Degree Title: Master of Science in Recreation and Sport Sciences

Program Name and Number: Recreation Studies - MS8135

Department/Unit: Department of Recreation and Sport Pedagogy

Delivery Mode: Athens Main Campus

Terms of Entry: [Fall | Spring]

Program Mission: The mission of the Recreation Studies program is to enrich people’s lives by promoting excellence in the delivery of recreation and leisure services.  The program strives to accomplish this mission through effective undergraduate and graduate education, research and scholarship, and service to the university, community, and profession.

Program Overview:

The Recreation Studies Graduate Program combines coursework, research, and practical experiences to cultivate recreation and leisure services professionals and scholars. The program is distinguished by its interdisciplinary emphasis and its commitment to teaching state-of-the-art practices in the field of recreation and leisure studies. The program is committed to enriching our communities through model outreach programs and activities and to advancing scholarship that informs policy and practice. In addition to being well-known for our Recreation Management, Campus Recreation, and Outdoor Recreation & Education specializations, we also welcome students interested in focusing their studies in other areas such as sustainable tourism, recreation for individuals with disabilities, and others. Our cohort of students is an ideal size for fostering discussion, as each entering cohort has approximately 15-20 students. Small class sizes help foster discussion in and out of the classroom among our faculty and students. We are located in newly renovated McCracken Hall. The Recreation Studies program also relies on a variety of Campus Recreation facilities for instructional and learning experiences, including the Ping Student Recreation Center, the Golf and Tennis Center, Bird (Ice) Arena, the Aquatic Center, and the Challenge Course. The strong connection that we enjoy with the Division of Campus Recreation allows us to capitalize on learning opportunities beyond the four walls of the traditional classroom.

Opportunities for Graduates: Upon completion of the degree, students should qualify for direct leadership, supervisory, and administrative positions in a wide variety of professional settings. Some of these settings include municipal recreation and park departments; state and federal parks and protected areas; youth service agencies; residential camps; non-profit civic and religious organizations; private/commercial agencies; campus recreation programs; tourism enterprises; and adventure programs and guide services. Program graduates should also be qualified to pursue an advanced degree in recreation and leisure studies or a related discipline. Many program graduates continue on to pursue a Ph.D. with the goal of contributing to the discipline from within the ranks of academia.

Graduation Requirements: The Recreation Studies graduate program aims to provide students with a comprehensive learning experience that includes appropriate coursework and practical experiences in recreation. Students who pursue a Masters Degree in Recreation and Sport Sciences will be required to complete a minimum of 36 credit hours. The information that follows outlines the specific curriculum components of the program and highlights the available options students have for completing their capstone experience. 

Core Courses (12 hrs)

• REC 6010 Trends & Global Issues in Recreation & Leisure (3 cr)
• REC 6080 Research Methods & Statistical Applications in Recreation & Leisure (3 cr)
• REC 6170 Sport & Leisure in Society (3 cr)
• REC 6490 Administration of Recreation & Leisure Services (3 cr)

Areas of Specialization (minimum of 9 hrs)

• Recreation Management (select 3 of the following courses)
  • REC 5430 Marketing for Recreation & Leisure Services (3 cr)
  • REC 5460 Parks and Protected Areas Management (3 cr)
  • REC 5620 Convention & Event Planning (3 cr)
  • REC 6011 Financial Management in Recreation & Leisure Services (3 cr)            
  • COED 6540 Management & Leadership in Sport
  • MPA 6200 Introduction to Public Administration (3 cr)
  • MPA 5860 Public Budgeting (3 cr)
• Campus Recreation (complete the following 3 courses)
  • EDHE 5880 Introduction to Higher Education & Student Affairs (3)
  • EDCP 5210 Student Development Theory (4)
  • EDCP 6300 The Helping Relationship in Higher Education (4)
• Outdoor Recreation & Education (select 3 of the following courses)
  • REC 5400 Environmental Interpretation (3 cr)
  • REC 5460 Parks and Protected Areas Management (3 cr)
  • REC 5550 Principles of Ecotourism (3 cr)
  • REC 5740 Facilitating the Adventure Experience (3 cr)
  • REC 5800 Wilderness Literature (3 cr)
  • REC 6750 Advanced Concepts & Issues in Adventure Programming (3 cr)
  • REC 6800 Philosophy of Experiential Education (3 cr)
• Electives : Students must complete from seven to nine credit hours of elective coursework to fulfill the total number of credit hours required to earn the master’s degree. Courses should be chosen in consultation with the graduate student’s academic advisor. Students electing to complete a thesis must take at least one additional research class to fulfill the elective credit hours.
• Capstone Experience (6 hrs)
  • Thesis Option
    • REC 6950 Thesis Research (6 cr)
  • Non-thesis Option
    • Students who elect to complete the non-thesis option must complete comprehensive exams, a practically-oriented professional project, or a mentored writing project in lieu of the thesis. Students electing this option must complete six (6) hours of additional coursework. Courses must be chosen in consultation with the student’s academic advisors and should support continued growth in the student’s professional area of interest. These courses should also complement the work of students who elect to complete the professional project or mentored writing project.

Culminating Experience:

Students must complete one of the following options to fulfill requirements of the degree:

• Thesis Option
• Non-thesis Option: Students who elect to complete the non-thesis option must complete comprehensive exams, a practically-oriented professional project, or a mentored writing project in lieu of the thesis.

Admission Requirements: In addition to meeting the general admission requirements of the Graduate College, applicants must provide the following materials before being considered for admission into the master’s program in Recreation Studies:

1. Completed application for admission into the Graduate College, which is available online at http://www.ohio.edu/graduate/apply.cfm
2. Official transcripts from each postsecondary institution attended.
3. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required if your overall undergraduate GPA is less than 2.9 (or less than 3.25 for the last 60 hours of study) on a 4.0 point scale.
4. A two page typed essay that includes information about your background and prior experience, your professional purpose and career goals, and how the Recreation Studies program can help you to fulfill your goals.
5. A resume of your educational background and professional work experience.
6. Three letters of recommendation using the recommendation form provided by the Graduate College. At least one reference must be from someone who can attest to your qualifications in your chosen field and at least one must be from an academic faculty member who can support your ability to produce successful academic work at the graduate level. Please be certain to identify your intended concentration before giving the form to the person providing the reference.

Applications are accepted year round. Typically, applications for both admission and financial aid for the next academic year should be received by February 15. International students also must present TOEFL scores (minimum of written 575, computer 233, and online 79 for consideration) and apply by February 1.

Requirements for admission into the Graduate College at Ohio University can found at the following site: http://www.ohio.edu/graduate/apply/admitRequirements.cfm. Note: You must request official scores for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) be sent directly from the testing agency. Student supplied photocopies are not accepted as official, but may be included for review and to assist with official score matching. The Ohio University reporting code is 1593.