Program Overview
The Recreation Administration M.S. program equips professionals with advanced skills to plan, manage, and evaluate recreation programs in various sectors, including sports, community recreation, tourism, and outdoor education. Through a combination of core competencies, research methods, and elective courses, students gain a comprehensive understanding of recreation and leisure principles, administration, and policy. Graduates are prepared for careers in diverse recreation and outdoor recreation fields, including parks, community centers, and nonprofit organizations.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
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Overview:
The Recreation Administration option prepares professionals with advanced knowledge and skills to plan, administer, and evaluate recreation and outdoor recreation programs and services across a variety of sectors, including:
- Sports and fitness
- Community recreation
- Campus recreation
- Nonprofit administration
- Commercial recreation and events
- Tourism
- Camps
- Outdoor education
- Adventure programming
- Outdoor recreation
- Parks and protected areas
- Conservation
- Natural resources
- Senior or youth-serving agencies.
Objectives:
- To provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to plan, administer, and evaluate recreation and outdoor recreation programs and services.
- To prepare students for careers in a variety of sectors of the recreation and outdoor recreation industry.
- To promote the benefits of recreation and leisure to enhance individual, social, economic, and environmental well-being and quality of life.
Outline:
The Recreation Administration option consists of 30 credits of coursework, including:
Required Core Competencies:
- RMP 800: Concepts of Recreation and Leisure (3 credits)
- RMP 806: Recreation Administration and Organizational Behavior (3 credits)
Required Research Competencies:
- RMP 992: Research Methods in Recreation Management and Policy (3 credits)
Capstone - Choose Thesis or Porfolio Track
Thesis Track:
- RMP 899: Master's Thesis (4 credits)
Portfolio Track:
- RMP 995: Capstone Seminar (6 credits)
Elective Courses:
- Students can choose from a variety of elective courses to complete the degree requirements:
- RMP 811: Recreation Resource Management
- RMP 820: Adaptive Sport Facilitation for Recreation Therapy and Related Professions
- RMP 872: Law and Public Policy in Leisure Services
- RMP 875: Entrepreneurial and Commercial Recreation
- RMP 912: Non-Profit Administration and Leadership
- RMP 924: Fund Development and Grantwriting
- RMP 964: Graduate Internship
- RMP 970: Teaching Practicum
- RMP 980: Independent Study
Assessment:
Students are assessed through a variety of methods, including:
- Exams
- Quizzes
- Papers
- Presentations
- Projects
Teaching:
The Recreation Administration option is taught by a team of experienced faculty members who are actively involved in research and practice in the field of recreation and outdoor recreation. The program offers a variety of teaching methods, including:
- Lectures
- Discussions
- Case studies
- Fieldwork
- Research projects
Careers:
Graduates of the Recreation Administration option are employed in a variety of sectors of the recreation and outdoor recreation industry, including:
- Parks and recreation agencies
- Community centers
- Youth organizations
- Fitness centers
- Tourism businesses
- Outdoor education programs
- Nonprofit organizations Graduates are also prepared for careers in research and teaching in the field of recreation and outdoor recreation.
