Program Overview

Introduction to the Sport Leadership Program

The School of Business at Virginia Commonwealth University offers a structured graduate program combining classroom theory with exposure to relevant field experiences. Through the sport leadership program, students will be prepared to assume the responsibilities for developing professional and amateur athletes and managing sports programs in a variety of academic, public, and private sectors. The interdisciplinary faculty and curriculum give students the opportunity to concentrate on areas most important to them and most relevant to the sports business.

Program Format

This program is available in an online, face-to-face, or hybrid format.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Content knowledge of sport industry: Students will be able to analyze and synthesize information and develop plans to address issues in sport leadership.
• Development of interpersonal skills and professionalism: Students will demonstrate interpersonal skills and professionalism appropriate to the fields of sport management and coaching.
• Development of leadership skills: Students will demonstrate content knowledge of leadership skills and traits, as well as the ability to utilize these skills and traits in a professional setting.

Academic Policies and Regulations

The VCU Graduate Bulletin website documents the official admission and academic rules and regulations that govern graduate education for all graduate programs at the university. These policies are established by the graduate faculty of the university through their elected representatives to the University Graduate Council. It is the responsibility of all graduate students to be familiar with the VCU Graduate Bulletin as well as the academic regulations in individual school and department publications.

Degree Candidacy Requirements

A graduate student admitted to a program or concentration requiring a final research project, work of art, thesis, or dissertation must qualify for continuing master's or doctoral status according to the degree candidacy requirements of the student's graduate program.

Graduation Requirements

As graduate students approach the end of their academic programs and the final semester of matriculation, they must make formal application to graduate. No degrees will be conferred until the application to graduate has been finalized.

Admission Requirements

• Degree: Master of Sport Leadership (M.S.L.)
• Semester(s) of entry: Fall, Spring, Summer
• Deadline dates:
  • Fall: April 15
  • Spring: November 1
  • Summer: March 15
• Test requirements: GRE or MAT In addition to the general admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School, the following requirements represent the minimum acceptable standards for admission:
  • Bachelor's degree in an appropriate discipline
  • Three letters of recommendation addressing the student's potential for graduate study
  • Student's written statement concerning career interests
  • Transcripts of all previous college work

Degree Requirements

In addition to general VCU Graduate School graduation requirements, students are required to complete coursework in core and elective courses.

• Credit hour requirements: Students are required to complete a minimum of 36 credit hours.
• Grade requirements: Receipt of a grade of C or below in two courses constitutes automatic dismissal from the program. Courses with a grade below C cannot be used to satisfy degree requirements.

Curriculum Requirements

Core Courses

Elective Courses

• SPTL/HEMS 591: Topical Seminar (maximum six)
• SPTL 608: Sport and Entertainment Event Development I
• SPTL 610: Sport and Entertainment Event Development II
• SPTL 622: Sport Consumer Behavior
• SPTL 623: Sport and the Environment
• SPTL 634: Foundations of Coaching
• SPTL 640: Sport Media and Communications
• SPTL 641: Sports Psychology
• SPTL 642: Sport Ethics
• SPTL 643: Sport Law
• SPTL 644: NCAA Coaching
• SPTL 645: Sales and Development
• SPTL 646: Facilities and Event Development
• SPTL 647: Global Sports Issues
• SPTL 648: Issues in College Athletics
• SPTL 650: European Model of Sport
• SPTL 691: Topics in Sport Leadership
• SPTL 692: Independent Study 1
• SPTL 695: Externship 1
• Any 600-level SPTL course not otherwise required for the major

Total Hours

The minimum total of graduate credit hours required for this degree is 36.

Upon completion of the requirements for this degree, students will receive a Master of Sport Leadership.