Bachelor of Arts in Sports and Recreation Management

Apply your love of sports and fitness to the world of business while expanding your knowledge and experience with your Bachelor of Arts in Sports and Recreation Management degree from Ashford University.

Degree Focus
The Sports and Recreation Management major prepares you for managerial positions in the sports and recreation industry, including: professional sports, fitness clubs, athletics equipment merchandising, recreation programs, and intramural and recreational sports. You will complete coursework in accounting, business, economics, information systems, physical education, and psychology. The curriculum consists of the learning experiences essential for business management positions in the sports and recreation professions. When you complete the required coursework, you will be well acquainted with the sport industry, be highly trained in various theories of management, and exhibit college-level writing and speaking skills.

Career Opportunities
When you complete your Bachelor of Arts in Sports and Recreation Management program, you will have what you need to begin a rewarding career in which a breadth of knowledge is a must. A degree in Sports and Recreation Management could be your first step to any of these occupations:

• Residential camp director 
• Athletic equipment manager 
• Sports agent
• Fitness club manager
• Tournament coordinator 
• Sports information director

Specializations
You may also choose to delve into other areas of sports and recreation management when you add a specialization to your degree program. A specialization consists of four (4) courses, each worth three (3) credits. These courses are taught online as part of your degree program. Choose from the following specializations:

• Entrepreneurship
  Prepare to launch and manage entrepreneurial enterprises. You will increase your business and your technical skills when you add the Entrepreneurship specialization to your degree. 
• Finance
  Add to your Bachelor of Arts in Sports and Recreation Management with a specialization in Finance. You will bridge the fields of finance and business to gain an understanding of the theoretical and practical approaches of financial management. 
• Information Systems
  Take advantage of a wide range of opportunities in one of the fastest growing areas in business organizations. You will increase both business and technical skills with an Information Systems specialization added to your Bachelor of Arts in Sports and Recreation Management degree. 
• Marketing
  Explore different ways in which marketing and advertising shape our modern business world by adding a minor in Marketing to your Bachelor's degree. You will expand your experience with branding, research, and consumer behavior. 
• Project Management
  Build on your Bachelor of Arts in Sports and Recreation Management with a specialization in Project Management. You will be well-equipped to seize new opportunities in this fast-growing field.

Your courses in this Bachelor of Arts degree program are taught by advance-degreed instructors with real-world experience in the subjects they teach. In addition, you can transfer up to 90 approved credits toward your Bachelor's degree and accelerate your degree completion.

If this program fits your personal and professional goals, contact Ashford University at 866.711.1700 to learn more, or request additional information.

Bachelor of Arts in Sports and Recreation Management

Program Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the Bachelor of Arts in Sports and Recreation Management degree program will be able to: 

•  Integrate knowledge from sports recreation and business administration fields; 
•  Apply theory to practice; 
•  Communicate effectively in a variety of modalities; 
•  Apply business procedures to team and facilities management; and 
•  Demonstrate appropriate decision-making skills in organizational contexts.

Program Requirements

• Total number of credits required: 120 credits 
• General Education: 52 credits* 
• Major Program: 45 credits* 
• Electives: 32 credits

You must complete 30 upper-division credits, of which 18 credits must be from the major program. A total of 30 credits must be completed at Ashford University^® to meet the residency requirement.

*In this program, 9 credits from the major also satisfy general education requirements.

Program Disclosures
Federal regulations published in October, 2010 require institutions to report certain information about students who enrolled in Title IV eligible educational programs that lead to gainful employment in a recognized occupation (GE programs). These required disclosures include a program’s 1) program costs; 2) on-time completion rates; 3) median loan debt; 4) links to O*NET SOC descriptions; and 5) placement rates. Please find all of the required information at this link: Program Disclosures.

