About this Program

This area focuses on research issues related to the administration of sport and recreation organizations. Graduates are prepared for careers as faculty or administrators in higher education, private organizations, public agencies, and/or other research-based institutions.

Program Highlights

  • Students receive individual mentorship and career training.

  • Research focused; students may complete a traditional or three-article dissertation (Grant writing, collaborate with community partners for applied research, become an agent of change.)

  • Gain experience teaching undergraduate sport management and recreation courses.

  • Create a unique program of study.

  • Faculty mentors are active, recognized leaders in sport management and recreation.

AT A GLANCE
Degree Level
Graduate
Degree Earned
Doctor of Philosophy
Concentration
Human Movement Sciences
Delivery Modes
On-Campus

Careers

Check out these ideas from ODU Career Development Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is a midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

Alumni Careers

Non-Governmental Organizations
Virginia Wesleyan University
Indiana State University
Old Dominion University
Coastal Carolina University

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Sport & Recreation Management at ODU?
Students entering the Doctor of Philosophy program in Sport & Recreation Management should meet the minimum university admission requirements Graduate Admission.
  • An application to the University.

  • Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate courses and degrees completed.

  • Two writing samples. 

  • A current copy of your resume or Curriculum Vitae.

  • Three letters of recommendation from professional sources qualified to assess your suitability for study at the doctoral level. One letter of recommendation should be from a graduate advisor or faculty member and one should be from a current or former supervisor.

For Admission to the Sport & Recreation Management Program

GRE

Official GRE scores taken within the last 5 years that indicate a total score of at least 297 (1000 by former scoring standard) for both the verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning sections and a minimum of 4.5 on the analytical writing component. While these scores are recommended, other portions of the total application package will be considered. The Sport and Recreation Management emphasis area will also accept GMAT scores of 470 or higher.

TOEFL

Applicants whose native language is not English must also submit current scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of at least 550.

Cost

Estimated rates for the 2023-24 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Anyone that is not a current Virginia resident will be charged non-resident rates. That includes international students.

Virginia Resident
Cost Per-Credit $599
Technology Delivered Courses Outside Virginia and/or the United States
Cost Per-Credit $623
Non-Resident
Cost Per-Credit $1,439

Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending ODU. For more information visit University Student Financial aid

Graduate Assistantships

Competitive graduate assistantships, with a tuition waiver, are available for select qualified fulltime students.

Fellowship

Students may apply for a competitive college-wide dissertation fellowship during the dissertation phase.