January 24, 2008
The University of Illinois Global Campus is developing an online Recreation, Sport and Tourism graduate program in partnership with the College of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. This ground-breaking degree program provides opportunities for leadership and career advancement in the leisure industry.
Courses for Master of Science degree in Recreation, Sport and Tourism will launch in September 2008. Applications will be accepted online.
The demand for professionals with an advanced degree in the leisure service industry continues to increase. As society spends more time and money on recreation, sport and tourism, more educated and trained professionals are needed to deliver the quality of services expected in the marketplace.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor projections, most of the leisure services industry sectors are expected to grow as fast as or faster than the average for all occupations through 2014. Job opportunities in parks and recreation, senior centers, hotel management, natural resources recreation, convention and tourist bureaus, health and fitness clubs, special events business, facility management, and volunteer and youth agencies are on the rise. Those with graduate degrees will have the best opportunities for supervisory or administrative positions.
"Our program will not only help people already working in the industry to seek advancement or an increase their salary, but it will also give people looking to change their careers a chance to achieve their dreams," says Cary McDonald, associate professor and head of the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism.
All courses will be delivered online-engaging students in discussion with classmates and instructors, challenging them with meaningful assignments and research, and providing useful training for an advanced career.
For the Master of Science in Recreation, Sport and Tourism, Illinois residents and contributing members of the University of Illinois Alumni Association will pay $17,820 for the entire degree ($495 per credit hour for 36 credit hours). Students residing outside Illinois will pay $19,800 for the entire degree ($550 per credit hour for 36 credit hours).
The Global Campus offers online bachelor's completion degrees, master's degrees, and graduate certificate programs in collaboration with partnering academic units on the brick-and-mortar campuses of Urbana-Champaign, Chicago, and Springfield. Each program's curriculum is developed by world-class University of Illinois faculty who are leaders in their fields of study.
