Coker College was initially formed in 1894 by Civil War Major James Lide Coker within the South Carolina public high school system. After transitioning into the Coker College for Women, it stood as the only SACS-accredited school between Columbia and Charleston until the 1940s. Though historically linked to the Southern Baptist Convention, Coker officially became non-sectarian and co-educational by 1969. Coker College has developed into a comprehensive private liberal arts institution known for “discussion-based” learning. More than 1,200 students presently enroll on Coker’s beautiful 15-acre urban campus in Hartsville just two hours from Myrtle Beach.
According to the U.S. News, Coker is the sixth best regional college and 14th top value in the South. The Princeton Review included Coker College within its “Best Southeastern” schools. For three straight years, Washington Monthlyhas distinguished Coker as the fifth best bang for the buck in the Southeastern United States. On Niche, Coker College was graded “A” for campus diversity and B+ for academics. StateUniversity.com recognized Coker as South Carolina’s second safest college after analyzing FBI data. The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) ranked Coker within the nation’s top 10 percent of supportive colleges.
Coker College Accreditation Details
In January 2016, Coker College reaffirmed its institutional accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) for the maximum 10 years. At Level III, this regional accrediting body approved Coker’s programs for the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). For sports management education, the Department of Business Administration is an educational member of the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Coker is also approved by the North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM).
Coker College Application Requirements
Gaining admission to Coker College’s sports management programs isn’t easy with the “selective” acceptance rate of 50 percent. Freshmen pursuing the BBA must already have a licensed high school diploma or GED certificate. Preference is given to college-prep curricula with four years each of English and mathematics. On average, incoming first-years present a secondary GPA of 2.97. Admitted Cobras also achieve a mean SAT score of 1050 and ACT score of 21. Sports management majors could transfer with at least 24 accredited credits post-high school. Accepted transfers typically carry a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
Admission to the Master of Science in College Athletic Administration program is like a competitive sport at Coker. Prospective students must be graduating with or already hold a four-year bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. Foreign learners have extra steps to translate their transcripts and score at least 550 on the paper-based TOEFL or an equivalent exam. Displaying good academic standing with an undergraduate GPA above 2.85 on a 4.0 scale is required. The Graduate Advisory Committee utilizes holistic review to judge applicants’ achievements, talents, and professional promise too.
Coker College has a rolling admission process that lasts until August 15th for Fall start dates. However, the preferred deadline for enrollment is May 1st. Interested students can put their best foot forward by making a ZeeMee portfolio and submitting the following:
• Completed online application for admission
• High school and college transcripts after junior year
• College entrance exam scores (SAT, ACT, or GRE)
• Two to three signed letters of recommendation
• Professional resume focused on sports-related work
• Well-written personal statement of 400-500 words
• Check or money order for the $25 application fee
Tuition and Financial Aid
Full-time BBA students at Coker College are charged $26,568 for annual tuition. Part-time adults in Hartsville pay $562 per credit hour. The Florence and Marion locations give discounts for $340 per credit. Standard dorm housing adds $3,800 annually. Residential students must afford $4,442 for inclusive meal plans. Coker also suggests budgeting $1,500 yearly for books and miscellaneous expenses. Total annual cost of attendance for undergraduates is $34,810. Graduate students studying athletic administration will pay $584 per credit, which brings the 30-credit program’s price to approximately $17,520.
Keep in mind that 99 percent of beginning, full-time Coker students earn assistance. The NCES reports that the average financial aid package is worth $18,248. Both undergraduates and graduates can borrow federal money via the Direct Loan Unsubsidized and Direct PLUS programs, but BBA majors also qualify for Perkins loans. Low-income students may receive the Federal Pell Grant or Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant. Federal Work-Study (FWS) jobs are available in the Athletics Department for 20 hours weekly. South Carolinians could earn the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship, LIFE Scholarship, or SC Tuition Grant. Active duty and veterans benefits are redeemed via the Yellow Ribbon Program. Institutional awards like the Trustee’s Scholarship, Dean’s Scholarship, Bell Tower Scholarship, Transfer Scholarship, and Sibling Scholarship are diverse.
Student Experience
At Coker College, the Department of Business Administration houses a BBA program with three available concentrations, including Sport Management. This 48-credit major develops on the liberal arts core to train students for applying business practices in the multi-billion sports industry. The four-year sequence is paved with courses in financial management, marketing, sports law, facility management, macroeconomics, and accounting. Coker’s average class size is just 12, which allows for round-table discussions in small groups. Tenure-track business faculty encourage students to learn about the sports market via internships. Study away programs are available from Portugal to the Dominican Republic.
One of the three master’s programs at Coker College is the M.S. in College Athletic Administration, which is ideal for advancing sports managers. Graduate students transform into high-profile administrators with the forward-thinking leadership skills to shape winning D-I sports programs. Emphasis is placed on recruiting coaches and athletes with NCAA compliance. The 30-credit curriculum includes courses on sport communication, fundraising, sport law, facility management, budgeting, and sport marketing. At least one 120-hour internship is required with any university athletic department. Graduates have excelled at the University of Indianapolis, Christian Brothers University, the Charlotte Hornets, and more.
Outside the classroom, learning opportunities abound for Coker students. A newly renovated, 22-acre athletics complex is adjacent to the Hartsville campus. Sports management majors can gain professional experience at the DeLoach Center, Byerly Park, or Saleeby-Stokes Field. The Coker Cobras have 19 intercollegiate teams competing in the NCAA Division II South Atlantic Conference. The baseball team is particularly well-known for advancing to the national championship in 2013. Students could also register for 30+ campus organizations, such as the Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society or Student Government Association. The Enactus team at Coker College is also notably ranked among the nation’s top 40 chapters.
