Recreation and Park Administration, Master of Science (M.S.)
General Information
The Master of Science program provides a generalized study in recreation, parks, and tourism services management. The program prepares students for supervisory and management careers in therapeutic recreation, commercial recreation and tourism, natural resource management, and public and nonprofit recreation. Individuals with backgrounds in biology, business, physical education, sociology, and psychology frequently lead professional careers in recreation, parks, and leisure services.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the general admission requirements of the Graduate School. Applicants who do not meet the Graduate School’s GPA requirement for admission must submit official GRE scores to be considered for Probationary Admission. Expected target scores on the GRE for Probationary Admission are 143 on the Verbal and Quantitative sections.
An undergraduate major or minor in recreation, parks, or leisure is preferred. REC 350 Supervision of Recreation Personnel and REC 460 Advanced Leadership and Programming (or course equivalents) are undergraduate prerequisites for students not holding a BS degree in recreation, parks, or leisure services.
Courses open to graduate students require a minimum understanding of foundations in recreation and park administration, knowledge of facility operation, agency budgeting, and legal issues. Students with limited field experience may be required to complete a graduate practicum course.
Program Requirements
CIP Code: 31.0301
Curriculum for the General Program
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation Core Requirements | ||
| Foundation | ||
| REC 825 | Phil of Recreation and Leisure | 3 |
| Administration | ||
| REC 815 | Internship | 3 |
| REC 840 | Admin Proc & Pract | 3 |
| REC 850 | Recreation & Tourism Marketing | 3 |
| Research | ||
| REC 801 | Park, Rec & Tour Resrch Methds | 3 |
| Advanced Study | ||
| REC 809 | Advanced Study in Recreation | 3 |
| Supporting Course Requirements | ||
| Choose from nine hours of the following: | 9 | |
| Rec Therapy Prac & Services 1 | ||
| Mgmt of Therapeutic Rec Servic 1 | ||
| Rcrtn & Prk Interpretive Srvcs | ||
| Trends/Issues in Rec Therapy 1 | ||
| Park Management | ||
| Special Topics:_______________ | ||
| Outdoor Rec. in America | ||
| Rec Therapy Quality Assurance 1 | ||
| Therapeutic Recreation Admin 1 | ||
| Independent Study in REC | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Electives | ||
| Choose from three hours of elective courses | 3 | |
| Exit Requirements | ||
| GRD 887E | MS Rec&Park Written Comp Exam | 0 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- 1
Students wishing to sit for the National Therapeutic Recreation Certification Exam are required to take these 15 hrs. of Recreation courses. Therefore additional hrs. may be needed.
Exit Requirements
- Thesis — A thesis is optional in this degree program.
- Comprehensive Examination — A comprehensive examination is required (GRD 887E MS Rec&Park Written Comp Exam).