Recreation, Parks and Leisure Studies Department
Sharon Todd, chair
Kenneth Cohen, 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

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the nature and scope of the recreation profession and its associated service delivery systems, and the foundations of the recreation profession in history, theory, science, and philosophy.
2. Demonstrate the ability to assess, plan, implement, document, and evaluate recreation services that facilitate targeted human experiences and outcomes, and that embrace personal and cultural dimensions of diversity.
3. Demonstrate entry-level knowledge about management/administration of recreation services.
4. Demonstrate the sustained ability to apply the recreation process, use diverse, structured ways of thinking to solve problems related to different facets of professional practice, engage in advocacy, and stimulate innovation.

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. As 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 (CTRS), 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 and University of Utah.

Graduate Admission

Evaluation Policy

At the State University of New York College at Cortland, we seek a diverse and academically strong student body. Our admission policy and practice will not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, national origin or marital status.

Required Materials

1. Completed online Graduate School Application - Apply Now
2. Official transcripts from all institutions of higher learning attended to be forwarded directly to SUNY Cortland Graduate Admissions Office, P.O. Box 2000, Cortland, NY 13045
3. A resume, uploaded as part of online application process
4. A one- or two-page statement of your educational and professional goals, uploaded as part of online application process
5. Names, addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers of three references, submitted as part of online application process
   Note: At least one reference must be academic. Letters of recommendation are not required.

Admissions Criteria

Preference will be given to candidates with the following:

1. Bachelor's degree, completed before classes begin, in any academic major. Students without certain recreation coursework may be required to complete three to five hours of corequisite course work.
2. An undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 2.8 or above (on a 4.0 scale). 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 grade point average above 2.8 does not guarantee admission. Other application materials are considered. Spaces in the program may be limited.

Deadlines

Fall semester applications: July 1
Spring semester applications: Dec. 1
Summer semester applications: April 1

Applications submitted after the deadline may be considered on a space availability basis.
Please contact the Graduate Admissions Office at 607-753-4800 to check availability.