Master of Science in Recreation, Parks, &

Tourism Resources

The Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Consumer Sciences

The Master of Science in Recreation, Parks & Tourism Resources

The Division of Forestry offers the Master of Science for students who wish to major in Recreation, Parks & Tourism Resources (RPTR). Graduates in this program are well prepared for careers as recreation planners, managers of parks and protected areas, interpreters and outdoor educators, planners and administrators with conservation agencies, academic scholars, and administrators of non-profit conservation organizations.

While there are no pre-established areas of specialization, students typically complete study in the following areas: commercial recreation and tourism, environmental education, human dimensions in natural resource communication, open space systems planning, recreation resource administration, natural and historic/cultural interpretation, visitor management strategies, or wilderness/protected area management. The Master’s degree in Recreation, Parks and Tourism Resources Program is the only graduate program of its kind in West Virginia, and one of only two in the Mid-Atlantic Region. The hands-on approach to education and close working relationships students can have with nationally recognized faculty combine to make this Master’s degree an exceptional program.

Division of Forestry

The WVU Division of Forestry is housed in Percival Hall on the Evansdale Campus, located close to the Evansdale Library and the new WVU Recreation Center. The Division has access to more than 10,000 acres of forestland for research and teaching, including the 8,000 acre University Research Forest located less than 20 minutes from the Evansdale campus. Research centers located in the Division of Forestry include: the Appalachian Hardwood Center and the Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Resource Unit. These centers offer students the opportunity to work on applied research with professionals in allied industries.

Admission

Prospective students must apply for admission through the WVU Office of Admissions and Records and specify that they want to pursue a graduate degree in Recreation, Parks & Tourism Resources. Students without an undergraduate degree in the recreation, parks and tourism field may need to take additional coursework subject to the recommendation of their advisor.

Curriculum

Students must complete a minimum of 30 hours, excluding research credits, as agreed upon by their curriculum committee. Sixty percent of the required hours, including remedial coursework, must be at or above the 400 level. The number of overall courses for the graduate program will depend on the background of the student and recommendation of the advisor.

General Requirements of the Graduate Program

§ Statistics & Research Methods (two courses).

§ Recreation, Parks & Tourism Graduate Courses (four-five courses). Topics: Public Involvement, Outdoor Recreation Behavior, Sustainable Tourism Development, Interpretation, and Recreation Resource Mgt.

§ Cognate Area (three courses). Examples include: Public Administration, Geography, Sociology, and Landscape Architecture.

§ Research Hours (Thesis or Project).

At a Glance

Recreation, Parks & Tourism Resources in the Division of Forestry,

Davis College

Faculty & Staff:

Dr. Kelly Bricker Sustainable Tourism Development

kelly.bricker@mail.wvu.edu

Dr. Michael Schuett

Visitor Behavior & Mgt.

mschuett@wvu.edu

Dr. Steve Selin