Recreation and Leisure Studies, MS

The Master of Science degree program with a major in recreation and leisure studies is designed to prepare students for management-level positions within the leisure service field, or for further graduate work in recreation and leisure studies.

Career opportunities include leadership and management positions in various agencies such as municipal recreation departments, not-for-profit agencies, resorts, military bases, commercial recreation enterprises, sport facilities, schools, state or federal agencies, parks, outdoor education centers, camps, YMCAs, intramural and campus recreation programs, corporations and fitness clubs.

Research

In their research, recreation and leisure studies faculty employ various methods and techniques also used in professional practice. Specific research examples include administration of leisure services, community and economic aspects of recreation, and recreation opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Financial support for research programs is generated by the faculty from internal university resources and external grants and contracts.

Degree program

The graduate program in recreation and leisure studies provides a 36-hour Master of Science degree, with opportunities for students to take course work in program management.

Additional admission requirements

Applicants for admission into the recreation and leisure studies graduate program must submit a letter of application, current resume, one page statement of career interest and two letters of reference pertaining to the applicant’s aptitude for graduate work. These materials should be sent to the recreation and leisure studies program coordinator.

Students without an undergraduate degree in recreation, parks, or leisure studies are required to take up to 9 hours of prerequisite or corequisite course work.

Degree requirements

Core courses, 15 hours

Every student is required to take 15 hours of core courses:

Program management career interest, 9 hours

Students with a career interest in program management take the following 9 hours of elective courses

Therapeutic recreation career interest, 9 hours (not currently accepting students)

Students with a career interest in therapeutic recreation take the following 9 hours:

Options under the degree

Thesis option

Students selecting the thesis option will register for 6 hours of thesis credit and will complete a 6-hour minor.

RECR 5950 - Master’s Thesis

Non-thesis option

Students selecting the non-thesis option will register for the course listed below and will complete a 9-hour minor. Non-thesis students will complete a written comprehensive examination appropriate to the selected interest area.

RECR 5110 - Critical Analysis of Professional Literature

Additional course requirements

Students with no work experience in recreation and leisure services and those preparing for certification in therapeutic recreation with no prior therapeutic recreation internship will be required to complete the course listed below as a deficiency (does not count on the degree plan).

RECR 5860 - Practicum in Leisure Services

Area of emphasis, 6–9 hours

An area of emphasis (6–9 hours) to complete the 36-hour program is selected in consultation with the graduate advisor. Recommended areas of emphasis include public administration, sociology, computer science, education, business, psychology, rehabilitation studies, gerontology, kinesiology and health promotion.