Over the past two decades, the sports industry has grown into a $435 billion industry,
and a strong curriculum and faculty with professional expertise will prepare you to
be a part of the exciting and expanding world of sport management. Whether you are
a current professional looking to advance in higher education or someone interested
in achieving leadership positions within the ever-growing sport industry, Troy University's
Ph.D. in Sport Management program holds the keys to a successful future.
“I would recommend TROY's Ph.D. in Sport Management because the faculty's expertise,
attentiveness, and mentorship is truly one-of-a-kind. Small class sizes allow for
a personalized experience. It is an environment of collaboration where faculty and
fellow classmates want to see you grow and will offer support every step of the way.”
Lynne Firmin George | Current Student, Ph.D. in Sport Management
Broaden Your Opportunities
Graduates of TROY's Ph.D. in Sport Management will be prepared to:
Demonstrate knowledge from core and specialized areas of study.
Conduct pertinent and relevant research related to sport industry.
Interpret and evaluate research studies in sport management.
Apply sport management knowledge to the solution of complex issues with demonstration
of sensitivity to crucial, controversial sport issues.
Analyze and apply sport management principles, approaches and rationales to contemporary
sport management cases.
Organize and plan programs of service designed to meet local, state, regional, national
and international needs.
Prepare research within the field of sport management for presentation and/or publication.
Our program prepares graduates for a broad range of sport management-related positions
including higher education, research, professional or amateur athletics and professional
sport industry.
Program Flexibility and Faculty Excellence
Our Ph.D. program in sport management is the first to be offered online in the United
States. The online format provides a high level of accessibility and flexibility to
best serve the working sport practitioner who desires a Ph.D. in Sport Management.
With courses taught in class and online, you can choose a blend of both options to
create an academic experience that fits your needs.
TROY's Ph.D. in Sport Management is designed to enhance your critical thinking, analytical,
statistical and research-based skills required for survival in the contemporary sport
industry. Students will acquire these skills through engagement in an integrated academic
learning and research-oriented environment with highly regarded faculty.
TROY's Sport Management Ph.D. is offered as a blended program. A blended program combines
both online and face-to-face courses. For more information about program availability
and delivery options, call 1-800-414-5756
Sport Management is a growing academic discipline in the United States as well as
globally. The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Sport Management at Troy University
is a terminal degree focusing on student comprehension and interpretation of contemporary,
theoretical and applied studies within the field of Sport Management. The mission
of the program is to prepare the graduate for a broad range of sport management-related
positions to include, but not limited to higher education, research, professional
or amateur athletics, and professional sport industry.
The doctoral program in Sport Management is the is one of the few Ph.D. programs that
is offered primarily online in the United States. The program concentrates on developing
students to generate the research, critical thinking, and teaching skills necessary
for them to be successful in the sport industry and higher education. The coursework
in the Ph.D. program provides an interdisciplinary approach to the study of sport
management that is intended to build upon each student's interests. Through areas
of specialized coursework and doctoral seminars taught by graduate sport management
faculty members, the program offers flexibility for students to analyze a wide variety
of opportunities and interests within the discipline of sport management (i.e., organizational
management, finance, legal aspects, and marketing of sports).
The Ph.D. in Sport Management program at Troy University serves two primary populations:
the sport practitioner and the future sport management educator. Thus, the graduate
will be prepared to apply research to the sport industry, contribute to the advancement
and dissemination of scholarly research, and/or educate future sport managers. As
such, the Sport Management Ph.D. program at Troy University is designed to address
the challenge by industry and educational institutions to train high quality academicians
with a sport management background. Students will be offered the chance to develop
and produce original theoretical-specific knowledge that is germane to the sport industry
and academy. Such research-oriented endeavors will permit the doctoral students to
be in the middle of new advances in sport management.
Careers in Sport Management
TROY's Sport Management program prepares graduates for a broad range of sport
management-related positions including higher education, research, professional or
amateur athletics and professional sport industry.
Faculty Profiles
Dr. Win (Gi-Yong) Koo
Dr. Koo earned his doctoral degree from the University of Arkansas in Recreation and
Sport Management with an emphasis in Sport Marketing and Statistics. He teaches sport
marketing, sport finance, research methods, and statistics while his research interests
include the various aspects of marketing and consumer behavior in sports. Dr. Koo
serves as the Sport Management Ph.D. Coordinator.
