Accredited Master of Athletic Administration Online

What Is the Online Master of Athletic Administration Degree?

Ohio University’s Master of Athletic Administration online (MAA) program specializes in developing professionals for careers in athletic administration, specifically as interscholastic athletic directors. You’ll learn to infuse your passion for serving student-athletes into a career in athletic administration, as our online courses for athletic administration show you how to build highly efficient and supportive athletic departments. And because Ohio University established the first specialized academic sports program in the country in 1966, your degree will reflect a tradition of excellence nearly five decades long.

Upcoming Live Events

Online MAA Open House

Wednesday, June 30th 2021
12:00pm – 1:00pm EST.

You will hear from our program director, Kelley Walton and have the chance to learn more about our MAA program. Following the program director information session there will be a live question and answer session. Register Now.

Graduate in as few as 1.5 years

Prepare yourself for NIAAA certification

10th Anniversary Online Master of Athletic Administration Program Badge

Proudly celebrating 10 years helping students achieve their goals in athletic leadership.

No GRE required for qualified applicants

Online Courses for Athletic Administration

The Master of Athletic Administration (MAA) program specializes in preparing students for a career in interscholastic athletic administration. In just 11 courses (30 credits), MMA students earn a Master of Science in Athletic Administration (MSAA) degree.

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SASM 6320	Foundations of Interscholastic Athletic Administration	3 Credits
This course provides students with an overview of the foundations of interscholastic athletic administration, covering the roles, responsibilities, and professional preparation of the interscholastic athletic director, the purpose of education-based athletic programs, and methods for assessing the effectiveness of interscholastic athletic programs.

SASM 6330	Governance and Strategic Planning for Interscholastic Athletics	3 Credits
This course provides an in-depth look at governance systems of sport organizations relevant to interscholastic athletic administrators, including governing bodies at the international, national, state, and local levels. Participants will discuss current issues in interscholastic athletics with a focus on addressing these issues through the development of policies and procedures. This course also covers strategic planning for interscholastic athletics programs.

SASM 6355	Marketing in Interscholastic Athletics	3 Credits
This course examines and applies the fundamentals of marketing to interscholastic athletics. The course covers the principles of consumer behavior, branding, the marketing mix, and sponsorship, and culminates with students developing a marketing plan for an interscholastic athletic program or event.

SASM 6352	Facility and Event Management in Interscholastic Athletic Administration	3 Credits
This course focuses on the theory and practice of planning and managing facilities and events in interscholastic athletics. Upon completion of the course, participants will understand the complexities involved in managing various types of athletic facilities and stakeholder groups in the planning and execution of athletic events. Topics covered in this course include the strategic management of athletic facilities, facility construction and renovation, maintenance of athletic facilities and equipment, and scheduling of facility use by school and non-school users. In addition, we will cover the steps in planning and executing interscholastic athletic events.

SASM 6340	Data Analysis and Communication for Interscholastic Athletics	3 Credits
This course provides an overview of how to effectively collect, organize, analyze, and present data related to interscholastic athletics. This includes identifying secondary sources, methods of collecting primary data, and using statistical tools to present and evaluate the data.

SASM 6380	Interscholastic Athletic Leadership Seminar	1 Credit
This course will teach students to lead an interscholastic athletic department, specifically focusing on prioritizing competing interests in interscholastic athletics (safety, budgets, resources) and the creation and communication of a shared vision with stakeholders (students, parents, coaches, administrators, community members). This course coincides with the annual on campus Athletic Leadership Forum.

SASM 6356	Leadership and Ethics in Interscholastic Athletic Administration	3 Credits
This course applies contemporary management, leadership and ethical theory to interscholastic athletics. This course also discusses leadership roles in interscholastic athletic administration and applying theoretical knowledge to the practical day-to-day leadership needs in interscholastic athletics.

SASM 6354	Human Resources Management in Interscholastic Athletics	3 Credits
This course provides an overview of human resources related policies and functions in interscholastic athletic administration, including hiring and supervision of staff and best practices for diversity/inclusion initiatives. This course also covers legal issues related to human resources, including harassment, discrimination and the Fair Labor Standards Act.