Admission Requirements 

• Have a regular high-school diploma earned through college preparatory or regular high school courses or GED equivalency recognized by the Department of Education of the state in which it was earned, completed secondary school through home schooling as defined by state law, or earned an equivalent to a US high school diploma at an international high school. An earned IEP or Special Education Diploma or Certificate of Completion based upon IEP goals does not meet the regular high school diploma requirement for admission to Ashford University. If no high school degree was earned, applicants may be admitted with a minimum of 60 transferable credits from an appropriately accredited postsecondary institution as defined by Ashford University transfer credit policies. 
• Be 22 years of age or older, or a graduate of Ashford University's Associate of Arts in Business degree program, or receive documented approval from the Registrar's Office via the "Under 22 Appeal" process. 
•  English Language Requirement 
• Successful completion of Student Success Orientation for students who indicate that they have fewer than twenty-four (24) traditional college-level transferable credits at the time of application.

Technology Requirements

Competencies
Students must possess the following online competencies:

• Ability to access course and program material on the Internet; 
• Ability to correspond with University staff, students, and faculty using email and the Internet; and 
• Ability to use appropriate antivirus utilities so that files transmitted and received are virus free.

System requirements
The following minimum system configuration and software are required: 

•  Platforms: Mac OS X 10.2 or higher or Windows XP or higher; 
•  Hardware: 256 Mb RAM, CD-ROM, and 1 Gb free disk space; 
•  Productivity Software: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel 2003 or higher; Adobe Reader 8.0 or higher; Adobe Flash 10 or higher (Constellation users);
•  Web Browser: Firefox 3.0 or higher, Internet Explorer 8.0 or higher, Safari 4.0 or higher, or Chrome; 
•  Networking: 56k dialup modem, DSL, or Cable modem; 
•  Email: Outlook, Outlook Express, Mac Mail, Eudora, Entourage, or Yahoo/Hotmail/Gmail.

Recommended for optimal performance

• Productivity Software: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel 2007 or higher; 
• Networking: Broadband Internet connection (DSL, cable, or other); 
•  Constellation users: Windows Media Player 7 or higher, sound card and speakers.

Transferability
Put your college credits to work at Ashford! You can transfer up to 90 semester credits (135 quarter credits) to help fulfill your degree requirements.* That means all your past hard work will not be wasted.

If you enter the program with fewer than twenty-four (24) transferable traditional semester credits, you will be required to successfully complete an online orientation prior to enrolling in credit-bearing coursework. Following successful completion of orientation, you will be required to successfully complete EXP 105 Personal Dimensions of Education as your first course. EXP 105 is required if you have little or no previous college experience and is not recommended if you have high transfer credit. EXP 105 applies toward elective credit requirements so enrollment in EXP 105 may result in the reduction of three (3) potential transfer credits in the Elective category. If you take EXP 105, you are required to take PSY 202 as your second course. 

If you enter the program with twenty-four (24) or more transferable credits, you will be required to successfully complete PSY 202 Adult Development and Life Assessment as your first course. PSY 202 is designed to help you acclimate to the online college environment, though you already have some college experience. If you have been out of school for a long time or feel that you need additional support to enter the online environment, you may appeal to enroll in EXP 105 as your first course, followed by PSY 202 as your second course. Unsuccessful completion of either EXP 105 or PSY 202 will result in the rescheduling of the course and revision of the future course sequence. See the Courses tab for descriptions of each course.

* The transferability of credits is subject to Ashford University’s transfer credit policies, and requires the submission of official transcripts. The official transcripts will be evaluated to determine the credits that will officially apply toward an Ashford University degree program.

Online Format
You will take your courses one at a time for 5 weeks each, accelerating your path to graduation. Your course content is delivered in a high-tech format, and you can complete your weekly assignments when and where it's convenient for you thanks to the asynchronous online environment.

Cost*
Your tuition rates are among the lowest available online at $390 per credit. You will also be responsible for fees to enroll. View complete cost of attendance. Call today to learn more at 866.711.1700.

* Tuition costs subject to change without notice.

