Recreation and Sport Management (RESM)

Michelle Gray
Department Head
306 HPER Building
479-575-6713
Email: rgray@uark.edu

Amanda Sullivan
Assistant Department Head and Graduate Coordinator
308U HPER Building
479-575-4099
Email: alsulliv@uark.edu

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Website

Degrees Conferred:
M.Ed. in Recreation and Sport Management (RESM)

Program Description: The Master of Education in Recreation and Sport Management prepares students to enter the work force in entry-level administrative positions in college athletics departments. However, many of the skills and knowledge elements from the M.Ed. transfer to other areas of recreation and sport management. The M.Ed. provides students with the advanced knowledge and skills needed to work in a variety of college athletics settings, but also community recreation, university recreation, and professional sports settings, including sport marketing, administration, and facility management. A minimum of 36 credit hours is required for the M.Ed. degree.

M.Ed. in Recreation and Sport Management

Prerequisites to Degree Program: The Recreation and Sport Management program undertakes a holistic review of applicants. For acceptance to the program, the student must meet the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School, have earned an undergraduate degree in recreation or sport management (or a related field), and meet the following admission standards: preferred 3.20 GPA on the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work and GRE scores. Students who have been accepted into the program have had average GRE scores of: Quantitative — 147, Verbal — 146, and Writing — 3.5). Further, the student will also need to submit a resume/curriculum vitae and statement of interest to be considered for program admission.

Requirements for the Master of Education Degree: Candidates for a Master of Education degree in Recreation and Sport Management must complete 30 semester hours of graduate course work and 6 hours of thesis or 36 semester hours without a thesis. In addition to the program requirements listed below, all candidates must successfully complete a written comprehensive examination, except those completing a thesis.

Students should also be aware of Graduate School requirements with regard to master's degrees.

Recreation and Sport Management: (36 hours)

Required Research Component
ESRM 53903	Statistics in Education and Health Professions	3
HHPR 53503	Research in Health, Human Performance and Recreation	3
Required Courses
RESM 52903	Athletics and Higher Education	3
RESM 58103	Social Issues in Sport	3
RESM 58703	Leadership in Recreation and Sport Management Services	3
RESM 58503	Capstone in Recreation and Sport Management	3
RESM 58803	Recreation and Sport Services Promotion	3
RESM 58903	Public and Private Finance in Recreation and Sport Management	3
RESM 65303	Legal and Political Aspects	3
Thesis Option
RESM 6000V	Master's Thesis	6
Approved Elective		3
Non-Thesis Option
Approved Electives		9
Total Hours		36

Area of Study: The program prepares qualified students for professional competence and service in the area of recreation and sport management.

Courses

RESM 50203. Outdoor Adventure Leadership. 3 Hours.

This course considers the values and scope of outdoor recreation programs, leadership and skill development with practical experience in a wilderness environment. The course will include a canoe trip through the wilderness, and skill training in such areas as orienteering and rock climbing; and leadership development in interpersonal and processing skills. The graduate portion of the class is geared toward leading and trip planning for taking college age and older students into remote areas. Graduate degree credit will not be given for both RESM 40203 and RESM 50203. (Typically offered: Summer)

RESM 50903. Diversity and Inclusion in Recreation and Sport Management. 3 Hours.

Skills, knowledge, and concepts within recreation and sport which are appropriate to planning and implementing recreation and sport programs and services for the handicapped. (Typically offered: Irregular)

RESM 52903. Athletics and Higher Education. 3 Hours.

This course features an examination of the historical development of athletics within American institutions of higher learning with an emphasis upon concepts and ideals that underlie the developments and the major problems affecting contemporary intercollegiate athletics. The purpose of this course is to teach the learner about the development of intercollegiate athletics from the mid-19th century to today. A second purpose of this course is to examine the major issues facing sport administrators within intercollegiate athletics today. (Typically offered: Spring and Summer)

RESM 53303. Sport Media and Public Relations. 3 Hours.

