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Issues in Athletic Administration: A Content Analysis of Syllabi from Intercollegiate Athletics Graduate Courses

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Abstract

This study examined courses focused on intercollegiate athletics in sport-related graduate programs (e.g., Sport Leadership, Sport Management, and Athletic/Sport Administration). A content analysis of course syllabi was used to determine the alignment of course scope and content. Analysis included course type (i.e., required or elective), instructor status, course hours per week, number of major readings, course objectives, course topics, course structure and activities, and student assessment. While several course topics were consistent across syllabi, intercollegiate athletics courses were found to vary widely in their course purpose statements, course objectives, and major readings. This study highlights new directions for future work in aligning professional preparation programs for athletic administrators and has implications for course design, which we believe is significant because of the importance of intercollegiate athletics within U.S. higher education.

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Notes

  1. “Athletic Administrators” refer to athletic directors, compliance officers, business & financial officers, public relations officers, coaches, academic advisors, counselors, staff, and tutors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA

    Eddie Comeaux

  2. Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, United States

    Alan Brown

  3. State University of New York College, Old Westburys, NY, USA

    Nicole P. Sieben

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  1. Eddie Comeaux
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  2. Alan Brown
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Correspondence to Eddie Comeaux.

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Comeaux, E., Brown, A. & Sieben, N.P. Issues in Athletic Administration: A Content Analysis of Syllabi from Intercollegiate Athletics Graduate Courses. Innov High Educ 40, 359–372 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10755-015-9333-8

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