MS in Recreation Administration
Admission to the MS in Recreation Administration is currently suspended.
Total units required for MS: 30
Program Description
The graduate program leading to the Master of Science degree in Recreation Administration offers diversified opportunities for study. Through individual counseling, graduate students are able to develop a course of study for advanced work in areas which complement previous experience and training. There is sufficient flexibility in the program to allow students to pursue their individual areas of interest.
Core program objectives are designed to encourage a climate of inquiry and research. Specifically, all students should gain the ability to:
- critically analyze and identify problems;
- develop and utilize appropriate research or inquiry methods of problem solving;
- report clearly and succinctly the results of problem-focused research or inquiry;
- understand the philosophical, historical, and scientific foundations and developments in leisure service systems; and
- identify and demonstrate the values of leisure and recreation to the individual, the community, and society at large.
Career competencies are dependent upon the professional goal of each student. Hence, these vary. After career objectives have been clarified, individual students usually will be educated to:
- develop valid and reliable measures of program evaluation based on theoretical constructs and practical field requirements;
- develop efficient, effective, and meaningful procedures for assessing recreation needs and for allocating resources;
- identify and demonstrate effective decision making processes in leisure service systems; and
- demonstrate an effective interpretation of leisure and recreation data, findings, and procedures, and communicate these in personal and professional environments.
Admission Requirements
Admission as a classified graduate student in Recreation, Parks & Tourism Administration requires:
- a baccalaureate degree in Recreation Administration or related discipline;
- a minimum 2.75 GPA overall and a minimum 3.0 GPA in the major;
- a detailed resume;
- three letters of recommendation;
- a writing sample;
- a personal statement;
- TOEFL/IELTS required for international applicants
A student with a baccalaureate degree from another discipline may be admitted to conditionally classified standing and complete certain designated courses in Recreation Parks & Tourism Administration, totaling 15 additional units (as determined by a faculty advisor), in order to acquire the academic background necessary to qualify for classified standing. A student from another discipline who wishes to qualify for state and/or national registration as a therapeutic recreation specialist may need to take additional coursework.
Admission Procedures
Applications are accepted as long as room for new students exists and the Office of Graduate Studies is still accepting applications. Currently, formal admissions to the graduate program in Recreation, Hospitality, Parks, and Nonprofit Management are for fall. Applications are accepted and reviewed in the spring for the fall semester. All prospective graduate students, including Sacramento State graduates, must file the following with the Office of Graduate Studies, River Front Center 215, (916) 278-6470, www.csus.edu/gradstudies/:
- an online application for admission; and
- one set of official transcripts from each college and/or university attended, other than Sacramento State.
For more admissions information and application deadlines please visit http://www.csus.edu/gradstudies/.
Minimum Units and Grade Requirement for the Degree:
Units required for the MS: 30
Minimum Cumulative GPA: 3.0; as an exception to university policy a maximum of two "B-" grades may be counted towards the degree.
Advancement to Candidacy
Each student must file an application for Advancement to Candidacy, indicating a proposed program of graduate study. This procedure should begin as soon as the classified graduate student has:
- removed any deficiencies in admission requirements;
- completed at least 12 units in the graduate program with a minimum 3.0 GPA;
- obtained advisor's preliminary approval of thesis or project proposal (thesis and project students only); and
- passed the RPTA graduate program Graduate Writing Intensive (GWI) course with a “B” or better.
Advancement to Candidacy forms are available on the Office of Graduate Studies website. The student fills out the electronic form after planning a degree program in consultation with a Recreation Parks & Tourism Administration advisor. The completed form is then submitted electronically for approval.
Advancement to Candidacy forms are available on the Office of Graduate Studies website. The student fills out the form after planning a degree program in consultation with a Recreation Parks & Tourism Administration advisor. The completed form is then returned to the Office of Graduate Studies for approval.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses (15 Units) | ||
| RPTA 200A | Orientation to Graduate Studies in Recreation, Hospitality, Parks, and Nonprofit Organizations | 1 |
| RPTA 200B | Culminating Experience Preparation in Recreation, Hospitality, Parks and Nonprofit Management | 2 |
| RPTA 200C | Foundations of Recreation, Hospitality, Parks, and Nonprofit Management | 3 |
| RPTA 202 | Policies, Trends, and Issues in Recreation, Hospitality, Parks, and Nonprofit Organizations | 3 |
| RPTA 203 | Advanced Management in Recreation, Hospitality, Parks and Nonprofit Organizations | 3 |
| RPTA 204 | Advanced Research Methods in Recreation, Hospitality, Parks, and Nonprofit Management | 3 |
| Electives (12 Units) | ||
| Select 12 units with the prior consent of academic advisor 1 | 12 | |
| Liability and Risk Management in Recreation, Parks and Tourism | ||
RPTA 207 | ||
| Liability and Risk Management in Recreation, Parks and Tourism | ||
| Seminar in Advanced Leisure Education | ||
| Leadership and Fundraising for Nonprofit Organizations | ||
| Hospitality Administration | ||
| Practicum | ||
| Individual Study | ||
| Culminating Requirement (3 Units) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Culminating Experience: Thesis | ||
| Culminating Experience: Project | ||
| Culminating Experience: Comprehensive Exam | ||
| Total Units | 30 | |
- 1
Elective coursework is selected with the prior consent of the student's academic advisor to satisfy the following:
- No more than 6 units of any combination of RPTA 295 and RPTA 299 may be counted towards the degree.
- No more than 6 units of coursework may be taken outside of RPTA (students who have not previously completed an undergraduate major in Recreation, Parks & Tourism Administration must have the prior consent of the Graduate Coordinator before taking coursework outside RPTA).
- At least 6 units of elective coursework must be at the 200 level (for a total of at least 18 units of 200 level coursework in the degree program).