Career Outlook
College athletics provide incredible opportunities for a career in sports. There are over 1000 NCAA athletic programs across three divisions (I, II and III) and thousands more competing in the NAIA and junior college levels. Those interested in leadership positions within successful athletic departments will discover a great deal of potential, fulfillment, and room to grow.
- Over 90% of employers surveyed (January, 2021) recognize the benefit of an athletics-related graduate certificate
- The median annual wage for postsecondary education administrators was $95,410 in May 2019
Students completing the IAA certificate program will develop knowledge and skills to:
- Explain and discuss the NCAA governance structure and ways intercollegiate athletics departments are structured within the framework of higher education.
- Compare and contrast how different divisions within intercollegiate athletics departments interrelate with the NCAA, conference offices and each other to accomplish the shared mission of the athletics department and institution.
- Describe the role an intercollegiate athletics department plays within the mission of higher education and variances in that role at different levels of intercollegiate athletics.
- Critique common internal and external operations in intercollegiate athletic departments.
- Present elements of the decision-making process and ethics as it pertains to leadership.
- Express a personal leadership philosophy and how it relates to intercollegiate athletic administration.