Graduate Programs in Recreation, Park and Tourism Management (RPTM)
In This Section:
The graduate program in RPTM at Penn State University is designed to educate students about research, theory, and practice related to leisure and recreation as experienced at the individual, societal, and cross-cultural levels. The M. S. and Ph.D. degree programs emphasize a multidisciplinary approach. Coursework and collaborative research with faculty offers students the opportunity to gain broad based knowledge about leisure and recreation but also to concentrate on particular sub fields of interest. These include disciplinary areas, such as the psychological, social, and cultural aspects of leisure and recreation, and applied areas, including recreation management, tourism, and outdoor resource based recreation. Entering students who lack a background in RPTM are required to take coursework to provide the necessary foundation for continued graduate study. Both the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees require the completion of a research-based thesis.
Programs Offered
Master of Science in RPTM (MS RPTM) - a program for individuals wishing to pursue a Ph.D at Penn State.
Doctor of Philosophy in RPTM (Ph.D RPTM) - an advanced graduate program designed for individuals who wish to become leisure researchers and instructors at the college and university level or who seek training appropriate for high level positions with public or private recreation providers