The course will explore the relationship between media organizations and sport organizations, with an emphasis on the business of media rights, as well as public relations theories such as two-way symmetrical communication and agenda setting. Finally, the course will examine practical communication tactics employed by public relations practitioners such as image repair and crisis communications, and the issues presented by forms of new media. (Typically offered: Fall)

RESM 54603. Sports Facilities Management. 3 Hours.

Considers basic elements and procedures in the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of sport facilities; management considerations in conducting various types of events. (Typically offered: Summer)

RESM 5600V. Advanced Workshop. 1-3 Hour.

Workshop. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for up to 3 hours of degree credit.

RESM 5740V. Internship. 1-3 Hour.

This experiential-based course requires 135 hours per semester of work in a recreation or sport setting. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

RESM 58003. NCAA Governance, Legislation, & Compliance. 3 Hours.

This course examines NCAA governance and both the NCAA legislative and infractions processes. As familiarity with and knowledge of NCAA legislation becomes increasingly important within the college athletics industry, a purpose of the course is to examine the NCAA's operative bylaws (11 through 17). The course will incorporate NCAA infractions cases as a method to learn application of the legislation. An overarching objective is to increase appreciation of NCAA rules compliance yet encourage critical thought of both the infractions process and legislative content. (Typically offered: Fall and Summer)
This course is cross-listed with LAWW 58003.

RESM 58103. Social Issues in Sport. 3 Hours.

Using sociological theories and scholarship to examine social and cultural influences on sport and physical activity. Course is based on a social justice framework and a cultural studies perspective. (Typically offered: Fall and Summer)

RESM 58403. Tourism. 3 Hours.

Explores major concepts of tourism to discover what makes tourism work, how tourism is organized, and its social and economic effects. (Typically offered: Spring)

RESM 58503. Capstone in Recreation and Sport Management. 3 Hours.

Capstone course where students utilize program courses to solve administrative issues which may arise in an organization. Attention is given to how departmental organization, administrative practices and policies, strategic planning, personnel management, finances, and legal areas are integrated to create solutions to broad-based contemporary issues. (Typically offered: Spring)

RESM 58703. Leadership in Recreation and Sport Management Services. 3 Hours.

Considers research, theory, and practical applications of leadership principles utilized in the provision of recreation and sport management services. Focus is on motivation, attitude, communication, group dynamics, and problem solving. (Typically offered: Fall and Summer)

RESM 58803. Recreation and Sport Services Promotion. 3 Hours.

Examines specific strategies for promoting recreation and sport programs in the local community. (Typically offered: Summer)

RESM 58903. Public and Private Finance in Recreation and Sport Management. 3 Hours.

Develops an understanding of both public and private finance management for students in public and private management positions. Provides an understanding of the budgeting processes and techniques used in obtaining and controlling funds, including private sector finance problems in areas of credit, pricing, indexing, and debt management. (Typically offered: Fall)

RESM 6000V. Master's Thesis. 1-18 Hour.

Master's Thesis. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer) May be repeated for degree credit.

RESM 6050V. Independent Study. 1-3 Hour.

Independent study. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer) May be repeated for up to 3 hours of degree credit.

RESM 6120V. Directed Reading in Recreation and Sport. 1-3 Hour.

Critical analysis of literature in the area of recreation and sport. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

RESM 61303. Issues in RESM. 3 Hours.

A review of the significant social, demographic, behavioral, developmental, and technological issues that influence health, kinesiology, and recreation and sport management programs. Pre- or Corequisite: Doctoral level students only. (Typically offered: Irregular)

RESM 65303. Legal and Political Aspects. 3 Hours.

An overview of major legislation affecting recreation and sport management professions; how to operate within these laws; and methods for influencing new legislation. Also discusses political aspects of professions both outside and inside government agencies. (Typically offered: Spring)
This course is cross-listed with LAWW 59203.

RESM 6740V. Internship. 1-3 Hour.

Students will learn diverse teaching techniques and implement them in an ongoing undergraduate recreation and sport management class serving as the teaching laboratory. The "what" "when" and "how" relative to integrating various teaching techniques with specific content areas in the class will be explored by both the student and the instructor. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)