This program helps prepare professional personnel who are managers leading private and public agencies and programs, and who can conduct research and evaluation of recreation services.
Students seeking admission to the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies Graduate Program should have an undergraduate degree and a desire for graduate study. Applicants must apply for admission to the Recreation and Leisure Studies Department in addition to being admitted by Enrollment Services/Admissions. Admission requires:
1. Applicants must meet the criteria for acceptance by the University as a graduate student as outlined in this catalog;
2. Every applicant (new or continuing) must apply by submitting a Graduate/Post-Baccalaureate Admission Application to the Office of Admissions and Records, to obtain admission to the University with graduate standing. Applications are available on line (at www.csumentor.edu);
3. Every applicant must also apply to the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, by sending the following to the Graduate Coordinator in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies:
Admitted graduate students must contact the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies Graduate Coordinator for advisement early in their first semester of enrollment in order to develop an approved program of study.
Graduate students must complete the following prerequisites:
1. A bachelor's degree with a major in recreation; or
2. A bachelor's degree with a minimum of 24 units of upper division courses comparable to those required in the undergraduate recreation major at this University. (Students deficient in undergraduate preparation must take courses approved by the department Graduate Coordinator to remove these deficiencies.)
The following are required for student to advance to candidacy:
The core requirements for a master of science in recreation administration are REC 521, 571, 591, 595, and 696. In addition to the core classes, students are required to complete elective units and thesis or project units. The thesis option requires four units of REC 698 plus 11 units of electives. The project option requires three units of REC 698 plus 18 units of electives. Elective courses are to be selected after consultation with the graduate advisor. A maximum of 6 units may be taken from 400-level courses in Recreation. Up to six units of graduate work may be transferred from another accredited university or another department in CSULB. Transfer credit must be a "B" or better. All students must earn a grade of "A" or "B" for each required course. Advancement to candidacy is necessary before REC 698 can be taken.
The thesis or project is a supervised experience in the application of theory and analytical tools to an issue in recreation and leisure services.
The thesis should prepare students for further graduate work or research in the field. The project should provide an experience that is directly applicable to an occupation in recreation and leisure services. The thesis is a written product of the systematic study of a significant problem. It clearly identifies the problem, states the major assumptions, explains the significance of the undertaking, sets forth the sources for and methods of gathering information, analyzes the data, and offers a conclusion or recommendation. The finished product evidences originality, critical and independent thinking, appropriate organization and format, and thorough documentation. The thesis is supervised by a committee of three, including the Thesis Chair, who must be a full-time tenure-track or tenured faculty member in the Recreation and Leisure Studies Department, and two other faculty members.
The project is a significant undertaking appropriate to the professional field. It evidences originality and independent thinking, appropriate form and organization, and a rationale. It is described and summarized in a written report that includes the project's significance, a review of the literature, objectives, methodology, and a conclusion or recommendation. The finished product evidences originality, critical and independent thinking, appropriate organization and format, and thorough documentation. The coursework is supervised by a committee of three, including the Project Chair, who must be a full-time tenure-track or tenured faculty member in the Recreation and Leisure Studies Department, and two other faculty members.
