The online catalog includes the most recent changes to courses and degree requirements that have been approved by the Faculty Senate, including changes that are not yet effective.
Department of Educational Leadership and Sport Management
education.wsu.edu/college/elsm
Cleveland 351
509-335-9117
Chair and Associate Professor, K. Rodela; Assistant Chair and Associate Professor Y. Rhee; Professor, S. Kruse; Associate Professors, K. Huggins, S. Licen; Assistant Professors, S. Calderone, C. Gang, J. Walls, E. Wendling; Teaching Associate Professors, K. Cowin, T. Crawford; Teaching Assistant Professors, J. Kowalkowski, C. Lebens, R. McBride.
The department offers courses of study leading to a Bachelor of Arts in Sport Management or an undergraduate minor in Sport Management. Masters degrees (Master of Arts; Master of Education) are offered in the areas of educational leadership and sport management. The Doctor of Philosophy (Education) and the Doctor of Education degrees are offered in Educational Leadership.
The Department of Educational Leadership and Sport Management, housed in the College of Education, has excellent facilities for undergraduate and graduate study and research. The department sponsors and hosts a number of state, national, and international programs. Programs for superintendent, principal, and program administrator certification are available at the Pullman, Spokane, Tri-Cities, and Vancouver campuses. A state-wide cohort-based superintendent program is also available.
Application for Graduate Study
Students who plan to study toward an advanced degree should contact the Office of Graduate Education in the College of Education. Individuals applying for admission to a graduate program must complete an application to the WSU Graduate School, and submit the following materials to the College of Education Office of Graduate Education: Departmental Application form; a statement of professional objectives; official college transcripts; three (3) letters of recommendation from individuals qualified to comment on the applicant’s academic and professional abilities, and the Graduate Record Examination (for the Sport Management program only). Interested students should contact the Office of Graduate Education for specific requirements of each program area.
Bachelor of Arts in Sport Management
The Department of Educational Leadership and Sport Management offers a major in Sport Management, which leads to a Bachelor of Arts in Sport Management. This degree provides professional preparation for students wishing to pursue a management career with sport organizations or in the sport and recreation industry. Students must complete a core program in sport management and must select an area of specialization from business or communication. Additional information on the areas of specialization can be obtained from the department. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 is required for admission to the major or minor.
Student Learning Outcomes
The Sport Management curriculum is designed to enable graduating students to:
- Identify and analyze ethical, legal, and socio-cultural issues and formulate responses for use in managerial decision making and policy determinations in sport.
- Employ principles of strategic planning, and financial and human resource management.
- Assess marketing and media needs in sport and formulate short-term and long-term solutions.
- Develop and apply critical thinking and abstract reasoning skills in analyzing sport management issues and in managerial planning and decision making.
- Demonstrate information literacy and communication skills.
- Conceive, plan, execute, and evaluate a sports event.
Practical application of theory and knowledge is obtained through enrollment in practicum hours and through the completion of a 10-12-credit internship at the end of the required coursework. The internship serves as the bridge between the student's college career and opportunities for employment in sport management.
The general prerequisite for enrollment in 300-400-level sport management courses is admission to the Sport Management major or minor. Additional prerequisites for specific courses are listed in the course descriptions. The department chair or assistant chair must approve any exceptions to these requirements.
Undergraduate Minors
The Department of Educational Leadership and Sport Management offers an undergraduate minor in Sport Management. Students interested in declaring a minor in Sport Management should contact the department or consult its website for additional information.
Schedules of Studies
Honors students complete the Honors College requirements which replace the UCORE requirements.
Sport Management (120 Credits)
The application for admission opens mid-semester and the deadline for application submission is the Friday before finals week, with admission effective the following term. Candidates must complete formal admission procedures and be admitted to the Sport Management major prior to taking any 300-400-level Sport Management coursework, except SPMGT 394. Students transferring from other institutions need to enroll in SPMGT 276 to be eligible for admission. The following minimum criteria must be met for consideration for admission:
Minimum Criteria for Admission to the Sport Management Major
- Completion of at least 30 credits of coursework.
- Minimum WSU cumulative GPA of 2.75.
- A grade of C or better in each of the following courses: COM 102 or HD 205, ENGLISH [WRTG] UCORE, MATH [QUAN] UCORE, and SPMGT 276.
