Master of Science Park, Recreation and Tourism Studies (MS)

Lindsay Usher, PhD, Graduate Program Director

This program is designed to prepare students and practitioners for advanced study in the concepts, theories, research, and management of park, recreation and tourism services. Course work (30 credit hours) is designed to develop students' abilities to analyze research findings, conduct research in the field, and apply empirical data to practice and management. The program combines social science and management concepts and theories with applied problem-solving techniques specific to parks, recreation and tourism.

Admission

Admission and Entrance Requirements

Applicants for the MS in Park, Recreation and Tourism Studies are required to submit credentials for consideration through the Office of Graduate Admissions at Old Dominion University. Students applying for admission with regular status must have:

• A completed online application via www.odu.edu/admission/graduate
• A baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited institution or an equivalent degree from a foreign institution
• 2.8 cumulative GPA or higher (on a 4.0 scale ) *
• 3.0 GPA or higher in the undergraduate major *
• A combined GRE score of 291 or higher (verbal and quantitative sections) *
• Personal essay (no more than two pages) that describes: 1) previous professional experience in the PRT field, 2) educational career goals, 3) areas of research interest, 4) specific faculty member with whom student wants to study, 5) why student should be admitted, and 6) (if applicable) the specific graduate assistantship for which student wishes to be considered (and why they would be a good fit for that assistantship).
• Three letters of recommendation (from former professors or employers)
• Current copy of résumé
• Transcripts from all prior postsecondary institutions
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 550 on the paper-based test (or 79-80 on the iBT) for non-native English speakers

* Students who have a low GPA or a low GRE score may be considered for admission with provisional status.

* The program admissions committee will consider GRE/GMAT waiver requests for high potential candidates by considering application elements that demonstrate the ability to take on the rigor of graduate level studies.  A request for waiver does not guarantee that a waiver will be granted.

Curriculum

Four required courses focus on areas in which the faculty believe each park, recreation and tourism graduate must be competent. Two research courses are required of all students, including one in applied statistics and the other in research methods. One elective in the PRTS program is required. Depending on the Capstone Experience selected, students must also take one or two electives in other programs or departments. Lastly, students must choose from one of two Capstone Experiences — a 6-credit hour thesis (Thesis Option), or a 3-credit hour research project (Research Project Option).  The Thesis Option requires the successful defense of a thesis. The Research Project Option requires successful completion of a comprehensive examination covering the four required PRTS core courses. The specific courses in the curriculum are as follows:

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Park, Recreation & Tourism Studies Core
PRTS 650	Contemporary Issues in Park, Recreation and Tourism Studies	3
PRTS 720	Advanced Leisure Theories and their Applications	3
PRTS 740	Recreation Management for Administrators	3
or PRTS 730	Park Management for Professionals
PRTS 770	Grant Writing for Parks and Recreation	3
Research Core
FOUN 612	Applied Research Methods in Education *	3
or FOUN 611	Introduction to Research Methods in Education
FOUN 722	Introduction to Applied Statistics and Data Analysis	3
PRTS Elective
Select one of the following:		3
PRTS 710	Tourist Behavior and Consumption
PRTS 760	Advanced Sustainable Tourism Management
PRTS 780	Youth Development in Recreation
Electives **
Select 3-6 of the following:		3-6
OEAS 566	Introduction to Mitigation and Adaptation
OEAS 567	Sustainability Leadership
OEAS 658	Participatory and Agent-Based Modeling, Simulation, and Visualization
PADM 671	Public Budgeting and Financial Management
PADM 711	Tools of Government
PADM 714	Public-Private Partnerships
PADM 715	Management and Governance of Nonprofit Organizations
PADM 745	Managing Development and Change in Organizations
PRTS 697	Independent Study in Park, Recreation and Tourism Studies
SMGT 652	Facility Management for Sport, Recreation and Entertainment
SMGT 653	Sponsorship and Event Planning
SMGT 738	Sport Finance
SMGT 760	Sport Law
Note: List of electives is not comprehensive. Prior approval from graduate advisor is required for other possible electives.
Capstone Experience
Select one of the following:		6
Thesis Option:
PRTS 698	Thesis Research in Park, Recreation and Tourism Studies
PRTS 699	Thesis in Park, Recreation and Tourism Studies
Research Project Option: ***
PRTS 636	Research Problems in Park, Recreation and Tourism Studies
Total Credit Hours		30-33

*

Required if completing the Thesis Option. If competing the Research Project Option, student can take FOUN 611.

**

One Elective required if completing Thesis Option. Two Electives required if completing Research Project Option.

***

Denotes an additional requirement of comprehensive exam based on core course requirements.

Additional Requirements

Continuance and Exit Requirements

Students must meet all requirements for continuance as outlined in the graduate continuance policy for the University. Students completing the program of study must:

• Have an overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher
• Have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher in the major
• Demonstrate writing proficiency
• Satisfy all course competencies
• Pass an oral thesis proposal defense (thesis option only)
• Pass a comprehensive examination (research project option only)
• Complete a thesis/research project
• Have an exit interview with the program director
• File the necessary paperwork for graduation