Recreation, Parks, and Tourism - MS

The mission of the Master of Science in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism (RPT) program is to serve as a catalyst for the development of emerging entrepreneurial leaders who will be change agents and advance the recreation, parks, and tourism profession and society.

The MS in RPT prepares students to be employed in supervisory and managerial positions in areas of community recreation and nonprofit leisure services, commercial and private enterprises, and in parks and natural resources management agencies. The degree also offers the underpinning for students who wish to pursue a doctorate at other institutions for advanced research, consulting, and teaching positions. The department offers a foundation of quality education, service, and research that bridges the gaps between theory and practice, knowledge and experience, and critical and creative thinking.

The master's program is offered in a hybrid format providing the advantages of both online and in-person experiences. The interactive online webinars allow students to eliminate commutes, which may be appealing to persons working full time or with families. The intensive classroom experiences and individual faculty advising build strong relationships within the cohort of students and between the students and RPT faculty. We almost exclusively accept students in the fall to build a cohort of students that often develop strong professional and social ties.