Name

Samantha Rossi

School

Long Beach State University

Degree Program

First year Master of Arts student in Kinesiology with a specialization in Sports Management

Previous Degrees

Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Occidental College, 2010

Research Interests

Sports team analysis; sport event planning; sports business and marketing

Graduate School – Application Process

How did you select your graduate school and program?

I chose Long Beach State University for my masters program in kinesiology because I completed my undergraduate degree in Los Angeles and discovered that I love California. The Long Beach kinesiology program also fits my interests and background. I wanted to combine my knowledge of economics with my interest in sports and event planning, and Long Beach University’s specialization in sports allows me to study and pursue all of these interests.

What did you do to prepare yourself for graduate school?

I prepared myself for graduate school by seeking out experience in the field and studying for my GREs, which are the graduate school version of the SATs. Graduate school admissions seem to value these 2 application components more highly than others.

Did your application requirements include standardized test scores?

Yes, my application required GRE test scores.

How did you choose faculty to approach for letters of recommendation?

I chose my boss, basketball coach and a professor who I consider a mentor. All of these people knew me well enough to write me excellent recommendations.

Do you have any other tips for a student who is considering applying to graduate school in kinesiology?

Students who are considering applying to a graduate kinesiology program need to develop networking and career skills. The field of kinesiology depends on fresh perspectives. For the most part, students who network with professors and classmates will have more access to those fresh viewpoints. Likewise, those who show that they have the ability to apply their skills to a variety of tasks will find connections easier to make.

Graduate School – The Program

How long is your program and how is the curriculum distributed?

The masters degree for kinesiology requires 2 years of coursework and several hundred internship hours. Those in the accelerated program, however, can finish their degree and internship requirements in 18 months. I chose the accelerated program and, on average, spend about 4 hours a day on coursework and the rest of my time working or studying.

Does your program have an internship component?

Yes, my program requires an internship every semester. The first semester requires 100 internship hours and the second and third semesters each require 200 hours.

Does your masters program require comprehensive exams prior to graduation?

No, my kinesiology program at Long Beach University does not require exams, but we do have a capstone project, which is a research thesis project. This project asks students to use and present the research that they have collected throughout their time in the program.

How does a masters program differ from undergraduate study?

Class sizes and professor interactions look very different in a masters program. Most masters programs have fewer than 20 students, for example, so classes stay small and personal. Those small classes also mean that students can interact with professors one-on-one.

Graduate School – Paying for It

How much does your masters program cost?

The cost of my masters program is reasonable. I pay around $1,500 per class and buy my books online to keep the secondary costs low.

How are you funding your education?

I am paying for my education with student loans. The financial aid department at Long Beach has been very helpful in my financial aid process.

Graduate School – Living Life

What are the time commitments for a masters in kinesiology

I divide my time between an internship, a job and coursework. Fitting in the internship hours has been difficult. Sometimes 30 to 60 hour weekends are necessary. The coursework, on the other hand, feels very doable. Although the amount of reading is daunting, I have plenty of time to complete the coursework for each class.

How has graduate school affected your personal life?

The practical skills that I have gained and the incredible experiences that I have had have been the most tangible effects of my masters program in kinesiology. My projects teach me tools I can use every day, such as planning and time management. These same projects have also given me the opportunity to mingle with famous athletes and take part in large-scale events. For example, I have managed a corporate suite for the Toyota Grand Prix and a practice court for the U.S. Open Series.

Graduate School – After Graduation

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In 5 years, I see myself living in San Francisco and working with a company like Nike or EA Sports.

Graduate School - Advice

What insights can you offer a student who is interested in pursuing a masters in kinesiology?

Students who pursue this degree should learn to network, adapt to shifting expectations and seek experience in the field. This industry thrives on personal contacts and networking, so the best thing that students can do is volunteer for events. These events may require students to file papers one day and manage operations the next. However, students who can adapt to these shifting demands will make excellent industry contacts in their careers and have great experience to show on their resumes.