• Description of Program
• Admission
• Degree Requirements
• Special Opportunities
• Careers

Description of Program

The Sport Communication Program reflects the widening opportunities that exist in the area of communication within the professional, collegiate, and amateur sports industries. This multidisciplinary major provides students with an effective mix of practice and theory, while exposing students to new and innovative methods of sport communication, particularly in the areas of new and social media.
 
With the cooperation of the Department of Telecommunications and the School of Journalism, the Department of Kinesiology offers undergraduate programs in sport communication—broadcast and print, leading to the Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology degree. The sport communication-broadcast emphasis concentrates on courses in new and electronic media, such as social media and Internet, television, radio, and other technologies. Additionally, both specialization areas offer instruction in advanced new media technology, such as blogging, podcasting, and online communications.
 
The kinesiology curriculum provides the student with an understanding of the science of human movement and the interrelationship among the historical, sociological, and psychological elements of sport. Combining the kinesiology curriculum with the print or broadcast specialization provides for a more thorough background than is possible if the areas are studied separately.  For more information, please visit: www.publichealth.indiana.edu/program-areas/sport-communication/index.shtml.

Admission

Apply online for undergraduate admission to Indiana University at http://admit.indiana.edu/.

A newly admitted freshman pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology degree with a major in sport communication-broadcast will receive an offer of direct freshman admission to the sport communication-broadcast program if he or she meets both of the following criteria:

• The applicant must have earned one of the following minimum standardized test scores: A combined critical reading and math score of 1270 on the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) or a composite score of 29 on the ACT (American College Test).
• The applicant must have either graduated in the top 12 percent of his or her high school graduating class or earned a minimum high school GPA of 3.5.

Before entering the School of Public Health - Bloomington as a sport communication-broadcast major, all other students must meet both of the following criteria:

• The student must successfully complete at least 26 credit hours.
• The student must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average (GPA) at Indiana University.

Students in the University Division must also declare their intention to major in sport communication-broadcast to the University Division Records Office. Undergraduate students who complete the semester before certification of admission to the school with less than a 2.0 GPA for the semester will be admitted on a probationary status. 

International transfer applicants to the School of Public Health - Bloomington, whose primary language is not English must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum TOEFL score of 550 on the paper- based test, or 213 on the computer-based test, or a 80 on the Internet-based test, is required for direct admission to the School of Public Health - Bloomington. For students from countries where the TOEFL is not available, other evidence of English proficiency may be considered. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) offers an alternative to the TOEFL. A minimum IELTS score of 7 is required for direct admission to the School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. All entering international students whose primary language is not English will be required to take the Indiana University English language examination before registering for course work. Appropriate remedial English courses may be prescribed on the basis of test results.

All entering international students whose primary language is not English will be required to take a special examination in English with IU prior to registering.  Prepared by IU and designed to test a student’s ability to use English in an academic setting, the exam consists of three parts: an essay on a general topic, a listening comprehension exercise, and a grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension section.  There is little that one can do to prepare for this exam other than to continue using written and spoken English at every opportunity.  

International students whose primary language is not English must agree to take any English language courses prescribed from the results of this examination. Fees for special part-time English courses are the same as for other courses; however, credits earned do not meet degree requirements.  If the results of the proficiency examination indicate that full-time work in English is required, the student will be assigned to the Intensive English Program (IEP).  

Students enrolled in IEP do not take academic courses until they achieve adequate English proficiency.  If a student has serious doubts about English ability and is not financially prepared to undertake the additional time and expense of an intensive English program here, the student should consider completing English study in the student’s home country.  In addition, the student may consider delaying admission to a future session.

Degree Requirements

The four-year sport communication-broadcast curriculum combines the subject matter of human movement and sport with a significant body of course work in the Department of Telecommunications. There is a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average (GPA) entrance requirement. Graduation requirements include:

• completion of general education requirements.
• completion of sport communication-broadcast major requirements.
• a minimum of 124 successfully completed credit hours which count toward the degree program.
• a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.
• a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA in a combination of ANAT-A 215 and courses with the following department code-prefixes: HPER-A, HPER-D, HPER-K, and  HPER-P. 
• No Pass/Fail except for free electives.

General Education (20 – 39 credits)

All undergraduate students must complete the IU Bloomington campus-wide general education common ground requirements. Such students must visit the 2012-2013 General Education Bulletin to view these requirements.

Major (78 cr.)

Sport Communication Course Requirement (18 cr.)
Complete each of the following courses:

• HPER-P 213 Introduction to Sport Communication (3 cr.)
• HPER-P 251 Sport and Electronic Media (3 cr.)
• HPER-P 329 Issues in Sport Communication (3 cr.)
• HPER-P 333 Sport in America: Historical Perspectives (3 cr.)
• HPER-P 415 Sport Promotion and Public Relations (3 cr.)
• HPER-P 438 Internship in Sport Communication (3 cr.)

