The WKU Masters of Science in Recreation and Sport Administration went into effect in the fall of 2005. Students in both Recreation and Sport Administration work with Faculty to design the best course of study for their interests and needs. The 33 hour degree has 24 hours in the core, including a research course and a practicum.
Students are advised to select emphasis/options for their electives (9 hours) from: Environmental Education, Outdoor Leadership, Student Services/Campus recreation, Facilities Management, Interscholastic Administration/Coaching, and Thesis.
Currently there are six full-time Graduate Faculty members and assorted Adjunct Faculty teaching in the Recreation and Sport Administration Masters Program. The faculty possess diverse backgrounds, which allows for sharing a variety of expertise with students
Flexibility is key in the ever-changing and competitive leisure service industry. Our program combines diverse opportunities for students and encourages practical experience as integral to the MS degree. Professional experience in a related profession is strongly encouraged during the MS degree. Currently, 90% of students in the Recreation and Sport Administration Masters Program are working in a recreation or sport administration position while pursuing the degree.
Our student makeup is quite diverse with a wide array of fields represented. Approximately 60% of the students in the MS program receive aid from WKU through a number of different programs including: part-time employment, fulltime employment, graduate assistantship, and/or scholarships.
Required courses (24 hrs.) + electives (9 hrs) = 33 hrs.
This program is designed to prepare professional Recreation and Sport Administration practitioners for a wide range of occupations; provide opportunity for study in a specialized area of recreation; provide knowledge of research procedures; and provide academic background for students planning to pursue doctoral study.
Some courses are offered online at various times (noted by *). Most courses are web-assisted.
Environmental Education Emphasis (9 hours)
ENVE 520 Foundations in Environmental Education (8 weeks) (required)
ENVE 560 Investigating Environmental Issues (8 weeks)
ENVE 580 LBL Environmental Education Consortium
REC 482G Wilderness First Responder
REC 430G Recreation Resource Management
REC 532 Environmental Education Resources
REC 434G Environmental Interpretation
REC 435G Expedition Planning
REC 437G Outdoor Leadership Expedition
Student Services/Campus Recreation (9 hours)
REC 422G Campus Recreation
CNS 571 Introduction to Student Affairs (required)
CNS 572 The College Student Experience
CNS 574 Student Development in Higher Education
CNS 585 Leadership and Administration in Student Affairs
Outdoor Leadership Emphasis (9 hours)
REC 435G Outdoor Expedition Planning (required)
REC 437G Outdoor Leadership Expedition (required)
ENVE 520 Foundations in Environmental Education (8 weeks)
ENVE 560 Investigating Environmental Issues (8 weeks)
ENVE 580 LBL Environmental Education Consortium
REC 482G Wilderness First Responder
REC 430G Recreation Resource Management
REC 532 Environmental Education Resources
REC 434G Environmental Interpretation
Required Audit of REC 335 and REC 337 (enrollment in courses required)
Facilities Emphasis (9 hours)
REC 404G Recreation Facility Management
REC 426G Facility Planning and Design
REC 424G Camp and Conference Center Administration
Athletic Administration/Coaching (33 hours)
This emphasis is a Cohort Program and is administered through the WKU Division of Extended Learning and Outreach (DELO). All courses are administered online. For more information see: http://www.wku.edu/cohort/athleticAdmin.htm
Other courses may be used to fulfill elective requirements in any of the above options based upon student need and with advisor approval.
Additional Courses that may be used as electives:
REC 420G Commercial Recreation & Tourism
REC 428G Community Centers and Playgrounds
REC 482G Workshop in variable topics
REC 530 Independent Investigations in Recreation (1 to 3 hours)
Additional electives may be accepted to fulfill other student needs in an ever-changing and diverse field.
Effective fall 2006, no student admitted into the Recreation and Sport Administration MS program will be required to take deficiency hours.
This decision places the responsibility on the student to overcome any knowledge deficiency through their own efforts.
Recreation and Sport Administration Course Descriptions
REC 404 G Recreation Facility Management
A practical orientation to management for a variety of recreation facilities.
REC 424G Camp and Conference Center Administration
Organization and administration of camp and conference center programs and facilities including history, trends, staffing, client needs, finance, marketing, and legal issues.
REC 426G Facility Planning and Design
Facility Planning and design process with emphasis on the unique features on many different areas and types of facilities.