Payment Options  

• Cash Plan – 100% of tuition and fees paid on or before each course start date. 
• Tuition Reimbursement – If your employer offers a tuition reimbursement plan, we'll work with you to apply this great benefit toward your education. 
• Financial Aid – You may be eligible for financial aid. Talk to an Admissions Counselor to find out if you meet the requirements to qualify. 
• Direct (Employer) Billing – If you work for a company approved for direct billing, you may qualify for this payment option. 
• Military Tuition Assistance – Includes active-duty service and Veterans Affairs benefits, such as GI Bill and Vocational Rehab, if you qualify. Learn more about military benefits.

If this program fits your personal and professional goals, contact Ashford University at 866.711.1700 to learn more, or request additional information.

Bachelor of Arts in Sports and Recreation Management

Explore multiple aspects of the world of sports and recreation while enhancing your knowledge and technical skills. You may choose to follow the standard course requirements or add a specialization to further enhance your degree.

Below you will find the courses for this program beginning with the introductory courses. You have a choice in this program to take a standard program following the major course requirements or you may choose to add a specialization to your program. Please note that you must complete the major course requirements' capstone course before you can begin any specialization. Each specialization consists of four (4) courses, each worth three (3) credits.

Introductory Courses
Major Course Requirements
Specializations

• Entrepreneurship
• Finance
• Information Systems
• Marketing
• Project Management

Introductory Courses

Depending on the number of credits transferred in, you may be required to take one or both of Ashford University's introductory courses: EXP 105 Personal Dimensions of Educationand PSY 202 Adult Development & Life Assessment. If you enter the program with fewer than twenty-four (24) transferable credits, you are required to successfully complete EXP 105 as your first course, followed by PSY 202 as your second course. If you enter the program with twenty-four (24) or more transferable credits, you will be required to successfully complete PSY 202 as your first course.

EXP 105 Personal Dimensions of Education
This course is designed to help adult learners beginning their university studies to achieve academic success. Students will explore learning theories, communication strategies, and personal management skills. Adult learners will develop strategies for achieving success in school and work. Students will also be introduced to the University's institutional outcomes and learning resources.

PSY 202 Adult Development & Life Assessment
This course presents adult development theory and links theoretical concepts of life and learning through a process of psychometric assessment and reflection. Both classical and contemporary adult development theories are examined. These theories then provide the paradigm for self-analysis and life learning, including a plan for personal, professional and academic learning.

Major Course Requirements

(45 credits, all courses are 3 credits. Courses are listed in the recommended sequence.)

MGT 330 Management for Organizations
This course presents an introduction to management theory and practice, including the inter-relatedness that the planning, organizing, leading, and controlling functions play in the multicultural, technology-driven and global organizations of the 21st century. The emphasis is on the application of management theory to real-life situations in the workplace.

CGD 218 Visual Literacy in Business
This course examines the evolution and trends in digital media utilized in business. Course content and activities focus on message content and creation and the visual principles and theories that shape effective visual communication in business environment. Legal and ethical issues relating to visual communication will be introduced and incorporated into projects that develop visual literacy and visual problem-solving skills.

CGD 318 Public Relations Practice & Promotional Writing
An introduction to current procedures and duties of public relations personnel will be studied. Students will write news releases, brochures, speeches, reports, memos, scripts, and as copy using workshop format.

SOC 318 Sociology of Sport
The social institution of sport is examined as a microcosm of society. Consideration is given to the different levels of sport, and sports in relation to social stratification and mobility, big business, mass media, religion, race, gender, and social discrimination. Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of instructor.

BUS 330 Principles of Marketing
This course will acquaint the student with the methods used by producers of goods and services to determine and satisfy the wants of society. This course includes an examination of internal and external environments that impact marketing decisions, the basic elements of a marketing program and issues in ethics and social responsibility.

BUS 340 Business Communications
Every aspect of contemporary business communications - from determining what information to communicate to processing information and sharing it - depends on technology. Students will learn to compose, format, and manage business letters, memos, reports, email, and resumes. Students will use software to access information and to evaluate the quality of the information they receive. Students will create electronic presentations to communicate information.

