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Certificate Programs
Motorsports Studies

The Certificate in Motorsports Studies will serves student interests and community needs.  The recently developed BS in Motorsports Engineering and the Motorsports Technology Certificate demonstrate high interest among IUPUI students in the motorsports industry.   Indianapolis, "Racing Capital of the World," is the home of several major motorsports events, including the Indianapolis 500, the Brickyard 400, the NHRA Nationals and the MotoGP.  The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has also hosted the US Grand Prix.  The nearby cities of Evansville and Madison, Indiana, host important events on the American Boat Racing Association schedule, the Madison Regatta and "Thunder on the Ohio", respectively.  A very large number of facilities throughout central Indiana and the mid-west in general host racing events on a regular basis.  The motorsports industry has a significant influence on the social and economic fabric of central Indiana, the mid-west, the United States and, indeed, the world.

Students usually will enter the program fall semester, but may apply for spring semester under special circumstances.  Admission to the program requires junior standing. 

Motorsports Studies will make the decision on admission to the program.

Students currently enrolled at IUPUI may be considered for admission to the program if they meet the following criteria:

  1. Have earned 55 credit hours towards their degree at IUPUI
  2. Have at least a cumulative 2.5 GPA

Students who have not enrolled at IUPUI may be considered for admission to the program if they meet the following criteria:

  1. Apply for Undergraduate Admission to IUPUI and specify the Motorsports Studies Certificate as their objective.
  2. Have 55 credit hours of transferable work.
  3. Have at least a cumulative 2.5 GPA

These four areas of emphasis will be available within the program:

  • Motorsports Studies
  • Communication and Public Relations
  • Business, Finance, and Management
  • Tourism and Event Management   

The Certificate will be awarded after the student has completed 21 hours of coursework, which includes 9 hours of core courses in Motorsports Studies, 9 hours of focused electives, and a 3 credit capstone course.  Each of these courses must be passed with a grade of C or above in order to count for the Certificate.  Electives must be approved by the Motorsports Studies Director prior to registration. 

Required Courses

MSPT Z100    Motorsports Studies                         (3cr)
MSTE  27200      Introduction to Motorsports              (3cr)
 
One of the following (3cr):
  • COMM C380 Organizational Communication
  • ENG W231 Professional Writing Skills
  • COMM G310 Introduction to Communication Research
  • SOC R351 Social Science Research Methods
  • and LIBA MSPT Z444Motorsports Studies Capstone or LIBA MSPT Z445 Motorsports Studies Internship
Note 1: Students may not "double count" required courses and courses in the different areas described below.  For example, R351, Social Science Research Methods, will not be counted as both a required motorsports course and a course in the Motorsports Studies Emphasis.
Note 2: The instructors of MSPT 100 and MSTE 27200 will collaborate to insure that these courses are complementary.

Electives

In order to complete one of the four areas of emphasis listed above, students will select 9 hours of electives in consultation with the Director of the Motorsports Studies. 

The Motorsports Studies Capstone will be designed by the student in consultation with the Director of Motorsports Studies.  The capstone will help students synthesize and demonstrate what they have learned while readying them for opportunities in the motorsports industry.   The capstone may consist of either an internship with a motorsports related organization or significant research project. 

The student's chosen emphasis will appear on the transcript.

The following is a sample list of elective courses for each track [1]

Motorsports Studies Emphasis (3 courses/9 credits from the list below):

  • HIST A421  Topics in United States History: History of Sports, Recreation, and Leisure                (3cr)
  • GEOG G310   Introduction to Communication Research or SOC R351 Social Science Research Methods (3cr)
  • COMM C380  Organizational Communication                               (3cr)
  • ENG W231  Professional Writing Skills                                  (3cr)
  • ECON E307  Economics of Sport                                             (3cr)
  • AFRO A303  Topics in African American and African Diaspora Studies (such as, Sport, Culture, and African Americans)                       (1-3cr)
  • AMST A303  Topics in American Studies                                    (1-3cr)
  • WOST W300  Topics in Women's Studies                                   (1-3cr)

Note: Although variable credits are available in some of the above listed courses, 9 total credits are required. 

 Communication and Public Relations Emphasis (3 courses from the list below):

  • ENG W231 Professional Writing Skills                                      (3cr)
  • COMM C380 Organizational Communication                                 (3cr)
  • TCEM  231 Tourism and Hospitality Marketing                           (3cr)
  • JOUR J219 Introduction to Public Relations                               (3cr)
  • JOUR J340 PR Tactics and Techniques                                     (3cr)
  • JOUR J360 Understanding Sports Media                                   (3cr)
 
Note: JOUR J360 is a temporary number.  

[1] Several of the courses listed have pre-requisites or require consent of the instructor.  For example, W231, Professional Writing Skills, has a pre-requisite of W131, Elementary Composition 1 (and a grade of C or better), and E307, Economics of Sport, has a pre-requisite of E201 (Introduction to Microeconomics), sophomore standing, or consent of the instructor.  200 level Business courses have no pre-requisites; the 300 level Business courses have several pre-requisites.  Students are encouraged to examine the IUPUI Campus Bulletin, to consult with their advisor, and to consult with the Director of Motorsports Studies prior to embarking on a course of studies that leads to a Motorsports Studies Certificate.

Business, Finance, and Management Emphasis (3 courses from the list below):

  • MSTE 31000 Business of Motorsports I                                        (3cr)
  • MSTE 31100 Business of Motorsports II                                       (3cr)
  • ENG  W231 Professional Writing Skills                                         (3cr)    
  • JOUR J360 Sports Marketing and Advertising                                (3cr)
  • BUS M200 Marketing and Society: A Look at Roles and Responsibilities or BUS M300 Introduction to Marketing (3cr)
  • BUS W200 Introduction to Business and Management                    (3cr)
  • BUS F200 Foundations of Financial Management or BUS F300 Introduction to Financial Management (3cr)
  • BUS P200 Foundations of Operations and Supply Chain Management or BUS P300 Introduction to Operations Management (3cr)

 Note: JOUR J360 is a temporary number.

 Tourism and Event Management Emphasis (3 courses from the list below)

  • ENG W231 Professional Writing Skills                                         (3cr)
  • TCEM 219 Management of Sport Events                                      (3cr)
  • TCEM 231 Tourism and Hospitality Marketing                               (3cr)
  • TCEM 329 Sport Marketing                                                       (3cr)
  • TCEM 362 Tourism Economics                                                  (3cr)