The NIAAA has partnered with multiple universities all over the country to bring aspiring athletic directors access to our courses through degree programs. Three universities offer graduate credit for re-licensing and clock hours while the rest offer full degree programs utilizing our courses. Check out all of our higher education opportunities below.
Participating Universities
Bemidji State University
Bemidji State University; Bemidji, Minnesota. Bemidji State University; Bemidji, Minnesota. Earn graduate credit for LTI
courses taken at a state conference, regional institute, or the annual NIAAA
national conference. No limit to the number of credits that can be obtained.
It is dependent on your academic goals. For more information contact
Dr. Eric Forsyth: eforsyth@bemidjistate.edu or phone: 218-755-2083,
and he would be happy to send you a course syllabus, along with a flyer
regarding registration, cost, etc.
Edgewood College, Madison, Wisconsin offers one (1) college credit for every two
(2) LTI courses taken at state-level conferences and the national conference. The
cost per credit during the 2017-18 academic year is $190. To coordinate these credit
options, contact Ken Syke at ksyke@edgewood.edu or 608-663-4253. Edgewood
College is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and confers degrees
at the Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral levels.
The University of St. Francis is pleased to offer online graduate-level courses that
incorporate NIAAA Leadership Training as a major component of required
course work. Athletic directors working to obtain CAA or CMAA certification
have the opportunity to earn graduate credit online. Satisfactory completion of
all NIAAA and USF course components is required to receive graduate credit.
NIAAA core course work previously completed may be eligible toward graduate
credit. Tuition for graduate-level courses in this series is $100 for one hour of
credit. Standard fees apply for course work required through NIAAA. Details
can be found online at: www.stfrancis.edu/real/niaaa.
American Public University System, Charles Town, West Virginia APU offers a Master of Science in Sports Management degree entirely online. The program is designed for individuals who
are interested in sports management, coaching, and/or athletic administration. Students have the flexibility to focus on specific
concentrations such as Coaching Theory and Strategy, Sports Business Leadership, or Interscholastic Athletic Administration,
an area of interest for aspiring high school or middle school athletic directors. The program consists of 33 hours, and 11 courses.
Select courses align with NIAAA’s RAA and CAA certifications and meet NIAAA requirements for LTC 501, 502, 503, 504
and 506. For further information please visit: http://StudyatAPU.com/NIAAA.
University of Cincinnati, Ohio The University of Cincinnati Master of Science in Sport Administration Online program is designed to cultivate the next
generation of sport industry leaders in athletic administration. Our master’s curriculum emphasizes the practical application
of knowledge as it relates to high school and collegiate athletic administration. The degree program is 100% online and is
structured to align with NIAAA’s RAA and CAA certifications and meet NIAAA requirements for LTC 501, 502, 504 and 506.
For more information; call 888-628-3334 or visit http://cech.uc.edu/spad-online.
Concordia University, Irvine, California Masters of Coaching and Athletic Administration allows for opportunity of up to 8 hours of LTI courses taken by the student to
transfer to appropriate unit class. The MCAA program enhances leadership and administrative skills while building professional
growth in coaches and athletic administrators. The experience is renowned for its positive and practical approach in the world of
educational athletics. Contact Lupe Valdivia at lupe.valdivia@cui.edu, (949) 214-3260 for further information.
Grace College, Winona Lake, Indiana The Master of Science in Athletic Administration degree program is in partnership with the NIAAA requires 36 credit hours
of graduate credits. Class projects will be conducted by students for groups of 2 NIAAA LTI classes completed as a part of the
12 course program. Projects are designed to utilize information from LTI courses to provide applicable experience, while the
courses are open-enrollment to accommodate the busy schedules of athletic administrators. The total cost for the program is
$9900.00, with no additional fees. The degree program is designed by experienced athletic administrators to provide an affordable,
convenient, and practical educational experience. For further information, contact Dr. Darrell Johnson at: dljohnson@grace.edu or
call 574-372-5100 ext. 6263, or go to our website at www.grace.edu/msaa.