- The application requires a written statement (maximum of two pages) describing relevant work experience, involvement in extracurricular activities, and professional goals. This statement will be evaluated by faculty on the basis of the breadth and depth of the experiences, as well as for writing conventions and clarity of expression.
- Students will be required to maintain a 2.75 minimum GPA. If a student’s cumulative GPA falls below 2.75 the student will be placed on probation. A second semester below 2.75 will result in the student being released from the major.
| First Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| ENGLISH [WRTG] | 3 |
| SPMGT 101 [DIVR] or Diversity [DIVR] | 3 |
| UCORE Inquiry1 | 6 |
| Electives | 3 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| COM 102 [COMM] or HD 205 [COMM] | 3 or 4 |
| HISTORY 105 [ROOT] | 3 |
| Quantitative Reasoning [QUAN] | 3 |
| UCORE Inquiry1 | 7 |
| Second Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| ACCTG 220 | 3 |
| SPMGT 276 | 3 |
| SPMGT 394 | 1 |
| UCORE Inquiry1 | 3 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| Area of Specialization2,3 | 6 |
| SPMGT 290 | 3 |
| SPMGT 394 | 1 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Complete Writing Portfolio | |
| Third Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| Area of Specialization2,3 | 6 |
| SPMGT 365 | 3 |
| SPMGT 367 [M] | 3 |
| SPMGT 374 or SPMGT 377 | 3 |
| SPMGT 394 | 2 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| Area of Specialization2,3 | 6 |
| SPMGT 374 or SPMGT 377 | 3 |
| SPMGT 379 | 3 |
| SPMGT 464 | 3 |
| Fourth Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| Area of Specialization2,3 | 3 |
| ENGLISH 402 [M] | 3 |
| SPMGT 468 [M] | 3 |
| SPMGT 489 [CAPS] | 3 |
| SPMGT 490 | 1 |
| Electives | 2 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| SPMGT 4914 | 10-12 |
Footnotes
| 1 | Must complete 5 of these 6 UCORE designations: ARTS, BSCI, EQJS, HUM, PSCI, SSCI. One lab science (BSCI or PSCI) must be completed. |
| 2 | Business Specialization: 21 credits are required with a minimum of 9 credits of 300-400-level coursework. Required courses include B LAW 210, ECONS 101, MGMT 301 and MKTG 360. Approved elective courses include any ACCTG, B LAW, ECONS, ENTRP, FIN, IBUS, MGMT, MGTOP, MIS, or MKTG course. |
| 3 | Communication Specialization: 21 credits are required with a minimum of 9 credits of 300-400-level coursework. Approved courses include any COM, COMJOUR, COMSOC or COMSTRAT course. |
| 4 | Enrollment in SPMGT 491 requires senior standing, satisfactory completion of SPMGT 490 and a cumulative GPA of 2.75. Additionally, the internship contract must be approved by the internship coordinator prior to enrollment in this course. |
Minors
Sport Management
The minor in sport management requires 18 credits of course work. The minor is designed for students with an interest in sport organizations or sport-related business. Sport management is an appropriate area for students with a variety of career interests, including: business, communication, education, kinesiology, law, and the social sciences. To be considered for admission to the sport management minor, a student must have earned at least 60 credits, have a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 and be admitted to a major. Graded courses in the minor may not be taken pass/fail. The department chair or assistant chair must approve any exceptions to these requirements. Required courses include SPMGT 276 and 290, and 12 credits from SPMGT 101, 365, 367, 374, 377, 379, 384, 394, 464, 468, 496, or 497. Credits for the minor must include 9 credits of upper-division work taken in residence at WSU or through WSU-approved education abroad or educational exchange courses.
Students are required to maintain a 2.75 minimum GPA. If a student’s cumulative GPA falls below 2.75, the student is placed on probation. A second semester below 2.75 results in the student being released from the minor.
Courses
The online catalog includes the most recent changes to courses and degree requirements that have been approved by the Faculty Senate, including changes that are not yet effective. Courses showing two entries of the same number indicate that the course information is changing. The most recently approved version is shown first, followed by the older version, in gray, with its last-effective term preceding the course title. Courses shown in gray with only one entry of the course number are being discontinued. Course offerings by term can be accessed by clicking on the term links when viewing a specific campus catalog.
