Online Master of Science in Kinesiology

Change the game with comprehensive sport management skills in an online kinesiology program.

The online Master of Science (MS) in Kinesiology, Sport Management degree program at Houston Christian University (HCU) delivers leadership preparation tailored for sports and athletics industries entirely online, affording you great flexibility as a working professional to advance your career.

The MS in Kinesiology online degree curriculum combines advanced scientific knowledge about movement and the body with a practical sports management concentration area. It equips you to follow your highest calling in athletic administration, facility management, event planning, and sports marketing and pursue further certification in physical therapy and exercise physiology.

Our program’s distinctive combination of faith-based education and rigorous academic training ensures you are ready for success in new roles and prepared to lead with ethical values and a solid moral compass as your career expands. At HCU, gain the network and skillset that readies you to positively impact the world of sports and kinesiology.

Program Highlights

  • 35 Credits
  • Complete in One Year Full Time
  • 18 Months Part Time
  • 2 Sport Management Internships
  • Thesis and Non-Thesis Options

Master’s in Kinesiology Requirements, Sport Management Concentration

The online Master of Science in Kinesiology program with a concentration in Sport Management requires 35 credit hours, designed for you to finish in one year to 18 months. Core courses cover essential topics in both kinesiology and sport management, integrating practical experience through two internships in sport management and a research thesis.

To earn the Master of Science in Kinesiology degree, you must successfully complete the specified degree plan, choose between the thesis or internship (non-thesis) options, and adhere to all HCU Graduate School criteria. Our program prepares you for the multifaceted challenges of the kinesiology and sport management professions while fostering your professional and spiritual development in a supportive, faith-based environment.

Courses and Degree Plan

Core courses for the online Kinesiology master’s degree program with a concentration in Sport Management provide a knowledge base in ethics, marketing, advertising, finance, facility and event management, and day-to-day operations.

KINE 5301 Applied Research Methods in Sports and Kinesiology
KINE 5302 Legal Issues in Sport
KINE 5305 History and Culture of Sport
KINE 5306 Ethical Issues in Sport Management
KINE 5308 Event and Facility Management
KINE 5309 Management of Sport Delivery Systems & Organizations
KINE 5310 Financial Management in Sport
MKTG 6310 Marketing Management
MGMT 5261 Management Principles
PSYC 5301 Introduction to Statistics for Behavioral Sciences
KINE 5311 Internship in Sport Management (take twice for 6 credit hours)
OR
KINE 5312 Thesis (take until completed for 6 credit hours)

Review degree plan

Program Benefits and Opportunities

Career and Salary Outcomes With Master’s in Kinesiology

Our online MS in Kinesiology and Sport Management program opens doors to impactful roles in sports-related businesses. Graduates find work in professional and collegiate athletic departments, sports businesses, and facilities or pursue athletic training or exercise physiology certifications.

Whether you’re just starting to embrace your love of sports with a career change or aiming to advance in your current role in the field, specialized training and internship experience can help you boost your salary and opportunities for career growth. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), general and operations managers earn an average of $129,330 each year, and Salary.com reports the average annual earnings of athletic directors is $132,541.

The BLS predicts that overall employment in entertainment and sports occupations will grow faster than the average for all occupations from 2022 to 2032, and management occupations will also grow in demand. An advanced degree enables you to add depth and breadth to your knowledge in this field, strengthening your toolkit for more innovative and specialized roles within the sports business industry.

Sport Management Internship

Outside of flexible online class assignments and discussions where expert faculty are just an email, video meeting, or telephone call away, the online sports management degree program requires two specialized internships in Houston, a major metropolitan city with many professional sports organizations and related business opportunities.

In our graduate sports business internships, students often work long-term with professional sports teams and athletics programs in the area, performing daily tasks and responsibilities related to the business operations needs of teams, events, or media campaigns.

Faith and Scholarship

At HCU, you experience a unique integration of faith in your sports management education. We endeavor to address the increasingly secular tone of the sports industry by providing a Christian perspective on ethical leadership and decision-making. This blend of Christian values and academic excellence equips you to serve the whole person — mind, body, and spirit — as you make a positive impact in your career and community.

Admissions Requirements

To apply for the online MS in Kinesiology program with a concentration in Sport Management, you need a bachelor’s degree. You do not need to be currently employed in the sports and athletics industries, but some applicants are. If you have previous graduate-level experience in sports management, your admissions counselor can assist in determining the availability of transfer credits.

In addition to the online graduate application, components of your application will include:

  • Official transcripts from all previously attended higher education institutions and the college or university that awarded your bachelor’s degree.
  • Contact information for two professional or academic references. Friends and family members should not be listed as references.
  • Current résumé/CV
  • An admissions interview may be required.

Submit transcripts, résumé, and any additional requested materials via email to OnlineVerification@HC.edu.

Program Costs and Aid

Investing in your future in sports and athletics through our online MS in Kinesiology program is affordable and valuable. While tuition rates are competitive, we offer various financial aid options to support your priorities.

Review tuition and fees and explore graduate financial aid and scholarships at HCU.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • A kinesiology graduate degree can enhance career prospects and earning potential in many industries. While our program offers a focus in sports management, kinesiology graduates can find opportunities in sports and athletics administration, physical therapy (with additional credentials), athletic training, fitness management, and sports marketing. This versatile degree provides a strong foundation for advancing in sports-related fields or transitioning into leadership roles within the broader health and fitness industry, from collegiate to professional levels.

  • While additional specialized education and licensure are necessary for a career as a practicing physical therapist, this degree can serve as a solid foundation for entering a physical therapy program or immediately pursuing opportunities in related fields that require deep knowledge of body movement and wellness, such as athletic programs.

  • Top salary opportunities for those with master’s-level training in kinesiology and sports management include athletic director, sports marketing executive, and facility manager, with bigger salary packages typically found in larger markets or organizations. With a Master of Science, candidates for these positions usually qualify to advance their salary potential after gaining years of experience or specializing in certain industries.

Earn a Master’s in Kinesiology, Sport Management Concentration at HCU

Throughout the online Kinesiology, Sport Management graduate degree program at Houston Christian University, you reap the benefits of our unique integration of faith and scholarship, preparing you to lead with integrity in the competitive sports industry.

Apply to the online Master of Science program today to get started.

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Accreditation

Houston Christian University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, graduate and doctoral degrees.