Using faculty in various schools within the university and numerous local sport industry professionals as adjunct instructors, Seattle University offers a master in sport administration and leadership (MSAL). This graduate degree prepares students for positions in the sports industry through a collaborative and nurturing learning environment suited for analyzing and resolving challenges in the business and culture of sport.
Sport administration is concerned with the successful leadership and management of numerous sport organizations. Graduates with such a degree will find a myriad of entry-level positions in sales (tickets, suites, ads, sponsorship), communications, business and event operations, finance and accounting, public and community relations, promotions and marketing, and media relations (television, radio, print, web). These positions serve as the first step in a career that can lead to jobs as directors, vice presidents, general managers, and even presidents and CEOs. While the field of sport administration is evolving rapidly and opportunistically, it is accompanied by a high degree of competitiveness for available positions.
The Seattle University MSAL program familiarizes students with all aspects of the field and prepares students to be sport industry leaders in the following categories:
Professional sports (league offices, player union offices, team offices); Olympic sports (national governing bodies); Intercollegiate sports (NCAA, university athletic departments); Interscholastic sports (state associations, high schools); Youth sports (civic and private agencies); Sport support services (sponsorship, merchandising, representation); Sport venues (facility management, event management); Sport media services (broadcasting, film, halls of fame, and museums).
Admission Criteria
The MSAL program reviews applications for every quarter of enrollment. Admission to the MSAL program is competitive and the file review is holistic. Applicants’ academic history, graduate exam performance, motivation, aptitude for graduate education, personal goals, and professional experiences will be considered.
To be considered, applicants must submit the following for review:
- Completed Application for Graduate Admission and a non-refundable $55 application fee (waived for Seattle University alumni)
- Official transcripts reflecting a four-year equivalent bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Minimum grade point average of 3.00 GPA calculated from official transcripts of all post-secondary educational institutions attended in the last 90 quarter/60 semester credits of the bachelor’s degree, including any transfer credits earned during this time and any post-baccalaureate course work. Applicants with less than a 3.00 GPA must submit official entrance exam test scores, such as GRE or MAT, for further consideration.
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals who have evaluated applicant’s academic work or supervised practical experience and are able to assess potential for graduate study. Please limit to one character reference.
- A 400-word essay describing career goals and how the MSAL program (specifically classes and mission) will help the applicant achieve personal goals.
- Professional résumé
- If English is not applicant’s native language, official English proficiency scores meeting the university’s entrance requirements must be submitted. See policy 2008-01 in Admissions Policies for details.
- Selected candidates will be scheduled for an interview.
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