Ready to Apply?
Apply NowRecreation, M.S.: Recreation Administration
Course Delivery: 100% Online
Total Credits: 35
In-State Tuition Per Credit: $518.62
Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit: $621.98
Cost of attendance may vary by campus. View the total cost calculator
Degree Overview
Courses in the IU Online Master of Science in Recreation: Recreation Administration cover such topics as philosophy of leisure and recreation; human resource management; finance and budget; research in health, kinesiology, and recreation; and statistics in public health. You will complete either a capstone project that applies key principles to an in-depth study or an experiential internship.
The degree prepares you to manage recreation and leisure services in a variety of settings, including public agencies, private and commercial organizations, parks, and campus-recreation and military-recreation organizations.
You’ll graduate with an Indiana University degree respected by employers worldwide—and you can work on yours anytime and anywhere. Plus, you’ll enjoy personalized support services throughout your academic journey.
And the benefits start long before graduation. More than half of IU Online students advance in their careers before they complete their degree.
To be accepted to this program, you must have a bachelor's degree.
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 or IELTS scores (international students only)
Your IU Online M.S. in Recreation: Recreation Administration prepares you for careers in:
- Parks and recreation departments
- Campus recreation programs
- Private/commercial agencies
- General park administration
- Military recreation
To graduate with the M.S. in Recreation: Recreation Administration, you must complete a minimum of 35 credit hours.
Requirements are broken down as follows:
- Recreation administration foundation courses (21 credit hours)
- Elective courses (9-12 credit hours)
- Capstone experience (2-5 credit hours)
NOTE: Your elective coursework must be completed in management and administration, theory and foundations, and topics and trends. Electives must be approved by your academic advisor.
You have two options for completing the required capstone experience: (1) an intensive project that summarizes the knowledge and skills obtained from coursework, or (2) an internship that requires you to apply concepts and principles learned from coursework.
Core
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Capstone Courses | SPH-R 598 Master's Project in Administration (2-4 credits) --or-- SPH-R 697 Internships in Recreation and Parks (3 credits) | 2-4 Credits |
| SPH-Q 501 | Introduction to Statistics in Public Health | 3 Credits |
| SPH-R 510 | Philosophy of Leisure and Recreation | 3 Credits |
| SPH-R 512 or 511 | SPH-R 512 Administrative Theory and Management Practices in Leisure Services --or-- SPH-R 511 Organizational Leadership of Leisure Services | 3 Credits |
| SPH-R 542 | Fiscal Management in Recreation Administration | 3 Credits |
| SPH-R 544 | Legal Aspects of Recreation Administration | 3 Credits |
| SPH-R 585 | Leisure as a Determinant of Health | 3 Credits |
| SPH-X 590 | Introduction to Research in Health, Kinesiology, and Recreation | 3 Credits |
Elective
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC-Y 520 | Strategies for Educational Inquiry | 3 Credits |
| SPH-B 535 | Contemporary Issues in Aging and Health | 3 Credits |
| SPH-R 524 | Fundraising for Public and Nonprofit Agencies | 3 Credits |
| SPH-R 531 | Planning & Design for the Built Environment | 3 Credits |
| SPH-R 571 | Recreational Sports Administration | 3 Credits |
| SPH-R 573 | Current Events in Recreation Administration | 2 Credits |
| SPH-R 574 | Human Resource Management in Recreation | 3 Credits |
| SPH-R 685 | Trends in Survey Methods & Public Health Research | 3 Credits |
| SPH-R 691 | Readings in Recreation | 2-3 Credits |
| SPH-R 693 | Independent Study and Research | 3 Credits |
| SPH-R 695 | Practicum in Recreation and Parks and Tourism Studies | 1-3 Credits |
Find course descriptions with our Search Schedule of Classes/Courses tool.
Find the answers you need or start your application. We’re here to help!