Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the process used to gain admission to the program?
A. The application directions and procedures are detailed here: http://www12.georgetown.edu/scs/mps/mps_applynow.html. Applications should be finalized online and transmitted or sent to the School of Continuing Studies (SCS) no later that August 1st for admission this fall. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and students are admitted until seats fill up, so we encourage you to submit an application as soon as possible.

Q. What are the standards for admissions?
All applicants for the Master of Professional Studies (MPS) program and the Advanced Professional Certificate (APC) program must submit the following to be considered for admission.

• A completed application form. Candidates may apply online at scs.georgetown.edu/sports.
• Original official transcripts from each postsecondary institution attended, including all graduate work if applicable.
• A personal statement (guidelines for this statement are included with the application).
• Two letters of recommendation from college faculty or employers.
• A current resume.
• A nonrefundable check for $35.

Q. Must I take the GRE or GMAT?
A. No. We have substituted the test-taking admission component with more focus on previous academic work, professional and internship experience and career goals.

Q. How long does it take to complete the program?
A. Our vision is to provide flexibility for busy professionals. Most students will choose to complete the program in either the intensive one-year, two-semester option or the two-year, five-semester option.

Q. May I begin by taking a course or two as a non-degree student?
A. We offer an Advanced Professional Certificate which includes a five-course (15 credits) requirement.

Q. When do I begin? Is there rolling admission?
A. Both the MPS and APC programs operate on a three-term academic schedule: fall, spring, and summer. Students may start at the beginning of any of these terms. Qualified applicants are accepted throughout the year on a first-come, first-served basis until all available openings for the upcoming term are filled. Prospective students are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible to ensure consideration for an available placement.

Q. What are the deadlines for application?
A. Application priority deadlines are: August 1 for the fall semester, December 1 for the spring semester, and May 1 for the summer semester.

Q. What about International Students?
A. International applicants must complete an international questionnaire, and all non-native English speakers must take the TOEFL.

Q. What about Financial Aid?
A. Master of Professional Studies and Advanced Professional Certificate programs are registered with Georgetown University. Students may be eligible for federal tuition assistance if they qualify. To determine eligibility for financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Program Specific Questions

Q. How is this Program different from other sports management/business degree programs?
A. There are a plethora of sports management degrees in the academic marketplace and outstanding research being done by the North American Society for Sport Management (NAASM). This program focuses more on preparing students for placement in the front office of sports organizations with emphasis on industry and position track skills and knowledge. Our mentoring placement service, organizational partners and advisory help support these initiatives.

Q. Do I have to take the required courses in a particular sequence?
A. We recommend taking the courses in our suggested sequence but we do permit some deviation with some of the higher-level courses.

Q. If I work or intern full-time, can I make the Program fit into my schedule?
A. Yes- our program was designed to support full-time internships or work. All of the classes meet in the evenings between 5:30pm and 9:40pm.

Q. How do the specialization tracks in the curriculum work?
A. Our two specialized tracks are Strategic Marketing, Communications and New Media; and Business, Management and Operations. They differ in electives offered, content focus, and mentor placements.

Q: If I am really interested in a class in the other track, can I take it?
A. Yes. The way the program is designed allows students to take one elective course in addition to their core and selected track courses. While we will be offering special topic elective courses, students may also take one course in the opposite track of which they are enrolled in as an elective.

Q. Could you tell me about the faculty?
A. In this program, the faculty features expert practitioners and executives currently in the sports industry. This professional knowledge makes the classroom a real-time laboratory dedicated to exploring the latest experiences in the industry from a local, national, and international prospective. This helps provide outstanding career-oriented curricula and practical theory experiences.

Q. Could you tell me about the advisory board?
A. This is a privately selected group of executives from a variety sports, business and technology industries that have made an enthusiastic commitment to support the Program. Its make-up is a multi-faceted, multi-functional body of representatives from various fields of expertise, recognized and valued as distinguished contributors to the sports education and business leadership movement.

Q. Could you tell me about the internship program?
A. The internship component is a critical external field experience providing valuable understanding of the core competencies required to be successful in the sports industry. The program helps arrange these with various sports organizations and strategic partners for a practical and structured learning opportunity inside and outside the classroom.

Q. Could you tell me about the strategic organizational partners?
A. Our partners provide a collaborative relationship between the GU program and selected organizations. They offer GU students hands-on internship experience, market research and creative problem solving exposure.

Q. Could you tell me about the mentor leadership program?
A. This is an anchor component of the Program’s commitment to bringing real-world career experiences to the GU students. This program will teach students the value of lifelong networking, and serve as a catalyst for many successful partnerships.

Q. What about opportunities for research projects and communication vehicles?
A. Students and practitioners in the Program will have the opportunity to participate in research projects and an interactive blog. The purpose of this interactive research blog and projects are to better understand the market as it relates specifically to the sports industry. Student can propose solutions that will help sports properties develop and implement ideas, problem solving, case studies, blog interaction and access to answers.

Q. If question is not answered, what do I do?
A. Call 202-687-8700; email: sportsmgmt@georgetown.edu; or write: Georgetown University, School of Continuing Studies, Box 571006, Washington, DC 20057