MS in Sport Mgmt Coaching and Athletic Admin (Non-Thesis)
Develop Your Expertise in Leadership, Strategy, and Program Management with a Master’s in Coaching and Athletic Administration
Do you have a passion for athletics and a desire to strengthen your leadership skills? Liberty University’s Master of Science (MS) in Sports Management – Coaching and Athletic Administration can help provide a focused study of the principles, practices, and challenges involved in leading sports programs at various levels of competition.
This sports management degree is designed for those who want to deepen their understanding of coaching strategies, athletic program management, and the organizational dynamics of sports environments. Through courses in areas like sports marketing, legal issues in sports, and sports governance, you can explore how to support and coordinate teams while gaining insight into the broader field of sports management.
Whether your interests lie in training athletes, managing teams, or organizing athletic events, this program can help you build a foundation in the operational and administrative aspects of coaching and athletic leadership. With a flexible, academically rigorous curriculum, Liberty’s MS in Sports Management – Coaching and Athletic Administration offers the opportunity to grow professionally and pursue your goals in the field of athletics.
Credit Hours
View CoursesNext start date: Jan 19, 2026
COSMA Accredited
Highlights
Highlights of our Athletic Administration and Coaching Program
Enroll in an Accredited Sports Management Program
Our sports management programs are accredited by the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA). This accreditation distinguishes our program for its quality and academic rigor. You can be confident in pursuing your program with Liberty.
Gain Real-world Experience with a Built-in Internship
As part of your degree program, you have the opportunity to complete an internship. This allows you to develop hands-on experience in the sports management field. You can leverage this internship to forge relationships and community with others in the coaching and sports administration arena.
Commitment to Christian Values
All courses at Liberty University are taught from a Christian perspective to support our mission of Training Champions for Christ. You can study how to integrate your faith with your work in the field of sports management. You can also learn how to use your faith to reach athletes and help them in their journey.
Incredible Sports Opportunities Around Campus
Liberty is home to 20 NCAA Division I athletic programs, 40+ club sports teams, and 20+ different intramural sports including basketball, volleyball, pickleball, flag football, and indoor and outdoor soccer.
In addition to having fun and participating in exercise, you can leverage these opportunities to interact with student athletes and observe team dynamics.
School of Business Facilities on Campus
Our School of Business has its own 3-story, 78,000-square-foot building on campus that contains a 2,000-square-foot Entrepreneurship Center for Innovation; information technology labs and a networking and data center; a grand lobby and a 500-seat auditorium; innovative classrooms and meeting spaces; and a simulated stock trading room.
Participating in-person allows you to become comfortable and confident in these types of settings.
Career Potential
What Can You Do with a Sports Management – Coaching and Athletic Administration Degree?
Liberty University’s Master of Science in Sport Management with a specialization in Coaching and Athletic Administration can help prepare you for the following occupations:
- Athletic administrator
- Collegiate coach
- Director of operations for facility and arena management
- Professional sport manager
- Recreation and tourism manager
- Sport communication and public relations practitioner
- Sport compliance/governance facilitator
#4 Best College Campus in America
At Liberty, you’ll find an affordable, high-quality education designed to help equip students like you for the real world. Our commitment to excellence has earned us recognition as the #4 Best College Campus in America by Niche.com.
Earning your degree from a nonprofit university with state-of-the-art resources like ours can help set you apart from your peers.
Courses
What Will You Study in Our Non-Thesis Coaching and Athletic Administration Degree?
At Liberty, we want to help you you develop leadership and mentorship skills that can equip you to pursue a career in sports management. Our coaching and athletic administration master’s degree focuses on strategic player development and sports governance so you can better understand the logistics of the sports industry and player motivations. We focus our courses on successful coaching philosophies and holistic athlete development.
Our sports management degree examines the implications of sports in communities and society as a whole. As a nonprofit, Christian university, we integrate a faith-based approach to these issues, as well as training in ethics in sport and sports ministry opportunities. Additionally, courses cover the legal and financial aspects of sports management.
If you pursue the coaching and athletic administration non-thesis track, you will complete a 6-credit-hour internship. Through this internship, you’ll complete hours in a field related to coaching and athletic administration. This is a great way for you to gain hands-on training and experience in an exciting and dynamic setting!
Additional Degree Information
Featured Coaching and Athletic Administration Courses
SMGT 501 – Social Issues in Sport Management
SMGT 621 – Advanced Coaching Theory
SMGT 622 – Strategic Player Development
SMGT 623 – Sport Governance
Degree Information
- This program falls under the School of Business
- Required internship
- View the Degree Completion Plan
- Check out our course catalog
- Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
BENEFITS
Why Choose Liberty’s Coaching and Athletic Administration Graduate Degree?
Sharpen the Qualities Today’s Employers Expect
Success in athletic leadership isn’t just about knowing the game, it’s about managing people, making tough calls, and staying organized under pressure. In Liberty’s master’s program in coaching and athletic administration, you can build essential interpersonal and leadership skills like communication, collaboration, ethical decision-making, and strategic planning. These are the qualities that can set your resume apart and earn you respect in any coaching or administrative role.
Study Under Faculty Who’ve Been in the Field
You deserve to learn from professionals who understand the realities of athletic leadership. At Liberty, your professors bring both advanced academic training and real-world experience to the classroom, many having served as coaches or administrators themselves. With their mentorship, you won’t just earn a degree; you can gain practical insight and personal guidance to help you thrive in your future career.
Immerse Yourself in a Championship-Level Environment
From our FBS football stadium to our state-of-the-art natatorium, Liberty offers a campus experience grounded in athletic excellence. You’ll have access to NCAA Division I programs and over 40 club sports teams, giving you countless ways to observe, participate in, and learn from real-time athletic operations. These opportunities provide the foundation for meaningful, resume-building experience outside the classroom.
Finish Strong with a Resume That Speaks for Itself
As you near the end of your program, you’ll complete a thesis that reflects your personal interests and professional goals in the field. This project isn’t just a requirement, it’s a chance to showcase your leadership approach, problem-solving skills, and vision for the future of athletics. Combined with the training and resources you’ve received, your thesis can help you enter the job market.
Admissions
How Do You Become a Sports Management Graduate Student?
Every application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and all applicants must submit the following documents and meet the minimum requirements for admission:
- Admission application
- Official transcripts showing a regionally or nationally accredited bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA for admission in good standing
- Self-certification form (for students who are in the final term of their bachelor’s degree)
- Current Liberty undergraduate students seeking preliminary acceptance into a graduate program must complete a degree completion application through their ASIST account
Have Questions?
We’ll make sure you have the information you need to take your next step.