Messiah's M.A. in Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership
An MBA-level experience built for the world of college athletics
Looking for an MBA in Sports Management? Messiah University’s M.A. in Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership (IAL) delivers the same foundational business education as an MBA—while focusing exclusively on college athletics and higher education leadership. It’s designed for professionals who want to lead in athletic departments, compliance offices and campus sport programs across the country.
Business and Leadership
Courses:
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LEAD 501 – Character of a Leader
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LEAD 550 – Organizational Effectiveness
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LEAD 540 – Followership, Teamwork, and Group Dynamics
What You'll Learn:
Build core leadership skills in ethics, strategic thinking and organizational culture—just like you would in a traditional MBA, but applied directly to team-based and athletic environments.
Higher Education Leadership
Courses:
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HIED 515 – Strategic Leadership in Higher Education
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HIED 520 – Governance and Policy in Higher Education
What You'll Learn:
Understand how colleges and universities operate, how decisions are made at the institutional level and how athletic departments align with broader academic missions.
Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership
Courses:
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HIED 530 – Intercollegiate Sport Administration
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HIED 535 – Legal and Ethical Issues in Collegiate Athletics
What You'll Learn:
Dive into NCAA governance, compliance standards, legal frameworks and ethics in sports leadership—essential for administrators and directors in college athletics.
IAL graduates go on to roles such as:
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Athletic Director / Assistant or Associate AD
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Compliance Officer
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Academic Support Coordinator
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Student-Athlete Services Manager
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Operations & Facilities Director
Lead Where It Matters
Whether you’re managing student-athlete success, overseeing operations or preparing for senior leadership, the IAL degree equips you with the business acumen and athletic leadership expertise to thrive.
Why choose Messiah’s IAL program?
- MBA-Equivalent Coursework
Our curriculum integrates core courses from Messiah’s MBA program, including organizational effectiveness, leadership ethics and group dynamics—essential knowledge for any sports business professional. - College Athletics Focus
While typical MBAs offer general business training, the IAL program dives deep into intercollegiate athletic operations, NCAA compliance and the structure of higher education. - Paid Graduate Assistantships
Get real-world experience (and financial support) while you study. Work in areas like game operations, compliance, academic support and student-athlete development. - 100% Online & Designed for Working Professionals
Complete your degree on your time through a flexible asynchronous format. - Christian Leadership Development
Grow as a leader of character with a values-based approach rooted in faith.