Degree Title and Name:  Master of Science in Recreation and Sport Sciences

Program Name and Number:  Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies – MS8135

Department/Unit:  Department of Recreation and Sport Pedagogy

Delivery Mode:  Athens Campus

Term(s) of Entry:  Fall, Spring

Program Overview:  The Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies graduate program combines coursework, research, and practical experiences to cultivate parks, recreation and leisure services professionals and scholars. The program is committed to enriching our communities through model outreach programs and activities and to advancing scholarship that informs policy and practice. The program offers three specializations: Outdoor Recreation & Education, Recreation Management, and Campus Recreation specializations. Students often couple their interests in parks, recreation and leisure studies with other complementary areas of study, such as coaching education, sustainable tourism, environmental studies, event planning management, and others. The program is a 36-hour program and takes three to four semesters to complete.

Program Learning Outcomes:  Learning outcomes for this program are aligned with the accreditation standards of the Council on the Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Programs (COAPRT). Students graduating from the program shall demonstrate mastery level knowledge and expertise in the following:

• the nature and scope of the relevant park, recreation, and leisure services industry;
• techniques and processes used by professionals and workers in these industries;
• the foundations of the profession in history, science and philosophy; and,
• operations and strategic management/administration in parks, recreation, and leisure studies.

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 park and recreation 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 parks, 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.

Link to Program:  https://www.ohio.edu/education/recreation-sport-pedagogy/rec-studies.

Graduation Requirements:  Students who pursue a master’s degree in Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies 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 cr)

• 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 cr)

• 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 (select 3 of the following courses)
  • EDHE 5880 - Introduction to Higher Education & Student Affairs (3 cr)
  • EDHE 6885 - History and Philosophy of Higher Education (3 cr)
  • EDHE 6890 - Legal Issues in Higher Education (3 cr)
  • EDHE 7210 - Diversity in American Higher Education (3 cr)
  • EDHE 7780 - Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education (3cr )
  • EDHE 7790 - Finance and Budgeting in Higher Education (3 cr)
  • EDHE 7820 - Effective Curriculum Development and Teaching Practices in American Higher Education (3 cr)
  • EDHE 8900 - International and Comparative Higher Education (3 cr)
  • EDCP 5210 - Student Development Theory (4 cr)
  • EDCP 6300 - The Helping Relationship in Higher Education (4 cr)
  • EDCP 7250 - Advanced Student Development Theory (3 cr)

• 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 cr)

• 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 University, 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 Ohio University, 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 on the Forms page of the Graduate College website. 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 graduate study at Ohio University can found on the Graduate College website or in this catalog. 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.

International Students: This program permits full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to this program.