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What are the prerequisites for the program?
A U.S. bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent from a non-U.S. educational institution), ideally with a minimum of two to four years of full-time work experience in the sports industry.
For those not currently working in sports, pursuit of Columbia’s graduate degree must fit into a broader personal plan for entering the industry--an applicant should have a demonstrated commitment to engagement with the field through activities such as internships, volunteering, and involvement in industry organizations.
A U.S. bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent from a non-U.S. educational institution), ideally with a minimum of two to four years of full-time work experience in the sports industry.
For those not currently working in sports, pursuit of Columbia’s graduate degree must fit into a broader personal plan for entering the industry--an applicant should have a demonstrated commitment to engagement with the field through activities such as internships, volunteering, and involvement in industry organizations.
How long does the program take to complete?
Students generally complete the program in two to three years of part-time study (about six to nine terms, including summer). Students have four years in which to finish the degree.
Students generally complete the program in two to three years of part-time study (about six to nine terms, including summer). Students have four years in which to finish the degree.
Can I continue my current employment while completing this program?
Absolutely. The program is designed for those working full-time in sports.
Absolutely. The program is designed for those working full-time in sports.
When does the program start?
The program admits a fall cohort of students, who engage the curriculum together through their first academic year. Some qualified students may begin their business courses in advance of the fall, however, with permission of the program director.
The program admits a fall cohort of students, who engage the curriculum together through their first academic year. Some qualified students may begin their business courses in advance of the fall, however, with permission of the program director.
Is this program available to international students?
Yes. However, as the program is part-time, it does not qualify international applicants for student visas. Accordingly, international students need to have a third party (such as an employer) sponsor their visa.
Yes. However, as the program is part-time, it does not qualify international applicants for student visas. Accordingly, international students need to have a third party (such as an employer) sponsor their visa.
What types of concentrations are available in this program?
While there are no formal concentrations, students can select elective courses within study sequences to tailor the program to meet their own individual needs. Elective courses can be selected from within the program, or elsewhere at the university (and its affiliates).
While there are no formal concentrations, students can select elective courses within study sequences to tailor the program to meet their own individual needs. Elective courses can be selected from within the program, or elsewhere at the university (and its affiliates).
How is Columbia’s program different from other school’s programs?
Columbia’s Sports Management Program is a unique, one-of-a kind course of study. To begin, our program aspiration is excellence on every side of the academic equation: students, faculty, curriculum, and staff. As a program in the Arts and Sciences, we truly stand at the intersection of the academy and the industry, with one foot in both worlds. We endeavor to establish a unique educational covenant that brings together all these elements in the context of a world-class research university.
Our program has a blended design that combines completion of a foundational core of standard M.B.A. business courses followed by advanced sports-specific classes. This bifurcated structure – broad-based knowledge coupled with industry-specific skills and techniques – is a hallmark of the program. In addition, students are able to customize several aspects of their program to help them best achieve their academic and professional goals.
Columbia’s Sports Management Program is a unique, one-of-a kind course of study. To begin, our program aspiration is excellence on every side of the academic equation: students, faculty, curriculum, and staff. As a program in the Arts and Sciences, we truly stand at the intersection of the academy and the industry, with one foot in both worlds. We endeavor to establish a unique educational covenant that brings together all these elements in the context of a world-class research university.
Our program has a blended design that combines completion of a foundational core of standard M.B.A. business courses followed by advanced sports-specific classes. This bifurcated structure – broad-based knowledge coupled with industry-specific skills and techniques – is a hallmark of the program. In addition, students are able to customize several aspects of their program to help them best achieve their academic and professional goals.
What types of jobs will I be eligible for after completing this program?
We train our students to effectively manage (and excel at) the responsibilities necessary for success at the next phase(s) of their careers. Accordingly, our students and graduates have been extraordinarily successful in their pursuit of professional advancement. Our emphasis on program quality is well acknowledged and recognized by the industry.
At the same time, we have also had good success in helping those seeking entry into professional sports. However, based upon our experience, students who have successfully transitioned into professional sports have been putting in the necessary footwork for success well before they enter our program: while the program can help you move the proverbial mountain, you must bring the shovel and be prepared to do the heavy lifting.
We train our students to effectively manage (and excel at) the responsibilities necessary for success at the next phase(s) of their careers. Accordingly, our students and graduates have been extraordinarily successful in their pursuit of professional advancement. Our emphasis on program quality is well acknowledged and recognized by the industry.
At the same time, we have also had good success in helping those seeking entry into professional sports. However, based upon our experience, students who have successfully transitioned into professional sports have been putting in the necessary footwork for success well before they enter our program: while the program can help you move the proverbial mountain, you must bring the shovel and be prepared to do the heavy lifting.
Can I take a course in the program on a non-matriculated basis?
Space permitting, qualified applicants may enroll in SPRT K4220 Foundations of American Sports on a non-matriculated basis with permission of the program director.
Space permitting, qualified applicants may enroll in SPRT K4220 Foundations of American Sports on a non-matriculated basis with permission of the program director.
