Home / Best Sport Masters Degree Programs

Last Updated on September 14, 2022

Masters Degrees for Success in the Sports Industry

Welcome to the Sports Degrees Online’s Master’s Degree Hub Page. Below are the master’s degree programs that we have chosen to feature as attractive fields of study for individuals who are passionate about sports. Toward the bottom of the page, you will find some detailed information about things to consider as you compare different online programs.

More Master’s programs are being offered online now than ever, and as the market continues to define itself there will be increasing pressure put on academic institutions to justify the cost of their remote degree programs. Because of this, online masters degree programs should be increasingly affordable, which will benefit all students who will be investing in their graduate education in the coming months and years.

In this guide you’ll find:

Sport Management – In an industry as varied and large as sports management, it is understood that a bachelor’s degree serves as the foundation while a master’s degree in Sport Management provides the opportunity for an in-depth, specialized education into a specific area of focus.

Since many top-tier positions in this field require a specific skill set and tangible expertise, pursuing a master’s degree in sports management is a smart way to separate yourself from other candidates while putting your career goals within reach.

With so many universities offering graduate degrees in sports management, it is extremely important to do as much research as possible before choosing which program is right for you. This is a field where internship connections, alumni networks, and outside-the-classroom opportunities can be a significant factor, so be sure to keep these considerations in mind even if you decide to pursue your degree online. 

Sports Administration – A masters in sports administration is a great way to enter an advanced position within this growing field in sports.  High level positions within sports administration can be rather competitive, but there are plenty of attractive opportunities out there for qualified candidates.

An advanced degree in sports administration teaches a wide range of technical and theoretical principles to prepare you to work in the field of sports at any level, interscholastic, intercollegiate or professional.  Sports administration is an ideal way to combine a passion for sports and athletics with aspects of business, law, and economics.  

Expertise in this field of study gives graduates the benefit of improved business acumen through the lens of local teams and available facilities. A masters in Sports Administration prepares one for a successful career as an athletic director, facilities manager, sports marketing administrator, sports accounting/sales, or a qualified coach & administrator.

Sports Analytics – Around the world, professional sports has been transformed in recent years by the insights and advice of sports analytics.  Gone are the days when the coach reads the tea leaves before games or “goes with his ‘gut’” to make crucial decisions for their team.

Sports organizations across the professional and amateur ranks have begun tapping into the raw data gathered from a variety of angles and perspectives that were once widely considered unimportant and inconsequential. Professional sports organizations now frequently talk openly about sports analytics being the centerpiece of their competitive strategy, and many would argue that these departments can be as important to a team’s success as the players on the field. There has never been a better time to be getting into sports analytics, perhaps the fastest growing industry featured on SportsDegreesOnline.Org.

Exercise Science – In a field where the vast majority of coveted careers require a Master’s Degree, a graduate degree in Exercise Science is now essential for a number of top-tier careers. In this growing field–which can also serve as a foundation for a wide variety of careers in the medical world–Master’s degrees are the new standard.

With more and more universities offering advanced Exercise Science degrees, it is more important than ever to carefully consider every aspect of a program before making your final choice. Exercise Science Master’s Degrees have traditionally been delivered on campus, but in this ever-changing post-COVID landscape, there are more remote and hybrid options worthy of careful consideration than ever before. 

Kinesiology – Kinesiology is the study of the movement and of the intricate balance that exists between muscle groups and systems within the body. It is another field that has experienced above-average growth in recent years – a trend that is expected to continue as the population ages and as health, fitness, and well-being become more demonstrably important to living a happy, satisfying life.

Kinesiology has become a fundamental component of study in the medical sciences, and like with exercise science master’s degrees are the new standard. Since many jobs in this field require a graduate degree for consideration, students aspiring to reach the more sought-after careers in kinesiology should expect to obtain their master’s degree as soon as possible once they have committed to this path.

Keep in mind that many universities have Kinesiology Departments that offer master’s degrees with slightly more specialized names, so be sure to keep your search appropriately broad initially. SportsDegreesOnline.Org resources pages have already done this for you, so be sure to explore the many listings listed on the kinesiology and similar pages linked through this hub. 

Athletic Training – Athletic trainers are the heroes behind the scenes in sports, and their work helps the entire sports industry recover quicker and be their best night in and night out. For students who are genuinely passionate about helping others and excited about the possibility of landing a career in a dynamic work environment, a master’s degree in athletic training could be your ticket to an ideal career. With a projected demand for athletic trainers expected to be nearly three times the national average for jobs in the US over the next decade, the future of this field is very bright.