SASM 6353	Financial Administration in Interscholastic Athletics	3 Credits
This course introduces students to issues and problems in finance and financial management as they apply to interscholastic athletics. The primary focus of the course will be on planning and financial management in high school and middle school athletic programs.

SASM 6351	Legal Foundations in Interscholastic Athletics	3 Credits
This course provides students with an understanding of legal concepts that may affect operations of interscholastic athletics. Specific attention is given to legal system foundations, fundamentals of risk management, constitutional law, negligence and Title IX.

SASM 6390	Interscholastic Athletic Administration Capstone	2 Credits
This course provides a culminating and integrative experience for students pursuing careers in interscholastic athletic administration. Students will review and analyze academic content and experiential learning assignments from courses taken as they work toward completion of a Master of Science in Athletic Administration degree. This course ensures that students are able to clearly articulate the business principles learned in this degree program. A thorough review of important academic and practical application components will be used to develop a professional career portfolio.

Careers in Athletic Administration

Once you enroll in the Online Master of Athletic Administration program, you’ll develop the skills to serve younger student-athletes and help them accomplish their championship goals as competitors. Upon graduation, your influence will vary depending on the career path you choose to pursue in athletic administration. From directly coaching students to taking on administrative duties and marketing positions, the opportunities to make a difference are plentiful. The online courses for athletic administration offered by Ohio University will help you stay informed of current trends in athletics and prepare you to stand out in the job market. You’ll receive the tools to help push athletes to the next level through hard work, perseverance, and unmatched integrity. As a graduate of Ohio University’s MAA program, you’ll help create the edge that turns athletes into champions.

Athletic Administration Salary and Job Outlook

The world of athletics consists of many roles that contribute to the greatness of each successful athlete’s journey. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects the demand for coaches and scouts to increase by 12% between 2019 and 2029 and the demand for athletic trainers to increase by 16% in that period. Ohio University’s online master’s degree in athletic administration will give you the tools to be ready for the growing job opportunities in the market. If you’re interested in playing a part in a young athlete’s future by helping them maximize their potential, here are several careers in athletic administration that MAA graduates can pursue:

Athletic Director

$60,700

Sports Agent

$51,700

Athletic Trainer

$49,860

Head Coach

$44,100

Manager of Operations

$66,500

Sports Information Director

$39,400

Public Relations Manager

$70,200

Assistant Athletic Director

$51,200

(Median annual salaries per BLS and PayScale)

Online Master of Athletic Administration Faculty

Kelley Walton, J.D. - Assistant Professor of Instruction; Director of the Master of Athletic Administration Program; Director of the Professional Master of Sports Administration Program

Kelley Walton, J.D.

Assistant Professor of Instruction; Director of the Master of Athletic Administration Program; Director of the Professional Master of Sports Administration Program

Kelley Walton is the Program Director for Ohio University's online Master of Athletic Administration. She is an attorney, professor and consultant with over ten years of legal and human resources experience. She received her bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University and a Juris Doctor from Capital University Law School. Kelley worked for the Columbus Blue Jackets (National Hockey League) for its first 10 years of existence. Her first three years with the Blue Jackets were spent in the legal department. The last seven were as the Director of Human Resources, overseeing the employment of 150+ full-time and 300+ part-time employees. During that time, she oversaw all efforts involved with recruiting, workers compensation, 401(k) administration, benefit administration, employee contracts, and employee evaluations. For all 10 years at the Blue Jackets, she oversaw all immigration efforts for the club.

Scott Smith, Ph.D. - Instructor

Scott Smith, Ph.D.

Instructor

Dr. Scott Smith is a faculty member for Ohio University’s Online Master’s in Athletic Administration program. Prior to this position, he was an Associate Professor and Chair for the Department of Physical Education & Sport at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. He also served as the Director of the Sport Management program at Central Michigan, where he still teaches graduate courses in the program. Scott received his bachelor’s degree in Science Education from Bluffton University in Ohio, his M.Ed. in Athletic Administration from University of Nevada, Las Vegas, a PhD in Sport Management and an educational specification degree in Educational Leadership, both from the University of Missouri-Columbia. With the exception of four years of work in the University of Missouri Athletic Department, most of Scott’s professional experience prior to Central Michigan University was in interscholastic athletic programs. Scott served as an Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at single high school districts in Ohio and Missouri and also served as an Assistant Superintendent and District Athletic Director in two large districts: Dayton Public Schools in Ohio and Wichita Public Schools in Kansas. Even though his full-time position is currently in higher education, Scott continues to maintain his association with the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA). Currently, he serves as the University Liaison and the Curriculum Coordinator for the NIAAA Leadership Training Institute.

