Master's degree in Parks, Tourism & Recreation Management
Choose the M.S. in Parks, Tourism & Recreation Management if you are interested in studying topics like recreation and tourism management, social, political and economic aspects of conservation, or wilderness, parks and protected area studies. As with all three of our master's degrees, you must be accepted to study with a faculty advisor before you can be admitted to our graduate programs. That faculty member will help you choose a plan of study to get the degree that fits you.
CREDIT REQUIREMENTS FOR M.S. THESIS OR PROFESSIONAL PAPER OPTION:
The specific courses (program of study) that a graduate student enrolls in will be tailored to each individual, based on their academic background, professional interests, and the focus of their thesis work.聽聽However, the minimum requirements for the M.S. Degree include:
- 30 graduate semester credits beyond the Bachelor鈥檚 degree.
- At least 20 of the total credits must be taken within the major discipline.聽
- At least 20 of the total credits must be in coursework and at least half of the coursework credits (minimum 10 credits) must be at the 500 level or above.聽 Courses below the 400 level do not count towards the M.S. course requirements.
- Up to 10 of the 30 credits may be taken as research and/or thesis.
- Enroll in one credit of graduate seminar per year.聽 (Requirement may be waived by faculty advisor in favor of a different course/seminar if there is a time conflict.)
- Complete a research methods course related to their field of study, and at least one course in graduate level statistics (or comparable analytical course) at the university.聽
In addition to these specific requirements, a list of required/suggested coursework must be approved by the committee no later than the second semester in residence, but earlier if possible.聽 Other suitable courses (e.g., emphasizing analytical skills) can be substituted at the discretion of the student鈥檚 committee.
CREDIT REQUIREMENTS FOR M.S. NON-THESIS OPTION:
The non-thesis option must be approved by a student advisor and is generally decided on before the student is accepted into the program.聽 The minimum requirements for this option are:
- 36 graduate semester credits beyond the Bachelor鈥檚 degree.聽 (Thesis credits cannot be counted towards the 36 total required credits under this option.)
- At least 32 credits of coursework (not including research credits), with at least half of the coursework credits at the 500-level or above.聽 400-level courses used to fulfill this requirement must include a鈥淕raduate Increment鈥.
- A maximum of 4 credits of research.
- At least 20 credits (including coursework and research credits) must be within the major discipline.
- Enroll in one credit of graduate seminar per year.聽 (Requirement may be waived by faculty advisor in favor of a different course/seminar if there is a time conflict.)
- Students whose work requires any assessment of quantitative data should take at least one course (or
series of courses) in graduate-level statistics (or comparable analytical course).
In addition to these specific requirements, a list of required/suggested coursework must be approved by the committee no later than the second semester in residence, but earlier if possible.聽 Other suitable courses (e.g., emphasizing analytical skills) can be substituted at the discretion of the student鈥檚 committee.
For specific core requirements for the degree, please visit the page of the graduate catalog.