Recreation, Sport & Tourism
Director of Graduate Studies: Monika Stodolska
Graduate Coordinator: Jill Gurke
104 Huff Hall
1206 South Fourth Street
Champaign, IL 61821
(217) 333-4410
E-mail: stodolsk@illinois.edu or jgurke@illinois.edu
Major: Recreation, Sport & Tourism
Degrees Offered: M.S., Ph.D.
Online Program: Recreation, Sport & Tourism
Degrees Offered: M.S.
Graduate Degree Programs
The Department of Recreation, Sport & Tourism offers programs of study leading to the Master of Science and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees. The Master of Science program educates students about leisure behavior, public parks and recreation systems, sport and tourism, in various private and semipublic settings providing leisure services. The M.S. degree may be undertaken as a terminal professional track program or serve as the first step toward the Ph.D. program. The Ph.D. program is, in general, designed to develop educators and research personnel in the study of leisure behavior, the management of recreation, tourism, and sport systems that provide leisure services, or both.
Admission
The Graduate College admission requirements apply. Specifically, the admission requirements are a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (A = 4.0) for the last two years of undergraduate work and any graduate work completed. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for all graduate degrees. A minimum score of 600 is required on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) (250 on the computer-based test). Students are also required to provide a statement of purpose outlining their area of study, and three letters of reference. Preference is given to applicants who will be full-time students and active degree candidates. Students may be admitted for the fall, spring, or summer semesters.
Degree Requirements
*For additional details and requirements for all degrees, please refer to the department's Graduate Degree Requirements Handbook and the Graduate College Handbook.
Master of Science
| Required Courses: | Thesis option - Required Hours | Non-thesis option - Required Hours |
|---|---|---|
| RST 512, 594FB, 515 | 12 | |
| Restricted electives | 16 | 8 |
| RST 501 and 503 | 8 | 8 |
| RST 502 or 520 or 530 | 4 | 4 |
| RST 590 (twice) | 0 | 0 |
| Thesis Hours Required– RST 599 (min/max applied toward degree): | 8 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | 36 |
Minimum Hours Overall Required Within the Unit: |
12 at the 500 level | 12 at the 500 level |
Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: |
16 | 16 |
| Other Requirements:* | ||
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 | 3.0 |
A candidate for the M.S. degree must spend at least one semester on campus A full-time student can complete the program in three or four semesters.
Doctor of Philosophy
| Required Courses: | Required Hours |
|---|---|
| RST 550 and 551 | 8 |
| RST 590 (required every semester on campus) | 0 |
| Departmental coursework to support specialization | 12 |
| Coursework outside department to support specialization | 16 |
| Advanced research methods to support specialization | 12 |
| Thesis Hours Required – RST 599 (min/max applied toward degree): | 32 |
| Total Hours | 80 |
| Other Requirements:* | |
| Two years in residence | |
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 |
| Masters Degree Required for Admission to PhD? | Yes |
| Qualifying Exam Required | No |
| Preliminary Exam Required | Yes |
| Final Exam/Dissertation Defense Required | Yes |
| Dissertation Deposit Required | Yes |
Departmental requirements include satisfactory performance on the written preliminary examination at the completion of formal coursework, the oral preliminary examination on the proposed research for the thesis, and a final examination in defense of the doctoral thesis.
Online Program
See requirements above for non-thesis option of the Master of Science.
Teaching Experience
Although teaching is not a general Graduate College requirement, experience in teaching is considered an important part of the graduate experience in this program. It is also anticipated that doctoral students will engage in research activities and scholarly communication under the guidance of their Advisor.
Financial Aid
The department offers quarter-time and half-time assistantships in teaching, administration, and research, as well as tuition and fee waivers and the opportunity to apply for fellowships.