Master of Science (M.S.) in Sports Administration
Master of Science (M.S.) in Sports Administration
Propel your career in the field of sports administration by studying how organizational culture is built upon core values, creatively addressing the needs of stakeholders in an athletic organization, and developing your own leadership abilities. Industry professionals will prepare you to face the challenges of this field and experiential learning opportunities will provide valuable practical experience.
The following are objectives for those within the Masters’ program to successfully achieve:
- Apply knowledge and skills to develop best-practice approaches within sports administration.
- Apply knowledge gained from coursework to sport administrative experiences.
- Demonstrate problem solving, communication, and critical thinking skills reflective of humanistic, Catholic, Ignatian ideals about personal and social issues within sports-related organizations.
- Formulate career opportunities through professional development, networking, and career coaching.
At a Glance
Curriculum
Requirements
- Courses: 10
- Credits: 30
Spring 2025 Course Offerings
These listings are informational only. For a current listing of M.S. in Sports Administration courses, including closed or canceled courses, please visit the Course Information and Schedule system and use the prefix "ADSA".
Lead With Integrity
Using Jesuit principles as the foundation for leadership and decision-making, you'll learn how to lead ethically, bring out the best in your team members, and overcome setbacks through collaboration.
“Sports are about selflessness and being a team player, and those qualities pretty much define what the Jesuit values are all about. My ethics class has helped me build my own principles, which I’m going to use to help other people, and follow for the rest of my life. In my role as a coach, I’m working to develop my players physically, mentally, socially, and athletically. Hopefully, when they leave they are better people.”
Financial Aid
We know that a BC education is a worthwhile but significant investment. We're committed to helping you affordably achieve your educational goals while treating each student and their family equitably. Financial aid and payment plans may be available for students taking a minimum of six credits across a semester.
Careers
Defensive End Coach, Bowling Green
Director of Women's Basketball Operations, Virginia Commonwealth University
Inside Sales Representative, Brooklyn Nets
Player Development, Dallas Mavericks
Director of Club and Intramural Sports, Marshall University
Strength and Conditioning Coach, Miami Dolphins
Internships
The final semester offers an opportunity for practical experience through an applied project or internship. Past internships include:
Brooklyn Nets
Houston Texans
Los Angeles Rams
New York Mets
New England Revolution
Harvard Athletics
Babson Athletics
Worcester Railers Hockey
Advisory Board
Nick Bobrov
Independent Hockey Scout
Thomas Carelli (BC '84)
Senior Vice President at National Basketball Association (NBA)
Shauna Cobb
Senior Associate Athletic Director,
Internal Operations/SWA Boston College
Len DeLuca, J.D.
Len DeLuca & Associates
Lou DiSabatino (BC ‘84)
Vice President of Events for the NBA
Karrah Ellis, CMAA
Athletic Director,
Franklin High School
Matt Gladstone (BCSPAD Alumni)
Inside Sales Representative,
Boston Red Sox
Amela Hadziahmetovic Vautour, PHR, SHRM-CP
Human Resources Business Partner
Boston Bruins & TD Garden
Alison Quandt Westgate, M.B.A.
Associate Athletic Director for Academics & Student Services
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Doug Ramos, M.D.
Team Physician, Creighton University
College World Series Physician
Chair, Big East Health & Safety Committee
Keith Ricci
Fan Relations Manager
NHL | Bruins
Dan Rose, Ed.D.
Athletic Director
United States Coast Guard Academy
Wesley E. Stewart
Associate Vice President,
Major Gifts & Athletics Advancement
Office of University Advancement
Boston College
Cathy Utzschneider, Ph.D.
MOVE! Founder
Boston College MSSA Lead Instructor
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Nondegree Student Option
Students interested in exploring the Sports Administration program prior to submitting an entire application may enroll in select courses as a nondegree student.
Up to two courses may be taken as a nondegree student. The course options are: Introduction to Sports Management and Sports Marketing and Communication.
Sports in Boston
“In a city known for relentless commitment to and support of professional and collegiate athletics, we believe offering an M.S. in Sports Administration at Boston College fills a gap in the region.”
Application & Deadlines
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university (minimum GPA 3.0)
- Applicants with GPA lower than 3.0 will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
- Personal statement
- 2 letters of recommendation
- Application fee of $60 (to be paid as part of the online application)
If you are mailing hard copies of application materials, please send them to:
Boston College
Woods College of Advancing Studies Admissions Office
St. Mary's Hall South
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
| Entrance Term: | Application Due Date: | Decision Letter Sent By: |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Early Deadline: May 1 | June 1 |
| Regular Deadline: June 15 (International Students applying for Fall must submit an application by June 15th.) | July 15 | |
Rolling admissions: after June 15 | Applications will be reviewed on a case by case basis, pending availability. | |
| Spring | Early Deadline: October 15 (International Students applying for the spring semester must submit an application by October 15th. Applications received after October 15th will be considered for the summer semester.) | November 15 |
| Preferred Deadline: November 15 | December 15 | |
| Rolling admissions: after November 15 | Applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, pending availability. | |
| Summer | Early Deadline: March 1 | April 1 |
| Regular Deadline: April 1 (International Students applying for summer 1 must submit an application by March 1st. Summer 2 applicants must submit an application by April 1st.) | May 1 | |
| Rolling admissions: after April 1 | Applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, pending availability. |
Standardized Tests
The Woods College M.S. in Sports Administration does not require the GRE or GMAT for admission. If you believe your scores would enhance your application, please feel free to submit them. Our GRE reporting code is 7534 and our GMAT reporting code is 44X-HX-07.
