PHOENIX, Ariz. — Arizona State University (ASU) has teamed up with Major League Baseball (MLB) to provide current and former players with opportunities to further their education through flexible online degree programs.
The initiative was inspired by former Arizona Diamondback Chris Young, who completed his business administration degree online at ASU after nearly 20 years away from school.
“Initially, the idea of going back to school was daunting, especially after being away for nearly 20 years,” Young said. “ASU’s dedicated support team gave me the confidence to return and earn my degree.”
Program Designed for Players at All Levels
The program is open to players from the minor leagues to the majors and even allows retired athletes to enroll. With an online format, players can earn:
- GEDs
- Bachelor’s degrees
- Master’s degrees
- Professional certificates
ASU Executive Vice President Chris Howard emphasized that the program is tailored to individual learning needs, allowing athletes to pursue education at their own pace.
“That offers them the opportunity to advance the way they need to, on their terms and at their speed, using the mechanisms they think are most appropriate,” Howard said.
Removing Barriers to Education
ASU’s online platform is structured to accommodate the demanding schedules of professional athletes, ensuring that education remains accessible without interfering with their training and competition commitments.
“We understand people have to make it work with their own schedules, whether they are Major League Baseball players or someone working at Starbucks,” Howard added.
Support for International Players
The program also offers courses in Spanish for international athletes, including English as a Second Language (ESL)classes and Spanish-language degree programs, broadening access to education for non-English speakers.
Students in the program receive dedicated success coaches to assist with:
- Enrollment guidance
- Academic progress tracking
- Career planning
- Online tutoring and wellness support
A Unique Opportunity Through Sports
Howard highlighted the global significance of sports in shaping education and career opportunities.
“Traditionally, we’ve looked for ways to advance opportunity for people around the world. Sports provide a very unique and special way to do that because sport matters so much in terms of who we are as a nation and how we interact on the global stage,” Howard said.
By eliminating educational barriers, ASU and MLB are helping athletes prepare for life beyond the game while giving them the flexibility to continue pursuing their baseball careers.
