Master of Arts (M.A.) in Sports Leadership

Your Career on the Winning Path with JCU Master of Arts in Sports Leadership

Picture of graduate student working on laptop with online program

100% Online

Earn your degree through our fully online program, tailored for professionals in sports marketing and management, as well as coaches and administrators looking to advance their careers.

Picture of male (left) and female (right) coaches in gymnasium discussing information in notebook

Designed for Flexibility

Study at your own pace with our year-round online program, featuring 10 courses totaling 30 credit hours. The program can be completed in as little as 1 year with evening class designed for working professionals and coaches.

Picture of 3 males on NFL football field dressed in professional clothes before football game

Hands-On Learning

Collaborate with faculty members and industry leaders to strengthen your skills, gain valuable experience and expand your professional network.

Male football coach on sidelines at a game

National Network

Connect with John Carroll alumni who hold sports leadership positions in professional sports and college athletics across the country, including the NFL, MLB and NBA.

Female coach comforting female soccer player on bench outside

Develop Leadership Skills

Apply leadership theory to the sports industry to build a powerful toolbox of knowledge and skills that will help you achieve your career goals.

Female student at press conference for JCU athletics

Holistic Approach

Gain the financial, marketing, HR and strategic skills needed to navigate the significant investments and risks faced by teams, leagues, sponsors, advertisers and collegiate athletics.

EMPLOYMENT IN ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORTS OCCUPATIONS IS PROJECTED TO GROW BY 22% BY 2030

- Successful completion of an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution.
- This program has no set submission deadline. Applications are considered on a rolling basis upon completion. Admission decisions will be made based on space in the program.
- No GRE Required

- Free Application
- Official Transcript(s)
- 2 Letters of Recommendation
- Statement of Purpose
- Interview
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae
- Photograph
- No GRE Required

- Tuition is charged at the College of Arts and Sciences rate
- Degree-seeking students eligible for federal student loans. For information about the loan process, contact Student Enrollment and Financial Services at (216) 397-4248.
- A limited number of graduate assistantships provide a tuition waiver for up to 15 credit hours per year plus a stipend. Students are expected to spend 20 hours per week working for the department.

One Degree, Countless Career Paths

Sports have always needed strong, visionary leaders. That has never been more true than today. This increasingly complex industry requires exceptional coaches, administrators and business professionals who can step up to challenges, inspire others and be decisive decision-makers in a dynamic environment with confidence and ability. The fully online Master of Arts in Sports Leadership program emphasizes key areas that sports professionals draw on every day, including psychology, communication, marketing, finance and ethics.

Career Preparation

Prepare for a Variety of Sports Leadership Careers including:

Sports Administrators

Directors of Athletics

Coaches (at all levels)

Sports Marketing, Promotions, and Ticket Sales

Professional Scouts

Sports Information and Communications Professionals

brian polian speaking in jcu stadium press box

Robust Sports Industry Network

Experience connections to sports and entertainment in Cleveland and the Midwest:

Cleveland Guardians
Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Browns
JCU NFL Pipeline
ESPN Cleveland
Pittsburgh Penguins
Cleveland Sports Commission
Sponsor United
Minnesota Lynx
John Carroll University Athletics
Buffalo Bills
County Mayo (Gaelic Athletic Association)

“With an individualized, student-centered approach, we strive to create successful and compassionate leaders in all areas of the sports industry through an engaging curriculum of academics, research, and service.”

Brooke Turner, PhD • Program Director

Picture of Michael Hollins, Sports Leadership Alum in suit outside St. Ignatius Hall

“The Sports Leadership Program has given me the comprehensive tools to understand the largeness of the athletic world. I knew that I needed to learn leadership from a thirty-thousand foot perspective and that success is in the process that compounds over time.”

Michael Hollins, '17, '24G • Assistant AD for Student Athlete Development/DEIB Kent State University

Take your Career in Sports Leadership to the Next Level - Learn More Today!

Loading...