Global Sport Leadership

100% Online Doctorate of Education Degree

ETSU Online

Explore a Global Perspective

The Global Sport Leadership doctorate is an innovative, online program focused on developing the next generation of leaders and visionaries in the highly competitive world of academic and professional sports.

For those driven to lead and succeed, the Global Sport Leadership, Ed.D. offers online course delivery and global study abroad components to provide a world-class degree program. Students explore a global perspective of best practices from highly successful sports executives and academic faculty.

The Global Sport Leadership program is always evolving. The flexibility of the program's curriculum allows it to adapt to the needs of future sport leaders.

Designed for Sport Practitioner

This program is designed for the working sport practitioner. If a student is looking to take the next step in your career, an Ed.D. in Global Sport Leadership can differentiate them from others in the application and search process. All coursework is directly related to the needs of a working sport practitioner. 

This program does NOT have a traditional dissertation. Instead, the culminating experience is a Doctoral Capstone Project, which will provide the student the opportunity to display learning gained throughout the program into one seamless project experience. Attendance at an International Sporting Event is a program requirement.

Below are examples of some courses within the program:

  • Strategic Planning and Thinking for Global Sport Leaders
  • Interpersonal Relationships in Sport
  • Leading internal and external Sport
  • Effect of Governing Bodies on Sport Leaders
  • Interpreting and Applying Analytics in Sport
  • International Model of Sport Leadership (two-week field trip)

Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found in the ETSU Graduate Catalog.

“One of the greatest strengths of this program is that it is sufficiently distinct in scope and market. The program has great potential to meet a real need in the sport industry and to train future innovators.”

– Dr. Michael Sagas, Professor and Chair, Department of Tourism, Recreation and Sport Management, University of Florida

Steps to Apply

  • Step 1 - Create your ETSU Application Account

    Step 1   Create your ETSU Application Account by choosing the "Sign Up" option

    Create your ETSU Application Account

  • Step 2 - Sign into the ETSU Application Portal

    Step 2  Sign in to the ETSU Application Portal and select "Start a New Application"

    Sign in

  • Step 3 - Complete the Remaining Fields

    Step 3   Choose "Graduate," select your student type (domestic or international), select "Doctorate," term, then choose  Global Sport Leadership and complete the remainder of the form.

    select domestic/international

    select certificate

Apply Today!

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Cost

Credits to complete this program: 60 credit hours

TN Residents Out of State

$615 per credit hour*

$670 per credit hour*


*These totals include tuition, fees, and field trips (with the exception of travel to the initial destination). 



The costs associated with attending ETSU can include both direct and indirect costs. Please review ETSU's Cost of Attendance for more details. 




Frequently Asked Questions

  • What accreditations apply to this program? 

    The Global Sport Leadership program is accredited by SACSCOC.

  • What are the job prospects with this degree?

    This program is designed for the working sport practitioner. ETSU wants all applicants to be “good” at their job before applying to the program. The information presented in the program can assist the student in climbing the ladder in their current work setting, or allow them to differentiate themselves when applying for positions outside their sport organization.

  • Does a student's master’s degree have to be related to this field?  

    ETSU asks that applicants have a master’s degree in a sport-related field. However, as an example, if a student has an MBA but has been working in a sport-related field for the last 10 years, they are a good candidate and their potential enrollment would not be limited due to lack of a specific degree.

  • Does this program require the GRE or GMAT?

    Neither the GRE nor GMAT are required for admission.

  • Are the courses for this program asynchronous or synchronous?

    The courses in this program are asynchronous.

  • Are there any on-campus requirements?

    Due to the online nature of this program, there are no on-campus requirements. However, there is a 10-day field experience that occurs mid-May of the first and second years of study. 

  • Does this program require a dissertation or capstone project? 

    There is a research component, but it is not a thesis or dissertation. The culmination experience is a Capstone Project.

  • Is this program designed to meet the needs of adults who work full-time and/or have family obligations?

    Yes. Since all classes are to be taken online, the program is ideal for those with familial or professional obligations. 

  • What is the time to completion?

    This program is only available part-time. Students typically complete the program in 3 years.

  • Is there a plan of study/course detailing full-time and part-time options available?

    The entire curriculum can be viewed on the program's website. 

  • How many spaces are available for each cohort?

    There are 18 spaces per cohort.

  • Are scholarships available?

    Students are encouraged to visit the Paying for Graduate School website for information regarding ETSU graduate scholarships and other financial resources.