Upon receipt of a bachelor’s degree, students are expected to assume regional, national, or international positions in the development, delivery, or administration of sport or sport education programs. Those already employed in sport or sport education are expected to have enhanced skills, knowledge, and understanding, which will promote the advancement of sport, sport education, or sports sciences.

Program Goals
The specific goals of the bachelor’s degree program are derived from the mission of the Academy. These goals and objectives are as follows:

1. The Academy has identified seven general education goals to prepare students for course work. In support of the Academy’s mission, the goals and objectives are to prepare educated individuals who are able to:
   1. Apply critical and independent thinking to real world issues
   2. Demonstrate the ability to clearly articulate ideas in writing
   3. Demonstrate problem solving capabilities through an expanded vision of the sport discipline
   4. Analyze and illustrate with conviction issues of significance in their chosen disciplines
   5. Identify ethical principles applied in the world of sport and life in general
   6. Synthesize learned theories and relate those theories in practical environments
   7. Evaluate issues and trends pertaining to the world of sport
2. The faculty and staff of the Academy provide the necessary tools for students to accomplish the goals listed above by:
   1. Demonstrating the appropriate skill sets to work in the profession of sport at various levels of sport from amateur through professional
   2. Applying theoretical information and putting that information into practice within sport disciplines
   3. Providing materials necessary for students to gain the knowledge, skills, and practical abilities to succeed in the discipline of the sport major being studied
   4. Increasing computer literacy by utilizing current computer technology and applications across the curriculum to develop research skills and computer literacy for academic settings, workforce development, and lifelong learning
   5. Increasing students’ awareness of the need for a personal philosophy and the importance of ethical principles related to their chosen professions and life in general
   6. Providing practical experiences in areas of sport discipline in which the student can fully test the knowledge and skills required in real life experiences under qualified interns.

GPA Requirement
A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 is required for graduation.

Internship – The Culminating Experience
The Academy’s internship program is a practical learning experience planned, supervised, and evaluated for credit by faculty and field supervisors. It enables a student to apply the knowledge gained through course work while under the direct supervision of a leader in the student’s chosen field. Internship study can provide many opportunities for valuable practical experiences, since the student can select, within established guidelines, both the site and the type of experience desired.

Experiencing a internship is an excellent opportunity to work side-by-side with experts in the sports profession in order to build professional competence through planning, performing, and reflecting on the core responsibilities of a practitioner in the sports industry. The internship can also provide a student the opportunity of building a network with industry professionals. Students are advised to contact the internship office to discuss possible internship ideas prior to initiating the necessary paperwork.

Master’s Students

Upon receipt of a master’s degree, students are expected to assume regional, national, or international positions in the development, delivery, or administration of sport or sport education programs. Those already employed in sport or sport education are expected to have enhanced skills, knowledge, and understanding, which will promote the advancement of sport, sport education, or sports sciences.

Program Goals
The specific goals of the master’s degree program are derived from the mission of the Academy. These goals and objectives are as follows:

1. Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed as a professional in the chosen sport discipline
2. Synthesize and evaluate theoretical information and integrate it into practice by:
   1. Explaining issues and trends in sports
   2. Summarizing the necessary knowledge and skills in program management
   3. Generating organizational or professional development in sport-related programs
   4. Interpreting issues through self-directed study, critical thinking, and problem solving
3. Value the need to develop a personal philosophy and ethical principles related to sports by:
   1. Combining the knowledge of the sociological, historical, political, and philosophical aspects of sports
   2. Developing an understanding and working knowledge of the current state of the sport profession
   3. Describing how sports impact human behavior
   4. Justifying the application of ethical principles in practical situations.
4. Synthesize the principles and methods of research in the area of sports by summarizing instruction and supervised practice in:
   1. Evaluating existing research
   2. Formulating research that integrates knowledge and experience with existing theories and practices
   3. Assessing and synthesizing data

GPA Requirement
A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 is required for graduation.

Three-Track Academic Option
Students enrolled in the master’s degree program must select one of three academic track options before completing the core courses:

1. The experiential track is a practical, learn-by-doing approach called a Internship. (Students enrolled in the Recreation Management program, the Sports Exercise Science program, or in a dual program of study, which includes Sports Exercise Science must take a internship.)
2. Students enrolled in the Thesis Option will pursue research activity in preparation for more advanced study. Students in the Thesis Option must take SAR 575 Professional Writing and Applied Research, in preparation for the development and defense of a research-based thesis. Students who wish to pursue future doctoral studies should take the Thesis Option in preparation for their doctoral dissertation.
3. Students choosing the Non-Thesis Option select three elective courses (an additional nine credit hours) to broaden theoretical knowledge of a subject.

Students who choose the Thesis Option will be enrolled in the Master’s Portfolio. Students who elect the Internship Option or the Non-Thesis option must take the Master’s Comprehensive Examination at the end of their program of study.

Doctoral Students

Upon receipt of a doctoral degree, students are expected to assume regional, national, or international positions in the development, delivery, or administration of sport or sport education programs. Those already employed in sport or sport education are expected to have enhanced skills, knowledge, and understanding, which will promote the advancement of sport, sport education, or sports sciences.

Program Goals
The specific goals of the doctoral program are derived from the mission of the academy and developed to award a terminal degree in the profession of sports. The goals and objectives of the doctoral program are as follows:

1. Develop the knowledge and skills necessary to provide effective leadership in academic or administrative environments
2. Summarize instruction and supervised practice in:
   1. Assessing existing research in the profession;
   2. Synthesizing theories by integrating current or related knowledge with existing concepts
   3. Construct and defend original research as part of the professional dissertation
3. Synthesize and evaluate theoretical information and integrate it into practice by:
   1. Interpreting issues and trends in sports
   2. Designing innovative programs through effective individual leadership
   3. Developing knowledge and skills in program administration
   4. Interpreting issues through self-directed study, critical thinking, and problem solving\
4. Value the need to develop a personal philosophy and ethical principles related to sports by:
   1. Combining the knowledge of the sociological, historical, political, and philosophical aspects of sports
   2. Generating contributions to the body of knowledge in the sport profession
   3. Describing how sports impact human behavior
5. Summarize the principles and methods of research in the profession of sports by:
   1. Designing research questions and comparing them with existing theories
   2. Evaluating questions critically through analysis of data
   3. Developing mastery of quantitative and qualitative methodologies utilized in research

GPA Requirement
A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 is required for graduation.