The DeVos Sport Business Management Program at the University of Central Florida: A Comprehensive Overview

The DeVos Sport Business Management Program at the University of Central Florida (UCF) stands out as a top-ranked program, distinguished by its emphasis on varied perspectives and ethical considerations within the sports industry. Named after the late Richard and Helen DeVos, this program aims to equip graduates with the skills needed to thrive in the competitive sports management field while instilling an understanding of the industry's unique nuances.

A "Living Classroom" Approach

The DeVos Program utilizes Orlando and the Central Florida area's sports organizations as an integrated "living classroom". This approach provides a practical and immersive learning experience for students. Students follow a rigorous two-year academic schedule that keeps the cohort together, combining core business administration courses with specialized sport business classes. Through this integrative approach, students complete a comprehensive academic schedule alongside a cohort of peers throughout the two-year coursework.

Curriculum and Coursework

The core curriculum incorporates UCF College of Business Administration core classes, unique sport business classes, and other specialized classes that emphasize the social impact of sport. The curriculum encompasses UCF College of Business Administration core classes, unique sport business classes and other specialized classes that emphasize the social impact of sport. Students have the opportunity to work on real-world projects and programs alongside their peers while building a network of contacts.

Specific areas of study include:

Leadership in Sports Organizations: Exploring the theory, research, and practice of leadership within sports organizations, with special attention given to contemporary leadership issues. Leaders from the sports industry often lead these discussions.
Community Engagement: Examining the multiple roles that leaders can play in helping sports organizations serve the community, including both traditional and creative philanthropy. This includes case studies of model community service programs implemented by sports teams, leagues, and college athletics departments.
Moral and Ethical Issues in Sport: Developing a broad understanding of the moral and ethical issues prevalent in sports, with a special focus on the responsibilities of governing bodies and decision-makers, including faculty, coaches, athletic directors, presidents, league commissioners, the NCAA, and the media.
The Evolution of Sports Media: Tracing the history of how media has evolved from traditional platforms like radio, network television, and magazines into the multi-dimensional world of regional and national cable, the internet, and the impact of huge rights fees.

Degree Programs and Specializations

The DeVos Sport Business Management Program offers several degree options to cater to different academic and professional goals:

Read also: UCLA's Sports Management Program

Master of Science in Sport Business Management (MSBM) and Master of Business Administration (MBA): This dual degree program is a 51-credit, 22-month program offered in Orlando. Students complete 5000-level daytime courses, such as Sport Analytics, and receive mentorship before embarking on 16-week internships with organizations like Nike, Amway Arena, or the Miami Heat.
Undergraduate Minor in Sport Business Management: This minor is designed to develop future business leaders in the sport and entertainment industry. The courses provide students with substantive knowledge and practical skills to succeed as business professionals.
BSBA in Sport Business Management: The College of Business Administration grants a 120-credit BSBA in Sport Business Management at a 30:1 ratio with courses like Facility Planning for University of Central Florida Knights called to the $73.5 billion industry.
BS in Sport and Exercise Science: The BS in Sport and Exercise Science builds a 120-credit Athletic Coaching or Human Performance track with hands-on Institute of Physiology & Rehabilitation Science projects plus Go Baby Go! Mobility outreach.
BS in Golf and Club Management: At Rosen College, the BS in Golf and Club Management follows a 120-credit, AACSB-accredited path.
MS in Sport and Exercise Science: The MS in Sport and Exercise Science builds 36-credit, thesis-optional specializations for Athletic Coaching or Sport Administration to satisfy ACSM certifications.
Professional Full-Time MBA: The Professional Full-Time MBA has a 39-credit, 12-month curriculum costing $39,000 for Sport Business majors to practice in the Bloomberg Lab and complete capstone projects.
Master of Athletic Training: The 65-credit Master of Athletic Training outlines nine areas of bachelor’s prerequisites, such as Physiology and Biomechanics.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

The sport business management master’s degree at UCF accepts applications throughout the year. However, admission will be granted only in the fall for this specialized program. Admission to the DeVos MSBM program is competitive and requires applicants to meet specific criteria:

GPA: Bachelor's degree grads with GPAs above 3.0.
Experience: Two years of professional experience.
Tests: Professional Full-Time MBA in Sport Business Management cohorts have a median 3.3 GPA and 560 GMAT score. MS in Sport and Exercise cohorts need GRE General Test grades above 300 instead.
Deadlines: The University of Central Florida requires BS/BSBA majors apply by May 1st for Fall, November 1st for Spring, or March 1st for Summer. Burnett Honors College has a March 31st deadline. The MS in Sport and Exercise Science considers candidates until July 1st, December 1st, and April 1st. MS in Sport Business Management cohorts must apply by February 1st. The MAT Program closes on June 6th each year. Professional Full-Time MBA entrants follow April 1st priority and July 1st final deadlines.

