The UO’s sports product design master’s program received its final approval last week, clearing the way for admitted students to be the first in the world to take the innovative graduate curriculum.  Applications are now being accepted through June 1 for the new Portland program.

Part of the School of Architecture and Allied Arts, the program will provide theoretical and applied research experience in sports product design for all types of athletes, from elite to recreational. It will focus on innovation methodologies, materials and manufacturing, apparel, footwear and equipment design, sustainability, and product branding and marketing.

“Our program is unique in that it combines specialized courses from multiple areas of study including product design, human physiology, biomechanics, journalism, business and management to give designers the necessary tools to successfully excel as sports product innovators,” said Susan Sokolowski, UO associate professor of product design.

Sports product design will be housed at the White Stag Block and is the companion to Lundquist College of Business’s sports product management master’s program that started this year.

The final approval of the program came  May 12 in action by the state’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission. A bachelor’s degree program in arts management was also approved at that time. It will start this fall in Eugene and is part of the School of Architecture and Allied Arts.

—By Heidi Hiaasen, University Communications