Master of Public Health
| (Parks and Recreation)

Master of Science

Course Delivery

100% Online
Total Credits

47
In-State Tuition Per Credit

$518.62
Out of State Tuition Per Credit

$621.98

Master of Public Health | (Parks and Recreation)

Master of Public Health

The parks and recreation movement in the United States has held within its core values the protection of open spaces and healthy recreational activity as a means of promoting the health and well-being of the public and enhancing social justice.

The IU Online Master of Public Health in Parks and Recreation explores the linkages between recreation and public health, while teaching administrative and leadership skills for developing, delivering, and administering recreational programs with public health outcomes in mind. As a student in this program, you master competencies in core areas of public health including epidemiology, biostatistics, social and behavioral sciences, environmental health, and health policy and management.

The IU Online MPH in Parks and Recreation prepares you to work within the parks, recreation, and leisure delivery systems in both the built and natural environment to promote the health of the public, in such careers as:

Park agency director
Program coordinator
Municipal park superintendent
Proprietor of private recreation operations
State park program director
Local health department associate
Health and human services agent
Health department personnel

Degree Requirements

To graduate with the MPH in Parks and Recreation, you must complete a minimum of 44 credit hours. The MPH in Parks and Recreation is a non-thesis degree, but does require a 3 credit hour field experience of practical application of public health principles under the supervision of a qualified preceptor. As a part-time student (two courses per semester), you can complete the degree in four years. In addition to the core curriculum, you complete graduate certificate coursework in one of three areas: gerontology and health, sexual and reproductive health, or safety management.

Requirements are broken down as follows:

MPH core courses (20 credit hours)
Parks and recreation core concentration courses (12 credit hours)
Additional core graduate certificate courses (12-15 credit hours)

Admissions

To be accepted to this program, you must have:

A bachelor's degree

NOTE: This program is authorized, exempt, or not subject to state regulatory compliance and may enroll students from all 50 states

To apply to this program:

Complete an online application that includes:

Transcripts
Three letters of recommendation
Statement of purpose (600 words or less)
Resume
GRE scores
TOEFL score (minimum 80) or IELTS score (minimum 7) - international students only

Courses

Core

SPH-O 510	Human Health, Quality of Life, and Natural Environments	3 Credits
SPH-R 510	Philosophy of Leisure and Recreation	3 Credits
SPH-R 512	Administrative Theory and Management Practices in Leisure Services	3 Credits
SPH-R 585 or SPH-R 550	Leisure as a Determinant of Public Health (SPH-R 585) -or- Special Concerns in Parks and Recreation (SPH-R 550)	3 Credits
SPH-R 691	Readings in Recreation: Professional Development Seminar 1	1 Credit
SPH-R 691	Readings in Recreation: Professional Development Seminar 2	1 Credit
SPH-R 696	MPH Field Experience in Parks and Recreation	3 Credits
SPH-R 698	MPH Culminating Experience in Parks and Recreation	3 Credits
SPH-X 601	Assessment and Public Health	3 Credits
SPH-X 650	Evidence-Based Approaches to Public Health	3 Credits
SPH-X 660	Population Health Determinates	3 Credits
SPH-X 685	Public Health Policy and Politics	3 Credits

Find course descriptions with our Search Schedule of Classes/Courses tool.

Tuition & Fees

Cost for Indiana Residents

Per Credit Hour
Tuition: $518.62

3 Credit Hours
Tuition: $1555.86

Note: Additional fees will apply.

Cost for Out of State Residents

Per Credit Hour
Tuition: $621.98

3 Credit Hours
Tuition: $1865.94

In accordance with Federal Financial Aid requirements, IU has calculated a “Cost of Attendance” for this program based on the most common enrollments from students who are enrolled full time for the academic year. We’re showing you the estimated cost of attendance for the full 2023–24 academic year (fall and spring semesters). Cut these numbers in half to figure out the cost of a single semester. Your actual costs for housing and food, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses will vary based on:

• The number of credit hours you take
• Whether you’re an Indiana resident
• Your personal choices
• Your travel habits

Your cost of attendance may differ from these estimates.

Full time Students

Part time Students

Direct Costs:

Tuition & Mandatory Fees

Indiana Residents

See per credit hour rate listed above

Non-residents

See per credit hour rate listed above

Direct Costs:

Tuition & Mandatory Fees

Indiana Residents

See per credit hour rate listed above

Non-residents

See per credit hour rate listed above

Indirect Costs:

Food & Housing $15,456

Books & Supplies $830

Transportation $2958

Personal Expenses $4078

Indirect Costs:

Food & Housing $15,456

Books & Supplies $302

Transportation $2958

Personal Expenses $4078

If you would like a more detailed estimate of expenses, please use IU's Tuition and Fee Calculator.

IU Tuition & Fee Calculator

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