The Master of Athletic Administration (MAA) program specializes in preparing students for a career in interscholastic athletic administration. Through the MAA program, in just 11 courses (30 credits), students earn a Master of Science in Athletic Administration degree.
| 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. | ||
The NIAAA is the leading national association for athletic directors and serve as a tremendous resource for our students, future athletic directors and current athletic directors. Ohio University has partnered with NIAAA to provide some NIAAA leadership courses within some of our coursework. While the leadership training materials are only a part of the educational materials that are used in the MAA program, they provide a tremendous value for our students by serving as a foundation for athletic administration principles and by preparing students for NIAAA certifications (RAA, CAA and CMAA), which are strongly encouraged. After completing the MAA program, students will have also earned LTC credit for the following NIAAA Leadership Training Courses:
LTC 501 Guiding Foundations and Philosophies
LTC 502 Strategies for Organization Management
LTC 503 Enhancing Organization Management
LTC 504 Legal issues I (Liability for Sports Injuries & Risk Management)
LTC 506 Legal Issues II (Title IX & Sexual Harassment)
LTC 508 Legal Issues III (Hazing, Constitutional Law, Disabilities Law & Employment/Labor Law)
LTC 511 Concepts and Strategies for Interscholastic Budgeting and Finance Using Excel Spreadsheets
LTC 611 Concepts and Strategies for Interscholastic Fundraising, Marketing, Promotions and Booster Clubs
LTC 630 Interscholastic Contest Management – Planning, Preparation & Methods
LTC 707 Assessment of Interscholastic Athletic Programs and Personnel
LTC 719 Leadership, Managem
Founded in 1804, Ohio University is the ninth oldest public university in the United States. Located in Athens, Ohio, the school serves more than 35,000 students on the 1,850-acre campus, and online. This esteemed institution is ranked by numerous publications, such as The Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report, Business Week, as one of the best education forces and academic values in the country. Ohio University offers a variety of programs across 10 different colleges, including 250 bachelor’s programs, 188 master’s programs and 58 doctoral programs. Ohio University is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Ohio University has a long-standing reputation for excellence based on the quality of its programs, faculty and alumni. If you are a professional who strives to align with one of the best, you need look no further than the esteemed on-campus and online programs offered at Ohio University.