Athletic administration

Concordia is the only school in Wisconsin to offer an Athletic Administration concentration that utilizes NIAAA curriculum, the gold standard of the field.


CUW’s Academic Council recently approved a new concentration for K-12 administrators. School leaders may now enroll in the Master of Science in Educational Administration program, with an emphasis on athletic administration. The 15-credit concentration could also compliment an existing principal license.

The new concentration is the sole program in the state to utilize National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) curriculum. Graduates of the CUW program will be eligible to pursue national certification through the NIAAA. National certification can open up even more career opportunities and can enhance a candidate’s credibility as an administrator.

Advantages of the athletic administration concentration

Athletic administration is a rapidly evolving field. It is essential for educational administrators to be well-versed in the latest trends, strategies, and best practices. Athletic directors play a vital role in ensuring student-athletes receive a safe, inclusive, and successful athletic experience.

The course content for the CUW concentration covers a range of topics, including legal issues, facility management, sports medicine, financial management, and leadership development. The NIAAA developed the curriculum with the goal of standardizing excellence for the field. The NIAAA has received its own accreditation from Cognia, a non-profit, non-governmental organization that accredits primary and secondary schools through the U.S. and internationally.

“Athletic directors often put in the longest workdays of all school employees due to the schedules and wide-ranging demands of school sports,” said Chris Scudella, PhD, Director of Graduate Education Administration. “Concordia is pleased to be able to support these individuals in their important duties and provide education that will prepare them for an ever-changing field.”


Want in?

The Athletic Administration concentration will launch in August 2023. Applications are now open.