Curriculum and Course Information

Master of Science - Recreation and Parks Management Curriculum

The program consists of ten courses requiring 30 credit hours. The program is divided into four blocks: foundations, resource management, administration and research. A fifth block, supplemental courses, includes deficiency courses (e.g. Field Experience) and courses that are not required toward the completion of the degree but enhance the student’s program (e.g. Mentorship Program).

Note: The curriculum information provided on this page is unofficial. Remember that the document of record is the University Catalog.

Minimum Credit Hours: 30 Credits

Foundations (3 credits)
RECR 611 Concepts and Foundations of Leisure

Planning & Management of Natural Resources (3 credits)
RECR 641 Managing Open Space Resources

Administration (15 credits)
RECR 651 Organizational Behavior and Leadership in RPM
RECR 652 Fiscal Management in RPM
RECR 653 Communications and Organizational Decision Making in RPM
RECR 654 Developing Promotional Information Systems in RPM
RECR 655 Current Management Issues in RPM

Research (9 credits)
RECR 681 Research Methods and Evaluation in RPM
RECR 683 Thesis/Project Preparation and Grant Writing in RPM
RECR 700 Research Project or Thesis (3 credits)

Supplemental Courses
RECR 593 Field Experience in RPM (6 credits)
RECR 694 Mentorship Program in RPM (3-6 credits)
RECR 699 Individual Research in RPM (3-6 credits)

Minimum credit hours: 30

Course Information

Cohort Defined:
A cohort is a group of students who enter the program together and complete the program as a group. Many students prefer this approach because of the collegiality that develops among the students.

Course Descriptions:

    1. 611 Concepts & Foundations of Leisure
      A study of recreation and leisure behavior, including concepts, theories and terminology. Emphasizes a historical and literary examination of the park and recreation field as a social movement and as a leisure industry.

    2. RECR 653 Communications & Organizational Decision Making in RPM
      Focus on understanding the development and role of the executive as a decision-maker and leader within an organization and learn to develop oral and written communication skills at the executive level.

    3. RECR 652 Fiscal Management in RPM
      Addresses obtaining, allocating and reporting funding. Topics include planning strategies, fiscal planning, budget development, financial management tools, enterprise accounts, contracts and grants.

    4. RECR 641 Managing Open Space Resources
      Focus on the integration of the subsystems which comprise a resource management plan from a recreational perspective including geology, soils, topography, vegetation, wildlife, hydrology, water quality, historical, cultural, and archeological resources.

    5. RECR 655 Current Management Issues in RPM
      Focus on topics of special interest to managers in recreation and parks management, such as personnel management, the changing work place, trends in leisure services, changing role and scope of public park and recreation agencies, legal issues, contracts, negligence, liability, risk management, and emerging human resource issues.

    6. RECR 654 Developing Promotional Information Systems in RPM
      Focus on the development of information systems to promote the agency and its programs. Topics include client-oriented marketing, needs assessments, promotion and public relations.

    7. RECR 651 Organizational Behavior and Leadership in RPM
      Addresses organizational behavior and leadership including the following topics: management by objectives, total quality management (TQM), time management, conflict management, group dynamics, relationship to boards and commissions, and motivating employees.

    8. RECR 681 Research Methods and Evaluation in RPM
      Provides an introduction to research methods used in the RPM field.

    9. RECR 683 Thesis/Project Preparation and Grant Writing in RPM
      Assists students in developing an initial thesis/project proposal and identifying alternative funding options to support their proposal. Students will gain practical experience in grant identification and writing, as well as identifying potential funding sources for agencies.

    10. RECR 700 Research Project or Thesis
      11. Individual investigation, case study, or project related to the area of concentration and professional education. Enroll in final credit(s) of this course in the semester in which you expect the paper or project to be approved. Should you not complete the thesis or project in the final semester, you will receive a CS grade in this course and will be required to re-enroll in a minimum of one additional credit of this course each fall and spring semester thereafter until the paper or project is completed. Your progress and the decision of the thesis advisor will determine the number of credits for which you must register. Course is graded P/NC/CS.
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