In January 2009, a new master’s degree in Sports Administration will be offered at Fairleigh Dickinson University, according to a press release on fdu.edu.

The 36-credit degree will be available to students starting Jan. 12, and classes will be held at both New Jersey campuses as well as in Eatontown and Trenton. Beginning Jan. 15, the program will also be available online to students who cannot make it to classes, according to the FDU press relase.

The program will be based around 15 credits worth of required courses, 15 credits in a specialization and six elective credits, according to the press release. Specializations include sports administration, coaching or recreation.

Also according to the press release, students who would like to specialize in sports administration will focus on those who want to work within the amateur or professional sports systems. These students would concentrate on marketing and promoting events, player interaction and operations, among other things.

Those who are interested in the coaching specialization will learn methods and theories on how to create an environment where a team and sport will thrive, regardless of age and fitness level, according to the Web site.

Lastly, the recreation specialization will teach students how to organize a range of sports activities within a community setting, according to the press relase. Students will learn how to operate faciltiies and develop programs for individuals of different ages and capabilites.

The degree was approved by the New Jersey President’s Council executive board in September. Charles R. Brown, the director of athletics, physical education and recreation at the University of Maryland in Baltimore said that the program is “contemporarily relevant, academically sound, intellectually rigorous and well structured,” according to the press release.