Learn more about the field of sport management and our doctoral program.
Who do I contact for questions?
Ph.D. Program Coordinator, Dr. Win Koo at wkoo@troy.edu.
What are the minimum TOEFL scores that an international student must achieve for consideration?
TOEFL scores are required for all international students; this requirement is waived
if the student has earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited
U.S. institution. Students scoring 70 or higher on the Internet-based TOEFL Test,
193 or higher on the Computer-based Test, and a 523 or higher on the Paper-based TOEFL
Test will be given full consideration for admission into the Doctoral Program.
What entrance exam(s) is required and what is the minimum score for consideration?
Official scores from nationally standardized aptitude examinations, such as the Graduate
Record Examination (GRE), Miller's Analogy Test (MAT), General Management Admissions
Test (GMAT), or Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) are not required for admissions
consideration; however, official scores may be submitted at the time of application
by those students who feel the results of their examinations will enhance their admissions
application.
After the entrance exam score has been submitted, are there any other documents that
are needed for consideration into the program?
The applicant must submit the following materials to the Troy University Graduate
School:
Troy University Graduate School Application Form
One official transcript per each institution of higher education ever attended
Contact information for three (3) references or completion of a reference form.
References should be able to address the applicant's readiness to enroll in a doctoral
program. It is recommended that such individuals be previous undergraduate or graduate
professors, advisors or others who can substantiate the applicant's academic preparation
for admittance to a doctoral program.
Statement of Intent. The statement of intent should include:
Details of your rationale for pursuing a Ph.D. in Sport Management.
Details regarding your career and research interests.
Identify 1-2 TROY Sport Management doctoral faculty members that you are interested
in working with. A list of doctoral directive faculty members and their curriculum
vitae indicating their research areas may be viewed at the HSTM website.
Writing Sample
The goal of the writing sample is to measure the applicant's ability to write clearly
and succinctly in an academic fashion. The writing sample may include a thesis completed
by the student, a significant research or case study class project, preferably written
at the graduate level. It is expected that the applicant be either the first or second
author if the submission was a group project. The paper must be double spaced, 12
point, Times New Roman font with 1 inch margins on all sides. Since the American Psychological
Association (APA) style is followed in all written assignments in the Ph.D. program,
it is recommended that the sample also be written in APA format. However, other writing
styles, including but not limited to Chicago, Modern Language Association (MLA), Turbian,
AMA Manual or other accepted research writing styles, will be considered. Note: The
writing sample could also include an accepted or published research that the applicant
was either the sole or co-author of a research project. The applicant must submit
a pdf of the paper or a link as proof of publication.
How often will applications be considered?
Applications to the Ph.D. program may be submitted twice per academic year, once in
fall and once is spring. The applicant must submit an application to the Troy University
Graduate School. After all required documentation has been submitted, the applicant's
entire application packet will be reviewed for admission into the Doctoral Program.
No pre-requisites will be required for admission other than the applicant must have
attained a Master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
In order to be given full consideration, all requested materials must be received
by the deadlines listed below:
Application Deadlines:
Fall Admission for U.S. citizens: June 1 Fall Admission for non U.S. citizens: April 1 Spring Admission for U.S. citizens: October 1 Spring Admission for non U.S. citizens: September 1
What faculty members comprise the doctoral admissions committee?
The Doctoral Admissions Committee will be composed of all Sport Management faculty
members with doctoral directive status. Once all of the application information has
been received from the Graduate School, the Sport Management Doctoral Admissions Committee
will review all eligible applicants. After the committee considers all aspects of
the admission process, it will make a recommendation regarding an applicant's admission
into the Ph.D. in Sport Management Program. After a decision has been made, applicants
will be notified of their status.
What type of background should I have to apply for the Ph.D. Sport Management program
at Troy University?
Students come from a variety of educational backgrounds. As a result, there are no
standards that typify a successful doctoral student. While many applicants may possess
an undergraduate or graduate degree in Sport Management, it is not a necessity. What
the applicant needs to show is an unmistakable research focus in sport Management
that mirrors the research agenda of a doctoral directive faculty member.
Is there anything I can do prior to applying that will help in being considered for
the Ph.D. Sport Management program at Troy University?
A Ph.D. program is by nature a research-oriented degree where students will be expected
to be actively engaged in research teams with faculty members and other doctoral students.
As mentioned previously, the applicant must exhibit a research focus in Sport Management.