Educational Administration And Supervision (ED_AD)
501 Philosophy of Education 3 Development of American educational philosophy. Typically offered Fall and Summer.
503 Values and Ethics for Educational Leaders 3 Study of ethical theories, the moral dilemmas of public schooling, and the skills of ethical reasoning; professional code of ethics. Typically offered Fall and Summer.
506 Social Context of Education 2 The interpretation of social context issues including historical, legal and cultural factors as these influence policies and practice in education. Typically offered Spring and Summer.
507 Social Foundations of Education 3 Educational adaptations to the economic and social trends and forces. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
509 Leading School Improvement 3 Leadership functions and strategies used in planning, evaluating, and influencing school improvement. Typically offered Fall.
510 Improvement of Instruction 3 Analysis and evaluation of instructional models with emphasis on information processing; implications for changing teaching style. Typically offered Odd Years - Fall.
512 Leadership Studies for Social Justice 3 Leadership theories and approaches including present educational problems, leadership theories, and perspectives. Typically offered Fall.
513 Organizational Behavior 3 Human behavior within various social and cultural organizational settings. Typically offered Spring.
514 Basic Principles of Curriculum Design 3 The application of theoretical concepts and approaches in the planning and design of curricula. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
515 Curriculum Implementation 3 Research and practice; innovation and change in curricular organization emphasizing implementation. Typically offered Spring.
516 Instructional and Curricular Leadership V 2-3 Theory, research, and practice of providing instructional and curricular leadership in schools and other educational settings. Typically offered Fall.
520 Seminar in Curriculum and Instruction V 2-3 Contemporary issues, analyses and developments of educational programs. Typically offered Spring.
521 Topics in Education V 1-4 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Recent research, developments, issues, and/or applications in selected areas of education. Typically offered Spring and Summer.
522 Topics in Education V 1-4 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Recent research, developments, issues, and /or applications in selected areas of education. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
531 Special Topics 1 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 3 credits. Topical issues in education responding to shifting demands and skills needed by parents, teachers, school administrators and community leaders.
532 Special Topics 1 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 3 credits. Topical issues in education responding to shifting demands and skills needed by parents, teachers, school administrators and community leaders.
534 Special Topics 1 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 3 credits. Topical issues in education responding to shifting demands and skills needed by parents, teachers, school administrators and community leaders.
539 Applied Research for Educational Leaders 3 Integrates the principles, skills, and tools of research into the leadership and managerial practices of educational leaders. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
561 Introduction to College Student Development 3 Student development theory, related research and the application of theory to practice in student affairs work. Typically offered Fall.
571 Dissertation Preparation for Education Leaders 3 Course Prerequisite: Admitted to the Educational Leadership EdD program. Knowledge, skills, and dispositions for completing the final culminating activities of a program of graduate study including preliminary examinations and dissertation proposal and defense. Recommended preparation: ED AD 591, ED PSYCH 508, ED RES 563, 564. Typically offered Fall.
580 School Organization and Administration 3 Readings and discussions on the theories and practices of school organization and administration. Typically offered Fall. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
581 Politics in Education 3 Examining the intrapersonal, organizational politics and political dilemma, particularly as they pertain to marginalized groups. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
582 Policy Formation and Analysis in Education 3 Political and organizational policy formation processes in educational organizations; policy analysis in education. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
583 Community and Communications 3 Social, political, and economic relationships between education and the community; methods of public polling and campaign strategy techniques. Typically offered Spring.
584 Human Resource Management 3 Human relations in education; problems involved and practical solutions considered. Typically offered Summer Session.
585 Financial Management in Education 3 Economics and financing of education; financial planning, budget development, investment analysis, bonding, cost effectiveness; current trends in educational finance. Typically offered Summer Session. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
586 Leadership Theory for Educational Organizations 3 Course Prerequisite: Admitted to the Educational Leadership EdD program. History and application of educational leadership theories. Typically offered Spring.
587 Seminar in School Administration V 1-6 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Interdisciplinary seminars; related studies; discussions in several areas by specialists.
588 The Law and Education 3 Fundamental legal principles within which public education functions; applicable school codes of Washington and other states; review important court cases. Typically offered Summer Session.
589 Leadership Development Seminar 3 Improving knowledge and skills in strategic planning, decision making, leadership issues, conflict, motivation, staff development, productivity, and stress. Typically offered Fall.
