Kinesiology & Sport Management Comprehensive Evaluation

All students in a Master of Science degree program in the Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management must pass a terminal evaluation before graduation. Options for the terminal evaluation vary based on concentration of study and degree program.  A brief descripton of the options are listed below. Students are advised to meet with their academic advisor in their first semester in the program to determine which option best fits their academic and professional goals. 

Master of Science in Kinesiology

Exercise Physiology. Options for the terminal evaluation in this concentration include a thesis, comprehensive examination, preparation of a research manuscript, or the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP) examination.

Human Performance. Options for the terminal evaluation in this concentration include a thesis, comprehensive examination, passing the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist exam, or preparation of a research manuscript.

Motor Behavior/Exercise and Sport Psychology. Options for the terminal evaluation in this concentration include a thesis, comprehensive examination, or preparation of a research manuscript..

Master of Science in Sport Management

Developing a Comprehensive Sport Management Plan for a Professional Sport Entity

Project Description:

As a graduate student in Sport Management, you will undertake a capstone project that will allow you to integrate the knowledge and skills you have acquired through your coursework. In this project, you will develop a comprehensive management plan for a sport entity, of your choice, based off a trending issue or opportunity.

The project will cover various aspects of sport management, including sport leadership, sport marketing, financial management in sport, sport ethics, sport event management, law in the sport industry, sport media management, and sponsorship in sport. Students will tie in learned concepts, theories, case studies, etc. within their management plans.

Overall, this capstone project will give you a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with managing a sport entity.

The project will have three main phases:

Phase 1: Identifying the Professional Sport Entity and Conducting a SWOT Analysis

In this phase, you will select a professional sports entity and conduct a comprehensive SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis matrix. You will evaluate the current state of the entity, identify areas that require improvement, and consider how the entity can leverage its strengths to take advantage of new opportunities.

As a result of your SWOT findings, create an analysis to guide your management plan.

For example, if you choose one of the opportunities you have identified:

Opportunity: To grow online merchandise presence for your entity.

Goals: (1) To increase sales conversion rates (per traffic channel), (2) Increase repeat purchasers.

*These are simple goals for purposes of an example– have actual, measurable goals that expand beyond these*

Focus Areas: Sport marketing, sport media, financial management.

Phase 2: Developing a Sport Management Plan

Using the research from Phase 1, you will develop a management plan includes at least three of the following areas:

•Sport Leadership: Develop a leadership plan for the entity, outlining the roles andresponsibilities of key personnel, and how they will work together to achieve the entity'sobjectives.

•Sport Marketing: Develop a marketing plan that includes branding, advertising, and public relations to promote the entity and enhance fan engagement.

•Financial Management in Sport: Develop a financial plan that includes budgeting, revenue streams, and cost management strategies.

•Ethics and Morality in Sport: Develop a code of ethics for the entity that outlines the values and principles that guide the entity's behavior and decision-making.

•Sport Event Management: Develop an event management plan that outlines how the entity will plan, organize, and execute at least one event such as games, tournaments, and fan experiences.

•Law in the Sport Industry: Develop a legal plan that outlines the legal obligations and risks associated with running a professional sports entity, including contractual obligations, liability, and intellectual property rights.

•Sport Media Management: Develop a media plan that outlines how the entity will engage with social media and the community to enhance the brand and promote events.

•Sponsorship in Sport: Develop a sponsorship plan that outlines how the entity will attract and maintain sponsorship deals with corporate partners.

•Player Personnel Management - Develop a 1-3 year roster plan. Identify 2-3 players that the team will have to make personnel decisions about (e.g., re-sign, trade, release). Identify 2-3 things the organization has done well and/or struggled with in terms of their roster management.

For Phase 2, you should utilize what you learned from within the sport management curriculum to create each plan. Students are permitted to use a small portion of individual contributions from work submitted as part of a course, with prior advisor and professor approval.

Phase 3: Evaluation In the final phase, you will detail how you will measure the effectiveness of the sport management plan. Determine how you will analyze key performance indicators, such as revenue, attendance, and fan engagement, and assess the impact of the plan on the entity's success.

This project should be designed in a way that you could present to an organization as an example of your work on a sport industry project. You must do audio narration with your presentation.You may want to work on this throughout your time in the program, as you could create a section for a class you are currently taking. At the time of submission, you can put all the pieces you have worked on throughout the program and submit.

Students will submit their comprehensive exam to the Graduate Program Coordinator or Faculty Mentor. Students will be advised on the submission process leading up to their semester of graduation.

Important Information about Comprehensive Examinations

• Graduate students must register for the comprehensive examination in their last semester in the program (in the semester that they plan to graduate). 
• Registration forms must be submitted to Donna Torres by the deadline set by the Graduate School.
• All important dates for graduate students are available at this link: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/academic/_22SpringDeadlines.php 
• Comprehensive examinations are organized and scheduled by academic adviors.  Students will be notified of this date by email. 
• The format of the comprehensive examination varies by concentration and degree.
• A 'Pass or Fail' grade will be given after the examination.  A 'Pass' grade is needed to graduate.

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