For all non-native English speakers the TOEFL (reporting code 3276) or IELTS (if applicable) is required. Please view the International Students page for required test scores. If your undergraduate degree was conducted in English, you may be eligible for a TOEFL waiver. Please contact Woods College Admissions if you believe you qualify for a waiver.
Transcripts
Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded to your online application form for purposes of application review. However, official transcripts must also be submitted upon acceptance/matriculation. Both undergraduate and graduate transcripts are required if applicable.
Please mail transcripts to:
Boston College
Woods College of Advancing Studies Admissions Office
St. Mary's Hall South
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
If your academic institution provides electronic transcripts please indicate wcasadm@vbj4.com as the recipient.
Boston College Alumni and Current Students
Your BC transcript must be formally requested from the Office of Student Services and submitted to the Woods College. Woods cannot request or access transcripts independently.
International Applicants
All students who have attended or are currently attending an institution outside of the United States must provide a detailed, course-by-course transcript evaluation indicating the conferral of an undergraduate degree that is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
This evaluation is not just an English translation, but a document provided by an accredited evaluating agency that shows all grades, course titles, credit hours, United States degree equivalency, grade-point average (GPA), and date of degree conferral.
This detailed, course-by-course transcript evaluation must be submitted to complete the application.
Please request a detailed, course-by-course transcript evaluation for all international institutions where a degree was conferred from one of the following agencies:
Educational Credential Evaluators | Center for Educational Documentation | World Education Services Inc. |
Applicants whose native language is not English are required to demonstrate English language proficiency. For required scores, visit our International Student page.
Personal Statement
Your personal statement is to be uploaded to your online application form.
In 500–750 words, describe your academic and professional goals; any experience relevant to this program; and your future plans, expectations, and aspirations.
Résumé
Your résumé is to be uploaded to your online application form
In addition to your academic history and relevant work experience, please include any licenses currently held, any social justice-related experience, any language skills other than English, and any research experience or publications.
Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required. If you have been out of school for less than 5 years, one of these letters must speak to your academic abilities and should come from a professor, academic advisor, or person who would be able to discuss your academic record. Please do not submit recommendations from friends or family.
Applicants who have graduated within the past three years, one recommendation letter must come from an academic recommendation/professor.
Letters of recommendation must be uploaded to the online application, emailed, or sent directly to Woods College by the recommender. We will not accept letters that are not recieved directly from the recommender.
Please note: letters of recommendations should be provided by professional or academic recommenders.
Interview
For all international students and non-native English speakers, interviews are conducted as part of the application process. The purpose of the interview is for the admission committee to gain a better sense of an applicant and how the program fits his or her academic and vocational needs. Additionally, the interview provides the committee an opportunity to answer a student’s specific questions and to address the unique needs one may have in transitioning to Boston College. The interview will last no more than 15 minutes. Qualified applicants will receive information on how to schedule an interview once their application has been received and initially evaluated.
Questions
If you have additional questions not listed here, please contact Program Director Patty Raube Keller.
How many courses are required for this program?
10 courses are required (30 credits total).
Do you accept international students?
Yes! International students are encouraged to apply early.
What if my GPA is not a 3.0? Am I still eligible to apply for the program?
Yes, you are welcome to apply. We will consider your application and weigh a variety of factors to determine whether we are able to offer you admission. For particular applicants, we may be able to grant admission into the program with particular conditions noted (for example, passing the first two courses with a B or better in each during the first semester).
Must both of my letters of recommendation be from an academic source?
No, we prefer that one letter of recommendation be from an academic source and the other from an employer or person in a supervisory capacity who can speak about your interests and experience.
Does this program require the GRE?
GRE and GMAT scores are optional. They can be submitted as a way of strengthening an application, but they are not required.
Is there an option to take courses as a nondegree student?
Yes, qualified, accepted, nondegree students may enroll in one of two courses as a nondegree student: Introduction to Sports Management or Sports Marketing and Communication. Please review the nondegree student process and course options.
How much does the program cost?
Tuition can be found on the Tuition and Aid webpage.
Do you offer financial aid?
All domestic students are eligible to apply for financial aid. The Woods College also has additional scholarships for students who qualify based upon both merit and need. You are welcome to inquire further with regard to your specific circumstances and needs.
Do you offer graduate course credit transfer?
Students can transfer in up to 6 credits (usually equivalent to 2 courses). Decisions on whether to accept transfer credits will depend upon an assessment of whether the courses to be transferred fit within the Masters of Science in Sports Administration curriculum.
Can you tell me about your faculty members?
All of our faculty members have advanced degrees in their specific fields of expertise and are accomplished practitioners in private industry.
What is the deadline for admission?
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with a November 15th deadline for spring enrollment and an August 1st deadline for fall enrollment. However, applications will still be considered after such deadlines, depending on available space. Also, in particular circumstances, applicants may be approved to take summer courses and should inquire with the program director for more information.
How long does it take to complete the degree?
This is variable and is largely based on how many courses a student takes at any given time. If you take 2 courses per semester, you can complete the degree in 18 months.
Can students work full-time and pursue this degree?
This is certainly a possibility and we have designed the program to be flexible to accommodate a variety of scheduling needs.
Do you offer graduate student housing?
No. Boston College does not currently offer housing for graduate students but our Office of Residential Life does have a staff member who can help you find off-campus housing.
Does Woods College require an enrollment deposit?
Yes, admitted students who confirm their enrollment must pay a $250 enrollment deposit. The enrollment deposit is not an additional fee, and will be applied directly to your student account and will be deducted from your tuition bill. Anyone hoping to defer their enrollment will have to pay the deposit before their deferment request will be processed.