Graduate opportunities
The Recreation, Event and Sport Management program at the University of North Texas can lead you to challenging and rewarding leadership positions in a variety of recreation, sport, event and leisure settings including:
- Government agencies
- Nonprofit organizations
- Sports organizations
- Private sector
We offer course work leading to a Master of Science degree in Recreation, Event and Sport Management. While pursuing your degree, you examine the theoretical approaches to the study of recreation, sport and leisure, and research methods for conducting scientific studies.
You're also exposed to event and program planning, design and evaluation, facility operations management, fiscal administration, and analysis of the economic impact of programs and events.
The program utilizes classroom and laboratory space in the Physical Education Building, the Ken Bahnsen Gymnasium and the Coliseum in addition to private facilities in the area. In these settings, you exercise your management and leadership skills in:
- Aquatics
- Facilities operation
- Health/wellness
- Outdoor adventure/education
- Special events
- Youth sports
Outstanding faculty and student support
Many faculty members are recognized scholars and active researchers. They've been honored by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration; the Society of Health and Physical Educators; and the National Therapeutic Recreation Society, among others. Their research areas include:
- Assessment of recreation and sport facilities
- Economic analysis of sport and recreation events
- Physical activity and park usage
- Trail related research
- Leisure and aging
UNT provides a wide variety of services exclusively to graduate students. The Graduate Student Writing Support office can help you with writing, and the Center for Interdisciplinary Research offers assistance with statistical research.
The Toulouse Graduate School® offers several professional development workshops, including a Thesis Boot Camp. Many of the workshops are available online for your convenience.
Attending UNT
Admission requirements
You'll need to meet the general admission requirements for the graduate school, and the following program requirements:
- Minimum 3.0 GPA on the last 60 undergraduate credit hours or a 2.8 on all undergraduate course work
- Completed GRE, GMAT or MAT by the end of your first semester
- Résumé
- Two reference letters
- One-page candidate statement that includes your career goals, interest area and why you want to pursue a master's degree
Degree requirements
Master of Science degree
Thesis or non-thesis options
- 15 credit hours of core courses
- 12 credit hours of specialty courses
- 6 credit hours of culminating experiences
- 3 credit hours in a minor area
If you don't have professional recreation experience or course work in recreation, you may be required to complete up to 9 credit hours of co-requisite courses and a practicum course.
Financial assistance
Teaching fellowships
Teaching fellows lecture in a variety of health-related fitness, physical activity, health promotion and recreation classes. They earn a stipend of approximately $12,500 to $15,000 for nine months. Summer opportunities are often available. Teaching fellows must be formally admitted to the graduate program and enroll in at least 6 credit hours each fall and spring semester.
Scholarships
The department, college and university award many graduate scholarships each year. These scholarships typically apply to tuition and fees for two semesters. The award amounts depend on the scholarship. More information is available at our website or the financial aid site.
Recreational sports graduate assistantships and employment
The recreational sports office employs graduate assistants, supervisors, game officials, court monitors, lifeguards, aerobics instructors and student secretaries. The pay scale varies according to experience and length of service with the office. Contact the recreational sports office at 940-565-2275 for more information.
Faculty
John Collins Jr., Associate Professor; Ph.D., University of Illinois. Social-psychological dimensions related to leisure behavior engagements; community and resource-based recreation planning and management; sport management.
Chris Bailey, Clinical Assistant Professor; Ph.D., East Tennessee State University. Sport performance enhancement, strength and conditioning, sport biomechanics, sport science.
Andrew M. Colombo-Dougovito, Assistant Professor; Ph.D., University of Virginia. Certified Adapted Physical Educator (C.A.P.E.); autism spectrum disorder/developmental disabilities; physical activity behavior, lifetime motor development and motor skill assessment.
Jeff Goodwin, Associate Professor; Ph.D., Texas Woman's University. Motor behavior.
Briton Hagan, Lecturer; Ph.D., University of New Mexico. Recreation management.
David Hill, Regents Professor; Ph.D., University of Georgia. Exercise physiology.
Allen Jackson, Regents Professor; Ed.D., University of Houston. Health; physical activity; physical fitness; research methods.
M. Jean Keller, Professor; Ed.D., University of Georgia.Recreation, health, and well-being over the lifespan; diversity and inclusion.
Minhong Kim, Assistant Professor; Ph.D., University of Georgia. Marketing and management of sport-related nonprofit/charitable organizations from consumer behavior and organization theory perspectives; sport management.
Scott Martin, Professor; Ph.D., University of Tennessee. Sport, exercise and performance psychology; health-related fitness; coaching effectiveness.
Brian McFarlin, Professor; Ph.D., Purdue University. Exercise physiology, nutrition and immunology.
Calvin Nite, Assistant Professor; Ph.D., Texas A&M University. Organizational theory and behavior.
Ryan Olson, Assistant Professor; Ph.D., Rutgers University. Exercise psychology; neurophysiology and cognition; autonomic function and stress reactivity.
Jakob Vingren, Professor; Ph.D., University of Connecticut. Physiology of resistance exercise related to hormones, nutrition, health and performance.
Joseph Walker, Principal Lecturer; Ph.D., Clemson University. Recreation and park administration.
Karen Weiller, Associate Professor; Ph.D., Texas Woman's University. Sport sociology; youth pedagogy.
Tao Zhang, Assistant Professor; Ph.D., Louisiana State University. Psychosocial determinants of physical activity; youth physical activity and health promotion; achievement motivation.