Fast track your career in Sport and Leisure Studies with the Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s program.
The Sport and Leisure Studies concentration focuses on the synergies across sport, recreation, and leisure contexts. This program prepares students as professionals capable of providing sport and leisure experiences catering to a wide range of participants to facilitate the development of individuals, groups, and communities. It provides students with a broad understanding of the historical and philosophical underpinnings of sport and leisure, and the use of sport and leisure in intrapersonal, interpersonal, and international development contexts. Flexible capstone options include a traditional master’s thesis, an applied research project, or an internship. Students undertaking this concentration serve the industry and their communities across a wide range of settings and are well-prepared to pursue advanced study through a doctoral program.
The Sport and Leisure studies concentration builds on the foundational courses in management, law, leadership, and research by delving into the history and philosophy of sport and leisure and the role of sport and leisure experience in American society. Students examine the synthesis of park, recreation, sport, and tourism domains and focus on attitudinal, social, and motivational theories to design and implement sport and leisure programs for development outcomes. The program focuses on roles of sport and leisure studies in intrapersonal development as well as international development. Qualified Mason undergraduates may be admitted to the bachelor's/accelerated master's program and obtain both a bachelor's degree in any area and an MS in Sport and Recreation Studies within an accelerated timeframe.
• Outdoor Adventure Coordinator
• Coach
• Sports Commission Executive
• Sport Manager
• Facility Director
• Campus Recreation Manager
• Experience Management Consultant
• Event Manager
• Sport Administrator
• Sport & Recreation Tourism Officer
• Marketing Executive
• Fitness Center Manager
• Youth & Community Programmer
MS Core Coursework (18 credits)
Select 5 credits from the following:
Concentration in Sport and Leisure Studies (SPLS) (12 credits)
Select 6 credits from the following:
Additional courses may be selected as electives with advisor approval.
This program is offered on Mason’s Fairfax campus. Most students in the Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s (BAM) program complete both their undergraduate and graduate degrees within five years.
Fall Semester
(classes starting in August) |
Spring Semester
(classes starting in January) |
Summer Semester
(classes starting in May, June, or July) |
Priority*: April 1
Space Available: August 19 |
Priority*: November 1
Space Available: January 10 |
Priority*: February 1
Space Available: May 15 |
For more information and to apply, visit the admissions website.
* Priority deadline ensures consideration for the intended semester as well as financial aid options for students. Programs will continue to review applications until at capacity. Some programs do not review applications past the priority deadline.
All application materials must be submitted through George Mason’s online graduate application. In addition to meeting general university admissions requirements, applicants will need to provide the requirements below.
To be considered for graduate studies, the following items are evaluated during the admission review process:
- Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s application
- 750- to 1,000-word written statement of your goals and interest in the program
- Current resume
- Two letters of recommendation. Applicants should follow the instructions included in the online application to submit the recommendation forms directly to their recommenders. George Mason does not accept paper recommendations. Recommendations should be professional or academic in nature.
- One letter of recommendation from your George Mason undergraduate advisor
The College of Education and Human Development offers a number of combined bachelor's and accelerated master's (BAM) degree programs for academically strong undergraduates with a commitment to learning advanced skills in a specialized field of study. Applicants receive a waiver of the graduate application fee, and admitted students may obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree after satisfactory completion of 144 to 150 credits (number of required credits depends on the graduate program).
Students can submit an application to a BAM program once they have earned between 75 and 100 credits. Faculty admissions review includes a holistic review of requirements as well as the applicant’s potential academic and professional success upon completion of the program.
Bachelor's to Accelerated Master's (BAM) students can take graduate courses at the undergraduate tuition rate, depending on the program. Please meet with an admissions counselor to discuss your program options.
Undergraduate Tuition
| TUITION CLASSIFICATION |
COST PER CREDIT |
| Virginia Resident |
$592.50
(includes MSF*) |
| Non-Virginia Resident |
$1,612.00
(includes MSF*) |
CEHD Course Fee
($25/credit with higher per credit or flat course fees for internship and select ATEP, RECR, and RMGT courses) |
$25 - $257 |
| Total Cost for Virginia Residents per Credit |
$617.50 - $849.50 |
| Total Cost for Non-Virginia Residents per Credit |
$1,637.00 - $1,869.00 |
Undergraduate New Student Fee
(non-refundable, one-time fee) |
$350 | $275 for transfer students |
Please Note: Refer to the Students Accounts Office website for more information on tuition and fees. Various course and lab fees may be assessed depending on the course(s) in which the student is enrolled.
*Mandatory Student Fee (MSF): $159.50
Graduate Tuition
| TUITION CLASSIFICATION |
COST PER CREDIT |
| Virginia Resident |
$748.50
(includes MSF*) |
| Non-Virginia Resident |
$948.50
(includes MSF*; discounted from $1,679.50) |
| VA Resident and PK-12 VA Educator enrolled in a CEHD graduate program** |
$635.50
(includes MSF*) |
| CEHD Course Fee |
$25 - $84 |
| Total Cost for Virginia Residents per Credit |
$773.50 - $832.50 |
| Total Cost for Non-Virginia Residents per Credit |
$979.50 - $1,038.50 |
| Total cost for VA Resident and PK-12 VA Educator enrolled in a CEHD graduate program* |
$660.50 - $719.50 |
Graduate New Student Fee
(non-refundable, one-time fee) |
$60 |
Please Note: Refer to the Students Accounts Office website for more information on tuition and fees. Internship courses will incur a higher course fee to fund on-site assistance involving intensive clinical training/supervision.
*Mandatory Student Fee (MSF): $159.50
**VA state residents who are eligible must apply for the 15% PreK-16 VA Educators Discount in order to take advantage of the lower tuition. Eligible students receive 15% off the total tuition and mandatory student fee.
For information on loans and scholarships, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid. For information regarding grants, tuition waivers, and other merit aid, please inquire with your graduate department. Also, many school districts offer tuition reimbursement options. Speak to your employer for more information.
Academic Advisor
Melissa Busillo
Email: mbusillo@gmu.edu
Phone: 703-993-5261
Fairfax Campus: Krug Hall, Suite 213
To schedule an appointment: https://gmu.campus.eab.com/pal/oOhyMST5VC
Forms
Current students should visit MyMason for important forms and documents.
Chris Green
Academic Program Co-Coordinator
Pierre Rodgers
Academic Program Co-Coordinator
Julie Aylsworth
Robert Baker
Laurence Chalip
Craig Esherick
Seungwon Lee
Jacqueline McDowell
Ellen Rodgers
Susan Slocum
Brenda Wiggins
Charles Casserly