Aaron Wright, CAA - Associate Professor of Instruction

Aaron Wright, CAA

Associate Professor of Instruction

Aaron Wright is a lecturer in the Department of Sports Administration at Ohio University. He served as Director of the online Master’s in Athletic Administration program from 2010-2015. Aaron became an Ohio University faculty member in 2005, and taught in the undergraduate Sport Management program from 2005-2009. He also served for three years as Undergraduate Coordinator for the Sport Management program. Aaron received both his MBA and Master’s in Sports Administration degrees from Ohio University in 2005. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Haverford College, where he also played varsity basketball. After completing his undergraduate studies, Aaron played and coached basketball professionally in Europe for three years. He then returned to the United States and spent eight years as a high school athletic director, teacher, and boys’ basketball coach at Sandy Spring Friends School in Maryland. During his tenure at Sandy Spring, he also served as President of the Potomac Valley Athletic Conference for three years. Aaron also worked in Division III intercollegiate athletics administration at Middlebury College in Vermont before relocating to Ohio to begin his graduate studies. In 2013, Aaron earned his CAA from the NIAAA. Beginning in 2018, Aaron is the Executive Director for the Mid-Atlantic Athletic Conference and Interstate Athletic Conference, two independent school conferences in the Washington, DC area.

Elizabeth Wanless - Assistant Professor; Assistant Director of Analytics; Associate Director of Client Relations (Analytics), CRA

Elizabeth Wanless

Assistant Professor; Assistant Director of Analytics; Associate Director of Client Relations (Analytics), CRA

Prior to her academic career, Dr. Wanless competed for Nike, Asics, the New York Athletic Club, and Team USA as a professional track and field shot putter maintaining top 20 in the world for 5 consecutive years. In 2004, Wanless was recognized as the NCAA Woman of the Year for the state of Maine.

Melissa Davies - Assistant Professor

Melissa Davies

Assistant Professor

Melissa Davies, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Sport Administration at Ohio University. Previously, she spent five years teaching Sport Management at University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. Davies graduated earned a Ph.D. in Sport Administration with a minor in Applied Statistics and Research Methods from University of Northern Colorado. Davies completed her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Sport Management at California University of Pennsylvania where she played NCAA golf. Outside of school, Davies has worked as a Director of Marketing for an Independent League Baseball Team and as a Recreation Programmer in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

James Strode - Chair; Associate Professor

James Strode

Chair; Associate Professor

Jim Strode, Ph.D., is the Chair of the Department of Sports Administration and an Associate Professor at Ohio University. Previously, Strode was the Dean of Graduate Studies at Ohio Dominican University (ODU) in Columbus, Ohio. As dean, Strode provided leadership over eight masters level programs, and assisted with the university’s efforts to receive Higher Learning Commission approval to offer doctoral level education. Strode was instrumental in leading the conversion of graduate programs from traditional to online and blended formats. Additionally, he led efforts to create professional development opportunities for students, enhanced synergies between academic affairs and the admissions process, and developed relationships with other universities to create admission pathways for graduate education. In December 2018, Strode delivered the address at the 110th commencement exercise at ODU. In his time at ODU, Strode achieved tenure and the rank of associate professor. In 2013, Strode developed the curriculum for a Master of Science in Sport Management, and served as the inaugural director. He served as the coordinator for the undergraduate program, was advisor of the Sport Management Society, and helped develop new minors in coaching and sport media. As a faculty member, Strode was elected to the faculty senate leadership team, the rank, tenure, and promotion committee, and served as chair of the faculty policy and research committee. In 2012, Strode was the recipient of the Sr. Angelita Conely Award, a university award for excellence in teaching. He also was the recipient of the first Sr. Charles Marie Brantl Influential Panther Award in 2013, awarded by student-athletes based on effectiveness in teaching and mentoring. Beyond the classroom, Strode has published in multiple peer-reviewed journals and has presented his research on athletic donor motivations and issues related to coaching effectiveness at the North American Society of Sport Management (NASSM), the America Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD), and other national and international conferences. Prior to his arrival at ODU, Strode was an assistant professor at Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio, where he served as the head of the undergraduate Sport Management department, advisor of the Sport Management Club, and taught graduate and doctoral level courses. Strode received a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin (UW), and his masters and doctorate in Sport Management from The Ohio State University. While at UW, Strode served as an ex-officio member of the Wisconsin Alumni Association Board of Directors and the undergraduate representative to the UW Athletic Board. At OSU, Strode was the president of the Student Professional Development Association and received the William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Award from the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA). Outside of the classroom, Strode is a 19-year veteran high school basketball coach, having served as head coach of the girls programs at Worthington Kilbourne, Bexley, and Centennial High School. He is the past president of the District 10 Basketball Coaches Association.