590 Internship V 1-6 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 12 credits. Course Prerequisite: By interview only. Internship in professional positions. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer. S, F grading.
591 Action Research 3 Philosophical assumptions and methodological strategies of action research; theoretical and practical foundations for conducting action research studies in schools and other organizations. Typically offered Summer Session.
596 Preparing Grant Proposals 3 Identification of funding sources; analysis, evaluation, and production of grant proposals.
600 Special Projects or Independent Study V 1-18 May be repeated for credit. Independent study, special projects, and/or internships. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and should check with their major advisor before enrolling in 600 credit, which cannot be used toward the core graded credits required for a graduate degree. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer. S, F grading.
700 Master's Research, Thesis, and/or Examination V 1-18 May be repeated for credit. Independent research and advanced study for students working on their master's research, thesis and/or final examination. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and should check with their major advisor/committee chair before enrolling for 700 credit. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer. S, U grading.
702 Master's Special Problems, Directed Study, and/or Examination V 1-18 May be repeated for credit. Independent research in special problems, directed study, and/or examination credit for students in a non-thesis master's degree program. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and should check with their major advisor/committee chair before enrolling for 702 credit. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer. S, U grading.
800 Doctoral Research, Dissertation, and/or Examination V 1-18 May be repeated for credit. Course Prerequisite: Admitted to the Educational Leadership PhD or EdD program. Independent research and advanced study for students working on their doctoral research, dissertation and/or final examination. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and should check with their major advisor/committee chair before enrolling for 800 credit. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer. S, U grading.
Sport Management (SPMGT)
The general prerequisite for enrollment in 300 and 400-level sport management courses is 60 hours of coursework and admission to the sport management major or sport management minor. Students of junior or senior status in a major who require a 300 or 400-level sports management course for their program will be allowed to enroll in the required course. Additional prerequisites for specific courses are listed in the course descriptions. The program director must approve any exceptions to these requirements.
101 [EQJS] Sport and Popular Culture: Trends and Issues 3 Explores how sport shapes or reinforces cultural and social values and ideologies. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
101 (Effective through Summer 2024) [DIVR] Sport and Popular Culture: Trends and Issues 3 Explores how sport shapes or reinforces cultural and social values and ideologies. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
276 Introduction to Sport Management 3 Course Prerequisite: ENGLISH 101 with a C or better; COM 102 with a C or better or H D 205 with a C or better; MATH [QUAN] with a C or better; 2.5 cumulative GPA. Principles and concepts in sport management; overview of sport industries and career opportunities. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
290 Sport Programs 3 (2-3) Course Prerequisite: ENGLISH 101 with a C or better; COM 102 with a C or better or H D 205 with a C or better; MATH [QUAN] with a C or better; 2.5 cumulative GPA. Philosophies and program content of public/private sport programs; laboratory experiences in school, college, and community sport programs. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
365 Ethics and Moral Reasoning in Sport 3 Course Prerequisite: Admitted to the major or minor in Sport Management. Understanding and application of ethical theory and principles of moral reasoning to the analysis of issues and dilemmas in sport. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
367 [M] Sport in American Society 3 Course Prerequisite: Admitted to the major or minor in Sport Management. Examination of the role of sport in contemporary American society as well as the relationship between sport and other social institutions. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
374 Sport Finance 3 Course Prerequisite: Admitted to the major or minor in Sport Management. Introduction to financial analysis, budgeting and revenue acquisition for both for profit and not for profit sport organizations. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
377 Legal Aspects of Sport 3 Course Prerequisite: Admitted to the major or minor in Sport Management. Legal aspects of the supervision, management and business of sport. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
379 Sport Communication 3 Course Prerequisite: Admitted to the major or minor in Sport Management; junior standing. Review of the different manifestations of communication within sport management; identify stakeholders of sport organizations and develop strategies to communicate efficiently with them. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
384 Global Sport Management 3 Introduction to international sport governance and overview of key characteristics of sport management on a global scale. Typically offered Summer Session.
394 Practicum in Sport Management V 1-4 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 8 credits. Supervised practicum. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer. S, F grading.
