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Northwest Missouri State University

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Recreation

Dr. Loren Butler, Gradate Program Coordinator
Email: Dr. Loren Butler
Phone: (660) 562-1066

Master of Science in Recreation: Those seeking a Master of Science in Recreation degree may choose to complete course work in one of the following interest areas: Recreation Resources Management and/ or Therapeutic Recreation.

Admission Requirements

Students wishing to pursue a graduate degree in the Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance must meet the admission requirements of the University and department as stated in this catalog in addition to the following:

  1. A minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 on the undergraduate transcript is required. A student who has an undergraduate GPA of 2.50 to 2.74 may be considered for admission after he/she has completed 8 hours of required graduate coursework at Northwest with a GPA of 3.25.
  2. A minimum combined score of 700 on the verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The student must retake the test if the score is below 700. Official scores must be filed with the Graduate Office to complete the admission packet.
  3. Complete departmental admissions packet and receive written acceptance from the HPERD department via the graduate coordinator or their designee. Deadlines for submission of graduate admissions packets are as follows:
    • Fall Admission - August 1
    • Spring Admission - December 1
    • Summer Admission - April 1
  4. Successful completion of a supervised writing assessment conducted by the department during the first trimester of enrollment.

Admission Appeal

Students not meeting the departmental GPA admission standards as stated may appeal to the departmental graduate admission committee. Appeals should be made in writing to the HPERD graduate studies coordinator. If after a second attempt on the GRE the student is unable to attain the minimum admission score, he or she may appeal to the departmental graduate admission committee. Appeals should be made in writing to the HPERD graduate studies coordinator. Students not successfully completing the writing assessment may appeal in writing to the HPERD graduate studies coordinator.

Departmental Admissions Appeal Committee

The HPERD chairperson will appoint a committee of three department members, including the advisor in the major fields and faculty who have had the student in class.
The student is to:

  1. Submit a portfolio including:
    1. Transcripts of all credits.
    2. A written request for alternative admission (minimum 250 words not to exceed three double-spaced word-processed pages).
    3. Two employer/supervisor recommendations.
  2. Make an oral presentation to the committee including:
    1. Statement of personal and professional reasons for appeal.
    2. Factors or motivation for seeking a graduate degree.
    3. Projected plans for degree completion.

The curriculum is composed of courses in theoretical and philosophical foundations, research, and current practices in recreation. Upon completion of the graduate program in recreation, students will possess the following competencies:

  1. Demonstrate understanding of theoretical and philosophical foundations of the profession.
  2. The ability to conceptualize, conduct and apply research to areas of recreation specialization.
  3. Demonstrate the ability to maintain appropriate continuing education activities and remain current with best practices.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of the critical importance of being an advocate for the profession and those served.

Key Quality Indicators

The Key Quality Indicators developed for the program are:

  1. Competence in Discipline
  2. Communicate the personal and societal value of leisure services

Course Requirements

Core Requirements 6
REC 45-630               Historical and Philosophical Concepts of Parks and Recreation 3
REC 45-635 Trends and Issues in Rec/Leisure 3
Research Core Requirements 9
PE 22-636 Research Methods in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation 3
PE 22-634 Survey of Professional Literature 3
REC 45-699 Thesis 3
Subject Field Requirements:
Select 9 hours from one of the following interest areas:
Recreation Resources Management:
REC 45-520 MCC Facilitator Training Course 3
REC 45-540 Group Dynamics 3
REC 45-533 Recreational Sports Management 3
REC 45-545 Risk Management in HPERD 3
REC 45-546 Administration of Recreation 3
REC 45-640 Social & Psych Aspects of Rec/Leisure 3
REC 45-645 Assess and Evaluation of Rec/Leisure Services 3
REC 45-650 Finance and Marketing in Rec/Leisure 3
REC 45-655 Natural Resource History & Interpretation 3
REC 45-660 Rec Facility Design & Management 3
REC 45-665 Leisure and Aging 3
REC 45-680 Graduate Rec Internship 3
Therapeutic Recreation:
REC 45-542 Trends and Issues in Therapeutic Recreation 3
REC 45-640 Social & Psych Aspects of Rec/Leisure 3
REC 45-520 MCC Facilitator Training Course 3
REC 45-540 Group Dynamics 3
REC 45-665 Leisure and Aging 3
REC 45-680 Graduate Rec Internship 3
Elective Courses 9
Select 9 hours from courses inside and/or outside the Department to support area of interest (Course selections must be approved by the Graduate Curriculum Committee and listed in a student’s degree program)
Independent Study – 1-3 hours only
Total 33

M. S., Recreation Program Completion Requirements

In addition to successful completion of the Nine Steps Toward a Master ’s Degree (page 16), successful completion of the following College of Education and Human

Services and HPERD departmental requirements are required:

  1. Completion of an approved internship experience (unless waived by your thesis committee).
  2. Completion of an approved Plan of Study.
  3. Presentation of Thesis research to your thesis committee.
  4. Thesis

Graduate Assistantship

Graduate Assistantships are available, on a competitive basis, for qualified students. Students must be fully accepted into a graduate program, have a 2.75 cumulative GPA (4.0 scale), and be enrolled as a HPERD Master’s Student in order to obtain a Graduate Assistantships in the HPERD Department.