Parks, Recreation, Sport and Tourism MS Program

Master’s Graduation Requirements

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited institution
  • Minimum GPA: 3.0 in last 60 hours
  • Minimum TOEFL scores: 80 (Internet); 550 (paper)
  • GRE required

Degree Requirements

Course Requirements

The program consists of a minimum of 30 credits for the thesis option and 36 credits for the non-thesis option. Students are required to take four 8000 level courses in the PRT curriculum: all students must take P_R_TR 8400 Constructs of Leisure and P_R_TR 8430 Research Methods in Parks, Recreation and Tourism; students then choose two courses from the PRT 8000 level curriculum. All students must take a graduate level analysis course (i.e., statistics, qualitative analysis, or mixed analysis). Students work closely with their advisor to select appropriate coursework.

Thesis Option

The thesis option is most appropriate for M.S. candidates who aspire to pursue doctoral education in the future, desire distinct research training and experience, and/or desire research or technical writing experience. Students who complete a thesis are encouraged to publish their findings in peer-reviewed journals.

Credit Hour Requirements: The thesis option requires a minimum of 30 credit hours, which includes: a minimum of 15 hours at the 8000/9000 level; a minimum of 12 hours of 8000 level theory-based contact courses within the SNR curriculum; a graduate level analysis course; minimum 3 credits thesis research; and up to a maximum of 12 credits of independent study (Thesis Research, Guided Readings, Problems, or Independent Work).

Thesis Research Boundaries: The thesis endeavor engages content of a solid academic/theoretical need that adds to or extends the knowledge base. It typically requires the student to display original scholarship or application of an existing theory to solve a specific problem. The rigor of the thesis challenges the student to address and engage the scientific process, which includes an evaluative component of peer and academic review.

Thesis Committee: The thesis committee consists of a minimum of three graduate faculty members: two within the PRT department, and one outside the department. Emeritus and/or adjunct faculty members are eligible to serve on student committees, provided they have graduate faculty status.

Procedures: The student develops the thesis proposal with primary guidance of the committee chair. The proposal is defended in a scheduled open forum followed by committee approval or disapproval. Following proposal approval by the committee, the student conducts the research and completes the thesis paper. The student then defends the completed study in a scheduled open forum, followed by committee action to pass or fail the thesis defense. Students must submit the M-1 and M-2 forms by the end of their second semester. The M-3 form should be submitted shortly after the thesis defense.

Every candidate should review the Thesis Guidelines from the Graduate School and should consult the Emphasis Area Coordinator for academic program style requirements.

Non-Thesis (Project) Option

A non-thesis option is also available that requires additional coursework and a research project. The non-thesis option is most appropriate for M.S. candidates who view the Master’s Degree as the terminal degree, aspire for practitioner work within the profession, and/or desire additional course work to balance their program of study.

Credit Hour Requirements: The non-thesis option requires a minimum of 36 credit hours, which includes: a minimum of 15 hours at the 8000/9000 level; a minimum of 12 hours of 8000 level theory-based contact courses within the SNR curriculum; a graduate level analysis course; 3-6 credits of P_R_TR 8090 Thesis Research in Parks, Recreation and Tourism (Research Project); and up to a maximum of 12 credits of independent study (Thesis Research, Guided Readings, Problems, or Independent Work).

Non-Thesis Boundaries: The non-thesis option engages content of an academic/professional practice need that addresses issues or problems. It requires the student to display independent scholarship in the definition, review and analysis of a problem or issue under study. The rigor of the project challenges the student to engage content to professional standards, which include the evaluative component of peer and professional review.

Project Committee: The project committee consists of a minimum of three graduate faculty members (one maybe be from outside the PRT department, but not a requirement). Emeritus and/or adjunct faculty members are eligible to serve on student committees, provided they have graduate faculty status.

Procedures: The student develops the project proposal with primary guidance of the committee chair. The committee chair approves the proposal. Following approval, the student completes the project. The student then defends the completed project in a scheduled open forum, followed by committee action to pass or fail the project defense. Students must submit the M-1 form by the end of their second semester. The M-3 form should be submitted shortly after the project defense.