Community Resources and Development (Parks and Recreation Management), MS
Step into leadership and research careers across parks, recreation and community services through this graduate concentration. Here, you design effective programs and manage services that improve overall community well-being.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
36 credit hours
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
Program description
In the Master of Science program in community resources and development with a concentration in parks and recreation management, you prepare for research and leadership roles in parks, recreation and community services. You gain expertise in community services management, sustainability and critical-issue analysis through theoretical and applied learning.
Coursework includes in-depth study of topics related to parks, recreation, tourism, nonprofit organizations and sustainable communities. You conduct research and complete applied projects that develop analytical and managerial skills for designing, implementing and evaluating recreation and park programs.
Through these experiences, you learn to address emerging challenges in resource management, environmental stewardship and public engagement across diverse community and organizational settings.
Why specialize in parks and recreation management at ASU?
Choose the pathway that fits your goals, whether a thesis or an applied project. You study how recreation services enhance quality of life, guided by the School of Community Resources and Development and its interdisciplinary approach to community challenges.
Additional details
Connect with peers through CRD Grads, the school's graduate student organization that supports professional development, networking and discussion of community development and nonprofit leadership. School-sponsored events, community partnerships and time with faculty and practitioners help you build professional relationships and gain insight into careers in parks and recreation management.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.
30 credit hours and a thesis, or
36 credit hours including the required applied project course (CRD 593)
Required Core (15 credit hours) Concentration (6 credit hours) Electives (3 or 9 credit hours) Culminating Experience (6 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information The thesis option is a research-oriented program recommended for students who plan to continue graduate studies beyond the master's degree. Students in the thesis option complete an advanced inquiry course and three credit hours of elective coursework. The thesis must be defended in an oral examination before a supervisory committee of at least three faculty members, one of whom resides in another department. The applied project option is intended for students seeking additional knowledge and expertise relevant to professional career development. Students in the applied project option complete CRD 530 as part of their core coursework and nine credit hours of electives.
CRD 500 Research Methods (3)
CRD 502 Statistical and Data Analysis (3)
CRD 530 Community Services Management (3) or advanced inquiry course (3)
CRD 552 Critical Issues (3)
CRD 555 Theoretical Perspectives in Community Development (3)
CRD 569 Advanced Tourism and Recreation Studies (3)
TDM 570 Sustainable Tourism (3)
CRD 593 Applied Project (6) or
CRD 599 Thesis (6)
Students may select a thesis or applied project; in both cases, a faculty member is assigned to each student to provide advising and direction.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Conduct research in tourism while analyzing critical topics and issues pertinent to parks and recreation management.
- Relate their individual strengths to demonstrate knowledge of research methods and data analysis within the context of parks and recreation.
- Apply the principles and practices of community development to address the social, economic, environmental and cultural challenges of diverse communities.
Conduct research in tourism while analyzing critical topics and issues pertinent to parks and recreation management.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information International applicants are required to submit TOEFL iBT® or IELTS scores and a financial guarantee statement. Only complete application files are reviewed. Applicants without undergraduate academic work in related disciplines must take six credit hours of coursework in addition to the master's degree requirements; the additional coursework may be taken in conjunction with master's degree-level classes.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | Rolling* |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | Rolling* |
*A rolling deadline means that applications will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis until the semester begins. International students should be mindful of visa deadlines to ensure there is time to produce necessary visa documents. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit application materials as soon as possible for consideration.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this community resources and development (parks and recreation management) program prepares you for
Graduates are prepared for leadership and management positions in government agencies, nonprofit organizations and private-sector enterprises that oversee recreation and community services. Career paths include these roles:
- community services officer
- nonprofit or nongovernmental organization officer
- parks and recreation officer
- tourism officer
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Community Resources and Development
|
UCENT 550
scrd@asu.edu
602-496-0182
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
