Accelerated Graduate Pathway code: NDAG20
Patton College of Education
Recreation, Sport Pedagogy and Consumer Sciences
Patton Hall
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.4400
www.ohio.edu/education/recreation-sport-pedagogy-consumer-sciences
Bruce Martin, contact
martinc2@ohio.edu
Program Overview
The AGP in Parks, Recreation, Hospitality and Tourism allows academically advanced undergraduate students enrolled in the Outdoor Recreation and Education Major (B.S.) , Recreation Management Major (B.S.) , or Restaurant, Hotel, and Tourism Major (B.S.) to engage with graduate-level courses and expectations while completing their undergraduate degree requirements. Students in the AGP may apply up to 9 credit hours of graduate-level coursework toward both their bachelor’s and master’s degree requirements within their chosen specialization.
Admissions Information
Students are eligible to apply through the Early Assurance Pathway for the Master of Science in Parks, Recreation, Hospitality and Tourism. In addition to meeting standard university admission criteria, EAP applicants will be expected to demonstrate strong academic preparation and a clear interest in one of the PRHT specialization areas. Admission requirements for the EAP include:
- High school GPA: A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
- Academic rigor: Completion of a college-preparatory curriculum with evidence of success in advanced, honors, or dual-enrollment coursework.
- Statement of interest: A brief written statement outlining the student’s academic and professional goals and describing their interest in pursuing the accelerated pathway into the PRHT master’s program.
- Optional supporting materials: While not required, applicants may submit a resume of relevant experiences (e.g., work, volunteer service, leadership roles) that demonstrate commitment to hospitality, recreation, or outdoor education fields
- Continuation standards: To maintain early-assurance status, students must meet ongoing academic performance benchmarks during their undergraduate studies, including a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 and timely completion of prerequisite and dual-listed coursework.
Students become eligible to apply for conditional admission to the PRHT graduate program once they have completed at least 60 credit hours of undergraduate coursework, formally declared one of the undergraduate majors, and satisfied all lower-division (2000-level) requirements associated with their chosen major. Conditional admission requirements include having:
- Maintained a minimum 3.2 overall GPA or 3.0 overall with a 3.5 in the most recent 30 hours.
- Declared one of the following majors/concentrations: Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies - Outdoor Recreation & Education (BS8192); Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies - Recreation Management (BS8193); or Restaurant, Hotel, and Tourism (BS6367).
- Completed 75% of Tier 2 General Education Requirements.
- Completed 50% of major credit hours.
Students become eligible to begin taking graduate courses once they have fulfilled a minimum of 75 credit hours and been conditionally admitted into the graduate program.
Opportunities Upon Graduation
This AGP enables outstanding undergraduate students to complete up to nine hours of graduate-level coursework toward earning a Master of Science in Parks, Recreation, Hospitality, and Tourism (PRHT). Graduates of the PRHT master’s program are prepared for professional and leadership roles across the public, nonprofit, and private sectors of the parks, recreation, hospitality, and tourism industries. Career paths include positions with municipal, state, and federal parks and recreation agencies; protected area and natural resource management organizations; collegiate recreation departments and programs; tourism and destination management organizations; nonprofit and community recreation agencies; and hospitality and tourism enterprises. The program also prepares graduates for careers in program and facility management, event and tourism planning, recreation administration, and the outdoor industry.
Requirements
Students specializing in Outdoor Recreation and Education may take the graduate-level
version of the following dual-listed courses before conferral of the bachelor’s degree:
- REC 3400/5400 Environmental Interpretation
- REC 3460/5460 Parks & Protected Areas Management
- REC 3550/5550 Principles of Ecotourism
- REC 4740/5740 Facilitating the Adventure Experience
- REC 4800/5800 Wilderness Literature
- REC 4850/5850 Concepts & Issues in Adventure Programming
Students specializing in Recreation Management may take the graduate-level version of
the following dual-listed courses before conferral of the bachelor’s degree:
- REC 3460/5460 Parks & Protected Areas Management
- REC 3630/5630 Festival & Special Event Operations for Parks, Recreation &
- Leisure Service
- REC 3490/6490 Administration of Recreation & Leisure Services
- RHT 4430/5430 Marketing for Hospitality &Tourism
Students specializing in Hospitality Management may take the graduate-level version of
the following dual-listed courses before conferral of the bachelor’s degree:
- RHT 3410/5410 Principles of Tourism
- RHT 3610/5610 Hotel Operations
- RHT 3620/5620 Convention and Event Planning
- RHT 4430/5430 Marketing for Hospitality and Tourism
- RHT 4850/5850 Advanced Hospitality, Tourism and Events Management
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