Graduate Programs in Recreation, Park and Tourism Management (RPTM)

For students who already have a master's degree, the Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Management offers a Ph.D. degree. The doctoral program provides in-depth preparation for higher-level administrative positions as well as research and teaching positions at the college and university levels. Students who enter the doctoral program without a background in recreation, park or tourism management will be required to take additional coursework to provide the necessary foundation for successful graduate study. The PhD degree requires the completion of a research-based dissertation.

Doctoral Degree Program of Study

The doctoral program builds on the master's program to achieve depth in scholarship and research. Course work for doctoral students includes courses to support the student's area of specialization, research design and methods, leisure behavior and conceptual bases of leisure and interdisciplinary course work. If a student has not completed a data-based thesis as part of his or her master's degree, she or he will be required to do so during the first 3 semesters as a doctoral student. A 3.00 (B) GPA is required for graduation.

The general requirements of the degree, sequentially, include (1) course work, (2) candidacy examination by the 3 rd semester*, (3) comprehensive examination (written and oral), (4) dissertation proposal presentation, and (5) final defense of dissertation. Between the candidacy examination and completion of the degree program, a Ph.D. candidate must have attended Penn State in residence a minimum of two semesters over a twelve-month period. (This may include the semester in which the candidacy exam is taken.) The normal time for completion of the program if one has a M.S. degree is three to four years. This is partially contingent on course work as well as the nature of the research undertaken. Students have a limit of eight years after candidacy to complete the doctoral program.

* The master's thesis and oral defense may be used for the candidacy examination for continuing students.

Program of Study (Course Requirements Beyond the Master's Degree)

RPTM Core Courses

RPTM Electives

Research Methods

Statistics

Minor or Concentration

A student will become specialized in an area outside of RPTM. Students can either opt to take a formal minor (15 cr.) or informal concentration (minimum of 9 cr.) that constitute a coherent grouping of content-related courses. Examples of frequently selected minor fields include sociology, public administration, human development and family studies, geography, business, and psychology. The formal 15-credit minor must be approved by the Graduate School and a minor field advisor. A 9 credit concentration area is required if a formal 15 credit minor is not taken.

English Language Competence

Must demonstrate competence of the English language. This will occur through taking the candidacy examination.

For information on specific course descriptions, visit
http://www.psu.edu/bulletins/whitebook/$programs.htm

For information on tuition and fees, visit
www.bursar.psu.edu