Parks Recreation and Tourism

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism offers either a thesis (research) or non-thesis (professional) preparation program. You can specialize in areas involving tourism, commercial recreation, natural resource management, therapeutic recreation, or experiential education.

Master Requirements for Parks, Recreation and Tourism (Thesis)

Parks, Recreation and Tourism Core

• PRT 6000 - History and Philosophy of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism 3 Credit(s)
• PRT 6030 - Seminar in Managing and Facilitating Recreation Experiences 3 Credit(s)
• PRT 6800 - Graduate Seminar in Parks, Recreation and Tourism 1 Credit(s)

Research Core

• PRT 6010 - Behavioral Science Foundations in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism 3 Credit(s)
• PRT 7102 - Introduction to Research Methods 3 Credit(s)
• PRT 7800 - Seminar in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Research 1 Credit(s)
• PRT 7103 - Design & Analysis I 3 Credit(s)
• PRT 6970 - Thesis: Master's 1 - 9 Credit(s)

Specialization

Area of Specialization Negotiated with supervisory committee (up to 50% can be approved by advisor)

Master Requirements for Parks, Recreation and Tourism (Non-Thesis)

Parks, Recreation and Tourism Core

• PRT 6000 - History and Philosophy of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism 3 Credit(s)
• PRT 6030 - Seminar in Managing and Facilitating Recreation Experiences 3 Credit(s)
• PRT 6800 - Graduate Seminar in Parks, Recreation and Tourism 1 Credit(s)

Research Core

• PRT 6010 - Behavioral Science Foundations in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism 3 Credit(s)
• PRT 6550 - Interpreting Research 3 Credit(s)

Capstone Experience

 Must contain service learning and a significant project

• PRT 6860 - Graduate Practicum in Parks, Recreation and Tourism1 - 8 Credit(s)
• PRT 6861 - Graduate Practicum in Therapeutic Recreation 1 - 8 Credit(s)

Specialization

Area of Specialization Negotiated with supervisory committee (up to 50% can be approved by advisor)

1. Students must have earned a Bachelor’s degree with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher for the final two years of undergraduate work. Students with degrees not in Parks, Recreation and Tourism are encouraged to apply, but will enroll in content awareness classes.
2. Three letters recommendation (forms can be found at the Graduate School Application Website below).
3. Resume indicating background and experience.
4. For international applicants, performance on TOEFL meeting the requirement of the Graduate School.
5. Entrance examination (written composition of approximately 10 pages).
6. Graduate school application, fee, and official transcripts.
7. Scores of 155 Verbal and 145 Quantitative on the GRE. Comparable scores on alternate graduate exams may be acceptable (e.g., GMAT).
8. All materials can be submitted electronically at Graduate School Application Website

International applicants are encouraged to allow additional time for the applications process. In addition, the international student applicant pool is highly competitive, and most successful applicants have arranged for faculty sponsorship prior to completing their applications with the Department.