This is the Academy
America's Sports University
The United States Sports Academy (the Academy) was established over thirty years ago as a free-standing school of sport granting sport degrees at the master's level. In 1990, the Academy added a doctoral program in sports management. During its history, the Academy has entered into Protocols for Cooperation with some 40 sports organizations and academies around the world. The Academy has also taken the lead in the development of an International Association of Sports Academies (IASA) as well as the development of an International Coaches Association.
Mission of the Academy
The United States Sports Academy is an independent, non-profit, accredited, special mission sports university created to serve the nation and the world with programs in instruction, research and service. The role of the Academy is to prepare men and women for careers in the profession of sports.
Licensure, Accreditation and Certification
Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and SchoolsThe United States Sports Academy is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of the United States Sports Academy.
Sports Management Program Review Committee (SMPRC)The Bachelor of Sports Science, the Master of Sports Science and the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Sports Management degrees are on the approved list of the Sports Management Program Review Committee (SMPRC), a joint committee of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) and North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM). These organizations are the leading professional groups in sport education and sport management, respectively.
More information on Licensure, Accreditation and Certification
Doctoral Degree
The Academy offers a Doctor of Education degree. It consists of 60 semester hours (beyond the master's degree) and can be completed by students in two ways. Some students come to campus and stay until they complete their course work. Others choose to come to campus for one or more summers to take required courses but take their other courses via web-based instruction. All doctoral courses are available online. Students are able to tailor the direction of their studies by addressing course papers and dissertations to topics or issues of interest within fields of management, such as sport finance, human resources or marketing. The price of the program is reasonable.
More information on the Academy's Doctoral Degree Program
Master's Degree
The Academy offers Master of Sport Science degrees in sports coaching, sports management and sports studies. Degree completion is possible in one year, depending on how the student elects to study. Options also include earning a degree with a double major, e.g., combinations of sports coaching and sports management. The master's degree consists of eight courses of three semester hours, and a nine semester hour mentorship (experential track) for a total of 33 semester hours.
Students may earn their degrees by studying for two summers on campus and completing a mentorship or thesis in their local communities. Students can also take the entire master's degree through distance learning, which requires being on campus only for the comprehensive examinations and graduation. This allows working professionals, including those in the military, to earn a master's degree while remaining on the job.
The Academy's fees compare favorably to out-of-state tuition for similar programs which may require as much as two years of study. Academy surveys show that a teacher receives a substantial increment for receiving a master's degree, depending upon the individual school districts.
More information on the Academy's Master's Degree Program
Bachelor's Degree
The Academy offers an upper-level Bachelor of Sports Science degree program in sports coaching, sports management and sports studies. The program consists of the final 60 semester hours of the 120 hours required for the bachelor's degree. The goal of this program is to provide needed education credentials to students interested in pursuing careers in the sports industry. The Academy offers highly individualized programs of study in response to the educational needs of a variety of students.
More information on the Academy's Bachelor's Degree Program
Continuing Education
The Academy has a comprehensive continuing education program which offers certification and diploma programs throughout the United States and various parts of the world.
Certification courses serve a variety of needs. Many states or school districts require teachers to earn additional credits on a regular basis. Some states, such as California, accept continuing education credits equally with graduate credits for pay increments. Those who do not have a bachelor's degree who are interested in taking sport courses at the Academy may do so through the Department of Continuing Education. Certification programs can be designed to meet specific needs in the area of sport and are available in coaching, management, fitness, medicine, personal training and body building.
During the past 20 years, the Academy has delivered sport educational certification programs in more than 50 countries around the world. The courses are typically taught by members of the Academy's National Faculty, among the most distinguished group of sport educators ever assembled under one umbrella.
More information Academy's Continuing Education Program
Financial Aid
A variety of Financial Aid programs are available to eligible students. All financial aid recipients must attend the Academy at least half-time. Online students can receive Federal Stafford Loans to cover tuition, books and fees. Private student loans can be certified by the Financial Aid Center to cover living expenses, if needed. Residential students can receive Federal Stafford Loans to cover tuition, books, fees and living expenses. Federal Work-Study is also available to those attending class on-campus. Eligible veterans and dependents may receive assistance from the Veterans Affairs Administration for online and residential courses. Aid is not available for continuing education or certification programs.
