Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies

Main Page Content

Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies

(585) 395-2994

Chairperson: Edward Udd PhD, Michigan State University.
Graduate Coordinator/Assistant Professor: Joel L. Frater, EdD, Temple University.
Professor: David L. Jewell, PhD, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, CLP.
Lecturers: Karen Bibbins, MS, CTRS, Penn State University; Arthur Graham, MS, CLP, Eastern Kentucky University.

• Requirements
• Courses

The department offers the Master of Science in Recreation and Leisure Studies for students interested in advanced professional study in therapeutic recreation and leisure services management. It also accommodates individuals interested in the disciplinary aspects of recreation and leisure behavior.

Brief Graduate Admissions Criteria

A 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade point average in the undergraduate major and in the total undergraduate degree program is required for regular admission (matriculation) into the Master of Science in Recreation and Leisure Studies program. Students who fail to meet this standard but who show potential for success in graduate work, may, at the discretion of the faculty, be offered conditional admission.

Applicants without undergraduate degrees in Recreation and Leisure Studies may be required to complete baccalaureate-level prerequisite course work in Recreation and Leisure Studies to qualify for matriculation into the Recreation and Leisure Studies graduate program.

All applicants must submit three letters of recommendation. They are reviewed in terms of the writer's responses to questions asked on the recommendation form. Finally, all applicants must complete the critical analysis writing exercise, which determines writing competence in order to be considered for admission into the program.

Recreation and Leisure professionals who are committed to the public sector may wish to explore SUNY Brockport's Master of Public Administration (MPA) program. A unique Recreation Management Specialization within the MPA has been designed for those professionals who want to "keep their fingers" in REL while pursuing a career path in city management or human resources administration.

Minimum Requirements for MS in Recreation and Leisure Studies

Guided Graduate Elective: 3 Credits

A minimum of one graduate course related to either the core or the area of emphasis is chosen with the approval of the academic advisor.

Computer Literacy

If the applicant lacks computer competence as demonstrated by the successful completion of a course in microcomputer applications or proof of work experience in word processing, spread sheets, or presentation software, then as a deficiency, the applicant is required to complete an undergraduate course in computer literacy. Or, by advisement, the applicant may be allowed to enroll in a graduate-level introductory computer course.

Graduate Program Policies

The graduate program in Recreation and Leisure Studies adheres to all College graduate policies with the following additional policies:

1. At least 18 of the minimum of 33 credits in the Master of Science in Recreation and Leisure Studies program must be taken at the 600 level or above.
   Graduates of SUNY Brockport's undergraduate program in REL may not enroll in any 500-level courses previously completed at the 400-level during their undergraduate studies.
   Students without a BA/BS in Recreation and Leisure Studies with an internship in administration or who have not had two years of experience in recreation and leisure service management must complete the graduate internship. Students who do satisfactorily meet these conditions, in consultation with their academic advisor, must then select another course at the 500 level or higher to satisfy the degree requirements.
   Students must satisfy at least one area of emphasis in either therapeutic recreation or recreation and leisure services management. Students may choose to complete both areas of emphasis.
   Same as footnote 3.
   
2. Graduate students deemed as not making reasonable progress toward the degree, as defined by published department policy, may be dismissed from the program by the department. It is the policy in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies to comply with the College's definition of a full-time graduate student. It is the policy in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies for a part-time graduate student that reasonable progress toward the degree is three graduate credits per semester. For both the full- and the part-time graduate student, enrollment must be maintained in two of three terms for a given calendar year (e.g., fall semester and spring semester, spring semester and summer session, or fall semester and summer session).
3. To earn a graduate degree at SUNY Brockport, the student must complete all degree requirements with a minimum cumulative index of 3.0 or better. After completing nine or more graduate credits, if the cumulative index is below 3.0, the graduate student will be placed on mandatory academic probation for one semester. If the 3.0 cumulative index is not achieved at the end of the probationary semester, the student is automatically dismissed from the program.
4. A student dismissed from the graduate program in Recreation and Leisure Studies may be considered for readmission if graduate course work has been completed that raises the cumulative index to a 3.0 or better, and if such course work was pre-approved by the graduate faculty members in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies.

