Athletes And Academic Achievement
M.A. Concentration

Professor Herb Simons with recent graduates.

The Athletes and Academic Achievement concentration in Language and Literacy, Society and Culture (LLSC) is designed for students interested in examining the intersection of athletics and academics within the U.S. educational system. See program admissions, press coverage, and faculty research...

The M.A. investigates the ways in which institutionalized sport both conflicts with and complements the educational mission of American secondary and post-secondary schools. The course of study includes educational and sport theory, literacy theory and instruction, urban education, sociology of sport and research on intercollegiate athletes. Particular emphasis is placed on the motivation of academic and athletic identification in relation to social categories of gender, race, ethnicity and class.

Students interested in the Athletes and Academic Achievement M.A. pursue one of several areas of emphasis, leading to careers in teaching and coaching, academic support services for student-athletes or athletic administration. The curriculum provides students with the knowledge, teaching and mentoring skills vital to improving the educational experiences of young adults. Students who want to teach in the California public schools will need to enroll in a teaching credential program after completion of the M.A. [Students with an interest in teaching English may be able to combine the M.A. with the MUSE credential program.] Twenty-four units are required to complete the M.A. degree. The program can be completed in one academic year. All students will enroll in two core courses plus electives based on the student's area of interest, fulfill an internship, and conduct an M.A. research project. The remaining coursework will be based upon a student's specific area of emphasis.

For more information, please email aaama_info@lists.berkeley.edu For admissions information, please see the Graduate School of Education How to apply page. Note additional information for admission to the Athletes and Academic Achievement M.A. program: GRE scores not required At least one letter of recommendation from a faculty member who can comment on your academic ability is preferred (included in the three letters required for all GSE applicants) Writing sample preferably a paper written for a class