M.S. in Sport Analytics

Description

The Master of Science in Sport Analytics (MSSA) program is a one‐year, fully online degree program with three emphasis areas – sport performance, sport business, and a combined sport business and performance. The online MSSA program is designed to enhance knowledge, skills, and competencies in data acquisition, management, analysis, visualization, and interpretation for improving sport performance and sport business. Coursework will prepare professionals with strong practical skills in analytics, focusing on measurement and statistical modeling and big data analytics in sport. The program combines academic, practical, and research‐based skills to allow students to develop in their selected area.

Admissions

The MSSA online program accepts rolling admission with application deadlines one month prior to the term seeking admission.

Evidence of an awarded baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university (transcripts required).
Quality of the applicant’s academic record, as evidenced by cumulative grade-point average. At least a 3.0 or equivalent grade-point average on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework is required.
Official GRE score. GRE must have been taken within five years of applying for the graduate program. Scores equal to or greater than 146 on the verbal, 140 on the quantitative, and 3.0 on writing divisions are recommended for admission at the master’s level. The GRE requirement is waived for applicants who have (1) at least one year of post/secondary professional work experience related to sport performance, business, and/or analytics, and (2) one letter of recommendation.
Resume or Curriculum Vitae.
Statement of Interest. A 400‐ to 500‐word statement of interest that describes your interest in pursuing the MSSA degree, your chosen emphasis in (1) sport performance, (2) sport business, and (3) sport business and performance, your future career goals, and why you believe you will be successful in graduate school.
International students must demonstrate compliance with the University of Mississippi’s English Language Proficiency Score Requirements and Exemptions policy.

Minimum Total Credit Hours: 30

Course Requirements

The MSSA program will be administered through remote online instruction using distance-learning technologies and the Blackboard learning management system. The 30 or 36 credit hour curriculum is composed of 24 credit hours of core coursework and 6 or 12 credit hours of emphasis area coursework. All classes are eight weeks, and each class is 3 credit hours. The program is designed to be completed in five eight‐week sessions/terms over three semesters (fall, spring, and summer).

CORE COURSES (24 credit hours)

SA 511 - Applied Statistics*
SA 601 - Measurement and Evaluation in Sport
SA 602 - Predictive Analytics in Sport
SA 603 - Big Data Analytics and Data Management
SA 604 - Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods
SA 605 - Communication and Data Visualization in Sport
SA 613 - Machine Learning in Sport
SA 693 - Degree Culmination: Sport Analytics Capstone**

SPORT BUSINESS EMPHASIS (6 credit hours)

SA 611 - Sport Business
SA 612 - Sport Economic Analytics

SPORT PERFORMANCE EMPHASIS (6 credit hours)

SA 621 - Data Analytics in Strength and Conditioning
SA 622 - Physiological Aspects of Sport Performance and Monitoring

SPORT BUSINESS AND PERFORMANCE EMPHASIS (12 credit hours)

SA 611 - Sport Business
SA 612 - Sport Economic Analytics
SA 621 - Data Analytics in Strength and Conditioning
SA 622 - Physiological Aspects of Sport Performance and Monitoring

*All students must take the SA 511 - Applied Statistics course at the beginning of their program.

**All students must have completed 21 hours of coursework before they will be approved to take the SA 693: Sport Analytics Capstone course. The final format and the requirements of the project are completed in direct consultation with the student’s faculty adviser or a member of the teaching faculty. Students must complete this course with a grade of B‐ or above.

Sample Degree Progression:

Students must take the SA 511 - Applied Statistics course at the beginning of their program. Courses are offered in eight‐week terms on an annual rotational basis. Since there are no prerequisites for any course, learners can enter the program the first fall, the first spring, and/or the summer term throughout the academic calendar year. The 30 or 36 credit hour curriculum is designed to be completed in 12 months. Part‐time progression is an option; however, all learners will be encouraged to complete the degree within two years of enrollment. A bachelor’s degree is required to start the master’s program. For MSSA coursework advising, please contact the program director. The following course plan in tailored for students entering in the first fall term.

Fall First Term

SA 511*
SA 602
SA 613

Fall Second Term

SA 603
SA 612 AND/OR SA 621

Spring First Term

SA 604
SA 605

Spring Second Term

SA 601
SA 611 AND/OR 622
SA 693** (or in summer)

Summer Term

SA 693**

Note: To accommodate for rolling admission, *SA 511 will be offered every semester, and **SA 693 will be made available during any semester should a student need it outside of the summer term.

Specializations

The policies and regulations contained in this online University of Mississippi Catalog are in effect for the current or selected semester. The catalog is not a contract, but rather a guide for the convenience of students. The University of Mississippi reserves the right to 1) change or withdraw courses; 2) change the fees, rules, and schedules for admission, registration, instruction, and graduation; and 3) change other regulations affecting the student body at any time. Implicit in each student’s enrollment with the university is an agreement to comply with university rules and regulations, which the university may modify to exercise properly its educational responsibility.

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