Indiana State University

Indiana State University is also featured in our ranking Top 50 Master’s in Sports Management Degree Online Programs.

Indiana State University Online Sports Management Master’s Degree

The master’s of science in sports management program at Indiana State University (ISU) consists of 12 courses offered entirely online with no campus visits required. As such, the flexible schedule is designed with working professionals and long-distance students in mind. Faculty planned the curriculum around standards put forth by the North American Society for Sport Management, so it includes elements from the areas of leadership, marketing, finance, sociology, research, and ethical and legal considerations in the sports field. Each student takes the same predetermined classes which include Sport Facility Design, Administrative Theory in Sport, Governance and Compliance, and Sport Media Relations. Near the end of the program, based on their career goals, students can choose whether to complete an internship in their community or research project or both. This allows them to gain advanced knowledge and hands-on experience in their specific area of interest. This experience also helps students make connections and build a professional network in the industry. While it is still recommended, students who hold an undergraduate degree in a sports-related field and have completed an internship during their previous program can request to have this requirement waived. Indiana State University faculty work hard to ensure that their online students feel supported and work to develop individual relationships with each student as well as maintaining a low student/teacher ratio.

About Indiana State University

Indiana State University is located in Terra Haute, Indiana, a small city on the middle western edge of the state. Today, the university enrolls approximately 14,000 students and offers more than 100 individual undergraduate degrees and over 75 graduate degrees including about 70 programs that are delivered completely online. At its inception in 1865, then known as Indiana State Normal School, it was very different. The school was established by the state government strictly to educate elementary and high school teachers. Over the years, the school slowly broadened its scope and offered more advanced degrees. In spite of all of this change, one focus remained the same. Indiana State University faculty have always emphasized the importance of practical learning in every discipline. In order to graduate from any program, students must first complete an internship, practicum, or research experience. Many of these opportunities are classified as service-learning positions which means that, while students are gaining valuable education and experience in their field, they are also helping to build their communities.

Indiana State University, as a whole, has been recognized by the Princeton Review on their list of “Best Midwestern Colleges” as well as their “Green Colleges” list. The school also prides itself on the number of faculty members that have joined the staff after successful careers in their industries as well as those who have won various awards including the Theodore Dreiser Distinguished Research/Creativity Award and the Distinguished Service Award. In addition, many alumnae have had impressive careers including professional athletes, coaches, and athletic directors.

Indiana State University Accreditation Details

All degree programs at Indiana State University are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the organization responsible for evaluating colleges and universities in 19 states in the central and southwestern regions of the United States. The accreditation process consists of a ten-year cycle with various reviews and periods of self-improvement within the school. After successfully completing each cycle, the university receives reaffirmation of accreditation. Indiana State University last completed this process during the 2010/2011 school year. Many different factors are considered during each review including the categories of Mission and Resources, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness. The HLC works to ensure that students are receiving a quality education and that the institution is financially stable. While this process is optional, only students attending regionally accredited schools are eligible for federal financial aid/loans, and many other private scholarships have this requirement as well.

Indiana State University Application Requirements

The master’s in sport management program at Indiana State University does not admit international students, and all must be residents of either the United States or Canada. Military members and their families stationed abroad meet this residency requirement as well. The other primary qualification for admission is completion of a bachelor’s degree in any subject. Students with a previous degree in the field do have the advantage of waiving one of the required courses in the program. Regarding GPA, the admissions board prefers students with at least a 3.0 GPA either during their undergraduate or other graduate program. Prospective students with a GPA between 2.75 and 3.0 are still considered, especially if they have extensive experience in the sports industry. Applications are reviewed near the end of each month once all supplemental materials are received including the $45 fee, complete official transcripts from previous colleges, three letters of reference from teachers or employers, a professional resume, and statement of purpose. The deadline for fall admission is May 31st, and the summer start deadline is March 15th.

Tuition and Financial Aid

All graduate students who are Indiana residents pay $412 per credit hour. Out-of-state students pay a higher tuition rate of $527 per credit hour, but this is discounted compared to their on-campus counterparts. The entire sports management master’s program requires at least 36 hours, so the degree costs approximately $15,000 for in-state students and about $19,000 for everyone else. The university offers financial counseling for all students to help them better understand their options for tuition assistance. The first step in this process is the completion of a FAFSA to determine eligibility for any federal financial grant or loan programs. Additionally, there are many independent organizations that offer scholarships in this industry based on the student’s social and academic backgrounds and achievements. Some examples are the Institute of Sports Management, the Women’s Sports Foundation, and the Black Coaches Association. Finally, many working professionals choose this program due to its flexible schedule, and these students can take advantage of tuition reimbursement benefits through their employer, especially if they currently work in the sports industry. Once a student determines the portion of tuition costs they will pay out of pocket each semester, Indiana State University also offers a variety of payment plans, so students can make payments throughout the semester without incurring late charges and extra fees.