Departments, Programs and Centers
Programs
Motorsports Studies
Director: Andrew Baker
The Certificate in Motorsports Studies will serve student interests and community needs. 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. For those interested in increasing their understanding of motorsports, the certificate will provide that background. At the same time, various sectors of the industry need employees with a general understanding of motorsports, but who also bring training and skills in communications, business, management, and tourism, among other areas. Three tracks of the certificate will provide that focus.
By drawing on the expertise available through the curriculum offered by the IUPUI School of Engineering and Technology and their BS in Motorsports Engineering, in addition to courses offered through the School of Business, the School of Journalism and the School of Physical Education and Tourism Management, this Motorsports Studies Certificate will offer a unique opportunity to study many different facets of the motorsports industry. Special emphases (“tracks”) are available for students interested in communication and public relations, business, finance, management, and tourism management, as related to the motorsports industry. The required capstone course, which may include internships, will help place students in jobs in the motorsports industry, if they so desire.
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 is designed to supplement an undergraduate student's major field of study or stand alone. 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
- MSPT Z444 Motorsports Studies Capstone (3cr) or MSPT Z445 Motorsports Studies Internship
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:
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.
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 prerequisites.
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)
III. What are the Admission Requirements?
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:
- Have earned 55 credit hours towards their degree at IUPUI
- 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:
- Apply for Undergraduate Admission to IUPUI and specify the Motorsports Studies Certificate as their objective.
- Have 55 credit hours of transferable work.
- Have at least a cumulative 2.5 GPA