Master of Science in Parks and Recreation Management:
Therapeutic Recreation Track

Program Leader: Dr. Alexis McKenney
E-mail: mckenney@fiu.edu
Phone: 305-348-3905
Department: Health, Physical Education and Recreation

Brief Description of the Program:

The Master of Science in Parks and Recreation Management: Therapeutic Recreation Track provides advanced preparation for administrative and supervisory level positions within recreational therapy services. The program includes electives that give flexibility regarding an individual’s specific career goals as a future practitioner in recreational therapy services. The Recreational Therapy track is designed to prepare direct service and administrative personnel engaged in recreational therapy service delivery. Depending upon academic background, students can apply for either the Advanced Master’s in Recreational Therapy track or the Entry-Level Master’s in Recreational Therapy track.

FIU offers the only Therapeutic Recreation professional preparation program in South Florida. The Recreational Therapy Track prepares students to compete for management positions in recreational therapy programs, community parks and recreation departments, substance abuse treatment centers, assisted living facilities, and therapeutic camps, among other organizations. Students are eligible to take the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification exam upon completion of the degree.

Admission Requirements:

1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution;
2. A minimum GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 hours of upper-division undergraduate coursework;
3. Two letters of recommendation, at least one of which must be from a person familiar with the applicant’s undergraduate work and able to comment knowledgeably on his or her ability to perform graduate-level work;
4. A personal statement of 1,000 words or less explaining any personal and professional goals you plan to achieve with the accomplishment of the degree. Please list any recognitions of achievement that you have received (e.g. licenses, publications, awards). Provide any additional information that you would like considered in the evaluation of the application;
5. A résumé describing at least the past five years of employment history and significant community, professional, or college extracurricular activities;
6. Have appropriate undergraduate preparation in recreation or recreational therapy (for advanced master’s track only).

Program Requirements:

The Master of Science in Parks and Recreation Management: Recreational Therapy Advanced Master’s Track is a minimum of 30-36 credit hours in length. The Master of Science in Parks and Recreation Management: Recreational Therapy Entry-Level Master’s Track is 30-36 credit hours plus 13 hours of prerequisite coursework.

Program of Study: 

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