Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Sport Management
The online Master of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Sport Management (MPRTSM) degree program provides students with the credentials, knowledge and practical insight required to advance careers in parks, recreation, tourism, and sports industries. Recognizing that most of our students need to continue working full time while earning this degree, the program is tailored to working adults. It is intentionally designed to meet the very specific needs of professionals looking to advance their careers in these highly competitive industries.
Video: Sample class lecture video from required course PRT 508: Risk Management
Emphasis on key management functions indicative of parks, recreation, tourism, and sport industries ensures students graduate with a mastery of advanced principles and procedures of management and ethical leadership (e.g., administration, marketing, organizational behavior, risk management, finance and budgeting) for the delivery of recreation, parks, tourism, and sport services.
Students in the Master of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Sport Management program graduate ready to lead in their fields.
Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following admission criteria:
- A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0*
- Official transcripts documenting all prior degrees
- Three professional letters of recommendation (applicants are encouraged to include one academic letter). Letters should give specific examples of leadership, teamwork, communication, intellectual ability, and interpersonal skills, and explicitly speak to graduate-level potential.
- Personal Statement: 1-2 pages addressing professional goals, contributions of personal/professional/social experiences, and special section if GPA <3.0
- Evidence of two years of professional work experience (or 12 hour of graduate coursework)
* Applicants with a GPA lower than 3.0 will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Plan of Study
Graduate from one of the country’s leading master’s programs in two years while still working. Courses are aligned with the needs of each industry and are taught by an experienced faculty dedicated to providing students with the skills they will need to gain a competitive advantage in their chosen field. Students can continue to work full time while taking one course at a time and still complete all degree requirements in two years.
The online Master of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Sport Management program basics:
- 31 credit hours to graduate.
- Accelerated course format delivered through a variety of online technologies that facilitate student-to-student and student-to-instructor interactions. Students typically take one course at a time for eight weeks (two courses per 15-week semester).
- Students are admitted as a cohort in the fall semester of each year. Admitted students will attend an online orientation at the beginning of their first semester (mid-August) and are invited to attend commencement activities when they graduate.
The flexible learning environment accommodates the demands of full-time employment. Contemporary instructional methods emphasize group discussions, frequent interactions with faculty and meaningful assignments that provide valuable skills and knowledge critical for career advancement.
Our students appreciate the following aspects of the program:
- Expansion of professional opportunities.
- Can take one course at a time and still graduate in two years.
- An average graduation rate of 93% of students in two years.
- Eight-week semesters.
Career Prospects
Interested in working as a sports manager? How about a park director or a facilities manager?
The following are just a few of the more popular careers our students pursue upon graduation:
- Community Center Director
- Recreation Program Director
- Events Coordinator
- Sport Facility Manager
- Sport Marketing and Sales Representative
- Park Operations Manager
- Parks and Recreation Director
Management education and experience are a must for these careers. After analyzing the skills working professionals need to advance in the fields of parks, recreation and tourism management, we have developed a program of study that delivers the knowledge and skills needed to grow in these coveted careers. With an emphasis on advanced management skills, students in the Master of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Sport Management program graduate with the knowledge and credentials needed to assume leadership and management positions.
