Program Accreditation

The Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA) is a specialized accrediting body that promotes and recognizes excellence in sport management education in colleges and universities at the baccalaureate and graduate levels (www.cosmaweb.org). Institutions, students, employers, and the general public all benefit from the external verification of quality provided through COSMA's accreditation process. They also benefit from the process of continuous quality improvement that is encouraged by COSMA's developmental approach to promoting excellence in sport management education.

COSMA was jointly established by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) and the North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM) in July 2008. Nevertheless, accreditation policy, processes, and decisions will be conducted by the COSMA Board of Commissioners with no input or interference by NASPE and NASSM. Once COSMA is incorporated as a non-profit organization and receives federal tax exemption, it would no longer be associated with NASPE and NASSM.

COSMA accreditation is replacing program approval granted by the former Sport Management Program Review Council (SMPRC) which was in operation for more than 20 years. All SMPRC-approved programs will be recognized through their date of expiration until and unless they submit for COSMA approval. Those programs approved in the past few years that were granted an extension will be publicly recognized by COSMA through December 31, 2009. Additionally, those that received their seven-year approval in 2003 or later will retain their approval status throughout the seven-year period (e.g., programs SMPRC-approved in 2003 will retain their status until December 31, 2010). All SMPRC-approved programs are invited to begin the COSMA accreditation process as soon as they would like.

The institutions can apply for COSMA membership by December 31, 2008, for a discounted price. Annual institutional memberships cost $1,800 and individual memberships cost $30 per year. Applications received prior to December 31, 2008, will receive a total savings for three years of $2,400.  The Commission has set a goal to review its first set of programs in the Spring 2009. Applications received this fall will be among the first to undergo the review process including site visits.

COSMA is governed by a Board of Commissioners. It is comprised of five members who normally meet twice a year. The Board of Commissioners independently determines the accreditation status of an institution's sport management program.

The current Board of Commissioners are:

  • Robert Baker, George Mason University (3 year term, expires 2011)
  • Jackie Cuneen, Bowling Green State University (3 year term, expires 2011)
  • Andy Gillentine, University of Miami (2 year term, expires 2010)
  • Jay Gladden, University of Massachusetts (2 year term, expires 2010)
  • Jo Williams, University of Southern Maine (3 year term, expires 2011)

For more information and application materials, please visit www.cosmaweb.org or contact COSMA by email at cosma@cosmaweb.org or by phone at 703-476-3394.



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