2011-2012 Graduate Catalog 
    
    Dec 22, 2024  
2011-2012 Graduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Recreation Education [RED] M.S.Ed.


Recreation, Parks and Leisure Studies Department
Sharon Todd
, chair
Anderson Young, graduate coordinator
Professional Studies Building
Room 2213
(607) 753-4941
Fax: (607) 753-5982
Email: rpls@cortland.edu

Overview

Whether to enhance your skills as a teacher or to prepare for a career in recreation, the M.S.Ed. in recreation education from SUNY Cortland may be right for you. If you hold or are eligible to hold a New York state teaching certificate, this degree can lead to your professional certification, as well as a variety of other career options. Choose from three program concentrations:

  • Outdoor and Environmental Education
  • Management of Leisure Services
  • Therapeutic Recreation

Program Highlights

Enjoy collaborating with your peers from many fields in small classes led by dedicated faculty. Beyond in-depth topics in your concentration and core courses in recreation, you’ll explore related issues in the behavioral, natural and social sciences, health, political science, sociology and education. You’ll also learn about research methods and complete a master’s thesis or other culminating activity. When you successfully conclude the program, you may be qualified to sit for national certification examinations.

Internship Capstone Experience

Most students choose to cap their study with an internship experience that integrates theory with practice under the supervision of a SUNY Cortland faculty member and a professional in the field. Sites range from campus recreation programs and after-school activities to retirement communities, special event planning, camps, hospitals, inclusive community recreation, historical and cultural interpretation at national park units, university program management or commercial resorts.

Career Potential

Recreation affects all walks of life and all ages. The M.S.Ed. in recreation education from SUNY Cortland gives you the tools to create a rewarding career serving a wide range of audiences, whether you remain in education or shift to the field of recreation and parks. You may choose options such as teaching in public or private schools, serving as an activity director at an after-school program, managing a state park or becoming a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. You’re also well prepared to pursue the Ph.D. at graduate schools such as Cornell, Clemson, University of Illinois, North Carolina State University and University of Florida.

Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the requirements for admission to a degree program stated in this catalog, applicants for admission to the M.S.Ed. in recreation education must meet the following requirements:

  1. Official transcripts documenting a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
  2. Documentation of an initial/provisional certificate or a certificate of qualification for initial or provisional certification in any subject area issued by the New York State Education Department.
  3. Applicants are generally required to have an undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 2.8 (on a 4.0 scale). However, circumstances including, but not limited to, endeavors following completion of a bachelor’s degree and performance in the last two years of a bachelor’s degree program will be considered in reviewing applications from students with lower grade point averages. Students who feel they are qualified in spite of an undergraduate grade point average below a 2.8 are encouraged to contact the department before applying for admission.
  4. A resume.
  5. A one- or two-page statement of the applicant’s educational and professional goals.
  6. Names, addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers of three references
  7. Applicants who lack substantial academic background in recreation may be required to complete three to 12 credit hours of course work in addition to the degree requirements described herein.

Apply for the M.S.Ed. in recreation education.

Program Requirements


A minimum of 34 credit hours of approved graduate work as described below is required for the M.S.Ed.

A. Professional Education: 15 hours


  • An education elective, by advisement
  • A course in curriculum development

B. Recreation Education Concentration: 12 credit hours


The recreation education concentration may be taken in one of the following areas:

  • Outdoor and Environmental Education (EOE)
  • Management of Leisure Services (MGLS)
  • Therapeutic Recreation (TR)

Six credit hours must be in recreation education and six credit hours may be in areas closely related to recreation such as education, physical education, health, psychology or sociology. No more than four credit hours in activity clinics or workshops may be counted toward the master’s degree. For each concentration (outdoor and environmental education, management of leisure services, and therapeutic recreation) the department requires or recommends specific supporting and/or elective courses. These curriculum guidelines are available from the department or its website.

The requirements for each concentration are listed below.

C. Electives: Six credit hours (selected under advisement)


Additional courses in recreation, including REC 698-Research in Recreation and/or REC 699-Independent Study in Recreation; or in areas closely related to recreation such as biology, education, environmental studies, foundations and social advocacy, geography, health, physical education, political science, psychology, sociology, special education, etc.

Normally students earn one to seven credit hours for thesis-related, or project-related work, including one credit hour of culminating activity (REC 684-Master's Thesis or REC 685-Master's Project) plus up to six credit hours of REC 698-Research in Recreation and/or REC 699-Independent Study in Recreation, which may be substituted for coursework in supporting areas or electives, upon advisement.

D. Culminating Activity: One credit hour


M.S.Ed. degree candidates must successfully complete a culminating activity from the three following options:

Recreations Education Concentrations:


I. Environmental and Outdoor Education Concentration [EOE]


Students must complete the Professional Education requirement above (A) in addition to the recommended concentration requirements listed below.

A. Professional Education: Six credit hours


B. Environmental and Outdoor Education Core: 12 credit hours


For the Environmental Education and Interpretation track select:

OR

For the Outdoor Pursuits and Organized Camping track select

C. Additional Electives: Six credit hours


D. Culminating Activity:One credit hour


  • See the options for the required culminating activity (REC 683, 684, 685) listed above.

II. Management of Leisure Services [MGLS]


Students must complete the Professional Education requirement above (A) in addition to the recommended concentration requirements listed below.

A. Professional Education: Six credit hours


C. Additional Electives: Six credit hours


Also select from either:

D. Culminating Activity: One credit hour


  • See the options for the required culminating activity (REC 683, 684, 685) listed above.

III. Therapeutic Recreation [TR]


Students must complete the Professional Education requirement above (A) in addition to the recommended concentration requirements listed below.

A. Professional Education: Six credit hours


C. Additional Electives: Six credit hours


  • Six credit hours of electives selected by advisement and review of NCTRC standards for certification.

D. Culminating Activity: One credit hour


  • See the options for the required culminating activity (REC 683, 684, 685) listed above.

Additional Requirements


Other requirements for the award of the M.S.Ed. may be determined by the Recreation, Parks and Leisure Studies Department (e.g., corequisites) and must be ascertained by students in consultation with a department graduate advisor.

Total Credit Hours Required: 34