Legal Competency Requirement (3 cr.):
Complete one of the following legal competency courses:

• HPER-P 411 Legal Issues in Sport Settings (3 cr.)
• HPER-R 441 Legal Aspects of Recreation (3 cr.)

Computer Competency Requirement (3 cr.):
Complete one of the following courses:

• BUS-K 201 The Computer in Business (3 cr.)
• CSCI-A 110 Introduction to Computers and Computing (3 cr.) +(N&M)
• EDUC-W 200 Microcomputers in Education (3 cr.)
• HPER-P 200 Microcomputer Applications in Kinesiology (3 cr.)
• HPER-R 237 Computers in Park, Recreation, and Tourism Management (3 cr.)

Specialty Topics Courses Requirement (9 cr.):
Complete 9 credits of the following repeatable topics courses:

• HPER-P 304 Sport Industry Studies (3 cr.) (Repeatable once with different topic)
• HPER-P 404 Colloquium in Sport Management (3 cr.) (Repeatable once with different topic)

 Sport Communication Elective Requirement (9 cr.):
Consult the academic advisor for sport communication during selection of these courses.
Complete 9 credits of the following courses:

• HPER-P 206 Recreational Sports Programming (3 cr.)
• HPER-P 211 Introduction to Sport Management (3 cr.)
• HPER-P 301 Job Search Strategies for Kinesiology Students (1 cr.)
• HPER-P 304 Sport Industry Studies (3 cr.) (repeatable with different topic)
• HPER-P 318 Management of the Sport Enterprise (3 cr.)
• HPER-P 328 Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics (3 cr.)
• HPER-P 392 Sport in American Society (3 cr.)
• HPER-P 404 Colloquium in Sport Management (3 cr.)
• HPER-P 405 Introduction to Sport Psychology (3 cr.)
• HPER-P 418 Sport Marketing (3 cr.)
• HPER-P 423 Financial Principles of Sport (3 cr.)
• HPER-P 425 Sport Governance in the Global Community (3 cr.)
• HPER-P 426 Sales Management in Sport (3 cr.)
• HPER-P 428 Strategic Management in the Sport Industry (3 cr.)
• HPER-P 439 Practicum in Sport Studies (1-3 cr.)
• HPER-P 445 Special Topics in Kinesiology (3 cr.)
• HPER-P 492 Laboratory Assisting or Field Experience in Kinesiology (1-3 cr.)
• HPER-R 354 Sport and Violence (3 cr.)

Telecommunication Requirements (18 cr.)

Complete the following four required courses:

• TEL-T 101 Media Life (3 cr.) +(S&H)
• TEL-T 205 Introduction to Media and Society (3 cr.)+(S&H)
• TEL-T 206 Introduction to Design and Production (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 207 Introduction to Telecommunications Industry and Management (3 cr.)

Complete any six credits from the from courses listed in the following three telecommunications areas: 

Media and Society

• TEL-T 311 Media History (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 312 Politics and Media (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 313 Comparative Media Systems (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 314 Processes and Effects (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 316 Media Ethics and Professional Responsibility (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 317 Children and Media (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 410 Sex and the Media (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 414 Public Communication Campaigns (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 416 Program Analysis and Criticism (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 424 Telecommunications and the Constitution (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 427 International Telecommunications (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 445 Sports and Television (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 451 Topical Seminar in Media and Society (3 cr.)
• TEL-S 451 Honors Seminar in Media and Society (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 471 Applying Theory to Media Design (3 cr.)

Design and Production

• TEL-T 330 Production Management (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 331 Script Writing (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 351 Video Field Production (1.5 cr.)
• TEL-T 353 Audio Production (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 354 Program Graphics and Animation (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 356 TV Studio Operations/Production (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 361 Interactive Transmedia Design (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 364 Introduction to 3D Digital Modeling and Animation (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 366 Multiplayer Game Design (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 367 Theory /Practice Interactive Entertainment (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 369 Sound Design (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 431 Video Documentary (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 433 Advanced Projects in Web Design (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 435 Documentary Production (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 436 Advanced Production Workshop (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 437 WTIU Production Workshop (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 452 Topical Seminar in Design and Production (3 cr.)
• TEL-S 452 Honors Seminar in Design and Production (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 454 DVD Authoring (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 460 Projects in Game Design (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 461 Advanced Interactive Transmedia Design (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 464 Advanced 3D Digital Modeling and Animation (3 cr.)

