Master’s Program in Recreation Management University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Online Degrees By Kate Evans, PhD, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL) found that their traditional oncampus master’s program in recreation management was not accessible to working professionals. There was a significant need to provide access to students that needed to continue full-time employment, had family obligations and could not relocate. Moving on this need, faculty in the department of recreation management and therapeutic recreation developed a fully online master of science program in recreation management – professional development in collaboration with UWL Extended Learning. The program, geared toward working recreation professionals, focuses on advanced management skills that recreation professionals need to advance in their careers.
“This degree serves the needs of recreation professionals who are not in a position to leave their careers to come back to school, but who want or need to advance their education to move forward in their career,” Kate Evans, Ph.D., academic director explains. “We created the program so they can continue to work and use their professional experiences while learning.” Students progress through the program in a cohort with other learners, often with other recreation professionals from across the country. This cohort model offers collaborative learning opportunities consisting of projects, discussions and research-based
Students progress through the program in a cohort with other learners, often with other recreation professionals from across the country.
content and best practices in the field of recreation. Each fall, a new cohort of students begin coursework consisting of 30 credits. Throughout these courses, students are encouraged to integrate their professional experiences and needs of their organizations into the course assignments where possible. In the culminating capstone course, students integrate their skills and knowledge learned across the program into an actionable plan for addressing an issue in recreation service delivery. Students are provided the option to present their capstone project at UWL, connect with their instructors and peers, and participate in the university’s commencement ceremony. Designed for working professionals who balance competing obligations, the program will: • Allow
time for work and family
• Build
on prior education and existing experience in the field
• Focus
on management skills required for attaining and advancing in recreation management positions Continues on page 24…
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