GR
SASC 6000: NCAA Governance
3 credits
Overview of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) from inception to current organizational structure with an emphasis on the governance and legislative processes for the association.
Graduate Certificate
Intercollegiate Athletic Administration (IAA) Graduate Certificate
Learn about the multifaceted roles intercollegiate athletics plays at a variety of institution types and at different levels of NCAA athletics.
About the Intercollegiate Athletic Administration Graduate Certificate
The Intercollegiate Athletic Administration (IAA) Graduate Certificate is a fully online program that includes four courses totaling 12 hours of graduate-level course work. Courses are offered in accelerated terms so that learners may complete the certificate in as little as one semester or as long as two years.
- The IAA certificate program is designed for individuals that are seeking an advanced understanding of intercollegiate athletics administration.
- Students will develop current knowledge of the NCAA as an organization and an awareness of potential career paths in the intercollegiate athletics industry.
The program is tailored to enhance professional competencies in NCAA governance, internal operations, external operations, and leadership skills with emphases in collegiate athletics organizations. All certificate courses are instructed by athletic directors.
Key Benefits
Students pursuing the Certificate in Intercollegiate Athletics Administration enjoy several benefits of the program, including:- All courses are 100% online
- Students can complete the certificate in as little as one semester
- There are 5 start dates throughout the year
- Courses instructed by athletic professionals
- The certificate greatly increases your marketability for employment in collegiate sports
Certificate Objectives
The primary objectives of the Graduate Certificate in Intercollegiate Athletics are to:
- Develop current knowledge of the NCAA as an organization and awareness of potential career paths in the intercollegiate athletics industry
- Identify and explore the multifaceted roles intercollegiate athletics plays as part of the mission of higher education at a variety of institution types and the different levels of NCAA athletics
- Gain advanced knowledge, skills and competencies necessary to flourish in specialized areas within intercollegiate athletics departments.
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Program Information
Degree
N/A
Emphases
N/A
Required Credit Hours
12 hours
Program Type
Master's Program
Program Location
School
Duration
1 semester
Certificate Information
Explore admission requirements, application deadlines, program start dates and tuition information for the IAA Graduate Certificate.
Applicants must hold a baccalaureate or graduate degree from an accredited institution and intend to participate in courses leading to a graduate certificate.
- In evaluating applications, the Admissions Committee takes into consideration the applicant’s grades and rank in his or her undergraduate and/or graduate degree.
- Additionally, the committee will review optional supporting documents such as letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, and professional and personal accomplishments.
International applicants whose primary language is not English and/or who have completed their secondary or tertiary education primarily outside of the U.S. must submit official scores from the list of acceptable tests found on the University of Mississippi’s International Student and Scholar Services listing of English language requirements.
Program Start Dates
There are five different start dates for the IAA Graduate Certificate.
Here are the start dates for 2024:
- January 22
- March 26
- May 28
- August 19
- October 16
Application Deadline
The deadline to submit an application is one week prior to the program start date.
The current tuition cost for one graduate semester hour is $514 + $75 fee for online programs. The total estimated tuition and online fees for completing the certificate depends on how long it takes you to complete the coursework.
If you complete the coursework in:
- One regular semester, estimated tuition and online fees total $5,526.
- Multiple regular semesters, estimated tuition and online fees total $7,068.
The faster you complete your coursework, the cheaper your estimated tuition and online fees will be.
Remember that these estimates don't include application and capital improvement fees.
- The estimate is based on the most recent Fall and Spring full-time enrollment status tuition and fee information and is subject to change.
Please contact us to inquire about a personalized cost estimate based on your individual plans on completing the IAA certificate.
Course Requirements
Review the required courses that make up the IAA Graduate Certificate.
GR
SASC 6010: Internal Ops - Intercollegiate Athletics
3 credits
Overview of internal functions of sport organizations from an integrated viewpoint including leadership and management challenges, fiscal operations, personnel management, policy development and governance to assist the sport leader with decisions related to internal operations.
GR
SASC 6020: External Ops - Intercollegiate Athletics
3 credits
Overview of the external components of intercollegiate athletics programs and their importance to the overall function of intercollegiate athletics plus anchor their integration with each other at the department and institutional level.
GR
SASC 6030: Leadership in Intercollegiate Athletics
3 credits
Overview of leadership styles and approaches needed to effectively respond to professional challenges faced by leaders and administrators in the intercollegiate athletics profession.
Transition to the M.S. in Sport and Recreation Administration Program
While the IAA Graduate Certificate can help you achieve your short-term goals, a graduate degree is often preferred for many leadership positions in the sport industry.
That's why the Intercollegiate Athletic Administration (IAA) Graduate Certificate is a stepping stone that can unlock future success.
- Students who successfully complete the IAA Graduate Certificate can choose to apply certificate courses toward a M.S. in Sport and Recreation Administration degree.
- In order to take advantage of this opportunity, students must first complete their IAA Graduate Certificate. Successful students must then apply and be admitted into the M.S. in Sport and Recreation Administration (MSRA) program.
- Upon entry to the MSSRA program, students will need to meet all remaining requirements for the M.S. degree.
Students cannot be in the IAA Graduate Certificate program at the same time they are in the Sport and Recreation Administration graduate program.
Career Outlook for College Athletics
College athletics provide incredible opportunities for a career in sports. There are over 1000 NCAA athletic programs across three divisions (I, II and III) and thousands more in the NAIA and junior college levels. Those interested in leadership positions within successful athletic departments will discover a great deal of potential, fulfillment, and room to grow.
- Over 90% of employers surveyed (January, 2021) recognize the benefit of an athletics-related graduate certificate.
- The median annual wage for postsecondary education administrators was $102,610 in May 2023.
Students completing the IAA certificate program will develop knowledge and skills to:
- Explain and discuss the NCAA governance structure and ways intercollegiate athletics departments are structured within the framework of higher education.
- Compare and contrast how different divisions within intercollegiate athletics departments interrelate with the NCAA, conference offices and each other to accomplish the shared mission of the athletics department and institution.
- Describe the role an intercollegiate athletics department plays within the mission of higher education and variances in that role at different levels of intercollegiate athletics.
- Critique common internal and external operations in intercollegiate athletic departments.
- Present elements of the decision-making process and ethics as it pertains to leadership.
- Express a personal leadership philosophy and how it relates to intercollegiate athletic administration.
Next Steps
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