Master of Science in Sports Product Design

Degree Requirements | Required Courses | Partners


Degree Overview

Sports Product Design at the UO in Portland

The Sports Product Design program develops graduates proficient in using science and creative problem-solving methods to innovate products that push the boundaries of society and the field of sport. The 2-year curriculum, founded in 2016, focuses on research, product innovation methodologies, athletic performance, sustainability, business, marketing, and branding. 

Graduates study to become leaders of multidisciplinary product creation teams within the 800+ sports product companies in the state of Oregon and beyond. Upon graduation, they enter the sports industry as designers, developers, researchers, and engineers - across footwear, apparel, and equipment organizations. 

Graduates of the program have published peer-reviewed research papers, presented at academic conferences, patented new technologies, exhibited at international design exhibits, won international design awards, taught workshops, and received funding for their new product ventures. The program has also pioneered adaptive products in partnership with local businesses and athletes to achieve their full sports potential.


Degree Requirements (77 Credits*)

The curriculum requires:

  • 62 credits in Sports Product Design
  • 9 credits from Human Physiology and Journalism
  • 6 credits minimum of electives (UO graduate-level courses). Graduate-level courses may also be taken at Portland State University (PSU) through a joint campus agreement.

Required Courses

Courses in Sports Product Design

62 Credits Total

SPD 415/515: Soft Goods Technologies for Sports Product Design

4 Credits

SPD 425/525: Digital Technologies for Sports Product Creation

4 Credits

SPD 610: Thesis Research

4 Credits

SPD 645: Sports Product Design and Business

4 Credits

SPD 650: Sports Product Materials and Manufacturing

4 Credits

SPD 684: Sports Product Design Research Methodology and
Innovation Process Studio

6 Credits

SPD 685: Product Design Studio I—Apparel

6 Credits

SPD 686: Product Design Studio II—Footwear

6 Credits

SPD 687: Product Design Studio III—Equipment

6 Credits

SPD 688: Sports Product Design Innovative Project
Strategy Development Studio

9 Credits

SPD 689: Collaborative Creation and Launch Studio

9 Credits


Courses from Human Physiology and Journalism

9 Credits Total

HPHY 631: Human Performance and Sports Products

3 Credits

HPHY 632: Human Biomechanics

2 Credits

J 616: Introduction to Strategic Communication Marketing

4 Credits

Electives (examples)

6 Credits Minimum

SPD 601: Research

1–6 Credits

SPD 602: Supervised College Teaching

1–6 Credits

SPD 604: Internship

1–6 Credits

SPD 605: Reading

1–6 Credits

SPD 606: Special Problems

1–6 Credits

J 624: Strategic Communication: [Topic]

2 Credits

MGMT 625: New Venture Planning

3 Credits

MGMT 635: Opportunity Recognition

3 Credits

Note: This course list is effective for Sports Product Design cohorts starting after August 2022. All students are assigned a faculty advisor when they start their first term in the program and should check in regularly for any questions regarding academic status.

Apply: MS in Sports Product Design


Student Spotlight: Ezra Ende

Photo of Ezra Ende and a wheelchair design

As a designer specializing in gear for MMA athletes, Sports Product Design student Ezra Ende (class of 2021) never expected to design a wheelchair. But after engaging with senior communities in Professor Susan Sokolowsk’s course on universal aging—made possible by a Tinker Hatfield Award for Innovation—Ende learned that the mobility tool needed updating. Ezra created the “Glide” wheelchair to improve overall user comfort and the ease and safety of the footholds. His design recently won the international A’Design award for the “Differently Abled and Seniors’ Assistance” category.

Read More


Alumni Spotlight

Photo of alumna Carly Conduff

Carly Conduff

For the annual Woolmark Performance Challenge, recent Sports Product Design Alumna Carly Conduff decided to design for female athletes in the Volvo Ocean Race, one of the world’s most intensive and demanding sailing races. Using Merino wool, she created a three-tier system of apparel to go under the athlete’s dry suits to provide better support, strategic insulation, and protection. Woolmark named Conduff one of three international winners and awarded her with Helly Hansen internship in Norway.

“It’s been a dream for a long time,” Conduff said.

Read More


Partners

Industry partners for sports product design provide special opportunities for students. They fulfill a number of critical roles as part of our dynamic learning environment. Some of the ways we engage our industry partners include having them serve as instructors, advisors, guest reviewers, lecturers, and mentors for students. Here are some of our partners.

Adidas logo
Aprovecho logo
Bamboo Revolution logo
BT Biotech logo
BLK LDG logo
Columbia logo
Evolve logo
EWEB logo
Fuse logo
Gerber logo
Groovystuff logo
Intel logo
Kingsford logo
Leatherman logo
LED TRAIL logo
Light Beam logo
Logitech logo
Marvell logo
Modo logo
Nike logo
Oregon Disability Sports
Oregon Pattern & Foundry
Pendleton logo
Sigma logo
Sky logo
Terrazign logo
Ticycles logo
Under Armour logo
Wilsonart logo
Yakima logo
Ziba logo

 

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