michigan phd sport management

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Want to know more about the PhD application process? On this page we outline what you will need to meet the Kinesiology requirements for applying to the doctoral program in Movement Science or Sport Management.

HOW TO APPLY

PhD Program Funding Deadline: December 1. Apply Now.

Interested in a Application fee waiver? See if you qualify using the Kinesiology Fee Waiver Application .

Rackham Graduate School and the Kinesiology Graduate Program team up to manage the application review process. As an applicant, you will be interacting with both offices.

Applications must be submitted online via the U-M Rackham School of Graduate Studies website . Program codes to use in the application may be found below:

Movement Science PhD: 02156
Sport Management PhD: 02158

Demographics and other data on our current and past PhD students can be found under Kinesiology, on the Rackham website .

To be considered for funding, applications for Fall admission to the doctoral program are due December 1. All other PhD applicants should apply by March 1.

*NOTE: We do not require or accept GRE scores for our PhD programs.

1. Letters of Recommendation

Three (3) letters of recommendation in support of the student's application must be submitted. These letters should ordinarily be from professors at the student's last degree-granting institution. Recommenders must complete their recommendations online. When the applicant registers the recommenders' names in the Rackham application, an email is automatically sent with a link to enter the recommendation online. Applicants should check the status of their recommendations on the Rackham website status page.

2. Transcripts

We require one scanned or electronic official transcript uploaded to the online application for all undergraduate and/or graduate programs in which you have received a degree. If you have not yet completed your baccalaureate degree, you may submit a current (in-progress) transcript now and a final transcript showing degree conferral upon graduation.

3. Academic Statement of Purpose

The Academic Statement of Purpose should be a concise, well-written statement about your academic preparation, practical experience, and/or research background related to the area(s) within Kinesiology that you’re interested in studying. It should also include your career goals and how Kinesiology's graduate program will help you meet your career, and educational objectives.

The following information is required on the header of your Academic Statement of Purpose:

The title "Academic Statement of Purpose"
The name of the graduate program
Your 8 digit U-M ID (if known)

4. Personal Statement

The personal statement should address how your background and life experiences, including cultural, geographical, financial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges, have motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Michigan. For example, if you grew up in a community where educational, cultural, or other opportunities were either especially plentiful or especially lacking, you might discuss the impact this had on your development and interests. This should be a discussion of the journey that has led to your decision to seek a graduate degree. Please do not repeat your Academic Statement of Purpose.

The following information is required on the header of your Personal Statement:

The title "Personal Statement"

5. TOEFL/IELTS

TOEFL/IELTS (academic test) scores are required for all applicants whose native language is not English, regardless of your educational experience.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all non-native speakers. The University of Michigan requires a minimum TOEFL score for admission: 84 for the Internet Based TOEFL. (For other English test minimum scores, please refer to the Rackham website .)

1. Do you require the GRE? We do not require or accept GRE scores for our PhD programs.

2. What’s the difference between Rackham Graduate School and the School of Kinesiology? The School of Kinesiology is one of the 19 schools and colleges at U-M. Our graduate program is co-administered by the Rackham Graduate School. Rackham oversees the requirements and procedures and certifies the admission recommendation as appropriate.

3. Should I come visit? Visiting U-M and the School of Kinesiology is a good idea so that you can get a feel for the faculty and students, as well as the Ann Arbor area. Please set up appointments with faculty you wish to meet before you come to Ann Arbor. We also offer in-person and webinar info sessions. Check our Events page for dates and details.

4. Do you have a GPA minimum requirement? All applicants should report their Grade Point Average (GPA) on page 5 of the online application. The GPA should be reported using a standard U.S. four-point scale. Applicants who attended an institution outside the United States should follow the instructions to convert their international average grade point to a U.S. four-point GPA (see "How to Convert Grades to a U.S. GPA" on the Scholaro website ).

5. Do you have minimum requirements for the TOEFL/IELTS (academic) test scores? Your Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score should be at least 84. We also accept International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores in place of the TOEFL. The minimum IELTS is 6.5. We require your most recent TOEFL or IELTS from all applicants whose native language is not English, regardless of their educational background.

6. Can I transfer credits toward my doctoral program? No, you cannot transfer credits into the doctoral program.

7. How do I view my admissions decision? You can view application decisions online by following directions outlined on the Rackham Admissions page .

8. Does the University of Michigan offer distance learning for the graduate program? No, we do not offer distance learning for any of our graduate programs.

9. Are assistantships available? Yes, we have graduate student instructor (GSI) assistantships available for doctoral students.

10. How do I go about applying for a Kinesiology GSI Assistantship? All PhD applicants are considered for our open GSI positions – there is no separate application. The number of open positions we have varies from year to year. Please make sure we have your completed application by December 1 prior to the fall you’ll be beginning your program.

