Decision-making in the companies we work at and in our personal lives is increasingly data-driven. The business and practice of sports management is no different, except for the sheer quantity of data involved. Whether it is linking an athlete’s performance to compensation, designing better methods for spatiotemporal player tracking, or visualizing performance metrics for in-game and post-game analysis, folks involved in the management of player and team data have multiple decisions to make every day.
For those who are currently in management or coaching, or for those who wish to break into the field of sports analytics, we offer a novel program that combines the best of academic rigor, software development, and data management in a student-focused graduate certificate. Our educational model is informed by our experience in combining risk-management tools and project-based learning in training students at the undergraduate level for the better part of the past decade. Combining instruction from our dedicated faculty and guest lectures from alumni and industry partners, the MSU Graduate Certificate in Sports Analytics is designed to train the next generation of analysts who will become the leaders of the field of sports analytics in the decades to come.
The Michigan State University Graduate Certificate in Sports Analytics is a 12-credit program that combines best practices in data sourcing and model development with a clear understanding of why model may, or may not, suit the data collected. To earn the certificate, students will complete four 3-credit courses, which include topics in:
“I came in with a very minimal background... I think it speaks really highly of the instructors of the course to bring it down to a level that I understood... it's a really supportive group of individuals.”
— Arjun Parmar, Graduate of Sports Analytics certificate program
“If you're here just for fun because you like sports and like numbers, or for you if you're here because you eventually want to be the GM of the Detroit Tigers... we're here for you as well.”
— Albert Cohen, Director of Sports Analytics certificate program
(Taken from a recent episode on The Drive with Jack Ebling)
Graduates of the certificate will be ready to work at the interface of sports management and machine learning. This course of study is designed with the understanding that models must impact the bottom line of an athletic organization, which is winning championships and increasing revenue. Our program meets the needs of current industry professionals who want to step up their data game as well as anyone who wants to understand the numbers more deeply behind their passion for sports. The certificate will be a valuable credential in our graduates’ portfolio and will demonstrate the certificate holder’s commitment to improving in-game, post-game, and revenue analysis in the competitive, interdisciplinary field that is sports analytics.
The training and experience gained through the certificate is designed to impact graduates’ careers in two possible ways. First, for professionals who are already in the field, within a team, agency, or league, graduates will be able to formulate and address data-savvy questions for the groups they currently manage. By being able to contribute at different stages of the model development and testing cycle, their employers will gain a competitive edge during the season and other stages of planning, such as free-agency or revenue forecasting. Second, students looking to break into the field will gain exposure to the demands of the field of sports analytics via class and project work. This collaborative project work will also expand their network of industry connections if they partner with students in the certificate who are already in the industry.
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found on the "Estimate Your Cost of Attendance" page.
You can be ensured a return on your investment at Michigan State University.
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MSU provides programs and initiatives that support and enhance diversity. We will expand our campus and external partnerships to put in place inclusive recruitment and retention practices. We nurture and promote individuals’ varied experiences and perspectives, ensuring structures and processes make possible full participation by all members of our community.
MSU actively collaborates with campus and external partners to innovate across all dimensions of graduate education. We create and support networks that increase collaboration and improve educational opportunities for our online students.
MSU’s nationally recognized online programs foster student growth and well-being throughout their academic career. We will expand inclusive mentoring practices and accelerate improvement across units to implement evidence-based practices to ensure our students complete successfully.
Continuing education can be one of the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding experiences you undertake in your life. We hope you consider becoming a Spartan, to learn online and reach your career goals. With highly ranked online programs and exceptional professors, we educate students who advance the common good with uncommon will.