Major League Soccer, Southern New Hampshire University partner to let players earn degrees

Major League Soccer is striking a multiyear deal with Southern New Hampshire University that will provide full scholarships for players and internship opportunities for the school's current students.

The partnership being announced Monday is the first of its kind for the soccer league. The university — which has 3,000 students at its Manchester campus and 57,000 enrolled in online programs — will provide 125 scholarships a year through 2018 for developmental, current and former players, as well as league staff.

In return, the league will offer four internships to Southern New Hampshire University students at its New York office each year, six internships with three teams and a yet-to-be determined number of online internships.