Recreation and Leisure Studies Courses

REL 502 Current Leisure Problems and Issues. Identifies and analyzes current leisure trends, problems, and issues that affect both the therapeutic and managerial segments of the leisure services profession. Focuses on the concerns of the present and their implications for the future delivery of leisure and therapeutic recreation programs, services, and treatments. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

REL 506 Leisure and Aging. Examines various aspects of aging as they relate to leisure in contemporary society, leisure needs of mature adults, services for elderly, and leisure pursuits in the subculture of aging. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

REL 507 Methods in Therapeutic Recreation. Covers applications of the therapeutic recreation process (assessment, planning, implementing, and evaluating) to planning comprehensive therapeutic programs in health and human-service settings. Focus on clinical documentation and professional accountability. Requires field work. 3 Cr. Spring.

REL 511 Management of Leisure Resources. Provides an in-depth study of the principles of operation and management of various leisure services organization and resources. Identifies managerial problems, and examines and applies problem-solving models and techniques. 3 Cr. Fall.

REL 512 Trends and Administrative Issues in Therapeutic Recreation. Investigates how current trends and administrative issues affect the delivery and advocacy of therapeutic recreation services. Emphasizes contemporary approaches to managing changes in practice in the emerging profession of therapeutic recreation. 3 Cr. Spring.

REL 514 Planning, Design, and Management of Recreation Facilities. Applies a student's prior knowledge of recreation and leisure theory, philosophy, and programming techniques to out door/indoor facility, planning, design and maintenance. Provides planning skills, discussion of design issues and maintenance management techniques. Emphasizes on universal access. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

REL 590 Selected Topics in Recreation and Leisure Studies. Prerequisite: Instructor's permission. Discusses and analyzes a specific topic in recreation and leisure studies as determined by the instructor. Emphasizes new, timely, and emerging areas of interest and concern. 3-6 Cr.

REL 599 Independent Study in Recreation and Leisure Studies. Prerequisite: Instructor's permission. Arranged with permission of instructor-sponsor prior to registration. Includes regular meetings with instructor, significant reading, and at least one comprehensive writing project. 1-3 Cr.

REL 600 Philosophical Analysis of Leisure. Explores conceptual and philosophical foundations of leisure from the classical to the contemporary perspectives. Provides an in-depth study of selected authors and models describing the leisure phenomenon. 3 Cr. Every Other Semester.

REL 602 Social and Psychological Analysis of Leisure Behavior. Investigates the social and psychological dimensions of leisure as identified in contemporary research literature. Explores models of leisure behavior and meaning. 3 Cr. Every Other Semester.

REL 605 Problems in the Administration of Leisure Service Organizations. Reviews and discusses theories, problems and issues common to the organization and administration of leisure service delivery systems. Covers the development of organizational and administrative skills needed to address such concerns. 3 Cr. Fall.

REL 610 Advanced Program Design and Evaluation. Provides an overview of conceptual bases for program design in the provision of recreation and leisure services. Reviews and discusses selected planning, marketing, and evaluation techniques and methods. 3 Cr. Every Other Semester.

REL 612 Assessment and Evaluation of TR Services. Examines current assessment and evaluation instruments and procedures used in TR. Studies in depth the validity, reliability, and practical utility issues in conceptualization, data collection methods, analysis, and interpretation in the assessment and evaluation of persons with disabilities. 3 Cr. Every Other Semester.

REL 613 Administration of TR Services. Reviews and discusses organizational and administrative theories, problems, and issues common and unique to the delivery of TR services, particularly in clinical, but also in transitional and community settings. Develops an understanding of techniques and skills used by administrators to address problems and issues. 3 Cr. Every Other Semester.

REL 715 Seminar: Research Design. Prerequisite: MTH 541 or equivalent. Provides an introduction and overview of established and emerging approaches to leisure research. Emphasizes conceptualization, design, data collection techniques, and interpretation of results. 3 Cr. Every Other Semester.

REL 796 Internship in Administration. Prerequisites: REL 600, 602 and 715, and instructor's permission. Provides a directed internship in an approved leisure-service organization and in a setting compatible with the student's professional direction. Entails the application of organizational, administrative, and evaluative skills at the selected site. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

REL 797 Research Project. Allows for the preparation and completion of an individual research project culminating in a significant written report and an oral defense of the project and report. Is conducted under the supervision of a committee of at least two graduate faculty members, one of whom is the project chairperson. 3-6 Cr. Every Semester.

REL 798 Thesis. Allows for the preparation and completion of a substantial original research investigation culminating in a master's thesis and an oral defense of the investigation and thesis. Is completed under the direction of a committee of at least two graduate faculty members, one of whom is the thesis chairperson. 3-6 Cr. Every Semester.