You’re ready to accelerate your life — your learning, your career, and your influence. At the heart of your interest in sport management and human performance is a passion to do excellent work, lead well, and serve others. PLNU’s one-year, online Master of Science in Kinesiology, Sport Management will give you the essential tools to pursue your calling in the dynamic fields of sport administration, athletic coaching, and sport science. 

PLNU's accelerated, 12-month program offers a flexible course load suited to your professional and academic goals. The curriculum integrates key management, leadership, and entrepreneurial strategies to enable upward mobility for athletic directors, coaches, sport managers, and teachers. 

Students in the sport management program can further customize nine units of elective course offerings in other M.S. Kinesiology programs as well as in PLNU’s MBA program. The relevant curriculum and online format make it ideal for working professionals and recent graduates looking to advance quickly in their careers. 

Relevant Experience

Take courses that pair an applied learning approach with the latest industry research and trends, giving you real-world experience today to fulfill your potential tomorrow.

Professional Preparedness

Foster relationships with industry leaders, gain exposure to internship and job opportunities, and learn from faculty and professional colleagues through a robust, flexible, and customizable curriculum.

Pursue Your Purpose

Develop a deeper understanding of how to faithfully apply your work. Through a robust curriculum, collaborative group work, and direct professional experiences, you’ll be equipped to integrate the current best research evidence with your professional practice to solve relevant problems for your clients in the sport industry.

Program Outcomes

When you complete the program, you will be able to:

• Apply evidence-based management and leadership principles to effectively direct sports organizations and athletic programs.
• Develop strategic decision-making skills while gaining relevant professional experience in the sports industry.
• Effectively serve the sports industry through faith-based ethical management principles and practices.

Program Start Date(s):

• Fall 2025 — September 2, 2025

Application Deadline(s):

• Fall 2025 — August 15, 2025

Start Application

The Selection Process

The educational context at PLNU will challenge you to live a full life that integrates the pursuit of knowledge with beliefs, values, and actions. While honoring diverse perspectives and beliefs, Christian values and principles are woven into the educational experience. We understand your application is not only a reflection of you as a student; it reflects you as a person. At PLNU, we holistically evaluate your academic history, work and life experience, background, and circumstances to determine admission into a graduate program. Your undergraduate GPA is an important piece of your application, but if you do not meet the minimum GPA requirement of a 3.0, you may still be eligible for admission based on your application package as well as the exceptions policy per your particular program.* Therefore, we strongly encourage you to contact your enrollment counselor, who will advise you regarding your qualifications and provide specific information about the admission under exceptions process.

To be admitted into PLNU's MS-KIN, you must have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, as evidenced by an official transcript from that institution indicating the completion of an undergraduate degree. If you have any questions about your qualifications or the program in general, we encourage you to contact your enrollment counselor.

Application Checklist

Note: The application is completed entirely online with the exception of transcripts, which can be submitted electronically or directly to PLNU, and test scores, which should be submitted electronically.

1. Submit an online application for admissions (including $50 non-refundable application fee, which is waived for PLNU alums, current or former military and their dependents, and PLNU employees).
2. Submit official transcripts with proof of earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.* (If you are a PLNU alumnus, please notify your counselor to have your transcripts retrieved. You do not need to request transcripts from the PLNU Office of Records.)
   
   Official transcripts must be sent to:
   Point Loma Nazarene University
   Office of Graduate Admissions
   3900 Lomaland Dr.
   San Diego, CA 92106
   
   Official electronic transcripts must be emailed to:
   gradprocessing@pointloma.edu
   
   *Please note, official transcripts must be sent directly from the regionally accredited institution.
3. Submit personal essay. Specifically state how you would like to use your master’s degree from PLNU to further your career. Make sure you clearly touch on the three points below:
   • Clarify what job setting you see yourself pursuing upon completing the MS-KIN and specify how this degree program will help you in that setting.
   • Describe how you will appraise, use, and integrate current evidence in kinesiology into your professional practice.
   • State how your previous education and work experiences have uniquely prepared you for success in this program.
4. Submit a resume/vita.
5. Three professional references.

*Exceptions Policy: If you have below a 3.0 GPA in your baccalaureate degree you will need to speak with your enrollment counselor for more information on the exceptions materials needed for your particular program.

Start Application

State Authorization

In certain states outside California, PLNU is not authorized to enroll students in online courses and/or offer internships. If a student moves to another state after admission to a program or enrollment in an online course, continuation in the program/course will depend on whether PLNU is authorized within that state. Please refer to the State Authorization map to view which states allow online courses and/or internships.

PLNU’s kinesiology sport management master's degree is perfect for individuals who want to be a part of the business side of the sports world. If you’re ready to take the next step in your career as a sport-loving business professional, this degree is for you. 

PLNU’s master’s in sport management program will prepare you for leadership in a variety of career fields, such as: 

• Educator 
• Contract Administrator
• Facilities and Events Coordinator
• Head Coach
• Athletic Director
• Sport Scientist
• Corporate Wellness Professional 

Learn more about  some of the most common career paths with a master’s in sport management: 

Athletic Director 

2020 Median annual salary: $60,961
Projected growth: 8% from 2020 to 2030

Athletic directors oversee the athletic programs at primary schools, colleges, and universities. As an athletic director, you’re responsible for hiring coaches, scheduling practices and games for all sports teams, preparing the institution’s budget, promotion, compliance, and facilities management — essentially the head coach of the athletic program. In this leadership role, people look to you to make decisions on the overall direction of the program. Athletic directors typically work alongside principals or the school board to make sure the goals of the institution’s program are met. 

Physical Education Teacher

2020 Median annual salary: $62,870
Projected growth: 3-4% through 2028

Utilize your master’s in kinesiology to pay it forward; as a sports education teacher, you’re sharing your knowledge with the children of the future. Implement lesson plans  on topics including physical development, health, nutrition, and the importance of teamwork in sports. You’d be at the helm of keeping young minds and bodies active and healthy. Fitness testing and monitoring your student’s progress is an important role of the job. In addition to your master’s degree, you also need to obtain a teaching credential or certificate to be a P.E. teacher. 

Corporate Wellness Professional 

2020 Median annual salary: $67,097
Projected growth: 32% from 2020 to 2030

As a corporate health and wellness director, you’re responsible for the planning and execution of programs that center around health, safety and wellbeing for your company or organization. You’d be the go-to person for promotion of overall health — both mental and physical — not only helping your company save money in the long run, but achieving greater overall employee success, satisfaction, and wellness.

Scholarships

Scholarships ranging from $500-2500 are available to those who qualify. Please contact your Enrollment Counselor for further information.

For information about the courses required for the Kinesiology, M.S., Sport Management program, view the PLNU Catalog. 

Course Information