor will be able to:

1. Apply theoretical, philosophical, and conceptual knowledge to the management of tourists and tourism destinations. 
2. Interpret tourism destination resources for the benefit and enjoyment of tourists.
3. Develop and promote domestic and international tourism itineraries. 
4. Demonstrate understanding of the social and economic impacts of tourism at the local, regional and national levels. 

Admissions

Admission Requirements

Admission to a minor is open to students declared in a bachelor’s degree, the A.A.B. or A.A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree (not Individualized Program major). Students declared only in the A.A. or A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree in Individualized Program may not declare a minor. Students may not pursue a minor and a major in the same discipline.

Students declared in the Recreation, Park and Tourism Management major may not declare the Tourism Management minor. 

To declare this minor, students must have attempted a minimum 12 credit hours at Kent State and earned a minimum 2.250 overall Kent State GPA. Students who have not attempted 12 credit hours at Kent State will be evaluated for admission based on their high school GPA for new students or transfer GPA for transfer students. Transfer students who have not attempted 12 credit hours of college-level coursework at Kent State and/or other institutions will be evaluated based on both their high school GPA and college GPA.

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Apply theoretical, philosophical and conceptual foundations of recreation and leisure to recreation program management.
2. Execute group facilitation techniques with diverse clientele to achieve recreation program outcomes.
3. Design, implement and evaluate recreation programs to meet the needs of diverse clientele.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

The Recreation Management minor is not accepting students at this time.

Admission to a minor is open to students declared in a bachelor’s degree, the A.A.B. or A.A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree (not Individualized Program major). Students declared only in the A.A. or A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree in Individualized Program may not declare a minor. Students may not pursue a minor and a major in the same discipline.

Students declared in the Recreation, Park and Tourism Management major may not declare the Recreation Management minor.

To declare this minor, students must have attempted a minimum 12 credit hours at Kent State and earned a minimum 2.250 overall Kent State GPA. Students who have not attempted 12 credit hours at Kent State will be evaluated for admission based on their high school GPA for new students or transfer GPA for transfer students. Transfer students who have not attempted 12 credit hours of college-level coursework at Kent State and/or other institutions will be evaluated based on both their high school GPA and college GPA.

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

The Recreation Management minor is not accepting students at this time.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Identify the public, private and non-profit providers of park and outdoor recreation employment opportunities at the local, state and national level.
2. Demonstrate understanding of common park management techniques and processes and recognize their application in a diversity of real-world park settings, locally, nationally and globally.
3. Define environmental education and develop learning outcomes appropriate for environmental education.
4. Create and plan fun, science-based environmental education programs.
5. Define interpretation as understood by the National Association for Interpretation.
6. Develop interpretation materials and programs suitable for parks, protected areas, museums and other settings where interpretation occurs.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

Admission to a minor is open to students declared in a bachelor’s degree, the A.A.B. or A.A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree (not Individualized Program major). Students declared only in the A.A. or A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree in Individualized Program may not declare a minor. Students may not pursue a minor and a major in the same discipline.

Students declared in the Recreation, Park and Tourism Management major may not declare the Park Management minor.

To declare this minor, students must have attempted a minimum 12 credit hours at Kent State and earned a minimum 2.250 overall Kent State GPA. Students who have not attempted 12 credit hours at Kent State will be evaluated for admission based on their high school GPA for new students or transfer GPA for transfer students. Transfer students who have not attempted 12 credit hours of college-level coursework at Kent State and/or other institutions will be evaluated based on both their high school GPA and college GPA.

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Program Description

Full Description

The Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation, Park and Tourism Management provides students with an academic foundation and field experiences in preparation for the recreation, park and tourism professions. The program is comprised of three concentrations:

• The Park Management concentration focuses on providing opportunities for outdoor recreation and protecting the natural, cultural and historic resources on which those opportunities depend. Complementary minors include Disability Studies and Community Inclusion, Biology for Environmental Management and Conservation.
• The Recreation Management concentration focuses on providing opportunities for individuals and community health and wellbeing through recreation and parks in public, nonprofit and commercial settings. Complementary minors include: Disability Studies and Community Inclusion, Nonprofit Studies, Event Planning,
• The Tourism Management concentration focuses on providing entrepreneurial services for tourism industries as well as sustainable tourism destination management. Complementary minors include: Disability Studies and Community Inclusion, Event Planning, Business Management.

Admissions

Admission Requirements

Applications to the B.S. in Recreation, Park and Tourism Management are not being accepted at this time. Students interested in Park Management should contact Andrew Lepp (alepp1@kent.edu). Students interested in Tourism Management should contact Philip Wang (pwang@kent.edu)

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of proficiency of the English language (unless they meet specific exceptions) through the submission of an English language proficiency test score or by completing English language classes at Kent State’s English as a Second Language Center before entering their program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Former Students: Former Kent State students or graduates who have not attended another college or university since Kent State may complete the reenrollment or reinstatement form on the University Registrar’s website.

Current Kent State and Transfer Students: Active Kent State students who wish to change their major must have attempted a minimum 12 credit hours at Kent State and earned a minimum 2.000 overall Kent State GPA to be admitted. Students who have not attempted 12 credit hours at Kent State will be evaluated for admission based on their high school GPA for new students or transfer GPA for transfer students. Transfer students who have not attempted 12 credit hours of college-level coursework at Kent State and/or other institutions will be evaluated based on both their high school GPA and college GPA.

Transfer students visit the admissions website for transfer students for more information.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog's Academic Policies.

Students may be required to meet certain criteria to progress in their program. Any progression requirements will be listed on the program's Coursework tab

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Articulate the impact of inclusive policies and practices targeted toward underrepresented individuals and groups including, but not limited to disability, race and/or ethnicity, age, social class, gender and sexual orientation.
2. Identify principles of inclusion, modification and laws related to equal opportunity; and select strategies to mitigate barriers influencing recreation participation for people with disabilities.
3. Outline the historical, scientific and philosophical foundations of the field.
4. Differentiate the nature and scope of the industry, including critical aspects of program development, service development, management and the components of leisure service delivery systems and various providers and levels of recreation.
5. Analyze and apply common management roles, responsibilities and approaches applicable to the field and the leadership styles and practices related to personnel management.
6. Investigate public relations and marketing strategies, planning and development issues, and fiscal/budgetary management.
7. Illustrate site specific attributes in relation to the field and the components of professional practice for successful engagement with the site.
8. Model ethical, professional, appropriate behavior and the ability to communicate effectively in oral, visual and written forms.
9. Apply basic principles of the program development cycle for recreation services and modifications for inclusivity.
10. Engage in academic research, writing and evaluation of literature and data for evidence-based improvement of services in leisure science.

Roadmaps

Roadmaps

Park Management Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Recreation Management Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Tourism Management Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Applications to the B.S. in Recreation, Park and Tourism Management are not being accepted at this time. Students interested in Park Management should contact Andrew Lepp (alepp1@kent.edu). Students interested in Tourism Management should contact Philip Wang (pwang@kent.edu)

Accreditation

Council on Accreditation for Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT)