How many classes total do I need to take to complete the certificate?
You must take six classes – three core courses, two topics courses and a capstone. All are three-credit classes.
How can I be sure I will be able to take all the classes I need in order to complete the certificate on time?
If you have at least three semesters left at UGA, including two spring semesters, you should be able to complete the certificate. Please consult with Professor Carlo Finlay, the program’s assistant director and academic adviser, at carlof@uga.edu to tailor your course schedule for the certificate.
Which of the core courses in the certificate do I have to take?
Every certificate candidate is required to take SPTM 3850 Introduction to Sports Reporting and Writing and SPTM 4800 Multiplatform Storytelling for Sports.
When are the first two core courses offered?
SPTM 3850 Introduction to Sports Reporting and Writing is offered every spring semester. SPTM 4800 Multiplatform Storytelling for Sports is offered in the fall and sometimes in the spring.
What kind of workload/time demands should I expect in SPTM 3850: Introduction to Sports Reporting and Writing?
The intro course is designed to train you how to cover events on deadline. You will be required to produce live coverage of several sports events throughout the semester, most of them at night and on the weekends.
What kind of workload/time demands should I expect in SPTM 4800: Multiplatform Storytelling for Sports?
The Multiplatform course is designed to familiarize you with covering a sports beat and with finding and producing written, video, audio and infographic stories about that beat. You will be required to get to know the athletes and coaches on your beat, and to conduct in-person interviews at various times on a near-weekly basis.
What are my options for the third (advanced) core course?
You can choose among SPTM 5820 Sports Broadcast and Production, SPTM 5750 Social and Digital Media Production for Sports, SPTM 5800 Sports Enterprise Reporting and Writing, and SPTM 5810 Sports Media Relations.
When are the third (advanced) core courses offered?
SPTM 5820 Sports Broadcast and Production usually is offered fall and spring semester. SPTM 5750 Social and Digital Media Production for Sports is offered every spring semester. SPTM 5800 Sports Enterprise Reporting and Writing and SPTM 5810 Sports Media Relations are offered on an on-demand basis.
Can I take any of the third (advanced) core courses before completing the first two required core courses?
Yes, you can take SPTM 5820 Sports Broadcast and Production and SPTM 5750 Social and Digital Media Production for Sports after completing SPTM 3850 Introduction to Sports Reporting and Writing, with approval from faculty members. This will be based on available space in these courses. Before taking the other two advanced core courses, you must also complete SPTM 4800 Multiplatform Storytelling for Sports.
Can I take more than one of the third (advanced) core courses?
Yes, by permission of the instructor.
What are my options for topics classes?
You can take any of the Sports Media topics courses taught by Professors Carlo Finlay, Vicki Michaelis and Welch Suggs. Prof. Finlay teaches SPTM 3800 Sports, Media and Society every fall semester. Other topics courses within the program are offered on a less regular basis. Check with Prof. Finlay at carlof@uga.edu for upcoming offerings.
At least one of the two topics classes must be 4000 level or above.
You also can fulfill the topics course requirement through select offerings in the Sport Management program in UGA’s Department of Kinesiology. Acceptable selections are courses that examine topics in the broad sense of sport, rather than topics related only to sport management. Some possibilities: KINS 3415 Philosophy and Ethics in Sport; KINS 3580 Sport and the Black Culture and KINS 4820 Social Aspects of Sport. You must obtain a POD (see Prof. Finlay) in order to register for courses in the Department of Kinesiology.
What are the requirements to complete the capstone?
You must secure your own capstone experience, which in most cases will be an internship. The capstone should give you real-world experience in an area of sports media that particularly interests you. Sports Media professors can help you brainstorm possibilities.
During what time of year should I take the capstone?
Most students will complete their capstone during the summer. But you can also complete it during the academic year, through sports media outlets on campus, in Athens or in Atlanta, or remotely with media outlets and sports organizations located elsewhere.
At what point in the certificate program should I schedule the capstone?
The ideal time to complete the capstone is after you have taken all of your other certificate courses. We will make exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
