Dec 08, 2024  
2019-20 Graduate Catalog 
    
2019-20 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Leisure and Sport Management, Recreation and Leisure Services Concentration, M.S.


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Dr. Steve Estes, Program Director
(615) 898-2906
Steven.Estes@mtsu.edu

Leisure and Sport Management is for those who are preparing for senior-level positions in leisure and sport professions or those who are preparing for doctoral-level work in the leisure and sport fields. The two year program focuses on parks and recreation; recreational, college, and professional sport; event planning; tourism; and resort or hotel administration.

The goal of the Master’s in Leisure and Sport Management is to prepare individuals to lead leisure and sport organizations, to support the expansion of the leisure and sport industries, and to conduct research that advances the body of knowledge in these disciplines.

Please see undergraduate catalog for information regarding undergraduate programs.

Admission Requirements


Admission decisions will be made after reviewing all materials and determining the applicant’s capacity, suitability, and preparation for graduate study. Admission decisions are based upon consideration of a number of criteria which are believed to indicate a high potential in the graduate program.

Admission to the Master of Science (M.S.) program in Leisure and Sport Management requires

  1. an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college. Applicants must have earned at least 18 semester hours at the bachelor’s or master’s level in courses related to the selected concentration (e.g., foundations of leisure and sport management, management practices, financial management and marketing, program planning). Students lacking an appropriate background may be required to complete prerequisite coursework.
  2. an acceptable grade point average (GPA) in all college work taken.
  3. completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with acceptable scores. Successful applicants typically have scores on the GRE Verbal and Quantitative measures that exceed 146 and 140 respectively with a total score that exceeds 286. The Analytical Writing Assessment score is also considered.
  4. letters from professors who can address one’s ability to do graduate-level work: thinking, writing, and speaking.

Application Procedures


All application materials are to be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies.

Application deadline: Applications for Summer/Fall admission must be complete by April 1, and applications for Spring admission must be complete by November 1. Late applicants who meet the admission criteria may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants must

  1. submit application with appropriate application fee (online at www.mtsu.edu/graduate/apply.php);
  2. submit official scores on the GRE;
  3. submit official transcripts of all previous college work;
  4. provide three letters of recommendation from persons (faculty/professors) who can address their academic qualifications to do graduate-level thinking, writing, speaking, and potential for success in graduate study;
  5. provide a 400-word statement of purpose giving their reasons for applying to the program, their academic interests, and their professional goals.

Degree Requirements


The Master of Science in Leisure and Sport Management with a concentration in Recreation and Leisure Services requires completion of a minimum of 30 semester hours (thesis) or a minimum of 36 semester hours (professional project or internship).

Candidate must

  1. complete either the thesis or professional project/internship curriculum as detailed below in the Curriculum section;
  2. if choosing the thesis option,
    1. select a thesis committee composed of two members (one of whom must be from the Department of Health and Human Performance);
    2. successfully complete thesis proposal;
    3. successfully complete an oral examination relating to the thesis defense.
  3. if choosing the professional project or internship option, successfully complete a written comprehensive examination prior to the completion of a professional project or internship (may be taken no more than twice).

Curriculum: Leisure and Sport Management, Recreation and Leisure Services Concentration


The following illustrates the minimum coursework requirements.

Thesis Option (30 hours)


All candidates for the M.S. in Leisure and Sport Management with a concentration in Recreation and Leisure Services pursuing the thesis option must complete 30 credit hours in the following course of study:

Concentration Electives (9 hours)


LSM Electives

Choose 3-6 hours from the following list in consultation with the advisor:

Non-LSM Electives

  • Select 3-9 hours of non-LSM courses in consultation with the advisor.

Thesis Option Requirement (3 hours)


Professional Project or Internship Option (36 hours)


All candidates for the M.S. in Leisure and Sport Management with a concentration in Recreation and Leisure Services pursuing the professional project or internship option must complete 36 credit hours in the following course of study:

Concentration Electives (15 hours)


LSM Electives

Choose 6-12 hours from the following list in consultation with the advisor.

Non-LSM Electives

  • Select 3-9 hours of non-LSM courses in consultation with the advisor.

Professional Project/Internship Requirement (3 hours)


Program Notes


  and   must be taken with the first year of study.

Students are strongly encouraged to take the non-LSM courses outside the department.

Candidate must

  1. file a degree plan in the College of Graduate Studies prior to the entry into the program;
  2. file a Notice of Intent to Graduate form in the College of Graduate Studies within the first two weeks of the term in which candidate intends to graduate.

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