SU’s academic collaboration with MLS is set to open post-playing opportunities
On Oct. 2, Syracuse University announced an academic collaboration with MLS, which opens SU academic programs to MLS athletes. Leonardo Eriman | Photo Editor
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On Oct. 2, Syracuse University announced an academic collaboration with Major League Soccer, opening SU programs to MLS athletes through the College of Professional Studies.
These classes will be offered next semester in eight-week online segments and allow athletes to pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees in various topics. MLS is the latest sports organization to collaborate with Syracuse. SU’s also revealed similar partnerships with the Army, the NHL, the NBA and the MLB Players Association.
MLS first reached out to SU in the late spring with the idea to offer an education-first program — “a core tenet within player engagement,” MLS Vice President of Player Engagement Chidozie Ibeabuchi said. Within five months, an agreement was reached and announced via a press release sent to SU students.
Syracuse was a prime target for numerous reasons, among them being its College of Professional Studies. The school specializes in education for adults and “non-traditional students” who are working professionally, making it a perfect fit for MLS student-athletes. SU’s Professional Studies program ranks just outside the nation’s top 50 best online bachelor’s degrees, and ranks No. 2 for business degrees, per U.S. News.
We have a responsibility for a lot of the players coming through our ecosystem. This gives them an amazing opportunity to further academic pursuits. We can now say we have a reputable institution that can help serve that need for you.Chidozie Ibeabuchi, MLS Vice President of Player Engagement
Beyond the programs’ enticement, Ibeabuchi was impressed by SU’s staff and its expertise in similar programs.
“We were blown away during the early stages of discussions with the staff and how (they) all have worked with other sports leagues,” Ibeabuchi said. “That was really important.”
Ibeabuchi said this collaboration aligns with MLS’s overarching values regarding player development on and off the field. He stressed the importance of ensuring players are well-rounded in terms of education, athletic success and personal well-being.
The joint effort between SU and MLS is another example of preparing athletes for their careers after playing. All classes will be taught the same way as Syracuse’s pre-existing academic structure is. The majority of learning will be asynchronous, with Zoom sessions held once a week to keep students on track. While internships are currently offered in other MLS programs, it’s working with SU to implement them as part of their collaboration.
“Our support for these students is designed so they don’t have to withdraw from the university or drop from the program,” College of Professional Studies Dean Michael Frasciello said.
Admission is open to MLS Next players, their families and staff, as well as MLS first-team athletes. The inclusion of non-players in the program aligns with MLS’s outlook on off-field success, ensuring players’ support systems will be provided and encouraged.
“Having a reputable institution with aligned goals as the league is a really great thing for both parties involved,” Ibeabuchi said, “We can continue to support our population, players, families, our league and club staff in their pursuits of career development opportunities.”
Professional soccer players start competing at a young age, rise through the ranks of youth soccer and academy teams and then choose whether to pursue professional sports or juggle collegiate sports and an education. SU’s program with MLS gives players a way to avoid having to make that decision.
“We have a responsibility for a lot of the players coming through our ecosystem. This gives them an amazing opportunity to further their academic pursuits,” Ibeabuchi said. “We can now say we have a reputable institution that can help serve that need for you.”
As of early November, Syracuse’s College of Professional Studies and MLS said they had 34 inquiries from prospective students interested in an undergraduate program. The admissions process is currently underway, and classes will begin online during SU’s spring 2026 semester.
