2011-2012 Graduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2011-2012 Graduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Recreation [REC] M.S.


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

Overview

Activity. Adventure. Academics. Focus your energies, combine your passions and prepare for exciting careers. No matter what your background, you can pursue an advanced degree and discover a place where you truly enjoy your work by studying for the M.S. in recreation at SUNY Cortland. Choose from three concentrations:

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

Program Highlights

Join your peers from disciplines as varied as human development, the arts, anthropology, management, English, physical education and others who come together in small classes for exciting discussions led by our enthusiastic and dedicated faculty.

In addition to core courses in recreation, you’ll examine in-depth issues in your concentration and explore related topics such as health, political science, sociology and physical education, as well as the behavioral, natural or social sciences. 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 the National Park Service, YMCAs or YWCAs to retirement communities, parks and recreation agencies, rehabilitation clinics, outdoor leadership and wilderness trip providers, challenge courses or private recreation companies.

Career Potential

Because recreation touches all walks of life and all ages, the M.S. in recreation from SUNY Cortland allows you to build the career of your dreams — working with people or alone, indoors or outdoors or almost any combination you desire. You might find yourself conserving lands with the Finger Lakes Land Trust, managing a state park or serving as a certified therapeutic recreation specialist, among many others.

If you’re interested in university teaching or administration, you’re well prepared to pursue the Ph.D. at graduate schools such as Cornell, Penn State, University of Utah and University of Georgia.

Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the requirements for admission to a degree program stated in this catalog, you should present the following for enrollment in the program leading to a Master of Science in Recreation:

  1. Official transcripts documenting a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
  2. 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.
  3. A resume.
  4. A one- to two-page statement of educational and professional goals.
  5. Names, addresses, email addresses and phone numbers of three references.
  6. 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.

Apply for the M.S. in recreation.

Program Requirements


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

Nine credit hours in one of the following concentrations:


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

B. Supporting Area: Six credit hours


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.

C. Electives: Six credit hours


Behavioral, natural, or social sciences such as biology, education, environmental studies, foundations and social advocacy, geography, health, physical education, political science, psychology, sociology, special education, etc. Credit for REC 698-Research in Recreation and/or REC 699-Independent Study in Recreation may also be included in this category.

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

Recreation 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. Supervision/Administration Core: Three credit hours


B. Environmental and Outdoor Education Core: Nine credit hours


For the Environmental Education and Interpretation track select:

or

For the Outdoor Pursuits and Organized Camping track select

D. Additional Electives: Six credit hours


E. Culminating Activity: One credit hour


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

Management of Leisure Services [MGLS]


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

A. Supervision/Administration Core: Three credit hours


D. Additional Electives: Six credit hours


  • Select an additional six credit hours chosen by advisement in BIO, EDU, FSA, GRY, PSY, REC or SOC

E. Culminating Activity: One credit hour


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

Therapeutic Recreation [TR]


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

A. Supervision/Administration Core: Three credit hours


B. Therapeutic Recreation Core: Nine credit hours


C. Supporting Area: Six credit hours


D. Additional Electives: Six credit hours


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

E. 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. 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