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Home Academics Graduate Programs Master of Science in Athletic Leadership Athletic Leadership Program Requirements

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Master of Science in Athletic Leadership
Athletic Leadership Program Requirements Admissions Requirements Technology Requirements Graduate Tuition & Aid Faculty Request Information Apply Now! Department of Health, Human Movement, and Sport

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Athletic Leadership Program Requirements

These requirements are from an excerpt from the University Academic Catalog, which outlines the requirements for a student to earn the distinction of being a Castleton University graduate. The complete catalog is available online.

The Master of Science in Athletic Leadership (MS.ATL) prepares students for success in administrative and/or head coaching positions in educational-based athletic organizations through professional and applied studies. Professional positions in high school, university or private youth athletic departments or organizations require specialized and applied training.

This 30-credit, fully online, and professional program contains six required athletic leadership Core Courses (18 credits) and allows students to select an additional two courses (6 credits) in electives. All students must complete a 6-credit culminating experience that consists of an internship or a special project.

Students may complete the degree in one year or in multiple years. Castleton students with an undergraduate major in Sport Management or other majors who meet certain program prerequisites, and who meet selection criteria, may pursue a four plus one (4+1) program that will lead to the MS.ATL.

Program Objectives

Within education-based athletic programs, the student will:

  • Demonstrate the ability to apply advanced critical thinking skills.
  • Develop the ability to think and plan strategically to properly guide athletic programs.
  • Understand basic financial and accounting principles utilized. Students will be able to financially plan for both short-term and the long-term needs within athletic organizations and teams.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of revenue-generation techniques and principles.
  • Have a clear understanding of legal concepts and issues in athletic organizations and develop risk management strategies.
  • Understand the applicability of various national compliance regulations and how to apply such regulations in athletic and coaching leadership positions.
  • Demonstrate the ability to analyze and discuss current trends facing the industry.

Admissions Requirements

1. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Applicants who apply for admissions prior to completion of their undergraduate degrees may be accepted into the program but will not be allowed to register for classes until completion of such degree and a final, official transcript is received by the Admissions Office.

2. A completed admissions application, and an application fee ($40.00), submitted online or mailed to the Admissions Office, Castleton University, Castleton, Vermont, 05735.

3. An essay that addresses the following:

a) Education-based athletic programs are defined to be interscholastic athletic programs found within both public and private K-12 school systems, as well as intercollegiate athletic programs found at both public and private colleges and universities. With this in mind, please identify a current weakness or shortcoming within the industry of education-based athletics.

b) Then, please outline any preconceived notions you may have now about how an athletic leader might work to overcome this weakness or shortcoming.

c) Finally, please outline how you think your involvement in the MS.ATL will assist you, as an athletic leader, in finding a way to overcome this weakness or shortcoming in the near future.

4. A current résumé.

5. Two letters of reference that speak to the applicant's scholarship and potential to be an exemplary professional in education-based athletics and its study.

6. Official transcripts of all college work, both graduate and undergraduate, sent directly or transferred electronically from the issuing institution to the Castleton University Admissions Office. Admission to the program may be granted if the applicant has an undergraduate G.P.A. of at least 3.0 on a four-point scale and shows an aptitude for graduate studies as reflected in references, writing ability, and personal objectives. On occasion, students with a G.P.A that falls below a 3.0 may be admitted on a provisional basis. (See below)

7. Prerequisites: a) A management theory course. b) An introductory sports management course or five years as a professional in the industry of sport.

Provisional Admission:

Provisional admission may be granted if the applicant shows potential for graduate studies but fails to meet one of the stated criteria for admission. In some instances, provisional admission may be due to a routine logistical issue such as official transcripts replacing unofficial ones. In these cases, the University reserves the right to revoke a provisional admission should the final submissions differ from what was expected. In some cases, the Graduate Admissions Committee may have concerns about a student's ability to complete their program successfully. In these instances, students will be required to take two courses from the programs core requirements. Courses must be completed within two semesters of the date of provisional admission and passed with a grade of "B" or better. If these conditions are met, the applicant will be reconsidered for full admission to the program. If these conditions are not met, the student may be dismissed from the program. The Graduate Admissions Committee may admit students provisionally and require completion of other tasks such as submission of exam scores or completion of other courses as determined by the Graduate Admissions Committee.

Course Requirements

Complete these Core Courses (18 cr):

Code Course Credits

ATL 5010

Leadership and Management of Athletic Programs

This course introduces students to the physical and philosophical infrastructure within the landscape of intercollegiate and interscholastic athletics. This course covers such topics as leadership theory as it relates to athletics, intercollegiate and interscholastic staffing structure and organization, and management of athletic programs.