Morningside College, Sioux City, Iowa Twenty-four LTI courses are bundled into six 3-credit on-line graduate courses, taught by
experienced and respected Athletic Directors. The courses may be taken individually, or as a complete series, and may count toward
a Master of Arts in teaching degree. The six AD courses cover the content required to test for NIAAA CAA exam, and prepare for
a CMAA level. Tuition and materials cost = $795 per 3 credit course. For further information contact Darby Young: 712.274.5475,
youngd@morningside.edu.
Ohio University, Athens, Ohio Ohio University offers an online Master of Science degree in Athletic Administration that requires completion of 12 online courses and one three-day Athletic Leadership Forum. Online curriculum offerings incorporate nine NIAAA Leadership Training courses and other related materials. Graduates who meet the Personal Data Requirements specified by the NIAAA Certification program may also be eligible to write the CAA examination. For further information contact us at 1-866-226-7643 or visit https://onlinemasters.ohio.edu/masters-athletic-administration.
Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Kentucky Western Kentucky University offers a concentration in Athletic Administration & Coaching as part of the Masters Degree in
Recreation & Sport Administration. The degree program is 100% online and is structured to facilitate continued professional
growth for interscholastic athletic administrators and coaches. The curriculum includes a blend of applicable, practitioner-focused
classes with NIAAA Leadership Training Institute courses. For additional information, contact the program coordinator,
Dr. Brad Stinnett at brad.stinnett@wku.edu.
West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia The West Virginia University College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences offers an Area of Emphasis in Interscholastic
Athletic Administration within its Master of Science in Sport Management program designed to educate the next generation of
interscholastic athletic administration leaders. This fully online Area of Emphasis requires students to complete 10 fully online
courses (30 credits) over five semesters. Through this curriculum and billed at in-state rates, students complete the NIAAA
Leadership Training Courses (LTC 501, 502, 504, 506) necessary for the RAA and CAA certifications. The 8-week courses are
practitioner oriented and taught by professionals with backgrounds in sport management and interscholastic athletic administration.
Topics of discussion include: Leadership in Interscholastic Athletic Administration, Interscholastic Sport Organization and
Administration, Fundraising and Development, and Facility Management. Students can start this program any semester, and
options exist to complete it in an accelerated fashion. For more information, visit: https://cpass.wvu.edu/academics/online-masters/
sport-management.
William Woods of Missouri, Fulton, Missouri William Woods University offers a Master’s in Education in Athletic/Activity Administration. The program is offered in Missouri
and neighboring states. Leadership Training Institute books are used as the primary textbook for each class. The program is taught
using the cohort model with each course meeting four hours per week for 8 weeks. Students must also complete 90 hours of field
experiences under the guidance of a veteran athletic administrator. Graduates are eligible for RAA certification. For information
contact Jim Gagen, Online Program Manager MED in Athletic/Activities Administration, at jim.gagen@williamwoods.edu.
Beginning January1, 2016 William Woods also offers this degree program online. In addition, all eleven courses are offered as
electives. For more information, go to: http://www.williamwoods.edu/academics/online/graduate/master_of_education_in_
athletics_activities_administration.htmlhttp://www.williamwoods.edu/academics/online/graduate/master_of_education_in_
athletics_activities_administration.html.
Wilmington University The MSM in Sport Management consists of 36 credits which can be taken on-line or 18 credits online and 18 credits face-to face.
Certified Athletic Administration I and II, offered as electives in the Master of Science in Management’s sports management
concentration but also available as “stackable” graduate credits toward a standalone certificate, are the fastest route to the
nationally recognized certified athletic administrator (CAA) credential. WilmU has embedded all of the required CAA
material into two seven-week classes. As a result, students can complete the CAA coures requirements and sit for the national
exam in just 14 weeks. Designed in partnership with and approved by the NIAAA, the two courses prepare students for
the exam while covering such topics as strategies and philosophies of athletic administration, organizational management
of interscholastic competitions, sportsmanship and fundraising. Tuition discounts are offered to NIAAA members.
Certified Athletic Administration I and II (course catalog numbers MSP 7510 and MSP 7511). For more information go to:
http://www.wilmu.edu/business/management-master.aspx