The University of Washington offers a master’s program specifically designed to prepare graduates for careers in intercollegiate athletics administration.
Washington offers a Master of Education in its Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership program. It focuses on specific preparation needed to guide college and university athletics programs.
Curriculum
The program includes a group of three “core competencies,” for students. One focuses on budgeting, finance, and sports administration skills. The budget program prepares students for work at both public and private universities.
Students learn about development activities, alumni relations, and working with the media. Marketing athletic programs also is taught, along with the use of technology to administer intercollegiate athletic programs.
Another core area focuses on the role of sports at the college as well as in society. Areas of study here include the development of student-athletes in terms of academic support, training and conditioning, and incorporating athletic training to assist student-athletes.
This core area also includes a look at NCAA rules and compliance issues, the organizational structures of colleges and universities, and a study of race and gender issues in intercollegiate sports.
The third core area of study focuses on developing leadership skills in students. The school uses management approaches developed through case studies. Top administrators and leaders in college sports deliver presentations.
This core area also looks at primary work responsibilities throughout the athletic department, coordination of the athletic department with the school, and ideas in human resources management and hiring practices.
Portfolio
According to the school, student progress is tracked through the development of a “professional learning portfolio.” The portfolio will demonstrate students’ mastery of the skills taught in the core competencies through the presentation of projects, assignments, and other materials.
At the end of the 12-month program, there is a comprehensive exam and the portfolio is submitted. Faculty review and grade the complete portfolios.
Admissions
Interested students need to apply to both the University of Washington Graduate School as well as the College of Education.
Students will submit an application, along with a goal statement, resume, letters of recommendation, Graduate Record Examination Scores, and a writing sample.
University of Washington
With its main campus in Seattle, Washington, the University of Washington employs more than 4,100 full-time faculty members and offers more than 250 degrees within 150 departments in 18 colleges and schools. More than 40,000 students attend the main Seattle branch.
The University offers 34 graduate programs, 20 of which have been ranked in the top 20 by U.S. News and World Report.
