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Doctoral Program, Ph.D. in Physical Education, Sports, and Exercise Science with a concentration in Sport Administration

The Ph.D. program provides students with the choice of a research focus in one of five areas:

  1. Sport Marketing 
  2. Sport Leadership

The Program also requires a minor/supporting area where students, in concert with their advisor, may tailor their program of study to meet specific educational and employment objectives.

Students entering the program with a previous degree from a variety of disciplines other than sport administration such as physical education, business administration, journalism, marketing, economics or other relevant majors will be considered.

Entrance Requirements

Entrance information concerning admission and program requirements is provided in the University of New Mexico Graduate bulletin. In addition, the Department of Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences has developed a guide to be used by all department graduate students to ensure that all graduate requirements are satisfied at the appropriate times. The criteria for admission to the graduate programs in Sport Administration include the following:

  1. Master's degree for Ph.D. program.
  2. GPA in most recent degree of 3.0 or better.
  3. Official GRE or GMAT Scores.
  4. Three letters of recommendation.
  5. Letter of intent. This should consist of a written statement of career goals and area of interest in Sport Administration.
  6. A completed online application form including official transcripts from all previously attended institutions.
  7. Professional resume.
  8. Sample publication, thesis, or research proposal.

Submitting Your Application and Documents

Graduate applications are now submitted online at unm.edu/apply. All required documents and transcripts are submitted through the online application.


Concentration in Sport Administration

  • Minimum of 72 credit hours plus 18 dissertation hours.
  • Appropriate Master's degree credits may be transferred in and applied toward the total minimum hours with approval from the committee of studies.
  • After completion of coursework, a written and oral comprehensive exam is required.
  • 24 credit hour minimum of classroom work beyond the master's to be taken in Sport Administration at UNM.
  • Note: Due to the program's reputation and the fact that very few institutions offer a doctoral degree in Sport Administration/Sport Management, we receive numerous applications each year. Consequently, the number of openings in our doctoral program is limited and admission is extremely competitive. Although the number of admissions varies, a relatively small number of applicants are accepted.
  • PEP 540 Sport Sociology
  • PEP 541 Ethics in Sport and Fitness
  • PEP 545 Sport Leadership
  • PEP 547 Sport Marketing and Promotion
  • PEP 548 Financing Sport
  • PEP 561 Risk Management in Sport
  • PEP 565 Legal Aspects of Sport
  • PEP 612 Organizational Theory in Sport
  • PEP 614 Consumer Behavior in Sport
  • PEP 618 Seminar in Sport Research

Note: The student's committee of studies may require additional courses depending on the student's academic preparation and specialization.Additionally, an internship in teaching, research, or administration may be recommended. 

  • LLSS 502 Naturalistic Inquiry
  • Ed Psy 511 Fundamental Statistics in Education
  • PEP 507 Research Design
  • EdPsy 603 Statistical Design and Analysis
  • PEP 604 Dissertation Seminar 
  • + 1 of the following approved by advisor
  • EdPsy 515 Survey and Questionnaire Design
  • EdPsy 604 Multiple Regression Applications
  • EdLead 605 Qualitative Research in Education
  • EdPsy 606 Applied Multivariate Statistics
  • EdPsy 607 Structural Equation Modeling 

Content is determined by the student and her/his advisor.

Examples include:

  • Business Administration
  • Educational Leadership
  • Physical Education Curriculum and Instruction
  • Exercise Science
  • Health Education
  • Introduction to Sport Administration
  • Administration of Interscholastic Athletics
  • Technological Applications in Sport
  • Organizational Theory in Sport
  • Administration of Sport Personnel
  • Sport Event Management
  • Consumer Behavior
  • Principles of Coaching
  • Women in Sport
  • Sport Facilities Planning & Construction
  • Governance of Intercollegiate Athletics
  • Sport Psychology I
  • Sport Psychology II
  • Legal Aspects of Sport
  • Diversity in Sport and Physical Activity
  • The Business of Professional Sports
  • Sports Property Development and Sales
  • Seminar in Sport Research
  • Advanced Field Experience
  • Directed Readings
  • Writing for Professional Publication
  • Grant Writing
TBD