Fresno Pacific University

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

Training for Upper-Level Athletics Jobs at FPU

Since Spring 2016, the Kinesiology Department has granted the Online Sports Administration M.A. to Fresno Pacific University post-grads preparing for leadership functions in this $73.5 million recreation industry. Directed by Dr. Jim Ave, the 30-credit, five-semester program covers every facet of athletic franchise management for promotion victories. Using Moodle, working adults access courses like Sports Marketing, Sponsorship, Exercise Research, and Career Development that align to NASPE standards. Despite the 13:1 ratio, online students are individually guided for 19 months by doctoral-level professors from orientation to the capstone exam. Faculty derive from Fresno’s NCAA Division II athletics department with 16 Pacific West Conference teams. This digital, GRE-free learning option has placed grads at the Golden State Warriors, Berkeley, Adventist Health, the Fresno Grizzlies, ESPN, and more.

About Fresno Pacific University

Fresno Pacific University was established on Van Ness Avenue in 1944 as Pacific Bible Institute by the Mennonite Brethren Church, an Anabaptist sect tracing back to 1860s Russia. After an inaugural class of 28, there was a 535 percent enrollment increase to 178 in 1948. By 1965, the Institute changed its name to Pacific College, gained WASC accreditation, and developed a bachelor’s. In 1997, Fresno Pacific University adopted its current name as a private, nonprofit Hispanic-serving Christian school. During this millennium, FPU expanded from a 16-building San Joaquin campus in California’s fifth-largest city to four extensions and the Internet. Endowed for $12.5 million, Fresno Pacific University now attracts 1,298 post-grad Sunbirds, including Sports Administration M.A. majors, with 79 percent retention. Linked to 8,779 LinkedIn alumni, FPU has trained sports stars Ron Adams, Pablo Campos, Malcolm Griffin, Dan Quisenberry, and others.

The U.S. News & World Report ranked Fresno Pacific the 41st best West school and 41st top regional value. On Niche, FPU boasts America’s 40th best standout academics, 89th best kinesiology department, 285th top private education, and 515th best athletics. College Factual named Fresno the #1 best Mennonite Brethren school with the 424th top management courses. Money magazine placed Fresno Pacific University 283rd overall for a median debt of $16,500. FPU received the PacWest Make-A-Wish Award in 2017 and Community Engagement Award in 2015. According to Washington Monthly, Fresno has the 108th best buck, 144th highest graduation rate, and 310th best financial aid. WalletHub applauded Fresno Pacific for the country’s 72nd best student experience and 238th top education outcomes. The Hispanic Outlook also featured FPU among its 10 best minority master’s institutes.

Fresno Pacific University Accreditation Details

On June 19, 2015, Fresno Pacific University officially had its Level III accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission renewed for 10 more years under its 13th president, Dr. Joseph Jones. Located 177 miles north via Route 99 in Alameda, this two-state Pacific Region accreditor is authorized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to continually review FPU’s 51 baccalaureates, 33 master’s, and 16 certificate programs from Merced to Visalia and online. The Christian institution is approved by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). Fresno’s Sports Administration M.A. also follows the guidelines of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE).

Fresno Pacific University Application Requirements

Scoring spots at Fresno Pacific University is considered “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s because only 68 percent of its 644 Fall 2017 applicants were triumphant. Post-grad Sunbirds shooting for the Online Sports Administration M.A. must graduate from a regionally accredited, four-year institution. Acceptable bachelor’s majors include sport management, kinesiology, organizational leadership, and exercise physiology. At least 120 undergrad credits must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.75. Lower cumulative grades might be okayed when students submit letters of explanation. Taking the Graduate Record Exam is wholly optional, but admitted majors generally land in the top 50th percentile. Non-native English speakers are asked for TOEFL iBT or IELTS scores of 79 and 6.5 respectively though. Online students are expected to work at least part-time in the sports business too.

Fresno Pacific University has a rolling master’s admission with no deadlines or set course times. However, international learners need to process materials by July 15th for Fall or November 1st for Spring entrance. Entering one’s email address easily starts the Graduate Application online. Required official documents like transcripts are mailed to 1717 South Chestnut Avenue in Fresno, CA 93702 though. Please contact (559) 453-2016 or gradadmis@fresno.edu for further assistance. Hopeful Online Sports Administration M.A. majors can fumble without these:

• $90 non-refundable application fee

• Sealed bachelor’s academic records

• Résumé of professional/volunteer work

• One signed graduate reference form

• Two-page statement of intent in English

• Copy of passport and bank statement if foreign

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2017-18, Fresno Pacific University charged average full-time graduate tuition of $7,498 per semester or $14,999 annually. Traditional 700-level courses bill $630 per unit, except for the MBA that costs $830 per unit. Post-grads incur a $52 student services fee each term. Living at the Central Valley campus’ housing like Mission Court Apartments adds $828 to $2,482 every semester. Stand-alone meal plans also ticket $580 to $2,075. FPU suggests budgeting $1,854 for textbooks and $4,239 for miscellaneous expenses. Luckily, many of these figures disappear with the Online Sports Administration M.A. Future athletic directors only commute to their computers for Moodle courses priced at $560 per unit or $16,800 total.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Student Financial Services Center helps 82 percent of full-time FPU Sunbirds soar with median yearly aid offers of $13,600 apiece and $26.98 million combined. University awards include the Graduate Grant, Leon S. Peters Scholarship, Robert Wilson Endowed Scholarship, Ted & Marylene Thiesen Scholarship, Dr. Eric Hanson Graduate Scholarship, Henry Kroeker Scholarship, Lillian Staricco Winnie Scholarship, and Abe Klassen Family Baseball Scholarship. The Church Matching Program gives 2:1 up to $500 per semester for congregants of Pacific District Mennonite Brethren parishes. The Yellow Ribbon member accepts GI Bill benefits, but not Cal Vet Waivers. Some Golden State residents apply for the Cal Grant, National Guard Education Assistance Award, or John R. Justice Program. Filing the FAFSA form with code 001253 unlocks low-interest Direct Unsubsidized and Graduate Plus loans. The Kinesiology Department also suggests external funds, such as the David J. Stern Sports Scholarship, Janet B. Parks Grant, Jim McKay Scholarship, and Stadium Managers Association Scholarship.