Recreation Management - Master of Science
The Master of Science in Recreation Management is a multidisciplinary program of advanced study designed to prepare graduates for careers in the public, private non-profit, and the commercial sectors of the recreation profession. With three curricular options (thesis, graduate project, or internship), the program serves both students with extensive recreation backgrounds and students who are looking to a masters program as their gateway into the recreation field.
Please visit the website that introduces you to the graduate Recreation Management Program, our graduate faculty, and the opportunities at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
For more information please contact:
Kate Evans, Ph.D.
kevans@uwlax.edu
608.785.8210
"I absolutely love the program! I appreciate the knowledge, expertise, and engagement of our group and professors. Applying and registering for this master's program has been one of the best choices I have ever made!" - 2024 Graduate
Admission
The program welcomes students without an undergraduate degree in recreation, but some prerequisite courses may be required. Students may take deficiency courses prior to beginning the graduate program or they may begin the program and take the courses within the first two semesters of their graduate program.
Prerequisite courses include:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| REC 301 | Introduction to Recreation Programming and Event Management | 3 |
or demonstrated experience in recreation programming | ||
| STAT 145 | Elementary Statistics | 4 |
| Total Credits | 7 | |
If all of the above courses have not been previously taken, the recreation graduate program director will determine program deficiencies on an individual basis. The review will be based on previously taken courses as well as prior work experience. The graduate program director also will determine which deficiency courses need to be taken for credit (auditing of courses might also be recommended).
Curriculum
(30 credits)
Required courses (12 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| REC 520 | Revenue Management in Recreation, Tourism, and Events | 3 |
| REC 701 | Philosophical Foundations of Leisure, Play and Recreation 1 | 3 |
| REC 731 | Data Evaluation and Management in Parks and Recreation 1 | 3 |
| REC 735 | Management Topics in Recreation and Leisure Services 1 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 1
Online course.
Capstone (6 credits)
Select one of the options below:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Option A - thesis | ||
| Research: Master's Thesis | ||
| Option B - graduate project | ||
| Graduate Project in Recreation | ||
| Option C - internship | ||
| Internship in Guided Learning | ||
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Elective courses (12 credits)
Select 12 credits from the lists below:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| On-campus electives | ||
| Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Facility Planning | ||
| Risk Management in Leisure Service Organizations | ||
| Budgeting in Recreation Services | ||
| Camp Administration | ||
| Advanced Event Planning and Management | ||
| Independent Study in Recreation | ||
| Special Projects in Recreation Management | ||
| Online electives | ||
| Human Development and Group Dynamics | ||
| Diversity and Social Justice in Recreation Management | ||
| Experience Management | ||
| Collaborative Approaches to Recreation and Leisure Service Delivery | ||
| Contemporary Issues in Recreation Management | ||
| Capstone Seminar in Recreation Management | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
University graduate degree requirements
After being admitted to the program of one's choice, candidates for a graduate degree must:
- Complete any preliminary course work and deficiencies.
- Complete all courses and other program requirements, including residence requirements prescribed for the degree desired in the respective school or college within a seven-year period from the date of initial enrollment, with the exception of students enrolled in the Student Affairs Administration and Leadership Ed.D. (SAA Ed.D.) graduate program. SAA Ed.D. students must complete all degree requirements within ten years from the time of initial enrollment in the graduate program.
- Earn a minimum of 30 credits for a master's degree; 54 credits for a doctorate or post-master's degree. Earn at least one-half of the minimum number of credits required in the program in graduate-only level courses (700, 800, 900, and non-slash 600 level courses). Some UWL graduate programs require more than 30 graduate credits. Please review the individual program requirements listed in the catalog for the exact number of credits required.
- Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00.
- Satisfy dissertation, thesis, seminar paper, terminal/graduate projects and internships, or comprehensive examination, where applicable. A dissertation or thesis approved by the committee must be submitted to Graduate & Extended Learning for editorial review and approval by the Dean of Graduate & Extended Learning. The recommended initial submission date for review is two weeks before commencement. Ordinarily, a seminar paper or project report does not have to be approved by the Dean of Graduate & Extended Learning. However, if the seminar paper or project report is to be archived in Murphy Library, the student must follow the same rules as they apply to the dissertation/thesis requiring approval from the Dean of Graduate & Extended Learning. For further research/dissertation/thesis guidelines, see Graduate & Extended Learning.
- File a completed "Intent to Graduate" form online via the WINGS Student Center immediately following registration for the final semester or summer term in residence. December graduates and winter intersession should file by May 1. May and summer graduates should file by December 1.
- Pay the graduation fee and remove all other indebtedness to the university. Payment of graduation fees does not imply readiness for graduation and does not take the place of applying for graduation.
- Complete all requirements within 30 days after the official ending date of a term in order for a degree to be awarded for that term. (See #5 above for separate deadline for written capstone experience.)