11. How can I find a place to live? Previous graduate students have found the University Housing website helpful. If your question isn't answered on this page, check the Rackham Admissions page or email us at [email protected] .

12. Do you offer application fee waivers? Use the following link to apply: Kinesiology Fee Waiver Application Based on the following criteria, if you believe you qualify for an application fee waiver, contact [email protected] . In a brief e-mail, provide proof and explain your qualifications for a fee waiver. Fee waivers are limited and are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Application Fee Waiver Criteria:

You have a record of high academic achievement (send unofficial transcript; AND
You must meet one or more of the following:
Come from an educational, cultural or geographic background that is underrepresented in a graduate study in your discipline in the United States or at the University of Michigan;
Have demonstrated a commitment to diversity in the academic, professional, or civic realm through your work experience, volunteer engagement, or leadership of student or community organizations. By diversity, we mean efforts to reduce social, educational or economic disparities based on race, ethnicity or gender, or to improve race relations in the U.S.;
Are a first generation U.S. citizen or first generation in our family to graduate from a four-year college.
Gates Millennium Scholars Program (GMS)
Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP)
Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC)
Post-Baccalaureate Research and Education Program (PREP)
Public Policy and International Affairs Junior Institute (PPIA)
Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE)
Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program (McNair)

Please keep in mind race, ethnicity, gender, or national origin may not be used as criteria for requesting an application fee waiver.

One fee waiver is allowed per applicant. Additional applications submitted by the applicant will require payment of the application fee.
If you pay the application fee and are approved to receive a fee waiver at a later date, the fee cannot be refunded.

If your question isn't answered on this page, check the Rackham Admissions page or email us at [email protected] .

Top 10 Ph.D Programs in Sport Management

Sports-Management-Degree-Guide-Top Programs

Earning a Ph.D in Sports Management is a great way to stand out in this competitive field. Jobs for sport management professionals with their Ph.D exist in facility management, sports marketing, sports law, or education. Earning a sports management Ph.D is a natural progression for students who already have a career in athletics and business and are looking for professional advancement. Sports minded professionals will find advanced education and training in sport management very rewarding.

Methodology

To identify the top 10 best sports management Ph.D programs, we started with a search on College Navigator to find out which schools offered these programs in an online format. We also consulted NASSM, the North American Society for Sport Management, which keeps a list of universities offering Ph.D Sport Management programs in the U.S. We compared student to faculty ratios, average graduate tuition rates, graduation rates, and accreditations using College Navigator. While graduation rates are provided only for first time undergraduate students, we felt this was still important to consider for our list an indicator of the level of support students receive while earning their degree. To be considered for our list, schools must hold regional accreditation, feature hands on training and internship or field experiences, and have a curriculum taught by doctorate level faculty. Where there are ties, we favored the school with the lower graduate tuition rate. From our list, we created a rating system as seen below to select our top 10 doctorate programs in sport management.

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1 or less= 2 Points
Greater than 15:1= 1 Point

Average Graduate Tuition Rate

Less than $10,000 per year= 2 Points
More than $10,000 per year= 1 Point

Overall Graduation Rate

Less than 50 percent = 1 Points
Greater than 50 percent = 2 Point

Below are 10 schools that offer the best sports management PhD degree programs. Students learn advanced skills and benefit from professional training in sport management.

Related Resource: Can I Earn a Specialized Sports Marketing Degree?

Ranking the Top 10 PhD Programs in Sports Management

——-

#10 – University of Northern Colorado-Greeley, Colorado

Ph.d. in sport and exercise science: sport administration.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 17:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $10,867/year in-state and $19,620/year out-of-state Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission Overall Graduation Rate: 52 percent Points: 4 As one of the first Ph.D. programs in sport management in the country, the University of Northern Colorado has trained some of the top industry experts. UNCO values independent research and encourages students to work with a faculty advisor to pursue individual research interests. Courses cover areas like consumer behavior, marketing, research, public relations, facility management, and finance. Through this comprehensive curriculum, students in this top sports management PhD program will be prepared to work in academia or research, or be successful as a top level sport administrator.

#9 – University of Connecticut-Storrs, Connecticut

Ph.d. in sport management.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 16:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $16,300/year in-state and $38,212/year out-of-state Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education Overall Graduation Rate: 84 percent Points: 4 The top sport management Ph.D. program at the University of Connecticut is a concentration within the Learning, Leadership, and Education Policy Program (LLEP). Students experience a mix of classroom, research and field experiences lead by expert level faculty with experience in the sport industry. Courses cover Organizational Theory in Sport, Organizational Behavior in Sport, and Research in Sport Management. Students can gain additional experience and training by applying for a limited number of assistantships within the department or in the Division of Athletics.

