Ohio University's online Master of Science degree with a major in Athletic Administration is designed for those currently working as teachers, coaches and athletic professionals. It prepares you to lead interscholastic athletics departments and develop programs that provide a supportive experience for student-athletes and staff.
Our online master’s program is accredited by the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA) and features a partnership with the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) so you receive the industry-focused education you need to enter the next phase of your career.
With affordable tuition and a 20-month duration, you can achieve your academic goals and get on track to professional advancement quickly. The graduate degree in athletic administration focuses exclusively on interscholastic athletic administration, emphasizing skills and knowledge specific to your chosen career. Our five decades of experience in sports education and industry-connected faculty ensure you graduate ready to make an impact as an athletic director in any K–12 institution.
Earning your online master's in athletic administration will prepare you to transition from teaching or coaching into the Athletic Director role in your school or district.
When you finish your program, you will be qualified to pursue Registered Athletic Administrator certification through the NIAAA.1 You will have also completed 11 Leadership Training Courses that can be applied toward Certified Athletic Administrator and Certified Master Athletic Administrator credentials.* Online Students also receive this GradCAT benefit.
For a limited time, we’re waiving the application fee for our online graduate degree and certificate programs within the College of Business*. It’s our way of saying we believe in your potential and want to make it easier for you to take that next big step. Don’t miss this opportunity—apply now and invest in your future! Waivers must be requested before applying. Speak with an Enrollment Counselor today!
11 Total Courses | 30 Total Credits
The online master's degree in athletic administration is designed to help you gain the skills most relevant to interscholastic athletic administration, specifically middle and high school athletic directors. Courses are seven weeks in duration and emphasize project-based learning, in-person experiences and opportunities for live engagement with instructors and peers.
Our NIAAA partnership ensures that industry-aligned leadership concepts are built into your curriculum. After completing the masters program, you will have applicable credit for 11 Leadership Training Courses.
Course Highlights:
No GMAT Required | No prerequisite coursework
Fall 2025:
To apply to OHIO's online MS in athletic administration, you will need:
$19,110 Total Tuition | $637 Per Credit Hour | Scholarships Available
OHIO is committed to offering affordable, competitive tuition and has been recognized as a best-value university by U.S. News and World Report. In addition, student veteran, active military members, alumni, and corporate partners are automatically eligible to receive a 15% scholarship through the College of Business. Depending on your background, costs and credit hours will differ.
Listed tuition is for estimating purposes only and is subject to change.
We invite you to join us for one of our free, live information sessions to discover what you can achieve with our online programs! Hear from our program directors as well as recent graduates who share their own experiences in the program. Contact us for the next event date or watch a recent info session recording now.
OHIO provides a dynamic educational experience for our students through a combination of flexible online courses and in-person engagement opportunities. Students attend one on-campus residency during the program. All students in the program attend the on-campus Athletic Leadership Forum to network and connect with fellow students, program faculty and OHIO alumni. This three-day event features guest speakers, panel discussions and workshops relevant to athletic directors at the K–12 level.
Ohio University has a long tradition of offering online programs specifically designed for the modality and created for working professionals. Our online students complete engaging, comprehensive coursework that combines the academic excellence and experience-based learning of a traditional program with all the flexibility and convenience of online study.
With asynchronous courses and part-time scheduling (one course per seven weeks), you can earn your degree while maintaining your current work and personal commitments. Virtual office hours give you the opportunity to connect with peers and faculty. Access your coursework 24/7 and complete your assignments on a schedule that fits your life.
When you finish your program, you'll have competencies in the following essential interscholastic athletic administration knowledge areas:
After completing OHIO's online degree, you will be able to:
Faculty in the online master's in degree athletic administration have extensive experience in the sports industry. Most have worked as athletic directors, and several adjunct faculty members were directly involved in the creation of the NIAAA Leadership Training Institute. Many continue to teach leadership training courses at national and state conferences. Their valuable industry insights inform coursework and class assignments to ensure you're developing the most applicable skill sets for your K–12 athletic administration career.
As a student, you'll benefit from:
Transform your passion for sports into a thriving career with our Online Master of Sports Administration. Master concepts from revenue generation, law, analytics and more to pursue advanced career opportunities.
Increase your marketability with the cutting-edge technical skills and in-depth analytics knowledge required to implement sports analytics insights across a range of contexts and roles. Our Sport Analytics Certificate includes five specialized courses to prepare you for professional advancement.
Find answers to common questions about the online program. For information not covered here, our expert admissions team is available to provide additional details and guidance.
Yes. In addition to the College of Business's accreditation through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the program has received accreditation through the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA). This program also has a partnership with the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA).
No entrance exams are required for admission. You can learn more about what you'll need to apply to the online program on the admissions page.
Yes, a minimum of two years of athletic administration or coaching experience at the middle or high school level is required for admission to this program. For more information about requirements, visit our admissions page.
Coursework is delivered 100% online. However, a required three-day Athletic Leadership Forum is held on campus during the summer. This hand-on learning opportunity allows students to network with their peers, program faculty and alumni in person.
After completing the online program, you will have earned credit for the following NIAAA Leadership Training Courses, which are applied toward certification:
Yes, for more information on the benefits of our Graduate Career Acceleration Team, visit the online student career support page.
* Please note we cannot grant fee waivers to applicants that have already submitted an application in our system. You must request your fee waiver by speaking with an Enrollment Counselor AFTER creating your account and BEFORE submitting your application. No refunds will be made to students requesting a fee waiver after they have submitted an application.
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