Brandon Wright - Assistant Professor of Instruction

Brandon Wright

Assistant Professor of Instruction

A veteran of intercollegiate athletics administration and higher education, Brandon Wright was most recently an adjunct professor in the Sport Administration department at the University of Cincinnati. While there he taught Sport Law & Governance and The Business of Fantasy Sports. Additionally, Wright has held compliance director positions within the athletics departments at the University of Maryland, College Park, and the University of Cincinnati and has worked in the governance department at the NCAA national office. Wright holds a B.A. in political science from the University of Cincinnati, where he was a member of the varsity Track & Field team. In 2010, he earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Howard University School of Law in Washington, D.C. Wright married the former Danie Daluisio, an athletics staff member at the Ohio State University, in 2015. They have three children.

Meet Your MAA Faculty

Why Choose Ohio University’s Master of Athletic Administration Online Degree?

The master’s in athletic administration online program specializes in preparing students for careers in athletic administration. Leveraging Ohio University’s five decades of experience in sports education, students enrolled in the MAA will gain the administrative and business strategies they need to be outstanding athletic administrators at educational institutions of any size. Whether students come to us as athletic trainers looking to take on an administrative role in sports or as education professionals aiming to get more involved with athletics, our online athletic administration master’s program will get them ready for a successful and fulfilling career in scholastic athletics.

Accreditation

Ohio University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States.

The Department of Sports Administration and its academic programs, including the online master’s degree in athletic administration, are accredited by the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA).

Tradition

10th Anniversary Online Master of Athletic Administration Program Badge

Ohio University proudly celebrates more than 50 years of world-leading sports business education. In 1966, the university established the first specialized academic sports program in the country – and has been leading the way ever since.

Since accepting our first students in 2010, our Online MAA program is recognized as the premier professional training program for candidates seeking careers in the sports industry.

Rankings

Ohio University ranks among the top of higher education institutions globally as rated by the Center for World University Rankings.

Student Testimonials

“I chose Ohio University’s online Master’s of Athletic Administration because I wanted a program that was challenging, rewarding, and well respected throughout the country. This program helped me get the knowledge and experience I needed to advance my career.”

– George Pierson, 2015 Graduate

Meet George Pierson, Online MAA Grad

“The online MAA program definitely addresses the changes and trends because we talk about what’s happening right now currently in class and you get different perspectives all over the country.”

– John Bennett, MAA alumni

Hear more from our students

FAQ

What can I do with a master’s degree in athletic administration?

Ohio University’s master’s in athletic administration online degree focuses on preparing you for a career as an athletic director at the high school and middle school levels, but it can also equip you for a variety of administrative roles in scholastic athletics.

What is the average salary for graduates of the Master of Athletic Administration program?

Although salaries vary by location and position, the median annual salary for careers in athletic administration is around $50,200 for professionals with a master’s degree, according to May 2021 PayScale data.

Is the Master of Athletic Administration accredited?

Yes. The Master of Athletic Administration program is accredited by the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA).

How long is the Online Master of Athletic Administration degree program?

Students can complete the MAA program in as little as 18 months. The program consists of 11 seven-week courses (30 credit hours total).

Online Master of Athletic Administration