More information on Financial Aid
Military Distance Learning (DANTES)
The Academy has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) distance learning program. Members of the Armed Forces who wish to use the Tuition Assistance Program to pursue distance learning opportunities with the Academy should visit their Education Centers or Navy Campus Offices for information about policies and procedures.
More information on Military Financial Aid
Servicemembers Opportunities Colleges
As a member of the Servicemembers Opportunities Colleges (SOC), military and Department of Defense educational courses are evaluated for transfer credits to the Academy. Credits are applied to specific Academy degree requirements. SOC is a consortium of national higher educational associations with more than 1,400 institutional members. SOC functions in cooperation with the Department of Defense and the military services (including the National Guard and the Coast Guard) to help meet the voluntary higher education needs of Servicemembers and their families.
Mentorship Programs
"Study with the great ones!" is the concept behind the mentorship program. To receive their master's degree experience, each student must complete a mentorship. The mentorship is a minimum 450-contact hour experience where students work directly with professionals (mentors) in their fields. To insure that a student receives a quality experience, both a student and a mentor sign contracts stating what each is expected to do or provide. The mentorship is important to many students because it gives them the opportunity to receive hands-on experience in the fields of their choice. This is crucial for those interested in career changes, because there is the possibility of students being offered full-time jobs with their mentors. Students also may choose to take advantage of the Academy's worldwide network to do their mentorships in foreign countries. Students have done mentorships in many places including: Switzerland, Britain, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia. Students are required to work out the details of their mentorships.
Facilities
The Academy is housed in an award-winning facility which has been called the "most beautiful building in higher education." In addition to offices and classrooms, this building contains scientific laboratories used by students to support their academic programs. These include the human performance (diagnostic) lab, the biomechanics lab and a sports medicine rehabilitation center.
The Academy Library contains a computer lab and nearly 250 sport-specific journals, which have been evaluated as being among the largest collection of sport journals in the United States. In addition, students have access to most collegiate libraries in the state of Alabama through the Network of Alabama Academic Libraries and interlibrary loan. Computer resources allow students to search databases containing millions of citations.
The Fitness Performance Center combines the expertise of the Academy’s faculty with innovative, scientific fitness equipment that cannot be found on any other college campus. It works with elite athletes, corporations and city governments to develop employee wellness programs. The Fitness Performance Center has tested high profile athletes such as Heisman Trophy Candidate Patrick White, boxers Evander Holyfield and Roy Jones Jr. and numerous Olympic athletes.
Recreational amenities include tennis, racquetball, basketball and sand handball and volleyball courts. The Fitness Center is a complete strength and conditioning center containing free weights, weight machines and cardiovascular training equipment.
In addition, the building also houses the American Sport Art Museum and Archives, which has one of the largest collections of sport art in the world.
Technology
The Academy is dedicated to providing current technology to enhance its educational programs and assist students in their academic pursuits. The Library Learning Center is equipped with computer workstations that allow students access to network databases, the Internet, word processing software for course assignments and e-mail for correspondence with faculty and other students. The library section of the Academy's World Wide Web site provides links to several online databases and catalogs which are invaluable in the research process.
The Academy also utilizes the World Wide Web for distance learning course delivery. This type of delivery allows the Academy to offer courses promptly and at a reduced cost to students.
Location
The Academy is located minutes from the waters of Mobile Bay and an hour from the white sand beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. Many outdoor activities can be pursued year round in the mild winters and warm summers. The Mobile area is the home of Mardi Gras, the Senior Bowl, many championship golf courses and professional teams in baseball and hockey.
The Academy is surrounded by many quality apartment complexes within walking distance. These economical apartments provide an academic atmosphere for single or married students. Many of the apartment complexes accomodate students attending the six and a half week summer semester with short term lease options.
