Masters in Science in Sports Analytics

Master of Science in Sports Analytics (MSSA)

Kentucky State University — KYSU Online

The sports industry is in the middle of a data revolution. Front offices are building analytics departments. Broadcast networks are hiring data storytellers. Sportsbooks are recruiting predictive modelers. And every organization — from professional franchises to collegiate athletic departments to eSports teams — is looking for professionals who can turn raw data into decisions that win games, grow revenue, and engage fans.

The Master of Science in Sports Analytics at Kentucky State University was designed to produce exactly those professionals. Delivered 100% online in accelerated 8-week terms, this 10-course graduate program takes you from foundational analytics literacy through advanced strategic specialization and culminates in a comprehensive, portfolio-ready capstone project — all without requiring you to step away from your career, your family, or your life.

This is not a program built on theory alone. From your very first course, you will work with real sports data using the same tools the industry relies on: Python, R, SQL, Tableau, Power BI, and Excel. You will analyze player and team performance metrics, build predictive models, create data visualizations, and write the kind of clear, concise analytical reports that front offices, agencies, and media companies depend on every day.

What makes this program different is its breadth. The curriculum doesn't just prepare you for one corner of the sports world — it prepares you for all of them. Across ten carefully sequenced courses, you will study analytics as it is applied in professional sports leagues, collegiate and high school athletics, eSports, the equine industry, sports media and broadcasting, sports betting and gambling, public relations, financial management, and organizational administration. You will examine ethical and legal frameworks, develop data-driven marketing and sponsorship strategies, and learn to present complex findings to non-technical stakeholders with confidence and clarity.

The program is organized into four progressive phases. The Foundation phase (EXC 501: Introduction to Sports Analytics and EXC 503: Introduction to Data Sciences) builds your technical toolkit and establishes your fluency in the core concepts, programming languages, and visualization platforms that power modern analytics. The Applied Expertise phase (EXC 505: Research Writing and Capstone Preparation, EXC 507: Industry Application, EXC 509: Ethical and Legal Practice in Sports Analytics, and EXC 511: Performance and Tactical Applications) immerses you in scholarly research methods, cross-industry case studies, legal and ethical considerations in data use, and hands-on performance analysis using wearable technology data, KPIs, and game-outcome forecasting. The Strategic Specialization phase (EXC 513: Wealth Promotion and Data Analytics, EXC 515: Use of Data in Public Relations and Communication, and EXC 517: Sports Administration Using Data) elevates your perspective to the executive level — teaching you to optimize revenue, craft data-driven PR campaigns, manage public image through analytics, and lead sports organizations with data at the center of every decision. Finally, the Capstone phase (EXC 519: Capstone Project) brings everything together in a single, comprehensive project that includes a formal proposal, literature review, original data analysis, ethical and legal assessment, financial strategy, public relations campaign, and a professional presentation — giving you a tangible body of work you can present to any employer on day one.

Every course is built around a combination of weekly discussions, real-world case studies, scholarly APA papers, and practical projects, ensuring that you are not just learning concepts but actively applying them throughout the program. Assessments are designed to mirror the kind of work you will do in the field: analyzing data under deadlines, writing reports that influence decision-makers, and presenting findings to diverse audiences.

You will earn your degree from Kentucky State University, a proud Historically Black College and University that has been committed to academic excellence, community, and student empowerment since 1886. KYSU Online provides dedicated support services including academic coaching, online tutoring, research and writing guidance through the Thorobred Learning Center, and personalized academic advising. The program is also military-friendly, with flexible accommodations for active-duty students who receive Temporary Duty orders or other service-related obligations.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the Master of Science in Sports Analytics program must meet the following requirements:

A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required. Applicants must also submit official transcripts from every college or university attended in pursuit of a bachelor's degree. All transcripts should reflect completed coursework and any degrees conferred. Applicants who have attended multiple institutions should ensure that transcripts from each institution are submitted as part of a complete application.

Admission is competitive, and the program is designed for motivated individuals from a wide range of undergraduate backgrounds — whether your degree is in sports management, business, computer science, mathematics, communications, or any other discipline. What matters most is your drive to learn, your curiosity about the intersection of sports and data, and your commitment to completing a rigorous graduate program.

Who This Program Is For

This program is ideal for working professionals seeking to pivot into the sports analytics industry, recent graduates who want to specialize at the master's level, current sports industry professionals looking to add data skills to their toolkit, military service members and veterans pursuing a flexible graduate education, and anyone passionate about sports who wants to build a career at the cutting edge of how games are played, managed, broadcast, and monetized.

Ready to Apply?

The game is changing. The organizations that win — on the field and off it — are the ones powered by data. Make sure you're part of that future. Apply today to the Master of Science in Sports Analytics at Kentucky State University.