464 Sport Marketing 3 Course Prerequisite: Admitted to the major or minor in Sport Management; junior standing. An examination of sport as a consumer product and as a medium by which to sell consumer products. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
468 [M] Managing Sport Organizations 3 Course Prerequisite: Admitted to the major or minor in Sport Management; junior standing. Analysis of management processes and structures of sport organizations. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
489 [CAPS] Theory and Application in Sports Event Management 3 Course Prerequisite: SPMGT 374; SPMGT 377; SPMGT 464; SPMGT 468 or concurrent enrollment; admitted to the major in Sport Management; senior standing. Investigation and application of the components of the sport management profession; examination of fundamental principles used in event and facility management. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
490 Internship Seminar 1 Course Prerequisite: SPMGT 365; SPMGT 367; SPMGT 377; admitted to the major in Sport Management; senior standing. Overview of policies and requirements; guidance through site selection and application process; communication skills for the business/sport environment. Typically offered Fall and Spring. S, F grading.
491 Internship V 10-12 Course Prerequisite: SPMGT 490; admitted to the major in Sport Management; senior standing; cumulative minimum GPA 2.75. Supervised practicum in agency or business. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer. S, F grading.
496 Special Topics V 1-3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Special topics in sports studies. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
497 Special Topics V 1-3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Special topics in sport studies. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer.
499 Special Problems V 1-4 May be repeated for credit. Course Prerequisite: By department permission. Independent study conducted under the jurisdiction of an approving faculty member; may include independent research studies in technical or specialized problems; selection and analysis of specified readings; development of a creative project; or field experiences. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer. S, F grading.
521 Special Topics in Sport Management V 1-3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Course Prerequisite: Admission to the Sport Management Graduate program. Recent research, developments, issues, and /or applications in selected areas of Sport Management. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
540 Current Issues in Sport Management 3 Solutions-oriented investigation of current issues faced by sport managers/administrators; interpretation of research literature; procedures for issue resolution. Typically offered Summer Session.
563 Sport Governance and Policy 3 Sources, types, and patterns of authority that influence the governance of sport policy; governmental and organizational policy-making processes. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
564 Marketing of Sport Events and Programs 3 Principles of sport marketing including public relations, corporate sponsorship, and service quality for sport organizations. Typically offered Fall.
565 Ethical Perspectives of Sport and Physical Activity 3 Ontological, ethical, aesthetic views of physical activity. Required preparation must include SPMGT 365 or equivalent. Typically offered Fall.
567 Social and Cultural Issues of Physical Activity and Sport 3 Sport and physical activity as cultural forms, including the examination of subcultures, stratification, socialization and power relations. Typically offered Spring.
568 Administrative Concepts in Sport Organizations 3 Effective management for sport programs. Analysis of dynamic management process necessary for improvement of productivity in sport organizations. Typically offered Spring.
569 Sport in Higher Education 3 Course Prerequisite: Admission to the Sport Management Graduate program. The course examines sport in higher education institutions from the historical, cultural, and administrative perspectives. Typically offered Fall.
577 Law and Risk Management in the Sport Industry 3 Use of risk management perspective to explore the law as it applies to the management concerns of sport organizations. Required preparation must include SPMGT 377 or equivalent. Typically offered Fall.
578 Sports in Society 3 The social significance of sports; sociology of sport research. Required preparation must include SPMGT 367 or equivalent. Typically offered Fall and Spring.
579 Mass Communication in Sport Management 3 Mass media functions and effects, public relations, and advertising for sport organizations. Required preparation: MKTG 360, SPMGT 464, or equivalent marketing course. Typically offered Spring.
600 Special Projects or Independent Study V 1-18 May be repeated for credit. Independent study, special projects, and/or internships. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and should check with their major advisor before enrolling in 600 credit, which cannot be used toward the core graded credits required for a graduate degree. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer. S, F grading.
700 Master's Research, Thesis, and/or Examination V 1-18 May be repeated for credit. Independent research and advanced study for students working on their master's research, thesis and/or final examination. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and should check with their major advisor/committee chair before enrolling for 700 credit. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer. S, U grading.
702 Master's Special Problems, Directed Study, and/or Examination V 1-18 May be repeated for credit. Independent research in special problems, directed study, and/or examination credit for students in a non-thesis master's degree program. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and should check with their major advisor/committee chair before enrolling for 702 credit. Typically offered Fall, Spring, and Summer. S, U grading.