To apply, candidates must submit the UCF or Common Application online with a $31 non-refundable fee and forward official academic records to 4365 Andromeda Loop North in Orlando, FL 32816. Additional requirements include a current resume, competitive test score, three sealed recommendations, a personal essay, an observation hour log, and a Florida residency form.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2019-20, the University of Central Florida is charging in-state BSBA in Sport Business Management majors $6,379 annually. Non-resident bachelor’s tuition rises to $22,479 each year full-time. Residing at the Orange County campus’ housing like Neptune Community adds $10,010 for room and board yearly. UCF budgets $1,200 for textbooks and supplies. Annual undergrad attendance equals $17,589 in-state and $33,689 out-of-state. The Professional Full-Time MBA in Sport Business has a market-rate price of $39,000 total. Other master’s programs bill Floridians $3,326 and non-residents $10,746 each term full-time. Per credit costs are $369 to $1,194.

The National Center for Education Statistics reported that the Financial Aid Office in Millican Hall Room 107 gets 87 percent of new UCF Knights enrolled with tuition assistance averaging $5,757 apiece for $26.71 million combined. Institutional programs include the Orlando Magic Endowed Scholarship, Jermaine Jones Perseverance Scholarship, Joe Lapchick Annual Scholarship, Nascar Diversity Scholarship, DeVos Sport Business Scholarship, Buell Duncan Jr. MBA Scholarship, Orlando Orthopaedic Foundation Scholarship, Kinesiology Undergraduate Scholarship, Colonel Mike Murdock USMC Scholarship, and Ted Sochar Scholarship. The Pegasus Scholarship has a June 1st deadline for undergrads taking 12+ credits with GPAs above 3.0. The Dana Zeiher Memorial Scholarship gifts $1,000 to College of Business Administration majors who submit 500-word essays. Federal aid, such as the Pell Grant and Direct Unsubsidized Loan, unlock with FAFSA forms coded 003954.

The Legacy of Richard and Helen DeVos

The late Richard and Helen DeVos, the namesakes and founders of the program, believed in preparing graduates with the skills to succeed in the competitive sports industry. The DeVoses realized the importance of investing in a program that equips graduates with the skills necessary to succeed in the competitive field of sports management and offers them the tools to understand the unique nuances of the industry.

Read also: Explore FAU Sports Management

Rich was the co-founder of Amway, the world’s largest direct-selling company. He was known for his entrepreneurial spirit and belief in people shared through motivational speeches, books, and encouragement over his lifetime. Rich and Helen purchased the NBA’s Orlando Magic in 1991 with great hopes that extended beyond the basketball court to include mentoring young athletes and service to their adopted community of Central Florida. By emphasizing community engagement and philanthropy, Rich and Helen used the platform of the Magic to support various charitable causes, further enhancing the quality of life in Central Florida.

UCF: A Brief History

The University of Central Florida started building its 1,227-acre Northeast Orlando campus on March 19, 1967, when the 36th Governor Claude Kirk Jr. led a groundbreaking ceremony. By June 1970, an inaugural coed class of 423 graduated from the space-age technical institute. In 1978, the University of Central Florida name was adopted by FTU. On September 22, 1979, UCF played its first football game under Coach Don Jonas. In 1981, The Glass Menagerie author Tennessee Williams spoke to Central Florida students. In 1986, Wayne Densch pledged $1 million to renovate the UCF Sports Center.

One decade later, the University of Central Florida moved to the NCAA Division I-A for intercollegiate athletics. In 2002, President Hitt built the Recreation & Wellness Center for $14.5 million. Endowed for $155.2 million, the University of Central Florida now employs 13,157 staff serving 58,913 undergrad and 9,168 post-grad Knights online or face-to-face at four Orlando Metro campuses with 650+ organizations like Sport Business Club.

Rankings and Recognition

UCF has received numerous accolades and rankings, including:

Ranked second by SportBusiness International.
Online Learning Consortium’s Digital Learning Innovation Award in 2018.
Pegasus magazine received the CASE District III Circle of Excellence Award in 2017.
John Euliano Park Stadium won the 2012 DBIA Florida Region Design Build Merit Award.
U.S. News & World Report named Central Florida the 165th best university and 34th top undergrad teacher.
Niche boasts America’s 45th best campus, 80th top business degrees, and 81st best athletics.
The Wall Street Journal positioned the University of Central Florida 443rd overall.
The Princeton Review honored UCF for the 15th best health services.

Accreditation

On April 25, 2016, the University of Central Florida was visited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to review the Quality Enhancement Plan and ultimately extend the Level VI accreditation through 2025-26 under Provost Elizabeth A. Dooley, EdD, who earned the Health Sciences Technology Award of Recognition. This esteemed 11-state Gulf South Region accreditor is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to evaluate UCF’s 13 colleges and 224 degrees. Particularly, the College of Business Administration has been accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) since 1975.

Read also: Baylor's Sports Management Program

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