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Recreation, Sport & Tourism

Promote environmental stewardship. Lead social and economic development. Study management and marketing.

Online Master of Science in Recreation, Sport, and Tourism

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About Our Degree Program

The online Master of Science degree from the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism provides you a quality and highly accessible education, ensuring that you are prepared to meet the changing requirements of the recreation, sport and tourism industry.

  • High ranking program and university

  • Graduate in 18 months

  • Ideal for working professionals

  • Cost effective compared to other online programs

  • 100% online delivery; no campus visit required

  • 36 credit, non-thesis degree

  • No GRE scores required

  • No background in RST required

  • No additional cost for out-of-state or international students

  • Federal financial aid available

Testimonials

Eva Schmidt

Alumni Perspectives

Jay Lopez

Important Dates

Spring 2025

  • Application deadline: December 12, 2024

Summer 2025

  • Application deadline: May 15, 2025

Fall 2025

  • Application deadline: August 11, 2025

To apply for a graduate degree program in Recreation, Sport and Tourism, please visit this page.

Required and Elective Courses

Required Courses

Code Course
RST 501-Concepts & Applications in RST

Hours: 4

RST 512-Managing RST Organizations

Hours: 4

RST 515-Marketing in RST

Hours: 4

RST 516-Finance & Budgeting

Hours: 4

RST 519-Strategic Management

Hours: 4

RST 504-Applied Evaluation & Needs Assessment in RST

Hours: 4

Total Hours: 24

Required Emphasis Area Coursework

Select one of the following courses

Code Course
RST 502-Critical Issues in Recreation Hours

Hours: 4

RST 520-Critical Issues in Sport

Hours: 4

RST 530-Critical issues in Tourism

Hours: 4

Total Hours: 4

Graduate Electives

Select two of the following courses

Code Course
RST 580 Legal Aspects in RST

Hours: 4

RST 518-Event Management

Hours: 4

RST 588 Park Planning and Design

Hours: 4

RST 585 Inclusive by Design

Hours: 4

Total Hours: 8

Tuition and Fees

The RST online MS degree features a flat-rate tuition—no additional cost for out-of-state or international students. Cost of the program for the 2024-2025 academic year is $755 per credit hour including fees. Veteran benefits apply.

Financial aid is available.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree with a cumulative 3.0 GPA (4.0 grading scale) in the last 60 credit hours/two years from a regionally accredited college/university
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • A personal statement
  • NO GRE is required
  • Application fee
  • For international applicants – Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL iBT – greater than 102; IELTS – greater than 7.0)

Application Checklist for Fall 2024 & Spring 2025

 

For more information email Mike Mulvaney, Director of Online MS in RST Programs, or call 217-300-0933.

 

Tuition and fees are direct costs charged by the university. The cost of attendance also includes indirect cost allowances for food, housing, books, supplies and other expenses. You will not be billed by the university for these costs unless you live in university housing.  Use the Illinois Cost Calculator for an estimated cost of attendance.

 

Online Graduate Handbook

You can download the Online Graduate Handbook by following this link.

Contact Us

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