Recreation Sciences, MS

Program Coordinator: Clifton Watts (1409 Carol G. Belk Building; 252-737-2426; wattsc@ecu.edu)

The Department of Recreation Sciences offers a Recreation Sciences, MS with two concentrations – recreation management and recreational therapy administration.The program is designed for individuals employed in or seeking employment in a diverse range of settings. The concentration in recreation management prepares students for positions in multiple settings including community parks and recreation, human dimensions of recreation resource management, recreational sports management, and travel and tourism. The concentration in recreational therapy administration provides advanced education for clinical, administrative, and research positions in recreational therapy and healthcare-related careers. Individuals pursuing the recreational therapy administration concentration who do not meet national certification requirements upon admission will be required to take supplemental coursework while enrolled in the graduate program.

The degree requires a minimum of 36 s.h. as follows:

1. Core - 12 s.h.

2. Concentration - 12 s.h.

(Choose one area.)

Recreation management - 12 s.h.

Choose 6 s.h. from the following courses:

Note:

RCSC 6990

will be required of recreation management students who do not have approved prior experience or internship in recreation.

Recreational therapy administration - 12 s.h.

Choose 3 s.h. from the following courses:

Note:

RCSC 6990

is required for recreational therapy administration students who are not currently state or nationally credentialed in recreational therapy.

3. Thesis or non-thesis option - 12 s.h.

(Choose an option by concentration.)

Recreation management:

Thesis option (12 s.h.)

Requires a comprehensive examination
RCSC 7000 - Thesis (6 s.h.)
6 s.h. of approved electives

Non-thesis option (12 s.h.)

Requires a comprehensive examination
RCSC 6501 - Capstone Experience in Recreation Sciences (3 s.h.)
9 s.h. of approved electives

Recreational therapy administration:

Thesis option (12 s.h.)

Requires a comprehensive examination
RCSC 7000 - Thesis (6 s.h.)
6 s.h. of approved interventions-based electives

Non-thesis option (12 s.h.)

Requires a comprehensive examination
RCTX 6502 - Capstone Experience in Recreational Therapy (3 s.h.)
9 s.h. of approved interventions-based electives