The University of Southern Mississippi College of Business and the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) are excited to offer a new Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in Sports Security Management.
This is the first program of its kind in the United States designed to provide an educational opportunity for professionals who work or aspire to work in middle to upper management of the sport safety and security industry. The synergistic pairing of the MBA program strengths with the Sports Security Management emphasis addresses a critical educational need in this unique field. The program can be completed face-to-face or online.
Dr. Faye Gilbert, dean of the College of Business, points out that the program holds the promise of prominence for its graduates. “It is time for Southern Miss to be recognized for our leading-edge work in sports security and graduate education,” she said. “Students can complete this nationally distinctive program and move on to careers throughout the world.”
To complete the MBA with an emphasis in Sport Security Management, students will complete the MBA core, at least three sport security management courses and a supervised internship in the sport security management field. The MBA is the most demanded graduate degree in the world, and the Southern Miss MBA is ranked in the top 200 part-time MBA programs in the nation.
The MBA core classes provide managerial education across the business disciplines in eight functional areas and prepares graduates with leadership skills applicable to all organizations. Prerequisites for the MBA include accounting, finance, and statistics, all of which can be satisfied through online courses.
One of the unique aspects of the new degree program, is the affiliation with the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4). The National Center, housed at The University of Southern Mississippi, was established in 2006, and is recognized as a leading academic research institution addressing sport safety and security risks and threats at sporting events.
Through cutting-edge research, educational programs, innovative solutions, the Center equips current and future managers with specialized skills and knowledge they need to address real challenges in maintaining secure sport venues.
NCS4 works with recognized and respected safety and security experts across the country from professional sports (NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS, NCAA, NFHS, and marathon organizers) to give the MBA students firsthand experience through internships, applied research projects, case studies, and laboratory evaluations. Students will also have opportunities to network and collaborate with industry professionals at various national meetings. As part of this new program, NCS4 is launching a scholarship campaign supporting the new MBA.
“Graduates of this program will be able to differentiate themselves by gaining the standard business principles in conjunction with real-world experience necessary for security practitioners,” said Paul Turner, director of Event Operations & Security at AT&T Stadium – home of the Dallas Cowboys.
To learn more about the MBA with an emphasis in Sports Security Management, call (228) 214-3496 or visit http://www.usm.edu/business/mba-emphasis-sport-security-management.
