Recreation M.S.
The Recreation Masters degree is currently 1 program with 2 emphasis areas.
The curriculum is composed of courses in theoretical and philosophical foundations, research and current practices in recreation. Upon completion of the graduate program in recreation, student will possess the following competencies:
- Demonstrate understanding of theoretical and philosophical foundations of the profession.
- The ability to conceptualize, conduct and apply research to areas of recreation specialization.
- Demonstrate the ability to maintain appropriate continuing education activities and remain current with best practices.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the critical importance of being an advocate for the profession and those served.
Key Quality Indicators have been developed for the program.
- Competence in Discipline
- Communicate the personal and societal value of leisure services
Program Admission Requirements
Students wishing to pursue a graduate degree in the Department of Health and Human Services must meet the admission requirements of the University and department as stated in this catalog:
1. Make application to the Graduate School.
Undergraduate GPA Requirement
2.50 to 2.74*
Conditional admission if GRE over 280, must earn 3.25 in first term and enroll in 45-633 Research Report Writing.
2.75 to 2.99
Full admission if GRE under 280 and completes 45-633 Research Report Writing.
3.00 or higher
Full admission, no GRE required.
*=not eligible for graduate assistantship.
2. Deadlines for submission of graduate admissions packets are as follows:
Fall Admission – August 1
Spring Admission – December 1
Summer Admission – April 1
Admission Appeal
Students not meeting the departmental GPA admission standards as stated may appeal to the department. Appeals should be made in writing to the School of Health Science and Wellness graduate studies coordinator by the deadlines for submission of graduate admissions packets as stated above in Program Admission Requirements. Appeals will be heard and voted upon by the department graduate faculty. Approval requires a majority vote.
The student is to:
1. Submit a portfolio including:
a. Transcripts of all credits.
b. A written request for alternative admission (minimum 250 words not to exceed three double-spaced word-processed pages).
c. Two employer/supervisor recommendations.
2. Make an oral presentation to the committee including:
a. Statement of personal and professional reasons for appeal.
b. Factors or motivation for seeking a graduate degree.
c. Projected plans for degree completion.
What is the Accelerated BS to MS program?
This program allows outstanding students to concurrently pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation (Parks and Recreation, Corporate Recreation/Wellness, or Therapeutic Recreation and a Master of Science in Recreation (Recreation Resource Management or Therapeutic Recreation emphasis) to complete graduation requirements for both degrees within five years at Northwest Missouri State University (Northwest).
Overview of Accelerated BS to MS program:
The M.S. program in Recreation at Northwest requires 33 credit hours of graduate courses. Students complete the M.S. degree in four trimesters i.e. sixteen months including two six-week summer sessions. The accelerated B.S./M.S. program will allow undergraduate students to complete a maximum of 15 credit hours of graduate coursework in their junior and senior years. These courses would count toward both their B.S. and M.S. degrees. Students can complete the remaining 18 hours of graduate coursework in the fifth year.
Admission Requirements for Accelerated BS to MS program:
The undergraduate Recreation program coordinator will review the application to assess each applicant’s eligibility.
1. Students who are currently pursuing a B.S. in Recreation in any of the three emphasis areas (Parks and Recreation Management, Corporate Recreation/Wellness or Therapeutic Recreation at Northwest.
2. A student must apply for admission to the program no sooner than the end of their sophomore year (graded courses up to a total of 60 hours) and no later than the beginning of their first trimester of the senior year (graded courses up to a total of 60 hours) of the undergraduate program.
3. Students must submit their transcripts and a letter of recommendation from their undergraduate Recreation program coordinator to the Graduate School.
4. The student must also satisfy one of the following GPA criteria (as calculated on a 4.0 scale)
A. Overall GPA >= 2.75
B. Major GPA >= 3.00
5. Applicants must satisfy these criteria at the beginning of the fifth year:
A. Compliance with all the eligibility requirements of the Graduate School as outlined in the Graduate Catalog
B. Compliance with all the admission requirements for acceptance into the graduate program in Recreation as outlined in the Graduate Catalog
C. Must have achieved a "C" or better in all of the Recreation Accredited Core courses as outlined by the undergraduate catalog
Advising for courses in the Junior and Senior years:
1. A student can enroll in graduate courses only after their sophomore year (60 graded hours)
2. The students undergraduate academic advisor, program coordinator and graduate coordinator will assist the student in developing a plan for enrolling in classes to complete both degrees within a five-year timeframe
Advising for courses in the Parks and Recreation and Corporate Recreation/Wellness emphasis areas
1. Students are expected to enroll in these courses their junior and senior year for graduate credit. (15 hours)
A. 45645 Assessment and Evaluation of Recreation and Leisure Services
B. 45547 Grantsmanship
C. 45525 Commercial Recreation
D. 45665 Leisure and Aging
E. 45546 Administration of Recreation
2. Students are expected to enroll in these courses within the fifth year as a graduate student. (18 hours)
A. 22690 Research Project/Paper/ or 45699 Thesis in Recreation
B. 22636 Research Methods
C. 22665 Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis
D. 45630 History and Philosophy of Recreation
E. 45648 Human Resources and Ethics
F. 45545 Risk Management
Advising for courses in the Therapeutic Recreation emphasis area:
1. Students are expected to enroll in these courses their junior and senior year for graduate credit. (15 hours)
A. 22635 Adapted Physical Education
B. 45562 Assessments and Diagnostics in Therapeutic Recreation
C. 45542 Trends and Issues in Therapeutic Recreation
D. 45546 Administration of Recreation
E. 45645 Assessment and Evaluation of Recreation and Leisure Services
2. Students are expected to enroll in these courses within the fifth year as a graduate student. (18 hours)
A. 22690 Research Project/Paper/ or 45699 Thesis in Recreation
B. 22636 Research Methods
C. 22665 Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis
D. 45630 History and Philosophy of Recreation
E. 45648 Human Resources and Ethics
F. 45545 Risk Management
Course Requirements
Core Requirements (9)
Research Core Requirements (9)
| HPER 22636 | Research Methods in Health, Physical Education and Recreation | 3 |
| HPER 22665 | Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Data | 3 |
| | |
| REC 45699 | Thesis in Recreation | 1 to 3 |
| OR | |
| HPER 22690 | Research Project | 1 to 4 |
Subject Field Requirements (select from the following interest areas) (9)
Recreation: Resources Management
Recreation: Therapeutic Recreation
Elective Courses (3)
Select three hours from courses inside and/or outside the School of Health Science and Wellness to support area of interest. (Course selections must be approved by the Graduate Curriculum Committee and listed in a student’s approved degree program.)
Total Credit Hours: 30
Note: No more than 3 hours of Independent Study can be applied toward a degree.
Program Completion Requirements
All students are required to successfully complete the comprehensive examination for the Master’s in Recreation. The written exam will be comprised of questions derived from the content of the Recreation Core courses.
In addition to successful completion of the Steps Toward a Master’s Degree, successful completion of the following School of Health Science and Wellness requirements are required:
- Completion of an approved Plan of Study.
- Thesis or research project.
- Successful completion of the comprehensive examination.