REC 428 G Community Centers and Playgrounds
An intensive investigation of playground and community center operations.
REC 430G Recreation Resource Management
Multi-use natural resource management concepts, issues in resource management and the synthesis of concept and practical knowledge into real and simulated applications of land use and environmental problems related to the leisure service industry. Field trips required. Students are responsible for their own transportation to off-campus meetings. University transportation provided when possible.
REC 434G Environmental Interpretation
Environmental interpretation in leisure and educational settings. Includes interpretive design of exhibits and facilities. Emphasizes the development of presentation and program skills.
REC 435G Outdoor Expedition Planning
Principles and techniques for planning, designing, implementing and evaluating extended outdoor expedition programs. Overnight field trips required. Students are responsible for their own transportation to off-campus meetings. University transportation provided when possible.
REC 437G Outdoor Leadership Expedition
Outdoor Leadership capstone course involving a backcountry expedition, leadership development, and teaching techniques. Successful students will receive the Wilderness Education Association Outdoor Leader Certification. Overnight, extended field trips required. Field experiences required. Students are responsible for their own transportation to off campus meetings. University transportation provided when possible.
REC 482 G Recreation Workshop
A study of special areas relating to the recreation profession. May be experiential in nature or may follow a traditional class format. Field experiences and/or study at extended campus locations may be required.
REC 501 Research Methods in Recreation and Sport
Research terminology, design, methods, data analysis, and manuscript preparation in recreation and sport.
REC 513 Recreation and Sport Administration
Leadership and management of recreation and sport agencies with emphases on strategic planning, policy, human resources, programming, governance, and organizational behavior and culture.
REC 515 Recreation and Sport Facility Development
Facility development process with emphasis on the unique features of many different types of facilities. Field experiences required. Students are responsible for their own transportation to off campus meetings. University transportation provided when possible.
REC 517 Legal Issues in Recreation and Sport
Legal systems, legal concepts, and landmark cases influencing the recreation and sport industry.
REC 519 Fiscal Practices in Recreation and Sport
Financial principles and practices relevant in recreation settings. Topics include economic principles, financial management and organization, income .
REC 521 Public Relations in Recreation and Sport
Specialized application of effective communication techniques for building relationships with internal and external constituencies that support marketing from the general practice of public relations.
REC 523 Theoretical Foundations of Recreation and Sport
Philosophy, theory, and ethics of recreation and sport, including current professional trends in the field.
REC 530 Advanced Studies in Recreation and Sport
Specific and detailed analysis of issues in recreation and sport incorporating individualized instruction between student and faculty. Restricted admission pending faculty approval.
REC 532 Environmental Education Resources
Experiential learning with environmental education resources. Emphasis is placed on Kentucky based interpretation of the natural environment. Field experiences required and students are required to provide their own means of transportations to field sites.
REC 590 Practicum in Recreation and Sport
Cooperative field experiences in approved recreation and sport settings where students obtain professional administrative and/or programming experience with agency and faculty supervision. This course requires off campus travel. Students are responsible for their own transportation to off campus meetings.
REC 599 Thesis
REC 600 Maintaining Matriculation
Application to Recreation and Sport Graduate Program - You do not have to take the GRE (Graduate Records Examination) for admission into the Recreation and Sport Administration Program.
2) Compile an Electronic Portfolio for submission to the Recreation and Sport Administration Program:
a. Include a GOALS Letter. In this letter, include a 1 page, thorough narration of why you want to attend graduate school and your goals for professional employment once completed.
b. Include two letters of recommendation from individuals who have completed graduate work.
c. Include two examples of papers and/or materials that you have written that used citations.
d. Include a two page Professional Resume’ detailing experience in the field that would justify this degree relative to your career.
3) Submit the Electronic Portfolio to Dr. Spencer <steve.spencer@wku.edu>:
4) Recreation and Sport Administration Graduate faculty will assess the Electronic Portfolio. Any deficiencies or requirements will be noted on the admission form.
5) Electronic Admission requirements will be reviewed by the CHHS Dean’s office. The CHHS Dean’s office will either support or deny admission and forward to the Graduate School.
6) The Graduate School will then notify the applicant of Admission status by letter.
7) After acceptance, you may then register for classes (coordinate with advisor).
8) A copy of the Electronic Portfolio will be kept in the Recreation and Sport Administration Graduate Coordinator’s Office.
Tuition: For an updated tuition schedule, refer to:
