Prepare for leadership roles in the exciting and evolving realm of municipal, nonprofit, and public recreation organizations.
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Home / Programs / Business / MSR / Master of Science in Recreation with an Emphasis in Recreation Management
Program Overview
Insights into our online recreation management degree
Gain an in-depth understanding of fast-moving, increasingly complex recreational challenges in the M.S. in Recreation with an emphasis in Recreation Management online program. Deepen your credentials for leading programs in youth and municipal organizations, parks and recreation departments—and more.
In this online recreation master's program, you will study facility design and management, recreation programming, commercial recreation, and athletics for active adults. Our core coursework covers broader topics such as data analytics, risk management, grant writing, and human resources.
Our curriculum is aligned with the requirements for Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) certification, which is essential for high-level employment in the industry. Plus, our online students may join campus associations and student organizations—such as the Health Science and Wellness Future Professionals—to broaden networking opportunities with peers.
Recreation management career opportunities include:
- Camp Director
- Municipal Recreation Director
- Youth Sports Director/Administrator
- Nonprofit Sports Manager
- Camp Director
- Municipal Recreation Director
- Youth Sports Director/Administrator
- Nonprofit Sports Manager
Accreditation:
Northwest Missouri State University is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) and is recognized by the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education™ (DESE) and the Higher Learning Commission.
Also available
Northwest offers a variety of specialized online degree options. Check out our other online graduate programs.
Total Tuition$10,500*
Program DurationAs few as 12 months
Credit Hours30
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Tuition
Find out how and when to pay your tuition
Our M.S. in Recreation with an emphasis in Recreation Mangement online programs offer affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition, which is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. All fees are included.
View additional tuition information+
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course | Per Program* |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.S. Recreation – Recreation Management | $350 | $1,050 | $10,500 |
Important Refund Information
| 2nd day of class | Last date for 100% refund for dropped course |
| 4th day of class | Last date for 75% refund for dropped course |
| 6th day of class | Last date for 50% refund for dropped course |
| 8th day of class | Last date for 25% refund for dropped course |
Tuition breakdown:
Total Tuition$10,500*
Per Credit Hour$350
Transfer your credits for lower tuition
Use our Tuition Estimator to see how affordable your degree could be. Slide the notch to the number of credits you've already earned—which may qualify for transfer credit—to get an estimate of what your degree might cost.
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Transfer Credits:0
Your Estimated Tuition:$16,140
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Transcripts sent from other colleges and universities will be evaluated, and accepted credits will be added to the student's A-State record. The Tuition Estimator is not a guarantee or predictor of the number of credit hours that will be accepted.
Calendar
Important dates for our students
Northwest online programs are delivered in an accelerated format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year.
View full calendar +
| Term | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Due | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2 | 3/13/23 | 2/24/23 | 3/1/23 | 3/7/23 | 3/8/23 | 4/28/23 |
| Summer 1 | 5/9/23 | 4/25/23 | 4/28/23 | 5/2/23 | 5/4/23 | 6/23/23 |
| Summer 2 | 6/26/23 | 6/9/23 | 6/14/23 | 6/16/23 | 6/21/23 | 8/11/23 |
| Fall 1 | 8/21/23 | 8/7/23 | 8/10/23 | 8/14/23 | 8/16/23 | 10/6/23 |
| Fall 2 | 10/16/23 | 10/2/23 | 10/5/23 | 10/9/23 | 10/11/23 | 12/1/23 |
Now enrolling:
Next Apply Date:4/25/23
Next Class Start Date:5/9/23
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earning your degree?
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Admissions
Follow our streamlined program admission requirements
At Northwest, we've streamlined the admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. Please read the requirements for the M.S. in Recreation with an emphasis in Recreation Management online program, including what additional materials you need and where you should send them.
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
View all admission requirements +
To apply for this program, you must meet these requirements:
- A minimum overall GPA of 2.75 on the undergraduate transcript from a regionally accredited institution OR an undergraduate overall GPA of 2.50 to 2.74 from a regionally accredited institution and a 3.0 GPA on six hours of required graduate coursework at Northwest in the major program where admission is requested.
- Documentation of ONE of the following:
- Score of 280 or higher on GRE combined score OR
- 3.0 Overall undergraduate GPA OR
- Two years of documented full-time employment (minimum average 30 hours per week) in the field of study OR
- Successful completion of another master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with at least a 2.75 GPA
If you are a non-Missouri student, you should determine whether this program fits the certification requirements for your state.
Official transcripts can be emailed to [emailprotected]. To submit official documents by mail, send them to:
Graduate Records SpecialistNorthwest Missouri State University
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468-6001
Have a question? Call us at 844-890-9304.
Click here for State Authorization information.
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
Courses
A look at the online recreation management curriculum
For the M.S. in Recreation with an emphasis in Recreation Management online program, the curriculum is comprised of 10 courses (30 credit hours), including 18 credit hours of core courses and 12 credit hours of emphasis courses.
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M. S. in Recreation Core Courses (18 hours)
REC 45645: Assessment and Evaluation of Recreation/Leisure Services
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Familiarizes the student with appropriate assessment/evaluation techniques as they are utilized in various leisure service settings. Techniques related to the delivery of recreation programs, park and recreation resources, and personnel are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on those assessment/evaluation skills used by leisure professionals to determine the extent to which programmatic and organizational goals and objectives have been achieved.
REC 45648: Human Resources and Ethics
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Designed to familiarize students with tasks common to mid-level managers in the field. Offers opportunities to confront ethical issues and discuss possible solutions in the context of information learned in the course.
HPER 22636: Research Methods in Health, Physical Education and Recreation
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An introduction to present-day methods and techniques of research, applicable to the fields of health, physical education and recreation.
HPER 22665: Data Analytics
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Basic foundation of data analysis covering descriptive and inferential statistics and how to use these to improve practice and research and to appropriately assess findings. Covers both parametric and nonparametric applications to the health, physical education, recreation and dance fields.
REC 45698: Risk Management
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Designed to give students a basic understanding of their legal responsibilities as teachers, coaches, trainers and recreation professionals to provide a safe environment for those they serve and to develop an understanding of the law and how it may apply to the rights of students, special populations, women and coworkers.
REC 45547: Grant Writing
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Acquaints students with the vocabulary, concept and practices in the study of grants administration and management. Enables practicing the skills necessary in obtaining outside funding and provides awareness of the individual roles and agencies within public funding.
Recreation Management Emphasis Courses (12 hours)
REC 45660: Recreation Facility Design and Management
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of the types of facilities utilized in recreation settings, including the aspects of the planning process, design, financing, needs assessment, facility management and maintenance.
REC 45525: Commercial Recreation
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An introduction to the scope, characteristics, development, management aspects and trends within the commercial recreation industry, including the delivery of goods, services, amenities, facilities and entrepreneurship.
REC 45620: Advanced Programming in Recreation
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course offers students opportunities to explore how to strengthen the quality of programming through grounding them in recreational theories and concepts. Students will learn how to better design recreational experiences, increase participation rates, document outcomes and raise revenues for their agencies. Course content will expand on basic programming concepts and include higher level, philosophical and critical thinking of how to best meet the needs of the persons served while providing them with what they want.
REC 45665: Recreation and Sport for Active Adults
Duration: 7 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
The course explores the role of leisure in healthy older adult development. Students will acquire a basic understanding of leisure for the current older adult cohort, Baby Boomers and future elders. Students will explore leisure services and settings, critically analyzing how history has and will shape the leisure behaviors of seniors.
Ranked #1
Northwest Missouri State University is ranked #1 among the "Best Online Colleges in Missouri" by SR Education Group (2020)
Highly Qualified Faculty
100% of classes taught by professionals, not graduate assistants
*Tuition and fees are based on current rates. Textbooks and laptops are not included with tuition.
**Most software will be free for student use, but there might be nominal fees associated with some of these.
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Or call 844-890-9304
By submitting this form, I am providing my digital signature agreeing that Northwest Missouri State University (Northwest) may email me or contact me regarding educational services by telephone and/or text message utilizing automated technology or a pre-recorded message at the telephone number(s) provided above. I understand this consent is not a condition to attend Northwest or to purchase any other goods or services.
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Or call 844-890-9304
By submitting this form, I am providing my digital signature agreeing that Northwest Missouri State University (Northwest) may email me or contact me regarding educational services by telephone and/or text message utilizing automated technology or a pre-recorded message at the telephone number(s) provided above. I understand this consent is not a condition to attend Northwest or to purchase any other goods or services.
REQUEST INFORMATION
Submit the form, and a representative will contact you to answer any questions.
or call 844-890-9304844-890-9304
By submitting this form, I am providing my digital signature agreeing that Northwest Missouri State University (Northwest) may email me or contact me regarding educational services by telephone and/or text message utilizing automated technology or a pre-recorded message at the telephone number(s) provided above. I understand this consent is not a condition to attend Northwest or to purchase any other goods or services.
Request Information
or call 844-890-9304844-890-9304
By submitting this form, I am providing my digital signature agreeing that Northwest Missouri State University (Northwest) may email me or contact me regarding educational services by telephone and/or text message utilizing automated technology or a pre-recorded message at the telephone number(s) provided above. I understand this consent is not a condition to attend Northwest or to purchase any other goods or services.
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