Master of Science Sport Management
Department Contact
Dr. Allison Waymyers
Program Director/Assistant Professor
Email: MSMadmissions@benedict.edu
Office Phone: 803-705-4915
Mission
The mission of the Health and Sport Management Department is to prepare students for careers in health, athletics, and sport industries to serve as administrators, managers, and innovators. Through the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, our students develop knowledge and skills that promote inclusive and transformative experiences incorporating innovative technologies for a global world.
Program Description
The MSM Graduate Program at Benedict College is designed to meet the needs of individuals who are interested in starting or furthering their existing career path or who would like to enhance their career opportunities. Candidates for the degree will be expected to complete a minimum of 36 semester credit hours. Twelve (12) of the 36 hours will constitute the MSM Core. The MSM Core is required of all candidates, along with 18 credit hours in the concentration.
The Master of Science in Sport Management (MSM) program is offered on a cohort basis only and begins in May of each academic year and ends in May of the following year. This one-year program only accepts students on a rolling basis to ensure academic requirements are adhered to, and consistent progression is made. Full admission to the program takes place once annually. Students seeking part-time admission for fall or spring must submit an application for consideration prior to the appropriate deadline and if accepted, may enroll on a part-time basis. Early admission deadlines are of maximum value for these circumstances. A maximum of nine (9) semester credit hours may be earned toward the MSM prior to full admission.
The MSM program affords one (1) concentration to students:
- Sport Administration
A regular matriculating full-time candidate should be able to complete the degree in about one year of course passing study. Part-time candidates will likely require more than one year to complete the degree.
The Sport Administration concentration is designed to prepare candidates to work in a global sporting environment. Graduates of this program are expected to be able to think critically, communicate effectively, and employ leadership qualities to solve complex issues in a diverse world. Additionally, they are expected to possess technical skills, analytical skills, business savvy, and have a broad understanding of the core business functions. Candidates in the Sport Administration program will be exposed to courses in management, law, marketing, financing and sales, and identify the influence of Black culture in sport management.
Click here for degree requirements.
Allison Waymyers is a proud Director and Professor, leading the Master of Sport Management Program at Benedict College. She received a Bachelors degree from the University of South Carolina in Marketing with a specialization in International Business and minor in Spanish, and a Masters degree in Organizational Change & Leadership from Columbia College.
Waymyers continues to make “herstory”. She was the first female hired in an inaugural leadership role in the Clemson football program. She was also the inaugural Director of Career Education for U of SC’s Moore School’s Master of International Business cohort. Her Professional Development Series is now a required course for graduates. She created an inaugural course at Columbia College called “Paradigm Shift: Women Leading in Men’s Sports”. She has worked as a lobbyist in the education sector fighting for teacher salary increases and women’s rights, a fundraiser in the non-profit and higher education sectors connecting corporations to communities, and led procurement for two $1 billion fossil hydro facilities in the energy sector while diversifying vendors.
Recognized in 2012 as a Top 20 Under 40 in The State newspaper (Columbia, S.C.) and a Top 40 Under 40 for Black Expo South, she is a Leadership Columbia graduate and has been a leader on numerous boards such as the United Way of the Midlands, S.C. Science Academy, Columbia Chamber of Commerce, (Columbia Opportunity Resource), Junior League and was the youngest president in history for the S.C. Chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and a Board member of Racing Toward Diversity. She remains a sought-after keynote speaker, and is a pillar in the community.
She and her husband have two sons, who are their top priority and joy of their lives. They enjoy family time, traveling and empowering the next generation.
Admissions
Application Deadline
May 1, 2023
Decision Notifications Begin
May 2, 2023
Early Admissions
Application Deadline
October 31, 2022
Decision Notification
November 30, 2022
Regular Admissions
Application Deadline
January 06, 2023
Decision Notification
February 03, 2023
Late
Admissions
Application Deadline
March 03, 2023
Decision Notification
March 31, 2023
Early Admissions
Early Admissions Application Deadline
has passed.
Decision Notifications Begin
TBD
Regular Admissions
Application Deadline
TBD
Decision Notifications Begin
TBD
Late Admissions
Application Deadline
TBD
Decision Notifications Begin
TBD
At A Glance
Cohort Starts
May 2025
Mission
The mission of the Health and Sport Management Department is to prepare students for careers in health, athletics, and sport industries to serve as administrators, managers, and innovators. Through the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, our students develop knowledge and skills that promote inclusive and transformative experiences incorporating innovative technologies for a global world.
Sport Management Curriculum
Benedict’s Sport Management Master’s is designed to provide intensive study of current sport business practices that will prepare students to meet the demands of the contemporary sport management market. Problem-solving, theoretical and applied learning, and effective communication are stressed to ensure that graduates have both the technical and theoretical knowledge to enter the marketplace with confidence.
Based upon the recommendations of the Sport Management Master’s faculty, the full college faculty approved the program with two concentration options:
The Athletic Administration Concentration is designed to prepare candidates to function in a sport business environment. Students will gain practical experiences with athletic administration job components, sport ethical roles, and sport laws. Participants will be exposed to sport finances, sport governance, sport facility management, commercial recreation, and outdoor recreation and sport planning.
The Coaching Concentration is designed to prepare candidates with the managerial and leadership skills required to coach on all sport levels (i.e., Recreational, Public School, Collegiate, Semi-Professional, Professional, and Olympic Levels). Students will be exposed to the psychology of sport; coaching, officiating and teaching concepts; sport analytics; athletic training and Esports. They will experience different coaching, officiating, analyzing, educating, training and learning environments. Graduates will display sport leadership and practical management skills to lead, manage, direct, coach, and operate various sports and sporting agencies.
All degree completion options share a common core curriculum of 12 credit hours that emphasize advanced management, marketing, and legal concepts. This is then supplemented by 12-18 hours of directed courses within the applicable sub-field (Athletic Administration or Coaching). Each concentration culminates in a capstone experience designed to demonstrate synthesis of learned concepts. Based upon academic and professional goals, students can choose between the preparation and defense of an independently-researched thesis (12 hours of coursework) or completion of a supervised practicum and comprehensive examination (6 hours of coursework).
Program of Study
Admission Policy
Benedict College gives serious consideration to every applicant who is committed to taking full advantage of the opportunity it provides him/her to obtain a graduate education. The College makes its educational opportunities available to all such applicants interested in participating in its programs.
However, each applicant must provide evidence of a reasonable probability of success in graduate school before he/she can be admitted. The College reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant it judges unlikely to benefit from its programs.
Full Admission: Applicants for admission to graduate studies at Benedict College will have to submit a completed application packet and pay a non-refundable application fee. Additionally, the SMM Admissions Committee reviews the following requirements:
- Completed online graduate admission application
- Non-refundable application fee
- Interview with SMM Admissions Committee
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Scores (optional)
- Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts
- Two letters of recommendation
- Resume
- Statement of Commitment and Interest
- English Proficiency
Early
Admissions
Application Deadline
November 18, 2021
Decision Notifications
January 10, 2022
Regular Admissions
Application Deadline
December 3, 2021
Decision Notification
January 31, 2022
Late
Admissions
Application Deadline
February 2, 2022
Decision Notification
March 31, 2022