Industry and Management

• TEL-T 316 Media Ethics and Professional Responsibility (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 321 Policymaking in Telecommunications (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 322 Telecommunications Networks (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 326 Network Design (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 327 Data Communications (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 329 Cable /Broadband Communications (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 340 Electronic Media Advertising (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 343 Electronic Media Sales (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 344 Programming Strategies (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 347 Promotion and Marketing (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 348 Audience Analysis (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 413 Global Media Issues (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 421 Economics of Communication Industries (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 422 Business Applications of Telecommunications (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 425 Telecommunications Law and Regulation (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 441 Advanced Advertising Strategies (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 446 Telecommunications Management (3 cr.)
• TEL-T 453 Topical Seminar in Telecommunications Industry and Management (3 cr.)
• TEL-S 453 Honors Seminar in Telecommunications Industry and Management (3 cr.)

Oral Communication Requirement (3 cr.)
Complete one of the following courses:

• CMCL-C 121 Public Speaking (3 cr.) +(A&H)
• CMCL-C 122 Interpersonal Communication (3 cr.) +(S&H)
• BUS-C 104 Business Presentations (3 cr.)

Advanced Writing Requirement (3 cr.)
Complete one of the following courses:

• ENG-W 231 Professional Writing Skills (3 cr.)
• ENG-W 270 Argumentative Writing (3 cr.)

Communication Requirement (6 cr.)
Complete six credits from the following courses:

• BUS-C 204 Business Communications (3 cr.)
• CMCL-C ____ Any communication and culture course +(some A&H)
• ENG-G 205 Introduction to the English Language (3 cr.)
• ENG-G 302 Structure of Modern English (3 cr.)
• ENG-W 103 Introductory Creative Writing (3 cr.) +(A&H)
• ENG-W 202 English Grammar Review (1 cr.)
• ENG-W 203 Creative Writing (3 cr.) (P: W 103)
• ENG-W 240 Community Service Writing (3 cr.)
• ENG-W 280 Literary Editing and Publishing (3 cr.)
• ENG-W 350 Advanced Expository Writing (3 cr.)
• JOUR-J 110 Foundations of Journalism and Mass Communication (3 cr.) +(S&H)
• THTR-T 115 Oral Interpretation I (3 cr.)

Arts and Humanities Elective Requirement (3 cr.)
Complete three credits in Arts and Humanities in addition to those required by the general education requirement.

Social and Historical Studies Elective Requirement (3 cr.)
Complete three credits in Social and Historical Studies in addition to those required by the general education requirement.

+ Courses followed by a A&H notation apply toward completion of both the major requirement and the general education, arts and humanities requirement.

+ Courses followed by a N&M notation apply toward completion of both the major requirement and the general education, natural and mathematic sciences requirement.

+ Courses followed by a S&H notation apply toward completion of both the major requirement and the general education, social and historical studies requirement.

Special Opportunities

The Sport Communication program supports and sponsors IUSportcom, the only all-digital, all-sports student media website in the country. Through this media portal, students gain valuable hands-on experience in a variety of areas, including written stories, podcasting, video stories, social media interaction, and more. IUSportCom content producers cover every Indiana University varsity sport, and the website is a credentialed media member within the IU community. The site is designed to provide a venue for students to gain experience, sharpen their skills, and get their work published and presented to a large, multifaceted audience of both students and IU sports fans. IUSportCom content producers are also highly active in sports blogging, writing and commenting on their thoughts and opinions throughout the sports world, including NCAA athletics, major professional sports such as the NFL and the NBA, and even international sports such as soccer and auto racing. There is no prior experience required to become a member of IUSportcom. For more information, visit the website at www.iusportcom.com.

Direct experience in the area of sport communication is an important component of this undergraduate major. Through practica, internships, and/or field experiences, students have the opportunity to work and train in a variety of sport and communication related fields. Local internship opportunities include Indiana University athletics, the Colts, Indiana Pacers and Fever, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Natatorium, AAA baseball at Victory Field, the NCAA Headquarters, and four sport National Governing Bodies.
 
Specialized advising is provided to assist students with degree planning that allows them to tailor their degree to meet long-term goals. Students are required to meet with an academic advisor at least twice a year.

The Sport Communication Program also sponsors and supports the IU Sport Communication Club. The goal of this club is to bring together students from across campus who are interested in the world of sport communication, careers in the industry, and opportunities in sports media across campus.
 
Career resources are provided through the expertise of a career specialist to assist students in career planning, resume and cover letter preparation, and skill development for the interview process. In addition the Career Center contains a variety of up-to-date and highly accessible resources designed to facilitate long-range decision making and future employment considerations.

Careers

Students completing the Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a specialization in Sport Communication will be prepared for entry-level positions in radio, television, athletic or sports information, sports journalism, public and/or community relations, and promotions.
 
Students may also find employment with semiprofessional and professional sports teams in the area of media relations. Graduates are likely to be knowledgeable in a variety of sport communication applications and suited to diverse employment opportunities.