James Madison University

M.S. in Sport and Recreation Leadership

Sport and Recreation Concentration

Students who complete the Sport and Recreation concentration requirements will be prepared to work in all segments of the sport and recreation industry. Graduates of this concentration will find employment in areas such as high school and college coaching and athletic administration; professional and amateur sports associations; public, private, and non-profit agency administrators; parks and recreation agencies; and youth sports programs.

Sport and Recreation Requirements

Required Courses

• SRL 520. Philosophy in Sport and Recreation
• SRL 600. Administration in Sport and Recreation
• SRL 610. Marketing and Promotions in Sport and Recreation
• SRL 620. Facilities and Event Management in Sport and Recreation

Core Courses

Choose one of the following:

• Non-Thesis Option:
• SRL 670. Advanced Event Planning and Management in Sport and Recreation
• One of the following (with SRL graduate director approval):
• SRL 685. Internship in Sport and Recreation Leadership or
• Elective (as approved by director)
  • SRL 685. Internship in Sport and Recreation Leadership or
  • Elective (as approved by director)

• SRL 670. Advanced Event Planning and Management in Sport and Recreation
• One of the following (with SRL graduate director approval):

• SRL 685. Internship in Sport and Recreation Leadership or
• Elective (as approved by director)
• Thesis Option:
• SRL 700. Thesis Research (Students will enroll in SRL 700. Thesis Research for two consecutive semesters upon completion of 18 credit hours.)
  • SRL 700. Thesis Research (Students will enroll in SRL 700. Thesis Research for two consecutive semesters upon completion of 18 credit hours.)

Sport and Recreation Leadership Program Requirements

Degree Requirements

• Core Courses 15 Credit Hours
• Concentration Specific Courses 18 Credit Hours

Core Courses

The core curriculum is required for both concentrations and is designed to weave the concepts of leadership through the five common core courses of the program. These core classes will be the platform from which students learn to navigate the various segments of the sports and recreation industry and their communities as leaders. The focus of this set of course work is to provide students with specific industry skill sets and knowledge in the areas of budget management, human resource management, staff training and development, gender equity, research, legal and ethical issues, risk management, teamwork, networking, and project management. All of these areas are essential elements for the training and success of master’s level professionals in sport and recreation.

• SRL 515. Leadership in Sport and Recreation Professions
• SRL 525. Research Techniques in Sport and Recreation Leadership
• SRL 615. Fiscal Planning and Management in Sport and Recreation Leadership
• SRL 635. Human Resources Management and Development in Sport and Recreation Leadership
• SRL 675. Legal Concepts in Sport and Recreation Leadership

Thesis Option

Students in both concentrations have the option of completing a thesis. The thesis option allows students to conduct scholarly research under the guidance of a thesis chair (selected by the student) and two committee members (selected by the student with chair approval). All committee members must be graduate faculty. One committee member may be a faculty member in a department outside Sport and Recreation Leadership. Any full-time graduate faculty member in the department is eligible to chair a thesis. Students will enroll in SRL 700 for two consecutive semesters upon completion of 18 credit hours. Before enrolling in SRL 700 students must get the approval of their thesis proposal from all members of their committee as per the requirements of the Sport and Recreation Leadership program. Following approval, the thesis chair is responsible for guiding and directing the student through the research process. This includes submission of the thesis to the committee, final approval of the committee, and submission to The Graduate School. Thesis students will participate in defense with their committee. Following a successful defense, students will make recommended changes and submit the document to the thesis chair for final approval. Upon approval, it will be submitted to the committee for signatures and then filed with The Graduate School.

Recent employers of SRL masters graduates:

• Augusta County Parks and Recreation
• Carolina Panthers - The Washington Football Team
• City of Suffolk Parks & Recreation
• Girls on the Run DC
• James Madison University Athletics
• North Carolina State
• San Antonio Sports
• Sofive Soccer Centers
• Special Olympics Arizona, Oregon, Virginia
• Tepper Sports and Entertainment
• University of Florida
• University of Virginia
• Virginia Tech Football and Women’s Basketball
• YMCA of Greater Richmond

Job titles held by some of our graduates:

• Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance
• Assistant Athletic Director for Facilities and Events
• Assistant Athletic Trainer
• Corporate Partnerships, Sales, and Services
• Development Coordinator
• Director
• Director of Creative Media
• Director of Operations
• Director of the Annual Fund
• Director of Youth and Community Programs
• Head Coach - all NCAA Divisions
• Manager of Unified Sports
• Programs Coordinator for Recreation and Special Events
• Recreation Specialist
• Sports Coordinator
• Student Services and Operations Manager