Recreation Administration M.A.
Recreation Administration Major
The Master of Arts degree in Recreation Administration prepares students for leadership roles in various settings, including the public sector, academia, nonprofit organizations, and the corporate sector. Upon program completion, graduates will possess the skills necessary for delivering recreation programs effectively and efficiently. The curriculum promotes professional growth through a blend of philosophy, content knowledge, applied skills, and research, while allowing students to shape their learning paths and create individualized programs of study. Students can tailor their coursework to support career goals in areas such as campus recreation, nonprofit leadership, community recreation, tourism, youth work, outdoor resource management, and outdoor education and leadership. The program encourages students to pursue studies that are directly applicable to their professional practice.
To apply, students must submit a completed Application for Admission to Graduate Study. They should refer to their MyUNIverse Student Center To-Do list or contact the Department of Learning, Leadership, and Community for other application requirements. Graduate information and application for graduate admission can be found at https://admissions.uni.edu/application.
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test is not required for admission to the program.
Only courses numbered 5000 or higher will apply to a graduate degree, even if the lower-level (4999 or below) equivalents are listed. No exceptions will be made. Additional hours may be necessary if, upon entering the graduate program, the student needs background courses.
This major offers two completion options: thesis or non-thesis. A minimum of 30 semester hours is required, including at least 12 hours at the 6000-level (not counting RTNL 6299 or HRCS 6299). The thesis option requires 6 hours of HRCS 6299 or RTNL 6299 or RTNL 6290. The non-thesis option requires a research paper for 3 hours of RTNL 6299 or HRCS 6299.
| Required: | ||
| RTNL 6200 | Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Recreation, Tourism and Nonprofit Leadership | 3 |
| RTNL 6290 | Research and Program Evaluation in Recreation Administration | 3 |
| RTNL 6412 | Management and Ethics in Recreation Administration | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Social Policy and Issues in Recreation, Tourism and Nonprofit Leadership | ||
| Social Psychology of Leisure | ||
| Research/Internship: | 3-6 | |
| Research | ||
or RTNL 6299 Research | ||
Thesis option (6 hrs.) | ||
Non-thesis option (3 hrs.) | ||
Or | ||
| Internship | ||
Thesis option (6 hrs.) | ||
| Electives: Choose 15 credit hours if pursuing the non-thesis option, or 12 credit hours if completing a thesis option | 12-15 | |
| Organizational Cultures and Communication | ||
| Sport Psychology | ||
| Philanthropy and Nonprofit Development: An Overview | ||
| Strategic Program Management | ||
| Marketing the Youth/Human Service Agency | ||
| Financial Decision Making for Youth/Human Service Agencies | ||
| Models for Intervention With Youth | ||
| Youth Development in Nonprofit Organizations | ||
| Personnel Management and Supervision in Youth/Human Services | ||
| Readings | ||
| Total hours thesis option | 30 | |
| Total hours non-thesis option | 30 | |
Learning Outcomes
Recreation Administration, M.A.
- Students will demonstrate the skills necessary to effectively and efficiently deliver recreation, tourism and nonprofit leadership programs (Program Content).
- Students will demonstrate the ability to design methodologically sound research studies, including the collection and analysis of existing literature and data collection and analysis (Program Content).
- Students will demonstrate the ability to integrate theory, research, and curricular content to make appropriate recommendations for action (Program Content and Critical Thinking).
- Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in writing (Communication).
- Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively orally (Communication).