Studying Your Master’s Degree Online vs On Campus

Even before COVID-19 changed the world of higher education, online learning – especially at the graduate level – was already growing at an eye-popping rate. Now that remote education has become a part of every single education in the developed world, the field is poised to grow even faster in the coming years. Online masters programs–which allow professionals to complete their studies around busy lives on their own time–are now taken a huge leap forward, and unlike years ago the quality of an online master’s program is now widely considered to be on par with degrees delivered on campus for the first time.

Topping them all, perhaps, is cost effectiveness–current and prospective students alike admit that cost considerations ultimately led them to finish part or all of their degree online.

Because online offerings tend to be more affordable than attending courses in person on campus, these courses can lower the total cost of a degree program while also putting previously priced-out options back into reach of students who are still exploring their educational options.

A key part of this is credit transfers – since some programs allow credit transfers, many college and graduate students are taking advantage of online options to get caught up–or even get ahead–by taking courses online during otherwise quiet times of the year which can then be transferred to their home academic institution.

Another major reason that students often mention when discussing why they have chosen to complete an online bachelor’s degree or master’s degree is the flexibility that online courses allow. Students are allowed to complete reading and assignments on their own schedule, with specific meeting times for class participation and group projects set at regular times. This scheduling model allows people to complete their degree while also tending to important responsibilities and life commitments at the same time, instead of having to leave life behind to pursue their degree on-campus full time.

For those who work full time, this type of flexibility could allow for them to continue advancing in their industry while also keeping pace with the latest technological advancements. And since online courses remove geographical barriers, students can always choose to pursue programs that are the best fit for their needs and interests, rather than settling for a program that does not suit their needs as well just because it is closer to home. 

Online Master’s Degree Programs Cater to Various Styles of Learning

Online courses feature videos and lessons which can be watched and reviewed as many times as needed. This relieves a considerable amount of stress because it allows each student to work at their preferred pace as they work through the curriculum, allowing for the material to be internalized in ways that far exceed traditional lecture learning. Contemporary online courses also have designated forums which encourage immediate feedback and support while creating a sense of camaraderie between the individuals in the class.

Synchronous and Non-synchronous Learning – Master’s Degrees

Some courses naturally must be taught and understood in real time, which often means interaction between the instructor and students, live conferencing, active discussions. Technical courses, like some computer programming classes or language acquisition instruction, are better suited to synchronous styles.

Motivation manifests in different ways with different students, and some may discover that the deadlines and accountability found with classes in a synchronous format suits them better. This format is very similar to a traditional class or lecture hall setting, but importantly it still allows students to enjoy the benefits of online learning mentioned above, like flexibility and affordability. 

The other major style of online learning is asynchronous, meaning that the course materials and lectures are pre-recorded and posted into an online resource center and can be referenced at any time. Students can then work their way through the curriculum at their own pace, completing assignments which will be used to evaluate their understanding of the subject material as they progress through the course.

Unlike with the synchronous format, which is designed to resemble traditional classroom learning, asynchronous courses tend to be well suited for students who have time constraints or learning requirements that don’t fit into the standard model of education. Some of these courses also allow for repeat or extended access, which can be very beneficial if the subject matter is related to a professional certification or technical expertise that the student may need to revisit or review at a later time to brush up on vital knowledge.

Five steps for choosing a master’s degree program:

  1. Admission requirements – Admission requirements for bachelor’s degree programs can vary a great deal from school to school. Some universities and colleges are more selective, requiring students to demonstrate prior studies or proficiencies. Others may require all prospective students to submit standardized test scores or placement exams. It is very important to research these requirements before settling on a program to gain a good understanding of what the application process entails to be sure the program is a good fit.
  2. What is their policy on transferring credit hours? – It is important to know how open the academic institution is to transferring credit hours, as this is a major factor for many students. For individuals who are currently enrolled in other majors or programs who are eager to change their major, the ability to apply credits for previously completed coursework could be a significant factor in deciding which program is best for them. If you are unsure about the status of credits that you are hoping to transfer, be sure to consult with admissions officers and relevant department heads at schools you are considering prior to making a final decision on which program is the best fit.
  3. Does this program have the specialized classes that I am hoping to study while getting my degree? Bachelor’s degree programs offer a core of courses that are required study, and these classes are designed to introduce students to the various areas of the overall field. However since there are an array of specialties to explore within the field. For students who are starting a degree with the goal of exploring specialty studies, it is imperative to choose a program that features offerings in the subject areas of interest. 
  4. Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Tuition – Tuition fees charged by a given school is always an important consideration for prospective students. However, don’t be scared away by a program with a high tuition sticker price without first exploring what kinds of financial assistance might be available for every program and school being considered. Financial aid can often offset most or all tuition at even more expensive schools for some qualified students.
  5. School reputation – As with any higher education degree program, the school’s reputation among potential employers can play a huge role in how successful a post-graduate career can be. To maximize the return from the time and financial cost of a degree, choose a school that is well respected within a particular field.