Jackson State University is also featured in our ranking Top 50 Master’s in Sports Management Degree Online Programs.
Jackson State University M.S. in Sports Science with a Concentration in Sports Management
The online Master of Science in Sports Science with a concentration in Sports Management at Jackson State University (JSU) is an interdisciplinary, cooperative program designed to prepare graduates to work in leadership or organizational roles in sports organizations and operations. Graduates can expect to find work in environments such as sport facilities, intercollegiate athletics, parks and recreation organizations, professional sport organizations, multipurpose facilities, and sport marketing companies. The Sports Management concentration will broaden students’ career options by equipping them to take on management positions within the industry.
The degree program consists of 36 credit hours made up of core coursework and sport management classes. Core courses include Facility Design & Maintenance, Governing Bodies & the Law, Ethics of Sport, Sport Psychology & Sociology, and Research Methods. Classes that emphasize sports management are Business Statistics, Sport Marketing, Economics, Sport Finance, and Sport Administration & Organization. The program culminates in either a thesis or an internship. Choosing the thesis path allows students to complete original research on an area of interest or specialization. The internship choice is designed for students who wish to be sports managers and provides real-world opportunities to interact with athletes and managers within a sport facility or team. Online students should note that the internship track may not be completed online as students must perform a required number of work hours at a sport organization.
JSU’s online graduate programs, including the M.S. in Sports Science, are designed to fit the lifestyle of a working professional who must balance their studies with family and other obligations. The courses may be completed asynchronously, and no campus visits are required.
About Jackson State University
Jackson State University is a public research university in Jackson, Mississippi. Founded during Reconstruction in 1877, JSU is a historically black university and was originally located in Natchez. The school was founded as a seminary by the American Baptist Home Mission Society and was renamed as a college when it relocated to Jackson in 1882. In 1940, the institution gained state support as a public university.
Since its founding as a small seminary, the university has increased its student body to almost 10,000 graduate and undergraduate students. It is the fourth largest university in Mississippi and is one of the largest historically black universities in the country. JSU has a thriving academic culture and participates in and creates robust original research opportunities. It is known within the state for being the only Mississippi university to offer both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in engineering. Students may choose from over one hundred undergraduate majors and 50 graduate programs offered from its nine colleges. Many of these programs are available online through the Canvas online learning platform.
Jackson State University Accreditation Details
Jackson State University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). SACSCOC is a regional accrediting body recognized by the US Department of Education. JSU first gained accredited status in 1948 and was most recently reaffirmed in
2011. The university’s next scheduled review is in 2021.
Jackson State University Application Requirements
Prospective Sports Management students must first submit a general application to the JSU Graduate School. To be considered for acceptance, candidates must hold an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university. Students are required to send an official transcript from each undergraduate or graduate institution attended. These may be submitted by mail or electronically through an approved electronic provider. Applicants must also submit immunization records to JSU Health Services. The application process cannot be completed until the university has received proof that the applicant has received two vaccinations for measles, mumps, and rubella. Out-of-state and international students will be required to pay a $25 application fee when they submit their online JSU Graduate School Application.
International applicants to the Sports Science degree have additional application requirements. Submitted transcripts must be professionally evaluated before they will be considered within the admissions process. Organizations such as World Education Services, Inc. or Global Credential Evaluations, Inc. can complete this type of evaluation. International degree candidates who do not have English as their first language must submit official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores. A minimum score of 69 is required.
Once a student is accepted into the JSU Graduate School, they may complete the application process for the Master of Science in Sport Science with a Sport Management concentration. The final document required for acceptance into the program is an official copy of their Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. The test must have been completed within five years of the student’s application.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Online graduate tuition at JSU is $462 per credit hour. Out-of-state students will pay an additional fee of $624 per credit hour. Out-of-state students may apply for the Out-of-State Fee Waiver. Candidates who receive the waiver will pay in-state tuition throughout their time in the program. Students who are military personnel or a dependent or spouse of military personnel are eligible for the waiver as are dependents of non-resident alumni. Students may also qualify if they are a first-time graduate student with an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.5. A partial waiver is available for first-time Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) students.
Online graduate students may qualify for federal student aid and should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) to determine their eligibility. JSU also offers financial aid options for graduate students. Each year, the university offers several full and partial Graduate Tuition Waivers. Students must apply to their department chair to compete for the waiver. Factors such as financial need, background, and academic performance will be considered in the awarding of the waivers. Students may also apply for a Graduate Diversity Scholarship. Priority for these scholarships is given to Mississippi residents.
For more information about Jackson State University’s online master’s in Sports Management, visit the degree program page.