Doctor of Business Administration in Sports Administration

Program Overview

The DBA in Sports Administration at St. Thomas University prepares individuals for management and faculty positions in the sports industry and higher education. The program combines business administration and sports administration credentials, emphasizing research and professional preparation for leadership roles. Graduates are equipped for careers in professional sports teams, intercollegiate athletics, sports marketing, and academia.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Sports Administration is designed to prepare individuals for management positions in the sports industry and faculty positions in higher education.
• The program provides graduates with a strong business and sports background and establishes a strong research base.
• The program aims to address the need for qualified professionals with a strong business background in the sports field.
• The curriculum emphasizes professional preparation for management and leadership positions with professional sports teams, intercollegiate athletics, and higher education.
• The program differentiates itself by offering business administration and sports administration credentials that most traditional Masters's and Doctoral programs in these fields may not provide.

Outline:

• The program consists of 90 credit hours beyond the Bachelor's Degree, with all students receiving 30 credits from their Master's Degree.
• The program focuses on 9 credits of Research Core courses, including "Foundations of Research," "Quantitative Research," and "Qualitative Research."
• Additionally, students complete 12 credits of Doctoral Research focusing on areas like "Doctoral Research Proposal," "Doctoral Research I," "Doctoral Research II," and "Doctoral Research III."
• The Sports Administration specialization requires 21 credits and involves courses like "Sports Media and Public Relations," "Sports Financial Management," "Sports Marketing and Promotions," and "Governance of Intercollegiate Athletics."
• Students can select between three doctoral research options: Traditional Dissertation, Article Dissertation, or Action Research.

Teaching:

• The program features teaching methods that vary across modules and disciplines.
Students can expect lectures, seminars, group discussions, case studies, and practical projects depending on the specific course requirements.
• The faculty comprises experienced professionals and academics with expertise in business administration and sports management areas.
• Additionally, the program may integrate unique approaches like guest lectures from industry experts, field-trip experiences, and research collaboration opportunities.

Careers:

• The program prepares graduates for various career paths in the sports industry, including management positions within professional sports teams, intercollegiate athletics, sports marketing & media agencies, and sports tourism organizations.
• The program also equips graduates for faculty positions in higher education institutions.

Other:

• The program is located in South Florida, considered the sports capital of the world, granting its students unparalleled access to industry events, networking opportunities, and potential internships/jobs.
• The program boasts over 2000 Sports Administration alumni, forming a strong professional network for current and future graduates.