Master of Science in Sport Leadership

November 22, 2023 2025-04-15 14:46

MSSL Program

Sport Leadership blends business, coaching, and physical education so you can manage athletic teams, fitness facilities, or recreation programming.

Master of Science in Sport Leadership

The Master of Science in Sport Leadership (MSSL) at Tennessee Wesleyan University will prepare you with the knowledge and skills to be an effective leader in the sporting industry and bring about innovation in coaching.

Learn more about TWU and see why students have chosen us for over 100 years.

About Us

Program Description

The Master of Science in Sport Leadership program prepares students for a variety of sport-related occupations, such as sport marketing, communication, coaching, or management as well as professional or intercollegiate sports teams. Students will advance and develop leadership abilities as relevant social and business issues are examined and coaching and organizational skills are enhanced.  

TWU offers an online Master of Science in Sport Leadership (M.S.S.L) degree with concentrations in Sport Management and Sport Coaching, each 30 credit hour tracks:

Sport Management

The management track prepares students to work in the business of sports and recreation. Top sport management jobs include Athletic Administrator, Gameday/Event Coordinator, Parks and Recreation, Professor of Sports Management, Public Relations, Sports Agent, Sports & Health Club Manager, and Sport Information Director.

Sport Coaching

The coaching track gives students the knowledge and skills necessary to provide effective leadership in the administrative sports industry. Top sport coaching jobs include All Sport Coach, Sports Betting Ambassador, Assistant Coach, Athletic Director, Youth Sports Coaching, Coaching Program Manager, Sports Coordinator, Sports Industry Sales Representative, College Athletic Recruiter, and Tournament Planner.

Admission Requirements

All applicants interested in completing graduate-level course work at TWU for the MSSL program are required to complete the following steps:

General Admission Requirements

All applicants interested in completing graduate-level course work at TWU are required to complete the following steps:

Complete application for the graduate program.
Submit official transcripts from previous institutions, undergraduate and graduate from an accredited institution.
Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher
Conferred baccalaureate degree, from an accredited institution.

Specific Criteria for the 4+1 program

Current TWU students in the traditional day program are eligible to apply for the MSSL 4+1 program. This program will allow eligible students to enroll in the MSSL coursework before completion of their TWU bachelor’s degree. No MSSL credit will apply to the 120 undergraduate hours needed for graduation with a bachelor’s degree. Applicants to the 4+1 MSSL program must have completed 102 undergraduate hours, including 20 hours of 300-400 course work in their undergraduate programs.

Prospective students should submit:

Complete application for the graduate program through admissions.
Completed application for the 4+1 program through the MSSL director.
Letter of recommendation from two faculty or staff members at TWU (sent to MSSL Director)

Successful applicants will have an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Mission & Philosophy

University Mission Statement: In keeping with the spirit of the liberal arts, Tennessee Wesleyan University seeks within the framework of the Judeo-Christian tradition to provide for students the highest quality educational experience, to promote personal responsibility, integrity, and purpose, and to prepare students for a life of leadership and service in an ever-changing global community.

The Master of Science in Sport Leadership Program is consistent with TWU’s mission and purpose and aligns with the University Vision and Strategic Plan Theme 1: Excellence in Academics. Excellence in Academics: Launch new and viable programs in undergraduate and graduate education and cultivate continuous excellence and growth in current programs. This will be achieved through data-informed curriculum improvement, faculty development, and targeted recruiting strategies.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Apply strong professional communication skills to concepts in ethics, sport law, management, administration, public relations, budgeting, and coaching.

2. Analyze sport leadership skills necessary for successful performance in the multi-dimensional sports field as it relates to sport management, administration, culture, and ethical perspectives.

3. Demonstrate problem-solving and reasoning skills required for their respective professions.

Sport Management Concentration (PLO’s)

1. Demonstrate knowledge in event management, global sport industry, and finance, applying and evaluating principles and policies in sport organizations.

2. Create strategies that promote leadership skills necessary to manage sport organizations in the areas of sport facilities, media, and sport marketing with-in real world issues and challenges.

Sport Coaching Concentration (PLO’s)

1. Demonstrate knowledge, skills, and attitudes for effective performance in the coaching field to ensure optimal opportunities to learn and grow.

2. Analyze, apply and promote authentic learning, leadership development, administrative strategies and a commitment to sport teams, student-athletes, and athletic programs.

MSSL Core Curriculum

MSL 501 Managerial Strategies in Athletics (3)
Introduces a set of personal, interpersonal, and team-based skills and competencies required for leadership roles in sport organizations. These skills include self-awareness, managing stress, creative problem solving, communicating effectively, correcting performance and motivation problems, managing conflict, and delegation. The course will utilize case studies and draw from current events and trends to connect theories with practice.

MSL 502 Ethical Leadership (3)
Considers leadership dilemmas that can arise when the individual’s values conflict with those of the organization, or when a situation requires decisions with conflicting value sets. Students use case studies, their own experiences, and current events to examine actions leaders have taken and consequences faced when confronted with ethical dilemmas. From assignments and discussions, students have an opportunity to develop a personal model for ethical leadership.

