Community Resources and Development (Tourism), MS
Discover how tourism shapes communities through policy, recreation and planning. You build a comprehensive understanding of destination management and development, and the strategies that create thriving places.
Quick facts
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
Community Resources and Development (Tourism), MS description
In the Master of Science program in community resources and development with a concentration in tourism, you examine how tourism influences communities and contributes to sustainable development. You explore critical topics in tourism management, recreation and community planning while analyzing the economic, social and environmental factors that shape destinations.
The program blends theory and practice through research, policy evaluation and community engagement. Faculty mentors guide you in developing solutions that balance tourism growth with environmental stewardship and community well-being.
You complete either a thesis or an applied project, gaining the analytical and leadership skills to manage tourism initiatives in local, national and global contexts.
Why specialize in (community resources and development) tourism at ASU?
Earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years through this accelerated pathway. Built for high-achieving students, it lets you share undergraduate and graduate coursework to speed up completion of your master's degree, all within the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
Additional details
Get involved beyond the classroom through the Tourism Student Association, where professional development, networking and industry engagement bring your coursework to life. Membership is open to in-person and online students enrolled in at least three credit hours, so you can build connections with others who share your interest in tourism. You can also join CRD Grads, a School of Community Resources and Development organization focused on professional development, networking and discussion of issues tied to community development and related fields.
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 and is recommended for students who plan to continue graduate studies beyond the master's degree. These students 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 is intended for students who are seeking additional knowledge and expertise relevant to their professional career development. These students complete CRD 530 as part of their core coursework as well as 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. All students receive advising and direction from an assigned faculty member.
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 tourism development and management.
- Relate their individual strengths to demonstrate knowledge of research methods and data analysis within the context of tourism sectors.
- 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 tourism development and 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 must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum 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 Only complete application files are reviewed. Applicants who have not completed undergraduate work in a related discipline must take six credit hours of coursework in addition to the master's degree requirements; this additional work may be taken in conjunction with master's-level courses.
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) tourism concentration prepares you for
Graduates pursue leadership and management roles in the tourism, recreation and hospitality sectors. They may work in government agencies, nonprofit organizations or private enterprises focused on destination management, sustainable development and community engagement.
Typical positions include tourism development coordinator, community services officer, recreation and events manager, and program director within tourism and leisure organizations. Graduates are also well suited for consulting and policy analysis roles in international, national and regional tourism agencies.
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
602-496-0550
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.
