Institutional factors and perceptions of key decision makers related to program approval status of sport management master's degree programs in the United States

The purpose of this study was to examine approval status and the rationale surrounding approval status within sport management master's degree programs within the United States. Five demographic factors (type of master's degree offered, college within which the sport management program is housed in, number of full time faculty, date of program inception, and athletic classification) were selected and examined to determine if there was any relationship between these factors and NASSM approval status. In addition, rationales were gathered from key decision makers to determine why programs chose to seek approval and why some chose to remain independent. Finally, data were collected to determine to what extent non-approved programs were utilizing curricular standards established by NASSM.;An original web-based survey instrument was created to ascertain the significance of institutional factors on seeking program approval status, as well as perceptions of key decision makers. Ninety-four of the 100 institutions that currently offer master's programs were contacted via email. Forty-eight of the 94 surveys (51 %) were successfully completed. Results indicated that no institutional factor was significantly more likely to be represented in approved and non-approved programs. Approved programs cited the rationale of internal and external prestige as a common reason for seeking approval. Non-approved programs cited their service to a specialized population or a desire to be unique as reasons not to seek program approval status. Although many non-approved programs have not sought the label of approval, results demonstrate majority still utilize (in some capacity) the curricular standards established by NASSM in within their master's degree programs.