Full-time Master of Sport Leadership
The Master of Sport Leadership is the primary degree earned by our students. Designed to prepare students for work in positions of influence within the sports industry, it is a full-time course of study over a period of 12 to 16 months located on the VCU campus in Richmond, Virginia.
Expectations
Full-time M.S.L. students:
- Begin their coursework in the fall semester
- Attend courses on campus
- Devote their full time and attention to the program
- Take five classes per semester
- Participate in all activities and requirements of the program
Full-time students complete the following schedule over 12 to 16 months:
- Fall semester — 15 credits (five courses)
- Spring semester — 15 credits (five courses)
- Summer or the following fall semester — six credits consisting of an externship in the sport industry
Degree requirements
Required courses:
- SPTL 603 - Research and Analytics in Sport
- SPTL 625 - Team Dynamics in Sport
- SPTL 630 - Sociology of Sport
- SPTL 632 - Sport Business
- SPTL 633 - Marketing of Sport
- SPTL 635 - Leadership Models in Sport
Common elective courses:
- SPTL 608 - Sport and Entertainment Event Development I
- SPTL 634 - Foundations of Coaching
- SPTL 640 - Media and Communications
- SPTL 644 - NCAA Coaching
- SPTL 645 - Sales and Development
- SPTL 648 - Issues in College Athletics
- SPTL 650 - European Model of Sport
To see the graduation requirements, additional electives, and full curriculum of the M.S.L. program, visit the VCU Bulletin.
Why leadership?
As in, why do we offer a Master of Sport Leadership, instead of a Master of Sport Management, the comparable degree you’ll see at most other schools? At CSL we think our students should focus on more than simply managing changes in the industry; they should be industry leaders. Leadership is more than a buzzword at CSL. It's why our students engage with the local community, earn valuable job experience as part of our curriculum and set the agenda for the future of our industry.