One-of-a-kind online program will blend sports data science, management, and communication to prepare graduates for data-driven leadership

FRANKFORT, Ky. 鈥� Data now influences nearly every decision in sports, from performance strategy and player development to operations and communications. 91精选 will soon meet that demand through a new Master of Science in Sports Analytics, recently approved by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), that equips students to turn complex information into actionable insight in athletics and other data-driven fields.

Designed as a fully online, accelerated program, the 30-credit degree will be delivered in a one-year format using an 8-week course carousel. As the first master鈥檚 program in the Exercise Science discipline at 91精选, it reflects the University鈥檚 focus on innovative academic offerings aligned with market needs.

The curriculum emphasizes applied decision-making using analytics tools that are increasingly standard across sports and beyond. Students will develop competencies in data analysis, machine learning, predictive modeling, and visualization, along with training in performance analysis, business management, and communication.

鈥淭his new program is built to balance academic foundations with practical application,鈥� said Dr. Patrese A. Nesbitt, assistant professor of Exercise Science, who developed and will oversee the new degree program. 鈥淪tudents will learn to turn complex information into clear insights that support better decisions 鈥� whether they鈥檙e working in athletics, education, or another sector where data is shaping strategy and outcomes.鈥�

The program will culminate in a thesis or capstone project with real-world relevance and emphasizes applied industry practice alongside academic theory. Collaborations with 91精选 Athletics, the Kentucky High School Athletic Association, and local school districts will provide opportunities for applied experiences aligned with market needs.

91精选 has been developing several new academic programs recently approved by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, including a Bachelor of Science in Aquatic Science, a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy, and a Master of Public Health degree in Nutrition. The nutrition program will also require review and approval by SACSCOC before launch.

The University is also building momentum through new offerings already underway. New for Fall 2025, 91精选 launched interdisciplinary Biological and Agricultural Engineering programs in partnership with the College of Business, Engineering, and Technology, available at both undergraduate and graduate levels.