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Program Requirements — Master of Science in Recreation Administration
The Recreation Administration Master of Science degree includes a minimum of 36 semester hours. The number of credit hours depends on the student's undergraduate work and the specialization selected. The Recreation Administration Program includes a required (24 semester hour) core curriculum and students choose one of two (12 semester hour) specializations listed below for a total of 36 semester hours:
- Administration of Leisure Services
- Outdoor Pursuits Administration
Each specialization includes a progression through advanced skills, formulation of a professional philosophy, organizational methodology and administrative systems. Students are also required to demonstrate competency in basic statistics before they complete the program. All graduate courses are taught in the evenings to allow students to work or hold graduate assistantships during the day.
Required Core Curriculum — 24 semester hours
REC6000 Research in Recreation Administration (3 semester hours)
REC6030 Leisure Philosophy and Behavior in Recreation Services (3 semester hours)
REC6750 Leisure Services Administration Assessment and Evaluation (3 semester hours)
REC5100 Commercial Recreation Management (3 semester hours)
All Recreation Administration graduate students must complete one Internship/Research Requirement option listed below for 12 semester hours
Option I
REC6730 Research Project Development (6 semester hours)
and
REC6740 Research Project Completion (6 semester hours)
Option II
REC6780 Internship (12 semester hours)
Option III
REC6990 Thesis (12 semester hours)
Students may elect to do their internship or research project in a leisure services program or outdoor agency by submitting a proposal and the faculty approving it to meet departmental guidelines.
Master of Science in Recreation Administration Specializations:
In addition to the Recreation Administration core curriculum, students complete a 12-semester hour specialization.
- Administration of Leisure Services
- Outdoor Pursuits Administration
Administration of Leisure Services — 12 semester hours
This program gives students the flexibility to prepare adequately for or advance in the career of leisure services administration in the governmental, nonprofit or profit sectors. It also provides them the opportunity to complete developmental projects or internships in a recreation department or park district where they are employed. The program enables students to take additional background in business to make them more competitive in public administration.
Required
REC6340 Political and Policy Implications for Recreation Administration (3 semester hours)
REC6350 Administration of Recreation and Leisure Services (3 semester hours)
REC6370 Facilities Management (3 semester hours)
REC or MBA Elective (selected with Recreation Administration advisor) (3 semester hours)
Outdoor Pursuits Administration — 12 semester hours
This program gives students the flexibility to prepare for or advance their career in organized camping, outdoor pursuits recreation, on campus or in commercial outdoor recreation, experiential outdoor education, and youth at-risk programs.
Required
REC5000 Administrative Practicum in Outdoor Experiences (3 semester hours)
REC5020 Adventure Education Administration (3 semester hours)
REC5420 Philosophy and Methods of Outdoor Education (3 semester hours)
REC6400 Conference Center Administration (3 semester hours)
Optional Additional Electives
The minimum requirement for the Master of Science degree is 36 semester hours. All Recreation Administration graduate students may take additional electives outside the program related to their specialization and career goals, (i.e., education, social work, or business administration). Courses are selected upon advisement of the program graduate advisor and depend on the student's graduation timeline.
Prerequisite and Deficiency Courses
In order to take full advantage of the graduate program in Recreation Administration, it may be necessary for some students to complete prerequisite course work or practicum experiences. Upon admission, students without an academic or experiential background will be notified of deficiency requirements by the Recreation Administration Graduate Program Advisor. In most instances, these requirements may be fulfilled concurrently with graduate work in the program. Questions about other courses or workshops that might meet these requirements should be directed to the Recreation Administration faculty.
Academic information on departmental websites reflects the university's most current curriculum. The print version of the catalog, which is also posted online, may differ from this information.
