Reference Guide

ADMISSION PROCESS  

A 2.85 GPA from an accredited 4-year institution is required for admittance to the program.  Many students have either a degree in physical education/kinesiology, sport/exercise science, or sport administration/management but these degrees are not required.  Students not having the degree as specified above will be required to complete Human Anatomy (3 credits) and Human Physiology (3 credits) prior to being awarded a master’s degree.  These courses may be taken on the campus of UW-La Crosse or through a program approved by the Program Director.  There are no entrance exams required for admission at this time.  Students interested in applying should visit the UW-L Admissions website at www.uwlax.edu/admissions.

CURRICULUM  

The Graduate Sport Administration Program is a 36-credit curriculum that enables students to select either the thesis or non-thesis option.  The Research component (thesis = 12 credits, non-thesis = 6 credits), Core component (24 credits) and Elective component for the non-thesis option (6 credits) can be completed in as little as three (3) semesters, but must be concluded in seven (7) years.  Refer to curriculum for course listing.

MASTER’S THESIS OPTION:  Students have the option of completing a master’s thesis as part of the program.  Master’s thesis encompasses 6 credits of the Research component (12 credits total).  Students interested in completing a thesis are encouraged to discuss their interest with the Program Director.

NON-THESIS OPTION:  Students not completing a master’s thesis will complete the non-thesis option.  The Research segment includes 6 credits of coursework and a written comprehensive exam.  Students selecting the non-thesis option must complete 6 credits of elective courses as part of the curriculum.  The majority of graduate sport administration students have selected the non-thesis option.

REGISTRATION FOR COURSES 

The graduate Sport Administration program is divided into two (2) distinct groups of students—the on-campus program and the Continuing Education program.  The registration process is different for each program.  Listed below are specific registration requirements for each program.

ON-CAMPUS REGISTRATION:

  1. Prior to the beginning of the semester, access the UW-L website (www.uwlax.edu) for a timetable of courses in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science.  Refer to curriculum for course listing.
  2. Pay $100 non-refundable deposit to Cashier’s Office via TALON.  Allow several days for deposit to be processed.
  3. The UW-L website has student class information for verification of class schedule.
  4. Register for classes as recommended by your program director.
  5. A billing statement will be sent to students at the beginning of each semester.

CONTINUING EDUCATION REGISTRATION:

  1. Several months prior to each course offering, a program brochure will be sent to the graduate student or posted on the Continuing Education website (www.uwlax.edu/conted/html/ess.htm).
  2. A specific listing of course offerings, locations, dates, times and instructors will be provided in the brochure or on the website.
  3. Direct registration inquiries, with payment information, to Karen Hansen (phone 608-785-6513).

CLOSED COURSES

On-Campus students have the responsibility to contact the professor directly for admission to a closed course.  Professors reserve the right to deny admission to a closed course.  Students receiving permission to enroll in a closed course must use the “Override Form” available in Mitchell Hall 137. 

ELECTIVE CREDITS  

Various elective credits are admissible for use in the curriculum.  ESS 749, 760, and 766 are offered at various times throughout the curriculum and can be used as elective credits.  Reminder:  One of the courses (ESS 749, 760, or 766) is to be used for the Core curriculum, while the additional two can be used for the elective segment.  Students interested in other course offerings or engaging in the ESS 795 Independent Study or ESS 755 Practical Experience must contact the Program Director for permission and specific instructions.

TRANSFER CREDITS

At the discretion of the Program Director, the UW-L Graduate Program will permit a student to transfer nine (9) graduate credits from an accredited university offering a master’s degree.  A grade of A or B must be earned and the grade point average will not transfer into the UW-L graduate program.  Students must provide a syllabus, course description, and an official transcript to the Program Director once permission is granted to transfer a course or courses. Approved courses must have been taken within the candidate's time limit.

WRITTEN COMPREHENSIVE EXAM

During the last semester of the student’s coursework, yet prior to the ESS 788 Internship in Sport Administration, the student must contact the Program Director for information regarding the written comprehensive exam.  Documentation will be provided to the student a month prior to the exam in order for the student to prepare thoroughly for the exam.  The exam will take four (4) hours and is divided into two (2) parts:  Research component and Sport Administration component.  Two (2) research questions and four (4) sport administration questions will be administered to the student. Refer to the Comprehensive Exam page for details and for the exam application (required).  Successful completion of the written examination will permit the student to begin the ESS 788 Internship in Sport Administration.

INTENT TO GRADUATE CARD

Once the student has successfully passed the written examination, prepared to begin the ESS 788 Internship in Sport Administration and is in the semester they intend to graduate, it is their responsibility to complete and submit to the Academic Assistant to the Dean the Intent to Graduate Form.  Access this form via TALON.  Once the form is completed, it is sent electronically to the Academic Assistant to the Dean of the college (Guy Herling, 125 Mitchell Hall, 608-785-8653) in order for a credit check to be completed, thus “clearing” the student for graduation.

INTERNSHIP IN SPORT ADMINISTRATION

The 6-credit internship is a 400-hour practical experience done at the conclusion of all the coursework and after successful completion of the written comprehensive exam.  Throughout the candidate's program, students are encouraged to discuss this important experience with the Program Director.  The Internship can be done in the fall, spring, or summer semesters and students can engage in this experience in any one of the following settings:  Educational (junior or high school, collegiate), Professional (minor or major sports organization, sport marketing or agency, sporting goods), Recreational/Leisure/Fitness (park and recreation center, ski resort, golf course, health and fitness club), Olympic (United States Olympic Training Center, Olympic Games).  A packet of internship materials includes forms that will be completed and returned to the Program Director as part of the internship requirements. Following completion and submission of the contract and site questionnaire, with site approval, the Program Director will register the intern candidate (who must submit the $100 deposit via TALON).

QUESTIONS

It is expected that the graduate student will have questions or concerns regarding their graduate curriculum.  After careful review of this reference guide, students are encouraged to contact the Program Director at the address provided below.   

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-LA CROSSE
1725 STATE STREET
LA CROSSE, WI 54601

Graduate Sport Administration Program Director
For Information, contact David Waters
608-785-8167
waters.davi@uwlax.edu