Recreation, park, and leisure studies
Master of education/professional studies
Program
The master of education (M.Ed.)/professional studies program in recreation, park, and leisure studies is an advanced professional degree program. The program provides professional preparation for entry into the field of recreation, park, and leisure services; provides practitioners with a new professional specialization; and allows practitioners to update their professional qualifications in an area of specialization.
This professional degree is offered through the School of Kinesiology in the College of Education and Human Development. The program focuses more on coursework rather than research activity; students in this program are not generally contemplating doctoral work in the future. A practicum (supervised field experience) is required during the period of study for the degree.
With guidance from faculty advisers, students complete 30 semester credits, which may include coursework, independent study, practicums, workshops, agency-based experiences, and special institute courses during the summer. Students choose one of the following areas in which to concentrate their work:
- Outdoor recreation/education
- Public parks and recreation
- Sport management
Admission
Admission requirements include the following criteria:
- A bachelor’s degree in recreation or a related field with a 2.50 minimum grade point average (GPA) from an accredited institution
- Adequate skill proficiency in the selected area of concentration
- A one-page statement of educational career goals indicating the reason for seeking admission, the area of interest, and the experience of the applicant in the field of recreation
- At least two years of work experience in the human services field (preferred)
- A résumé
- A completed CEHD Application for Admission to M.Ed./Professional Studies Programs, available at the college’s office of Student Services, 110 Wulling Hall, 86 Pleasant Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455; 612-625-6501; e-mail: cehdgrad@umn.edu; or on the Web.
The college reviews applications on an ongoing basis. Application reviews begin by the following dates. Students are encouraged to submit application materials to Student Services by the following dates:
- November 1—spring semester admission
- July 1—fall semester admission
Applicants are typically notified of admission decisions four to six weeks after application deadlines.
Transfer credits
A maximum of 12 graduate semester transfer credits may be applied to the M.Ed. program. Credits may include any combination of the following coursework:
- Up to eight graduate semester credits from fully accredited institutions other than the University of Minnesota
- Credits completed at the University of Minnesota before admission to the M.Ed. program
Transfer courses must be completed at the graduate level and approved by a faculty adviser and the college. Contact the program’s faculty adviser for more information.
Curriculum
Students in this program must complete at least 30 credits, including one to two courses in the College of Education and Human Development.
Requirements include 14-24 credits in recreation courses. Unless students have already completed an undergraduate major in recreation, REC 5101—Foundations of Recreation (3 cr) is required. Beyond this requirement, courses taken in the major vary widely, depending on the student’s emphasis. Students must also complete one of the 8xxx-level administrative seminars offered in the department. Other requirements include 5xxx-level courses specific to the student’s emphasis plus any prerequisites to remediate academic deficiencies.
The culminating activity for M.Ed. students is the practicum developed in conjunction with the adviser or another member of the graduate faculty. At least three practicum credits are required, although students may complete up to nine credits with one or more agencies. Practicum sites vary widely depending on emphases. Based on the student’s background, the length of the practicum varies, but consists of a minimum of 150 hours.
Note: For course descriptions and schedules, refer to the University of Minnesota Class Schedule.
Registration
Currently admitted degree-seeking or non-degree seeking students may register online for coursework.
Students who want to begin M.Ed. coursework before admission to the M.Ed. program must complete a CEHD First-Time Registration for non-degree seeking Students packet [.pdf]. Packets are also available at the college’s office of Student Services, 110 Wulling Hall, 86 Pleasant Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455; 612-625-6501; e-mail: cehdgrad@umn.edu.
For questions about registration, contact Student Services at 612-625-5815.
Core faculty
For more information about the M.Ed. program in recreation, park, and leisure studies, contact the following faculty members:
JoAnn Buysse
612-625-5331; e-mail: buyss003@umn.edu
Ph.D., University of Minnesota
Sociology of sport; race, class, and gender issues; feminist theory;
coaching; media and constructions in sport
Mary Jo Kane
612-625-3870; e-mail: maryjo@umn.edu
Ph.D., University of Illinois
Social-psychological parameters of sport/physical activity, women
in sport and leisure, sport management, research methods, leisure
behavior
Lisa Kihl
612-624-3150; e-mail: lkihl@umn.edu
Ph.D., University of British Columbia
Sport management, ethics, policy, governance, and intercollegiate
athletic administration
Stephen Ross
612-624-7529; e-mail: sdross@umn.edu
Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Sport branding and marketing, sport consumer psychology, and spectator
behavior
Updated September 2008