MSL 503 Sport Law (3)
Addresses the legal aspects of sports, recreation, and leisure services. Covers legal concepts and issues related to risk management, equipment uses, facility management, media usage, and accommodation for special populations. Offers sports managers an opportunity to obtain knowledge necessary to operate in the increasingly complex sports environment.

MSL 591 Sport Seminar (3)
This seminar offers students the opportunity to prepare for their internship or capstone project. A student’s investigation of their internship will be finalized. A student’s research topic will be outlined. Students are expected to demonstrate how their preparation for their internship or capstone project in Sport Leadership can be utilized to become responsible citizens in the global community.

MSL 592 Capstone (project) (6)
By selecting a topic of academic and professional interest, students are offered an opportunity to deepen their knowledge of a particular area of sports leadership through the capstone project option. Students share their experiences through a discussion board forum as well as deliver a final paper and oral presentation (via online). *Intended for students already employed in the sports field.

MSL 593 Internship (300 hours) (6)
Offers students an opportunity to complete their academic experience with an in-depth, sports leadership internship. Offers students an opportunity, while under the supervision of a sports professional and utilizing relationships with local college, professional, and amateur organizations, to work on a term basis in specific sports-related assignments. Students share their experiences through a discussion board forum as well as deliver a final paper and oral presentation (via online).

Sport Management Concentration

MSL 521 Sport Facility and Event Management (3)
Examines strategies and techniques required to run successful events. Offers students an opportunity to learn how to manage logistics; the who, what, where, when, and how of running the event; how to develop checklists and manage processes to keep things running smoothly; and how to have contingency plans. Details involved in running events— size, budget, venue, hospitality, marketing, publicity management— and working with vendors, community organizations, spectators, and celebrities.

MSL 522 Global Sport Industry (3)
This course will prepare students to think critically about the organization, governance, business activities, and cross-cultural context of modern sport on an international level. The global sport industry intersections with society and is an emerging area of study that focus on the management and cross-cultural context of sport and the issues/challenges that surface when sport is examined through an international lens.

MSL 523 Strategic Athletic Marketing and Media Relations (3)
Studies marketing strategies utilized in various aspects of the sports industry and understanding of media relations in sports. Topics will cover the strategies used to market the teams and maintain a relationship between the athletic department and media. Examines news releases, hometown features, contest management, press conferences, statistics, and publications.

MSL 524 Sport Finance (3)
Financial and managerial concepts are examined and applied to the sport industry. Special emphasis will be placed on principles, policies and plans for increasing revenue through the economic impact analysis of sporting events and controlling costs in the sport industry.

Sport Coaching Concentration

MSL 531 Sport Organization and Administration (3)
Designed to provide students with knowledge of the principles and methods of administration, organization and supervision of sport management, intramurals, and sports programs. This course exposes students to specific managerial challenges and issues facing sport industry leaders. The course examines the most critical entities influencing sport businesses.

MSL 532 Sport Teams and Athletics (3)
This course will examine the concept of leadership as it pertains to sports and other professions. Various leadership and management skills will be included with a focus on practical applications in a work environment. Theory and self-assessment strategies will be incorporated. Overviews methods, teaching techniques, coaching philosophies and practical experiences in both team and individual sports. Stresses motivation, selection, discipline, management, and the technical aspects of coaching.

MSL 533 Athletic Recruiting and Governance (3)
Current policy issues and ethical questions will be investigated. The course examines the rules and regulations related to intercollegiate compliance including but not limited to recruiting, eligibility, amateurism, and financial aid. It addresses the flow of funds in the sport industry and requires close consideration of numerous industry stakeholders. This course focuses on the structure and operations of interscholastic and intercollegiate athletic governing bodies.

MSL 534 Sport Policy Analysis (3)
This course provides students with the comprehension of the formulation and analysis of sport policies. Policy analysis in sport combined with a focused study on the use of economic tools to analyze policy issues in professional and amateur sports.

Tuition & Fees

	2024-2025	2025-2026
MBA	$560	$600
MBA Foundation – Per Course	$1,120	$1,160
MOT – Per Semester (9-16 hours)	$9,950	$10,350
MOT – Part Time Per Hour	$825
MOT Fee Per Semester	$500	$500
MSED Per Hour	$650	$650
Master of Art in Teaching	$680	$700
MSN	$700	$700
MS Sports Leadership	$550	$550
Online Grad Tech Fee (per hour)	$15	$20
Executive MBA (per hour)	$600	$600

Tuition and Fees
Online MSSL Program
Program Tuition	$16,500 (30 semester hours at $550 per credit hour
Online Fee	$450 (30 semester hours at $15.00 per credit hour
Program Total	$16,950
4+1 MSSL Program	Discuss options with MSSL Program Director

TWU prepares students with the transformative experience and to be well-rounded leaders who make a positive impact on the world.

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Master of Science in Sport Leadership

Master of Science in Sport Leadership

MSSL Program

Master of Science in Sport Leadership

Program Description

Sport Management

Sport Coaching

Admission Requirements

Mission & Philosophy

Program Learning Outcomes

MSSL Core Curriculum

Sport Management Concentration

Sport Coaching Concentration

Tuition & Fees

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TWU prepares students with the transformative experience and to be well-rounded leaders who make a positive impact on the world.

Majors & Minors

Student Employment Rate

Graduate Without Debt

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