Degrees | Certificates | IAA

Intercollegiate Athletic Administration (IAA) Graduate Certificate

Intercollegiate athletics shape the culture of college campuses, sparking excitement around game days. This excitement and attitude spread to the surrounding community when fans show up to cheer in support. For student-athletes, these opportunities present a two-fold benefit: a structured and rewarding pathway to earning their college degrees and a springboard to their future careers.

The University of Mississippi’s Intercollegiate Athletic Administration (IAA) Graduate Certificate highlights the structure, operations, governance, and leadership behind intercollegiate athletics and builds off of our legacy as a Southeastern Conference institution.

IAA Program Info

This four-course certificate program is suited for students and working professionals from any industry who are interested in learning what goes on behind the scenes and what it takes to be successful in intercollegiate athletic administration. All courses are led by athletic directors in a 100% online, eight-week accelerated format that can be completed in as little as one semester or as long as two years.

Quick Facts

FORMAT
Fully Online

COURSE LENGTH
8 Weeks

TOTAL CREDITS
12

PROGRAM START DATES
January, March, May, August, October

About the IAA Certificate Program

Overseen by the School of Applied Sciences, the IAA Graduate Certificate introduces you to the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA’s) administrative side, from internal and external operations to marketing and communication to the role of college sports on campus and in the community. This course program is ideal for tailoring your skill set to the industry or helping you gain foundational training for a potential career in intercollegiate athletic administration.

Our IAA program:

Is taught by athletic directors and encompasses presentations and virtual guest speakers.
Provides a complex look at intercollegiate athletic administration.
Advances your knowledge of the NCAA as an organization and its different levels.
Exposes you to the multiple positions and related competencies in the intercollegiate athletics industry
Sheds light on governance, operations, and leadership in collegiate athletics
Focuses on current challenges facing the intercollegiate athletics industry
Explores the importance of athletics on college campuses, including a range of institution types and strategies for assisting students and improving operations
Strengthens your critical thinking and written communication skills while emphasizing real-world research applications

IAA Certificate Program Curriculum

The online IAA Graduate Certificate requires 12 credits of courses involving asynchronous discussions and writing and research assignments. Courses elevate your professional skills for a greater understanding of the NCAA as an organization and in preparation for a career in intercollegiate sports.

You will:

Receive a thorough overview of the NCAA as an organization, from its history to its current structure, processes, issues, and governance
Learn about the internal operations of collegiate sports organizations, including leadership and management to personnel, policies, and decision-making
Better understand the influence of external factors on organizational functions
Be exposed to common leadership styles and management techniques used in intercollegiate athletics

Review all required courses for the online IAA Graduate Certificate.

Hear it from students

This class has helped me discover a new aspect to athletics that I didn't know about before. I've gotten the opportunity to research things that I probably would have never researched had it not been for this class. I enjoyed how we were given the opportunity to complete work ahead of time if need be. The set deadlines were very convenient.

Katelyn SmithGraduate Student

This class has ultimately helped me with my professional development by giving me the fundamental concepts surrounding management of intercollegiate athletics, policies and governance NCAA institutions.

Torian BrownGraduate Student

I feel a lot more prepared to get a job in an athletic department after taking this class, and I feel more equipped with skills to take on different jobs within an athletic department.

Maddie Beal

This class did a lot to help my professional development. It really gave me a good idea of what all goes into an athletic department, and it's more than I originally thought.

Stephen WillhauckGraduate Student

Careers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 13% more roles in the sports and entertainment industry over the next decade. This encompasses behind-the-scenes professionals in collegiate athletics.

The IAA certificate elevates your marketability to enter the industry. Learn more about potential opportunities with the NCAA, as well as with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and at the junior college level.

Application Materials

Candidates interested in the IAA certificate should complete an Application for Graduate Admission. Additional supplemental application materials may also be required.

This certificate program offers five start dates throughout the year in January, March, May, August, and October.

Transition to the M.S. in Sport and Recreation Administration Program

The IAA Graduate Certificate can help you achieve your short-term goals, but a graduate degree is often preferred for leadership roles in the sport industry.

The Intercollegiate Athletic Administration (IAA) Graduate Certificate can be a stepping stone to future success.

Students who complete the online IAA Graduate Certificate can apply their certificate courses toward our on-campus M.S. in Sport and Recreation Administration degree.
To take advantage of this opportunity, students must first complete their IAA Graduate Certificate, then apply and be admitted into the M.S. in Sport and Recreation Administration (MSRA) program.
Once admitted to the MSRA program, students will need to meet all remaining requirements for the M.S. degree.

Students cannot be enrolled in both the IAA Graduate Certificate program and the Sport and Recreation Administration graduate program at the same time.

Interested in the M.S. in Sport and Recreation Administration?

Learn to oversee sports facilities and events in intercollegiate and professional settings.

Check out our on-campus M.S. in Sport and Recreation Administration

Learn More About the Intercollegiate Athletic Administration Certificate Program

Thinking about specializing your knowledge in the world of college sports? Before you apply to the IAA certificate program, contact Graduate Enrollment Manager Megan Black at meblack@olemiss.edu to set up an appointment to talk more about the program, your interests and needs, and your future.

Request more information

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