ACC 205 Principles of Accounting I
Introduction to the principles and procedures of general financial accounting with an emphasis on reporting to individuals outside the organization. Development of accounting reports on an accrual basis.

BUS 307 Operations Management & Quantitative Techniques
Introduction to the nature and problems of operations management. Operations management as a field deals with the production of goods and services. The course will cover a variety of quantitative and qualitative techniques including probability and decision theory and project planning.

BUS 311 Business Law I
This course involves the study of contemporary issues of business law. The class will focus on how these legal issues influence traditional business operations, e- commerce and information technology. The course will address such topics as: business ethics, online commerce, contracts, business organizations, employment law and international law.

ECO 203 Principles of Macroeconomics
Introduction to national income determination and the equilibrium level of output and employment. Monetary and fiscal policies as well as open economy issues are discussed.

INF 410 Project Management
This course provides the foundational principles and techniques to plan, execute, and manage complex projects. Topics include workflow analysis, quality control, and performance evaluation.

BUS 303 Human Resources Management
Introduction to the field of human resources management. Employees are a company's greatest resource and understanding communication, motivation and management of personnel is essential to success. This course will cover those areas. The course will include a review of current standards and practices as well as the legal environment as it pertains to human resources.

SRM 320 Organization and Administration of Sports & Recreation Management
Reviews the principles of organizational structure and behavior within sport organizations. Topics include organizational policies and procedures, organizational effectiveness, communication networks, and leadership values. Prerequisite: Junior Standing or Permission of Instructor

SRM 410 Contemporary Issues in Sports Marketing & Management
Sport has become a major business enterprise in the United States and in much of the world. This course helps students understand the scope of the sport industry, to include identifying career opportunities in various segments of the sport industry. The course also examines the managerial process to include the functions of management, as well as the roles, skills, and attributes required of sport managers. Special attention is given to examining the unique characteristics of sport and the resulting social and ethical responsibilities of sport managers.

SRM 325 Case Research in Sports & Recreation Management
Sports as a subject matter is very ancient and its marketing can be traced to even its earliest days. However, as an integral portion of contemporary society, successful sporting events or seasons generally require professional marketing efforts. Utilizing the principles of management, marketing and other relevant disciplines this course will use case studies, class discussions, and projects to enhance the student's collective expertise in this area of Sports and Recreation Management.

Specializations

You may also choose to delve deeper into other areas of sports and recreation management when you add a specialization to your degree program. A specialization consists of four (4) courses, each worth three (3) credits each. These courses are taught online as part of your degree program. Choose from the following specializations:

Entrepreneurship
BUS 362 Introduction to Entrepreneurship
This course introduces students to the opportunities and challenges associated with the creation and management of entrepreneurial organizations. The course focuses on the issues associated with starting and managing a new venture including recognizing opportunity, basic business planning, essential human resources management, introductory marketing, legal issues, location selection, funding, buying a business as well as discussing various exit strategies.

BUS 365 Creativity & Innovation
This course focuses on creativity and innovation as a process in organizations. The course also examines how individuals can be innovative in organizations and the challenge of building innovative organizations.

BUS 368 Venture Capital & Banking
This course examines financing the start-up of a new venture, from bootstrapping with personal resources or bank debt to equity investment by angel investors or venture capitalists. The course also covers the four main aspects of venture capital: valuation, deal structuring, governance, and harvesting.

BUS 437 Business Plan Development
This course gives students the opportunity to study the elements of a successful business plan and to put that knowledge to work in creating a comprehensive business plan for a new venture.

Finance
BUS 215 Personal Financial Management
This course provides an introduction to the field of personal financial management and planning, focusing on the tools individuals and families employ to manage their financial affairs.

ECO 316 Financial Institutions & Markets
A study of money and capital markets concentrating on interest rate determination, the major public and private financial institutions in the U.S. economy, and the major types of financial instruments including bonds, equities, and derivative instruments.

