With concentrations in recreation administration, sport and leisure studies, sport management, and individualized study in sport, recreation, and tourism, the Master of Science in Sport and Recreation Studies meets the growing need for professionals and academics. This degree prepares students as professionals who will more adequately serve the industry and their communities, and students who wish to pursue advanced study through doctoral programs in these disciplinary areas, leading to employment (and contributions) in academe. This program offers the traditional research masters' thesis option and the option of an applied research project linked to a professional setting or internship.
The Sport Management Graduate Certificate with concentrations in Sport Coaching and International Sport Management may be taken in conjunction with the MS SRST degree or as a standalone option.
Admissions
Application Requirements
In addition to fulfilling admission requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions, applicants must have successfully completed an undergraduate course in statistics.
Policies
For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP .6 Graduate Policies.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: 30
MS Core Coursework
Students are required to take a set of four courses that will provide grounding in historical and socio-cultural foundations, research methods and statistics, ethical and legal issues, and leadership perspectives. In addition, all students will complete a seminar, and either a capstone thesis or project/internship specific to their concentration.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SRST 606 | Foundations of Sport and Recreation Studies | 3 |
| SPMT 613 | Strategic Leadership in Sport Organizations | 3 |
| or PRLS 613 | Strategic Leadership in Recreation Administration | |
| SPMT 614 | Legal Issues in Sport | 3 |
| or PRLS 501 | Introduction to Natural Resources Law | |
| SRST 623 | Research Design and Statistical Reasoning | 3 |
| SRST 796 | Seminar in Sport and Recreation Studies | 1 |
| Select 5 credits from the following: | 5 | |
| Master's Project/Internship | ||
| Thesis Preparation and Master's Thesis | ||
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Concentration in Recreation Administration (RADM)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | ||
| PRLS 610 | Recreation Administration and Planning | 3 |
| PRLS 611 | Social Psychology of Leisure | 3 |
| Select 6 credits from the following: 1 | 6 | |
| Natural Resources Recreation Planning | ||
| Visitor Services | ||
| History of Leisure and Sport in American Society | ||
| Philosophy of Leisure and Sport | ||
| Special Topics (must register for 3 credits) | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
| 1 | Additional courses may be selected as electives with advisor approval |
Concentration in Sport and Leisure Studies (SPLS)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | ||
| PRLS 601 | History of Leisure and Sport in American Society | 3 |
| PRLS 612 | Philosophy of Leisure and Sport | 3 |
| Select 6 credits from the following: 1 | 6 | |
| Social Psychology of Leisure | ||
| Sport in the Global Marketplace | ||
| Sport and International Development | ||
| Special Topics (must register for 3 credits) | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
| 1 | Additional courses may be selected as electives with advisor approval |
Concentration in Sport Management (SPMT)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | ||
| SPMT 611 | Sport Marketing and Sales | 3 |
| SPMT 612 | Economics and Financial Management in the Sport Industry 1 | 3 |
| SPMT 616 | Sport Operations, Venues, and Event Management | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 3 credits from the following: 2 | 3 | |
| Sport in the Global Marketplace | ||
| The Australian Model of Sport | ||
| The Global Soccer Industry | ||
| Psychology of Coaching | ||
| Ethical Issues in Global Sport | ||
| Theoretical Models of Sport Coaching | ||
| Sport and International Development | ||
| Governance and Policy in International Sport | ||
| Special Topics (must register for 3 credits) | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
| 1 | SPMT 612 Economics and Financial Management in the Sport Industry may not be used to satisfy the concentration requirement if taken in SRST core. |
| 2 | Additional courses may be selected as electives with advisor approval |
Concentration in Individualized Study in Sport, Recreation, and Tourism (ISRT)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| With advisor approval, select four 3-credit courses within the university catalog that form an integrated program of study. | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Bachelor's Degree (any)/Sport and Recreation Studies, Accelerated MS
Overview
Qualified Mason undergraduates may be admitted to a bachelor's/accelerated master's program and obtain a BA or BS in any degree area and a Sport and Recreation Studies, MS. See AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree for policies related to this option.
Application Requirements
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions Policies. Additionally, applicants must have an overall GPA of at least 3.00. See the Accelerated Master's Admissions webpage to apply.
Accelerated Option Requirements
During their senior year, students complete three to six graduate credits in consultation with the academic program coordinator that apply to both the bachelor's and master's degrees. These courses are considered advanced standing for the master's. A minimum grade of B must be earned to be eligible to count as advanced standing. While still in undergraduate status, students may take up to six graduate credits that are reserve graduate credit and therefore, are applicable to the master's but do not count toward the undergraduate degree. Early in their final undergraduate semester, students must submit the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition Form to the CEHD Admissions Office and specify which courses are to be designated as advanced standing and reserve graduate credit.