Course offered online.

ATL 5020

Financial Administration of Athletics

Students use a financial lens to explore solutions to a wide variety of issues related to athletic organizations. This course covers such issues as organizational finance structure, taxation, financial analysis and forecasting, budgetary and accounting controls, economic impact studies, insurance, and forms of ownership.

Course offered on-line.

ATL 5030

Athletics Advancement

This course explores various methods and structures for revenue production within athletic organizations, departments and teams. Specific topics to be covered include general fundraising, advancement through alumni giving, alumni relations, and corporate sponsorship development. Connections will be made to field of athletic marketing.

Course offered on-line.

ATL 5040

Legal Topics in Athletics

This course allows students to delve deeply into the law as it pertains to intercollegiate and interscholastic athletics. The depth of this course equips students with the skills and strategies needed to effectively work with business professionals and lawyers to resolve legal issues. Some topics of importance include tort law, risk management, and contract law.

Course offered on-line.

ATL 5050

Compliance and Governance in Athletics

This course investigates the governing bodies in intercollegiate and interscholastic athletics and their role in developing standards that their constituents must follow to maintain their membership. Regulations related to recruiting, eligibility, practice scheduling, and alumni/booster relations are examined. There is a focus on National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) compliance as it relates to both intercollegiate and interscholastic athletics as well as NCAA structure.

Course offered on-line.

ATL 6220

Current Trends and Topics in Athletic Leadership

Due to the ever-evolving nature of intercollegiate and interscholastic athletics, the content of this course is intended to increase the students' awareness of current trends and topics within the field of athletic administration and the implications thereof. Relevant topics of interest will generally be selected by the instructor, but ethics will also be covered.

Course offered on-line.

and complete 2 of these courses (6 cr):

(note that other courses may be added or substituted with permission of the program coordinator)

Code Course Credits

ATL 6210

Facility Design and Management

In this course students learn the necessary steps for first designing, and then managing, an athletic facility. Some topics include feasibility, planning, designing, staffing, facility marketing, developing revenue streams, and facility scheduling and operating.

Course offered on-line.

ATL 6230

Advanced Communications in Athletics

Students learn how to apply principles and theories of communications to intercollegiate and interscholastic athletics through the use of case studies and the production of a strategic marketing and communications plan. This course also provides students with an understanding of the role of emerging technology, media and social networking outlets, and public relations in intercollegiate and interscholastic athletics. Connections to Marketing will be made.

Course offered on-line.

ATL 6410

Psychology of Coaching

This course examines psychological issues such as motivation, anxiety, development of social and communication skills, and development of team and group cooperation as they pertain to coaching at the intercollegiate and interscholastic levels.

Course offered on-line.

and successfully complete the Culminating Experience (6 cr):

Code Course Credits

ATL 6810

Internship in Athletic Leadership

-OR-

This is an approved, supervised work experience in an organization and position that is related to the student's area of specialization and interest.

ATL 6890

Special Project in Athletic Leadership

This is meant to serve as an alternative to an internship or thesis in athletic leadership. It will involve completing a special project in which the student applies the knowledge they have acquired in a way that is to be approved by the program coordinator.

(Total credits required for the degree: 30 cr)

MS.ATL COURSE OFFERINGS BY SEMESTER (subject to change)

Students may begin the program in the Summer, Fall, or Spring.

Fall:

ATL 5020 - Financial Administration of Athletics ATL 5030 - Athletics Advancement ATL 5050 - Compliance and Governance in Athletics ATL 6210 - Facility Design and Management ATL 6810 - Internship in Athletic Leadership ATL 6890 - Special Project in Athletic Leadership

Spring:

ATL 5010 - Leadership and Management of Athletic Programs - even yearsATL 5040 - Legal Topics in Athletics ATL 5050 - Compliance and Governance in Athletics - odd yearsATL 6230 - Advanced Communications in Athletics ATL 6410 - Psychology of Coaching ATL 6420 - Current Trends and Topics in Coaching Leadership ATL 6810 - Internship in Athletic Leadership ATL 6890 - Special Project in Athletic Leadership Summer:ATL 5010 - Leadership and Management of Athletic Programs ATL 5020 - Financial Administration of Athletics - odd yearsATL 5030 - Athletics Advancement - odd yearsATL 5040 - Legal Topics in Athletics - even years ATL 6220 - Current Trends and Topics in Athletic Leadership - even yearsATL 6810 - Internship in Athletic Leadership ATL 6890 - Special Project in Athletic Leadership

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