BUS 401 Principles of Finance
Basic corporate finance is presented with the emphasis on risk and return, bond and equity markets, valuation of bonds and equities, present value analysis, internal rate of return analysis, and project analysis using the weighted average cost of capital.

BUS 405 Principles of Investments
The study and analysis of securities and other forms of investments. Emphasis is on investment principles from the manager's point of view.

Information Systems
INF 231 Programming Concepts
An introduction to the methodology of programming and the construction of graphical user interfaces. Students are introduced to programming through the use of current programming languages(s). Emphasis is on structured design, coding, graphical user interfaces, event-driven programming, and documentation. A variety of programming problems develop skills in algorithm design, file processing data structures, and event handling.

INF 340 Business Systems Analysis
This course studies the problems and needs of organizations and how business functions, staff, data, business processes, and technology can be used to achieve organizational goals and objectives. The focus is on assessment for improvement of the business and its functions.

INF 322 Database Management Systems
This course provides an introduction to the concepts of database processing. An understanding of the physical and logical organization of data and the meaningful representation of data relationships are evaluated. Operational requirements of database management systems are also discussed.

INF 325 Telecommunications & Networking Concepts
A study of real-time and distributed-processing computer networks including telecommunications, data transmission techniques (protocols), design, and implementation considerations.

Marketing
BUS 317 Introduction to Advertising
This course is designed to introduce students to the field of advertising as a promotional force with emphasis on institutions, planning, strategic practices, and tactical decisions made by advertising executives. It will also explore the various career opportunities including account executive, media buying, copywriting, production, and research.

BUS 339 Marketing Research
Study and analysis of the marketing information system. Includes the organizational characteristics of marketing research, basic tools and procedures, and management science applications.

BUS 343 International Marketing
Examination of cultural, economic, and political factors that affect marketing of goods and services worldwide. Emphasis is on adapting the marketing strategies of domestic marketers to international operations and the institutional structure that exists in international markets. Marketing strategies of firms' operations within these markets are also examined.

BUS 350 Consumer Behavior
This course illustrates the psychological, socio-cultural, and decision-making aspects of consumer behavior. Students study behavioral concepts, motivation, and the role of consumer behavior in our society.

Project Management
INF 342 Project Quality Assurance
This course will address topics as defining, planning, executing and closing projects. We will introduce an overall framework for managing projects, describe how to set up a project, and provide a forum for sharing practical techniques for managing projects. Several topics are discussed, including how to build a project plan, risk management, issue management, project marketing, communications, quality assurance, project measurements and the psychology of project management.

INF 336 Project Procurement Management
Designed to develop the basic knowledge base of project managers and project procurement managers, this course emphasizes partnering between buyers and sellers to create a single culture with one set of goals and objectives. Students will discover the key areas in procuring outside services and products from the initial decision to buy through final contract closeout. They will recognize what must be done for success in the six key project procurement management processes: procurement planning, solicitation planning, solicitation, source selection, contract administration, and contract closeout. They will also formulate the make-or-buy decision, prepare an effective procurement management plan to guide the team, and use outsourcing for maximum benefit. Lessons and best practices from procurement theory and experience are also presented.

INF 337 Integrated Cost & Schedule Control
Effective cost and schedule management are cornerstone activities of each project. Students will determine how best to plan the execution of a project scope, to consider stakeholder budget and schedule constraints, to use different methodologies, and to establish the performance measurement baseline. They will also discover keys to identify potential cost and schedule overruns and master the tools and techniques to compare actual work accomplished against established plans, as well as work accomplished against actual expenditures. By identifying early warning indicators, students will gain greater insight into potential risk areas and take the necessary corrective action to keep the project in control.

INF 410 Project Management
This course provides the foundational principles and techniques to plan, execute, and manage complex projects. Topics include workflow analysis, quality control, and performance evaluation.

If this program fits your personal and professional goals, contact Ashford University at 866.711.1700 to learn more, or request additional information.

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