Can I transfer any credits from previous graduate work completed?
Transfer credit from other institutions is normally not permitted. However, students who hold the M.B.A. (or other relevant graduate degree) may place out of some core courses and substitute additional electives.
Transfer credit from other institutions is normally not permitted. However, students who hold the M.B.A. (or other relevant graduate degree) may place out of some core courses and substitute additional electives.
What is the ideal undergraduate major for acceptance into this program?
We look at an applicant’s overall portfolio, and weigh selection of majors within this context. Our current students include those who majored in history, economics, science, as well as sports management. We are more concerned with your overall academic performance.
We look at an applicant’s overall portfolio, and weigh selection of majors within this context. Our current students include those who majored in history, economics, science, as well as sports management. We are more concerned with your overall academic performance.
Do I have to be working in a certain field to be accepted into the program?
Our program is designed for those already working in sports. For those not working in sports, we evaluate applicants on a range of criteria, seeking to identify – in addition to academic performance, recommendations, and strength of personal statement – those who (1) have had significant, relevant, and meaningful experience with the industry and (2) those with relevant and transferable skill sets.
Our program is designed for those already working in sports. For those not working in sports, we evaluate applicants on a range of criteria, seeking to identify – in addition to academic performance, recommendations, and strength of personal statement – those who (1) have had significant, relevant, and meaningful experience with the industry and (2) those with relevant and transferable skill sets.
Is a formal dual degree available for this program?
No.
No.
Who are the accepted students in this program?
Our students come from a broad range of cultures, backgrounds, and ethnicities, and are about evenly split between men and women. About 75% of our students work full-time in sports.
Our students come from a broad range of cultures, backgrounds, and ethnicities, and are about evenly split between men and women. About 75% of our students work full-time in sports.
Who should my letters of recommendation be written by?
Letters of recommendation should be written by someone who can speak to your professional qualities and your potential for future success. These can be from a supervisor, business partner, or client – i.e. someone who knows you well in a professional setting (or academic, if a recent graduate). Recommendations should be informative, honest, and relevant. Be strategic with whom you select.
Letters of recommendation should be written by someone who can speak to your professional qualities and your potential for future success. These can be from a supervisor, business partner, or client – i.e. someone who knows you well in a professional setting (or academic, if a recent graduate). Recommendations should be informative, honest, and relevant. Be strategic with whom you select.
Is there a certain question or topic that the statement of academic purpose should address?
While we are always delighted to see creative, engaging, and insightful statements, you should be certain to include a statement as to how Columbia’s program fits into your career and/or professional plans. Be specific where relevant. It is your opportunity to introduce – and sell – yourself to the admissions committee.
While we are always delighted to see creative, engaging, and insightful statements, you should be certain to include a statement as to how Columbia’s program fits into your career and/or professional plans. Be specific where relevant. It is your opportunity to introduce – and sell – yourself to the admissions committee.
Do you offer Career Services?
In addition to the robust career support provided by both the University and school, program faculty and staff provide regular career coaching and counseling. We also host one annual career event, with topics relevant to our students, such as “moving up in the industry” and “switching paths in the industry.”
In addition to the robust career support provided by both the University and school, program faculty and staff provide regular career coaching and counseling. We also host one annual career event, with topics relevant to our students, such as “moving up in the industry” and “switching paths in the industry.”
What kind of networking opportunities do you offer?
Networking is a hallmark of the Ivy League, and our program is built around the importance of both horizontal and vertical networking. We consider our students the sports business leaders of tomorrow, and accordingly match them with today’s movers and shakers. To begin, our faculty is unparalleled in terms of their reputations and experiences; in many cases, they are the seminal figures in their respective fields. In addition, our in-class guests are among the biggest names in the business and include commissioners, high-ranking league and team officials, as well as leaders and executives of networks, agencies, and media properties. Most significantly, they are invited to present their expertise in the context of the curriculum – and not just share war stories.
Networking is a hallmark of the Ivy League, and our program is built around the importance of both horizontal and vertical networking. We consider our students the sports business leaders of tomorrow, and accordingly match them with today’s movers and shakers. To begin, our faculty is unparalleled in terms of their reputations and experiences; in many cases, they are the seminal figures in their respective fields. In addition, our in-class guests are among the biggest names in the business and include commissioners, high-ranking league and team officials, as well as leaders and executives of networks, agencies, and media properties. Most significantly, they are invited to present their expertise in the context of the curriculum – and not just share war stories.
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Fall 2013 Application Deadlines
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Feb27
Special EventClick for details
Getting Into Graduate School: Admissions Officers Tell What You Need to Know
Wednesday, Feb 27, 6:30PM - 8:30PM
A panel of admissions directors from Columbia’s varied schools, including the School of Continuing Education, Columbia Business School, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and School of International and Public Affairs, will discuss the attributes they seek in successful applicants to their top-tier programs. Topics include academic requirements, advice on writing stand-out personal essays, and creating a desirable application package.