Graduate Faculty
P. Gregory Comfort, Ed.D., Professor of Health and Sport Sciences; Chair – Health and Sport Sciences Division; Director of Distance Learning
Janet Comfort, M.Ed., M.A.C., Instructor of Health and Sport Sciences
Guy Danhoff, M.S., Assistant Professor of Health and Sport Sciences
Andrew Franklin Elvington, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Health and Sport Sciences
David Pierce, M.S., Assistant Professor of Sport Management
Thomas M. Smith, Ed.D., Professor of Education & Health and Sport Sciences; Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics*
Jessica Stapleton, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Health and Sport Sciences
* Also listed in Education Division
Mission Statement
The Division of Health and Sport Sciences at Missouri Baptist University is committed to promoting intellectual, spiritual and professional development, striving to enhance a Christ-centered lifestyle through the advancement of knowledge in health, sport management, physical education, and exercise science and forming responsive, and collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, students, alumni, schools, and business and industry leaders.
Overview
The Master of Science in Sport Management degree is designed to prepare students for various careers in the sport management field. Students in this program investigate the psycho-social, ethical, economic, legal, and political factors affecting the management and administration of sport organizations. The application of management principles to the sport industry distinguishes this program from the others offered within the division. Through the practical application of the program’s theoretical underpinnings, sport management majors learn about communication, finance, law, organizational management, personnel, and marketing from a Christian worldview.
The Master of Science in Sport Management degree provides students with skills to effectively manage in a wide range of sport-related enterprises including: interscholastic athletics, intercollegiate athletics, amateur and professional sports, sport-marketing firms, special-event management, and facility management.
The Master of Science in Fitness Management program will allow students with an interest in the fitness industry to develop a working knowledge in the areas of: program planning and development; business and financial management; sales, marketing, and recruitment; public relations; legal aspects of sports and fitness; and applicable health and safety standards.
The Master of Science in Fitness Management program prepares students to organize and administer fitness-related programs and manage fitness/rehabilitation facilities and health clubs, sport recreation services, and other related services. Graduates of the program will be working in an array of fitness-related enterprises including profit and non-profit fitness facilities, training centers, city recreation departments, and several other noteworthy organizations.
While both the Master of Science degree in Fitness Management and the Master of Science degree in Sport Management can be completed entirely online, a number of face-to-face courses within both programs are available on the main MBU campus. Students accepted into the Sport Management program are able to complete their program requirements and graduate within one year or can choose to enroll in fewer classes and thereby complete their degree over a longer period of time. Fitness Management students are able to complete the program requirement in a year and a half.
Students who have previously earned a Master of Science in Fitness Management degree from Missouri Baptist University may apply seven (7) credit hours toward a subsequent Master of Science in Sport Management degree. Students who have previously earned a Master of Science in Sport Management degree from Missouri Baptist University may apply seven (7) credit hours toward a subsequent Master of Science in Fitness Management degree. Students must complete an additional 24 credit hours to earn a subsequent Master of Science in Sport Management or an additional 27 credit hours to earn a subsequent Master of Science in Fitness Management.
Summary of the Master’s Degree Process
To earn either the MS in Fitness Management or MS in Sport Management degree, a student must complete each of the following steps:
- The student must develop a comprehensive plan of study with the Graduate Advisor.
- The student must complete all coursework included in the plan of study.
- The student must complete a capstone project.
- An Application for Graduation, signed by the student, Graduate Advisor, and Vice President for Graduate Studies, must be filed with the Graduate Office and the Records Office in the semester prior to the term in which the student intends to graduate.
- Students must pay the required graduation fee. Students are encouraged to participate in the graduation ceremony scheduled the first Tuesday evening after the last Saturday in April of each academic year. Students must notify the Vice President for Graduate Studies and the Director of Records if they choose not to participate. Students must pay the graduation fee whether they attend commencement or not.
- All graduate students must have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in order to graduate from the program.
Transfer Students/Transfer Credit
Transfer credits must have been earned within the seven (7) years prior to entry into the Graduate Studies Program. Transfer credits must be approved by the Graduate Advisor and the Division Chair or Program Director and must have grades of A, B, S, CR, or P. Students may not take courses from other graduate programs while enrolled at Missouri Baptist without written approval from the Vice President for Graduate Studies.
Students entering the Master of Science in Fitness Management or Master of Science in Sport Management degree programs may transfer up to six (6) graduate credits into the Missouri Baptist University Graduate Studies Program from another regionally accredited college or university. The total hours transferred to Missouri Baptist, including courses from other programs while enrolled, may not exceed six (6) hours. However, no transfer credits will be accepted into the Certificate in Exercise Science, Certificate in Fitness Management, or Certificate in Sport Management programs.
The University only recognizes institutions accredited by the current edition of Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education published by the CHEA and the American Council on Education.
Directed Studies
Courses in the Master of Science in Sport Management program are not offered as directed studies, but SMGT 503 - Sport Management Project may be substituted as a replacement course for a core MS in Sport Management course with the permission of the Division Chair.
Courses in the Master of Science in Fitness Management program are not offered as directed studies, but SMGT 503 - Sport Management Project , SMGT 583 - Leadership and Management in Sport , or PHED 413/513 - Sport Facility Management , may be substituted for a core MS in Fitness Management course with the permission of the Division Chair.
Capstone Requirement
SMGT 576 - Internship in Sport Management/ Fitness Management serves as the culminating activity for graduate students in the Fitness Management and Sport Management degree programs. A professional portfolio will be included as a requirement for this course. The capstone course must be completed through Missouri Baptist University.
Exit Examination
The Master of Science in Fitness Management and Master of Science in Sport Management degrees do not require an exit exam.
Graduate Certificates
Graduate Certificates may be earned in the field of Exercise Science, Fitness Management, Sport Management, and Sport Marketing. These certificates are stand-alone certificates and may not be earned concurrently with a master’s degree. Students who begin a certificate program and wish to switch to a master’s program must make application to the master’s program through the Graduate Admissions Office and submit all documentation for full admission. Classes may not be transferred in for certificate programs, and students must complete the required twelve (12) hours through Missouri Baptist University.
Students returning to pursue a master’s degree after earning a certificate may transfer up to six (6) hours from their certificate program into the master’s program. Six (6) alternative hours will replace completed core classes. The student and advisor will decide on appropriate classes with the approval of the Department Chair.
The Graduate Certificates in Exercise Science, Fitness Management, Sport Management, and Sport Marketing require a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale to be granted.
Certificates
Master of Science in Fitness Management
Master of Science in Sport Management