It is strongly recommended, although not required, that the applicant's written sample
show this focused area. It is also strongly recommended that the applicant peruse
the School of Hospitality, Sport, and Tourism Management faculty website to discover
the research agenda of the doctoral directive faculty members. Further, it is strongly
suggested that the applicants reach out and contact the faculty member with whom they
would like to research and study.
What does “doctoral directive faculty” mean?
The Sport Management doctoral directive faculty at Troy University possess established
research agendas through scholarly publications and presentations over a period of
time. These faculty are generally tenured or at the Associate Professor level. Generally,
these faculty will serve as the student's major advisor and dissertation chair. Importantly,
the student will have the same or similar research interests as the doctoral directive
faculty member. As such, the faculty member and student will most likely work on the
submission of scholarly publications and presentations. A list of doctoral directive
faculty members may be found on the School of Hospitality, Sport, and Tourism website.
How many credits will I be able to use from my graduate program as an incoming Ph.D.
student?
Credits from a completed graduate degree will not be counted as transfer/substitute
credits. Traditionally, a doctoral degree constitutes a minimum of 90 credit hours
past a person's baccalaureate degree. As such, the Ph.D. degree in Sport Management
at Troy University requires a minimum of 90 credits beyond a baccalaureate degree.
In order to satisfy the 90 credits past a baccalaureate degree, no more than 30 credits
of a completed Master's or juris doctorate (J.D.) degree from another regionally accredited
institution of higher education will be accepted. The student must take and pass a
minimum of 60 credit hours in the Sport Management doctoral program at Troy University.
Thus, to achieve a Ph.D. in Sport Management at Troy University, a maximum of 30 graduate
credits, in addition to the minimum 60 credits in the Sport Management doctoral program,
to equal at least 90 credits
How many credits will I be able to transfer/substitute from another Sport Management
doctoral program?
Students must complete the admissions application packet as described previously.
A maximum of 16 credits from another Sport Management doctoral program will be allowed
to transfer to the Troy University Sport Management Sport doctoral program. All transfer
courses must be comparable to Troy University's graduate courses and must be approved
by the doctoral admissions committee.
If I am accepted into the Ph.D. program and have received my Master's degree from
Troy University in Sport and Fitness Management, will I be able to take the same classes
at the doctoral level?
No. All of the doctoral core, research, and statistic classes will be offered at
the doctoral (8800) level, while the elective classes will generally be at the Master's
(6600) level. Duplication of classes the student took in their Master's in Sport and
Fitness Management at Troy University will not be permitted. Students are encouraged
to communicate with their major advisor to determine proper elective classes.
What is the importance of being part of the Ph.D. Sport Management program at Troy
University?
According to a leading figure in Sport Management, Dr. Bob Baker, Troy University's
proposed Ph.D. in Sport Management has the potential to fill a large, documented void
in Sport Management education by providing a heretofore unavailable reputable online/blended
Ph.D. program that meets the needs of working professionals in the sport industry.
In addition to preparing aspiring university faculty, executives and leaders in the
sport industry who wish to advance their knowledge and understanding of Sport Management
would have their needs met through this Troy University Ph.D. program.
How will this program assist those in military services who wish to pursue a terminal
degree?
Service members may want to pursue a doctorate in Sport Management. However, due
to military obligations, current members as well as veterans are often challenged
in finding a program that can satisfy their desire for an advanced education. The
proposed doctoral program in Sport Management, offers a format which will allow current
members of the armed forces to fulfill their military obligations while providing
them with an advanced educational opportunity to prepare them for life after the military.
Specifically, a doctorate in Sport Management from Troy University will allow military
personnel to take their love of sport along with their previous experiences in leadership,
management, organization, and operations and combine them with a curriculum that is
designed to further enhance understanding and knowledge of areas including advanced
leadership theories, organizational behavior, marketing, management and ethical and
legal issues of sport management.
Will all the classes in the program be offered only online?
The opportunity to take all of the classes, including all doctoral core, elective,
research, and statistic classes online exists. In some cases, the student may take
a traditional class if they live in close proximity to the Troy campus. Generally,
the traditional classes will be elective while the doctoral core, elective, research,
and statistic classes will be offered online. The students must work with their major
advisor in scheduling all classes.
How will the online classes be scheduled?