#8 – University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Massachusetts

Phd in sport management.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 17:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $14,014/year in-state and $29,529/year out-of-state Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education Overall Graduation Rate: 82 percent Points: 4 At the intersection of sport and business lies the top Doctorate in Sport Management from the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. This full-time, four-year residential program prepares students for a successful career in academia. Areas of study include sport marketing, sport law, sport finance, sport sociology, and sport economics. Students complete 48 credits of coursework, pass a qualifying and comprehensive exam, and teach for three years at Isenberg. During the last years in the program, students will research and complete a dissertation.

#7 – The Ohio State University-Columbus, Ohio

Phd in kinesiology, sport management.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 19:1 Average Net Price: $11,560/year in-state and $35,144/year out-of-state Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission Overall Graduation Rate: 86 percent Points: 4 The College of Education and Human Ecology at The Ohio State University features a Ph.D. in Kinesiology with a focus in sport management. This customized program includes one-on-one mentoring from faculty, contributing to the field through individual research, and engaging in unique professional development opportunities. Coursework covers areas like sports marketing, sport organization theory, business of college sport, and research methods.

#6 – University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Michigan

Student to Faculty Ratio: 11:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $23,890/year in-state and $48,204/year out-of-state Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission Overall Graduation Rate: 93 percent Points: 5 The School of Kinesiology at the University of Michigan features a Doctorate in Sport Management designed for educators, researchers, and sport management professionals. Students in this top sport management doctorate program contribute original research to the field through a dissertation project. To help offset the cost of tuition, UM offers financial assistance in the form of assistantships (both research and teaching) and fellowship opportunities. Sports management degree coursework covers areas like financial management for the sport industry, managing a professional sport franchise, and strategic management.

#5 – Florida State University-Tallahassee, Florida

Phd sport management.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 21:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $9,684/year in-state and $24,116/year out-of-state Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges Overall Graduation Rate: 83 percent Points: 5 The College of Education at Florida State University offers a top Ph.D. in Sport Management focused on four theme areas which include Legal and Policy Issues in Sport, Management in Sport, Sport Marketing, and Sport Media and Culture Studies. Students complete a seminar series, being immersed in current trends and research in each of the theme areas of the program. The curriculum includes extensive training in research, preparing students to become an active researcher. Students also gain valuable instructional experience by shadowing a faculty member to learn to teach undergraduate sport management courses.

#4 – Louisiana State University-Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Sport management ph.d..

Student to Faculty Ratio: 20:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $9,132/year Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges Overall Graduation Rate: 68 percent Points: 5 The School of Kinesiology at Louisiana State University features an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Sport Management which allows students to tailor the program to meet their professional interests. Students complete core courses, independent studies, and elective courses that cover a wide variety of sport management related concepts and issues. Faculty serve as mentors to help students reach their full potential in both research and academia.

#3 – Indiana University-Bloomington, Indiana

Sport management doctoral program.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 16:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $9,501/year in-state and $31,932/year out-of-state Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission Overall Graduation Rate: 79 percent Points: 5 The Doctorate in Sports Management program at Indiana University was designed to meet the demand for an increase in professors and researchers in the field. Students have the opportunity to explore individual areas of interest within sport management through elective coursework and seminars. Admission to the program is highly competitive. Future students should have a solid background and interest in research.

#2 – University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, Arkansas

Doctor of philosophy program in health, sport and exercise science, with a concentration in recreation and sport management.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 18:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $7,752/year in-state and $21,032/year out-of-state Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission Overall Graduation Rate: 66 percent Points: 5 Students with a passion for both recreation and sport management should explore the top Ph.D. in Sport Management from the University of Arkansas. The program features a concentration in Recreation and Sport Management that prepares students for careers in education, management, and research. This top sport management doctoral program is rich with experiential learning. Students complete independent research projects, internship experiences, conduct presentations, and publish their work in professional journals. To complete their degree, students must pass both oral and written examinations, a thesis, and a dissertation.

#1 – Texas A&M University-College Station, Texas

Ph.d. in kinesiology with an emphasis in sport management.

Student to Faculty Ratio: 20:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $6,677/year in-state and $18,700/year out-of-state Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges Overall Graduation Rate: 82 percent Points: 5 Texas A&M University offers our top choice for a Ph.D. in Sport Management. The Department of Health and Kinesiology has offered a leading sport management Ph.D. program for over 30 years. The curriculum follows four primary areas including scholarship of sport management, scholarship of theoretical specializations, methods of inquiry, and teaching and career preparation. Faculty are industry experts with experience working in marketing, finance, diversity, sport development, legal issues in sport, and leadership. Opportunities for professional development are available through the Center for Sport Management Research and Education and the Laboratory for Diversity in Sport.