Successful Alumni
The strongest selling point of any institution is the success of its alumni. The positions held by Academy graduates are a testament to their hard work and abilities, as well as the quality of the Academy's programs. Academy alumni include:
- Greg McDermott (1994) -- Head Basketball Coach, Iowa State University
- Mike Leach (1988) -- Head Football Coach, Texas Tech University
- Mike Behymer (1987) -- Director of Marketing, Kansas City Royals Professional Baseball Team
- Brian Freed (1997) -- Community Relations Assistant, Atlanta Braves Professional Baseball Team
- Sheri Goodman (1996) -- Academic Counselor of Learning Center, Michigan State University
- Chip Hunnicut (1996) --Licensing Coordinator, Pro-Rodeo Cowboys Association
- Les Lundberg (1993) -- Head Athletic Trainer, Kansas City Blades Professional Hockey Team
- Douglas McIlhagga (1991) -- Sports Information Director, St. Louis University
- Linda Moore (1989) -- Assistant Director, Sport Competitions, ESPN X Games, San Diego
- Greg Phillips (1989) -- Business Manager of Marketing Department, Florida State University
- Marc T. Riker (1997) -- Director of External Affairs, Alabama Sports Festival
- Mike Vollmar (1989) -- Assistant Athletic Director, Michigan State University
- Shane Wagner (1996) -- Assistant Men's Basketball Coach, University of Colorado
Networking
The Academy has many contacts throughout the world, which provides students with opportunities to network with executives both nationally and internationally in a variety of sport related areas. The Academy has protocols with sport organizations, universities and academies worldwide, giving students an opportunity to pursue international exchange mentorship programs.
On-campus students are able to interact with the constant flow of distinguished sport leaders who visit the Academy on a continuing basis, including the National Faculty members who number in the hundreds from virtually every area of sport, and members of the Academy's eminent Board of Trustees who are on the campus at least once per year for meetings. Students taking courses via distance learning can take advantage of a network of Coordinators of Student Services located throughout the nation.
Awards of Sport
Over the years, the Academy has honored the most powerful individuals in sport through its annual "Awards of Sport: A Tribute to the Artist and the Athlete" program. The athletes are currently selected annually by a ballot on the World Wide Web in cooperation with USAToday.com and MSNBC.com. Some honorees come to campus to receive their awards, which gives students an opportunity to interact with them. The program has honored individuals in many fields including:
- Athletes such as: Michael Jordan, Martina Hingis, Bo Jackson, Florence Griffith-Joyner, Evander Holyfield, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Herschel Walker, Nancy Lopez, Martina Navratilova, Tracie Caulkins, Walter Payton and Greg Louganis;
- Coaches such as: Don Shula (most wins in the NFL); Eddie Robinson (most football wins at collegiate level); basketball coach John Wooden (most NCAA championships); Dan Gable, University of Iowa wrestling coach; Sam Bell, University of Indiana track coach; "Doc" Counsilman, Olympic swimming coach; Ron O'Brien, Olympic diving coach; Dr. Homer Rice, Athletic Director, Georgia Teach and football coach; Dean Smith, University of North Carolina basketball coach; Tom Osborne, University of Nebraska football coach; and Vic Braden, tennis coach;
- Sport administrators and supporters such as: Juan Antonio Samaranch, president of the International Olympic Committee; former President George Bush; Senator Bob Doyle; Cabinet Secretaries Jack Kemp and Dr. Donna Shalala; Bill Hybl, President of the U.S. Olympic Committee; Anita DeFrantz, first female Vice President of the International Olympic Committee; Dr. Donna Lopiano, perhaps the most powerful woman in sport in the United States; Richard Schultz, former Executive Director, NCAA and Executive Director, USOC; and
- Sport journalists such as: former President Ronald Reagan, Howard Cosell, Dick Vitalle, Curt Gowdy, Frank Deford, Bud Greenspan, Keith Jackson, Ted Turner, Dick Ebersol, Mario Vasquez Rana and Gene Policinski.
More information on Awards of Sport
Quality Leadership
The Academy's Board of Trustees reads like a Who's Who in the field of sport and administration. They are among the most knowledgeable people in the world of sport.
Faculty
The Academy's faculty are people who are dedicated to the betterment of sport. In addition to on-campus faculty, the Academy's National Faculty include hundreds of sport professionals throughout the world. They are among the Academy's most valuable resources. The Academy's faculty are trained professionals in the area of sport.
Fees, charges and costs set forth in academy publications are subject to change at any time without notice. All courses, programs and activities described in this document are subject to change, cancellation or termination by the institution at any time.