All of the online classes will be offered through TROY. In regards to scheduling,
the classes will be offered in terms of nine weeks. Presently, Troy University offers
five, nine-week terms in which students may take a maximum of 6 credit hours (2 classes)
per term. The student may take more than the maximum with administrative approval.
Will teaching assistantships be available?
Yes. However, only those applicants who have been accepted into the program and will
be located in Troy may apply for a teaching assistantship through the Troy University
job website. Previous experience in teaching sport management is highly beneficial
for students applying for these positions. Generally, the teaching assistantships
will be for two years with competitive salary and benefits.
What are the research expectations of an applicant accepted into the program?
Students, in collaboration with their major advisor, will be expected to assist in
submitting proposals for presentations at national and international conferences.
Moreover, it will be expected that students will work with their major advisor to
assist in writing and submitting for publications prior to embarking on the dissertation
process. Exposure to writing and submitting research projects prepares doctoral students
to understand and perform basic and applied research in their specialty area. It is
expected that students who take advantage of the research opportunities available
to them, while enrolled in the program, will assist them when applying for positions.
The student may assist their major advisor in writing grant proposals to fund potential
research. The student may also write their own grant proposal to fund their own research.
How long will it take for a student to complete the Ph.D. program in Sport Management?
Consistent with other terminal degree programs at TROY, the Sport Management doctoral
student will have a maximum time for degree completion of eight years, inclusive of
completing dissertation requirements. However, it is important to note that a full-time
student (i.e., taking 6 credits per term) may be able to complete coursework in two
(2) years. Additionally, dissertation may require 1-2 years to fully complete.
As a result, students can finish the program in as little as three (3 years). To do
so, the students must communicate with their major advisor on a regular basis.
What are the cognate or concentration areas offered in the Sport Management Ph.D.
program?
The Ph.D. Sport Management program at Troy University not only provides the flexibility
of taking classes online but also allows the student flexibility to determine their
specific area of concentration. To do so, the students will be required to work closely
and receive approval from their major advisor for the classes. Generally, the cognate/concentration
area will reflect the classes taken outside of the doctoral core and the topic of
the dissertation. A doctoral program completion requirements and suggested class guidelines
are presented in the following information.
What is the minimum cumulative grade point average the student must maintain to stay
in and graduate from the program?
The student must maintain a cumulative minimum of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
What is the process for the comprehensive examination?
Sport Management doctoral students are required to successfully complete a written
and oral comprehensive examination prior to generating a dissertation proposal and
subsequent research study. Students must inform their major advisor of their intent
to take the comprehensive examination in ample time to permit the development of the
examination questions and for the preparation of the student for those questions.
The comprehensive exam will consist of written and oral components, questions. Once
a student has completed the written portion of the comprehensive examination, an oral
examination with the student's comprehensive examination committee will be scheduled.
The oral examination must be conducted in such a manner (i.e. WebEx, Skype, Canvas
Collaborations or other acceptable technological means) that there is visualization
between all involved parties. Performance on both the written and oral components
of the exam must be acceptable to the comprehensive examination committee for the
student to receive a passing grade.
Who is my advisor and what does that mean?
Your coursework advisor will be assigned to you upon admittance to the program and
any questions in regards to registration or coursework should be answered by your
faculty advisor. He or she will guide you in your coursework only. It is your responsibility
to select a major advisor (i.e., Dissertation Chair) within 5 terms of starting the
program. In other words, your current advisor will not necessarily be your major advisor,
which will chair your comprehensive exam and dissertation. Therefore, it is strongly
recommended that you work closely with the doctoral directive faculty members during
the first year of the program and choose a major advisor with his/her agreement.
How many dissertation hours are required?
Dissertation credit hours may exceed but may not be less than the minimum of 18 term
hours. The number of hours the student takes per term should be in agreement with
the major faculty advisor. Students must be continuously enrolled for a minimum of
1 credit hour in Dissertation (HSTM 8860) per term, after being admitted to candidacy,
during and including the term in which they successfully defend their dissertation.
What Can a Ph.D. in Sport Management Do for Your Career?
As a sixth-degree black belt in Taekwondo, Dr. Win Koo achieved the status of
master of martial arts in his native South Korea before becoming a grandmaster in
the United States. However, it's Dr. Koo's academic talent rather than his martial
arts skills that he calls on when he comes out fighting as the program coordinator
on Troy University's Ph.D. in Sport Management program.
