University of San Francisco
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Sport Management Graduate Program

How to Apply

Apply Online for Summer or Spring Admission!
Or, Request an Application Packet.

The M.A. in Sport Management program starts each summer and spring at the San Francisco campus and every summer at the Los Angeles-Area campus in Orange, CA. As admission is competitive, candidates should exercise great care when preparing their application to The Master's Program.

The application deadlines are:

  • February 1 for summer admission (San Francisco and Los Angeles-Area programs)
  • September 1 for spring admission (San Francisco program only)

All application documents must be received by the stated application deadline in the Office of Graduate Programs, College of Arts and Sciences, 2130 Fulton Street, HR 240, San Francisco, CA 94117. Applicants are encouraged to submit all application documents several weeks before the deadline. Please do not send any application items to the Sport Management Program Office.

Request an application/information packet online or contact the program office at:

Northern California Campus: (415) 422-2678, sportmgt@usfca.edu

Southern California Campus: (714) 633-5626, lasportmgt@usfca.edu

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   Undergraduate Background

Students in The Master's Program come from a wide range of undergraduate majors. While some students come with an undergraduate background in Exercise Science and Physical Education, many others come from business, the social sciences, the natural sciences, communications, and the liberal arts. This diversity of undergraduate majors complements the interdisciplinary nature of The Master's Program. In addition, students admitted to The Master's Program bring a breadth of undergraduate extracurricular experiences to our courses.

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   Admission Requirements

Admission to The Master's Program is competitive. The program requires an undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 (on a 4.0 grading scale) or higher. A Bachelor's degree in any major from an accredited institution is required.

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   Application Items

  • Application form and fee of $55 payable to the University of San Francisco. Please submit this form as early as possible in the application process.
  • One official transcript from each university or college attended (both undergraduate and graduate coursework)
  • Two letters of recommendation from a supervisor or instructor (see below)
  • Statement of Goals - A three-to-five page essay that describes your professional and educational interests, background and goals (see below)
  • Current resume demonstrating relevant work experience (see below)
  • Applicants may be asked to attend an interview with one of the Program Directors
  • International students are required to submit their official TOEFL, IELTS or PTE score and a completed Certification of Finance form with supplemental bank statements  (see International Students).

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   Statement of Goals

A three-to-five page, double-spaced typewritten document that describes your personal, academic, and professional reasons for pursuing a Master's Degree in Sport Management, and for choosing USF’s program. The statement should relate your workplace experiences and sports backgrounds to your goals.

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   Resume

A resume should include your work experience and any sport industry experience - including playing, teaching, coaching, managing and administering. Certifications in sports and fitness should be listed, honors attained should be highlighted, and sports leadership experience and relevant outside interests included.

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   Letters of Recommendation

The application to The Master's Program requires two letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to your competence and ability to succeed in this graduate program. Ideally, one of the letters references the student's academic abilities, while the other references the student's potential for professional growth in a sport management career.

Please note: If you are a currently matriculating student or a recent graduate (degree receive within the last 12 months) you are required to submit at least one academic letter of recommendation.

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   Personal Interview

Personal Interviews are conducted at the discretion of the Sport Management Admissions Committee. The interview will be conducted in person or by phone. Personal Interviews are not a requirement for admission to the program.

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   Tests

  • The GRE or GMAT is optional and not required for admission. An applicant may want to submit their GRE or GMAT results if they believe it might strengthen their application. The USF school code for the GRE is 4850; GMAT is 91M-7L-93.
  • Official TOEFL, IELTS and PET scores must be submitted by international applicants. Refer to the requirements listed in the International Applicants statement.

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   International Applicants

(Not a Citizen or Permanent Resident of the U.S.)

In addition to the above application items, international applicants must submit the following two items:

  • Completed and signed Certification of Finance form, along with supporting documents, that verifies adequate financial support for the first year of studies at the University. (See International Students to download the Certification of Finance form).
  • TOEFL, IELTS or PTE score. A minimum TOEFL score of 79 (iBT) or 550 (print-based); minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or a minimum PTE score of 57 (estimated score). Students should not apply unless they have achieved the stated minimum scores. The USF school code for the TOEFL, IELTS and PTE is 4850.

Students with TOEFL scores below 100 or 600; IELTS score below 6.5 or PTE score below 73 (estimated score) will be required to take an ESL course in USF’s Intensive English Program if admitted to the program.

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   Application Status

Within approximately two weeks after your application form is processed by USF’s College of Arts and Sciences, Office of Graduate Programs, you will receive an email giving you a temporary username and password to check your application status page. This username/password is for checking your application status only. For technical assistance, please contact the USF’s IT department at itshelp@usfca.edu or 415.422.6668.

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   Notification of Admission Decision

An admission decision letter from the Sport Management Program is sent to you after the applications have been reviewed. Students applying for July should expect to hear an admission decision by April 15th. Those applying for January should expect to hear by October 15th.

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   Financial Aid Application

The Federal Government provides significant assistance through the subsidized and unsubsidized direct loan program. The majority of our students do take out some form of financial assistance. You may apply for financial aid on-line through the Federal Direct Student Loan Program at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Questions about financial aid may be directed to USF's Office of Financial Aid.

Students who apply to the Sport Management Master’s Program for January 2010 must file the 2009-2010 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov as soon as possible tin order for the financial aid award to be processed in a timely manner. Students who are admitted to the program that start in Spring 2010, register for 6 units.

Students who apply to the Sport Management Master's Program for Summer 2010 admission - and are interested in applying for Summer 2010 financial aid - must file the 2009-2010 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov as soon as possible. In order for the financial aid award to be processed in a timely manner (to cover Summer 2010 tuition), you must complete and submit the FAFSA application no later than June 1, 2010. This deadline ensures that your Summer 2010 aid eligibility can be determined and processed by USF's Financial Aid Office by the beginning of the Summer Semester. Students who are admitted to the program that start in Summer 2010, register for a 3-unit summer course.

Once you are notified of your 2009-2010 loan eligibility for Summer 2010 enrollment, you should then file a FAFSA 2010-2011 renewal as soon as possible so that your aid eligibility can be determined and extended for the entire next academic year: Fall 2010/Spring 2011/Summer 2011. If you have any financial aid related questions, please contact the University of San Francisco's Office of Financial Aid.

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