Program Overview

Master of Science in Sports Product Design

Degree Overview

The Sports Product Design program develops graduates proficient in using science and creative problem-solving methods to innovate products that push the boundaries of society and the field of sport. The 2-year curriculum, founded in 2016, focuses on research, product innovation methodologies, athletic performance, sustainability, business, marketing, and branding.

Graduates study to become leaders of multidisciplinary product creation teams within the 800+ sports product companies in the state of Oregon and beyond. Upon graduation, they enter the sports industry as designers, developers, researchers, and engineers - across footwear, apparel, and equipment organizations.

Graduates of the program have published peer-reviewed research papers, presented at academic conferences, patented new technologies, exhibited at international design exhibits, won international design awards, taught workshops, and received funding for their new product ventures. The program has also pioneered adaptive products in partnership with local businesses and athletes to achieve their full sports potential.

Degree Requirements

Credits

The curriculum requires:

• 62 credits in Sports Product Design
• 9 credits from Human Physiology and Journalism
• 6 credits minimum of electives (UO graduate-level courses). Graduate-level courses may also be taken at Portland State University (PSU) through a joint campus agreement.

Required Courses

Courses in Sports Product Design

• SPD 415/515: Soft Goods Technologies for Sports Product Design (4 Credits)
• SPD 425/525: Digital Technologies for Sports Product Creation (4 Credits)
• SPD 610: Thesis Research (4 Credits)
• SPD 645: Sports Product Design and Business (4 Credits)
• SPD 650: Sports Product Materials and Manufacturing (4 Credits)
• SPD 684: Sports Product Design Research Methodology and Innovation Process Studio (6 Credits)
• SPD 685: Product Design Studio IApparel (6 Credits)
• SPD 686: Product Design Studio IIFootwear (6 Credits)
• SPD 687: Product Design Studio IIIEquipment (6 Credits)
• SPD 688: Sports Product Design Innovative Project Strategy Development Studio (9 Credits)
• SPD 689: Collaborative Creation and Launch Studio (9 Credits)

Courses from Human Physiology and Journalism

• HPHY 631: Human Performance and Sports Products (3 Credits)
• HPHY 632: Human Biomechanics (2 Credits)
• J 616: Introduction to Strategic Communication Marketing (4 Credits)

Electives

• SPD 601: Research (16 Credits)
• SPD 602: Supervised College Teaching (16 Credits)
• SPD 604: Internship (16 Credits)
• SPD 605: Reading (16 Credits)
• SPD 606: Special Problems (16 Credits)
• J 624: Strategic Communication: [Topic] (2 Credits)
• MGMT 625: New Venture Planning (3 Credits)
• MGMT 635: Opportunity Recognition (3 Credits)

Partners

Industry partners for sports product design provide special opportunities for students. They fulfill a number of critical roles as part of our dynamic learning environment. Some of the ways we engage our industry partners include having them serve as instructors, advisors, guest reviewers, lecturers, and mentors for students.