If you are seeking to obtain the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in leadership positions of athletic sports programs, then it is recommended that you specialize a Master’s in Education in Sports Leadership. Although earning a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in typically geared towards graduate students interested in teaching, counseling, educational technology, or school administration, there are a select few universities that offer a sports leadership specialization within their College of Education. Since sports business is currently one of the largest industries in the United States projected to grow $145.3 billion from 2010-2015, according to Forbes, having this specialization can lead to increasingly diverse career options with a strong job placement rate. Read on to learn more about the sports leadership specialization and determine whether it would be the ideal fit for your M.Ed. degree program.
Structure of a Sports Leadership Specialization
Through a combination of classroom theory with participation in relevant field experiences, the Master of Education (M.Ed.) typically requires one to three years of advanced graduate studies full-time to increase professional knowledge in fundamental educational fields. In addition to having a major core consisting of coursework in human development, personality development, contemporary issues in education, leadership, special needs learners, and research methods, a specialization in sports leadership will require the completion of 9 to 16 concentrated credits. Most accredited programs will cover topics in athletic administration, sports psychology, coaching, sport business, leadership models, sport media, sport ethics, and an internship.
Benefits of a Specialization in Sports Leadership
Due to the fact that everyone who pursues a Master of Education degree is not cut out for teaching within the classroom or leading an entire school community, the sports leadership specialization offers graduate students a unique opportunity to pursue their own interests in the sports industry while gaining the same breadth of knowledge in the human service. As an inter-disciplinary specialization, your career will benefit from class discussions focused on the sports arena, capstone projects related to constructing an athletic program, and interesting electives that will give you a boost in the sports industry. In fact, many universities offering a specialization in sports leadership will offer internships planning wellness programs for local schools, designing fitness programs for the boys and girls club, or coaching a youth team.
Career Opportunities Related to Sports Leadership
When you specialize a Master’s in Education in Sports Leadership, you are unlocking a multitude of potential career opportunities within a thriving sports industry. From community-based recreational sports to youth sports and professional sports, graduates often become sports administrators. Others receive the calling to work as coaches in high school, collegiate, professional, or Olympic sports as well as coaching education specialists for national or state associations. In addition, graduates in sports leadership may wish to become athletic directors, marketing directors for intercollegiate athletic programs, sport facility managers, or even ticket sales administrators. Regardless of job title, graduates will be well-equipped with the knowledge to assume responsibilities in developing student, amateur, and professional athletes.
Related Resource: Master’s in Education in Instructional Design
Overall, there has been a significant growth in the number of higher education programs devoted to sports leadership over the past two decades due to increasing demand within the industry. While it is a great idea to specialize a Master’s in Education in Sports Leadership to gain experience in working within the academic sector, you may want to consider earning an MBA with a sport management concentration for more training in the administrative side of sports.
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