-
Brent Bell
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR -
Nathan Fitch
SENIOR LECTURER -
Jennifer Frye
CLINICAL ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR -
Matthew Frye
CLINICAL ASSISTANT PROFESSOR -
Jill Gravink
CLINICAL ASSISTANT PROFESSOR -
Sean McLaughlin
LECTURER -
Jayson Seaman
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Recreation Management and Policy: Adaptive Sports (M.S.)
Recreation Management and Policy: Adaptive Sports (M.S.)

WHY GET A MASTER’S DEGREE IN ADAPTIVE SPORTS?
A recreation management and policy M.S. with an option in adaptive sports will prepare you for a range of professional opportunities in adaptive sport administration, programming, facilitation, fund development and grant writing, and research/evaluation. You’ll learn how to develop, implement and lead adaptive recreational and competitive sport opportunities for a diverse range of disability populations. The adaptive sport option incorporates the latest theoretical knowledge, technical skills and evidence base for safe and high-quality professional preparation of adaptive sport professionals. You’ll develop the knowledge and skills needed for leadership and management roles that will allow you to help improve quality of life for individuals and groups in your community and beyond.
WHY CHOOSE UNH’S ADAPTIVE SPORTS PROGRAM?
At UNH, you’ll find an atmosphere of collegiality and collaboration. You’ll also find exceptional opportunities for coursework, fieldwork and research through our partnership with Northeast Passage, a nationally recognized therapeutic recreation and adaptive sports organization, affiliate of Move United, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, and sport-specific governing bodies for adaptive sport certifications, competitions,and standards. Northeast Passage’s Adaptive Sports and Recreation program offers a spectrum of services from entry-level instruction to ongoing recreation and competitive sports opportunities for people with disabilities.
POTENTIAL CAREER AREAS
- Adaptive sports organizations
- Municipal recreation services
- Nonprofit organizations
- Parks and recreation Programs
- Public school programs
- Rehabilitation hospitals and outpatient clinics
- Veterans Administration hospitals and military services
- Youth-based services
Contact
Hewitt Hall, 4 Library Way
Durham, NH 03824
Phone: (603) 862-2391
Curriculum & Requirements
The Adaptive Sports Option prepares professionals for middle to upper-level administrative positions within the adaptive sports sector of the field, including positions within parks and recreation departments, rehabilitation hospitals, Veteran’s Administration hospitals and outpatient clinics, non-profits agencies, public school settings, grassroots adaptive sport organizations, national and international adaptive sport organizations, and/or commercial sport and recreation providers.
The Adaptive Sports Option leverages our unique partnership with Northeast Passage, a nationally recognized TR and adaptive sports program associated with the RMP Department, and Chapter of Move United. Graduate students will be exposed to Northeast Passage’s Adaptive Sports and Recreation program, which offers a spectrum of services from entry-level instruction to ongoing recreation and competitive sports opportunities for people with disabilities (www.nepassage.org).
The 32-33 credit Adaptive Sports Option consists of required and elective coursework. In consultation with a faculty adviser, students will select either a thesis or non-thesis track. The core curriculum combines courses in adaptive sports and recreation facilitation, program administration in sport and recreation, law and public policy, non-profit administration and leadership, fund development and grant writing, and a supervised fieldwork experience in an adaptive sports setting. Students develop research competencies through an applied project or thesis specifically tailored to adaptive sport practice. Students also take one elective course to support desired specialization.
Full-time students typically take two years and one summer session to progress through the Adaptive Sport option degree requirements. Part-time students typically complete the program in three+ years.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Required Core Competencies | ||
RMP 820 | Adaptive Sports and Recreation Facilitation | 3 |
RMP 860 | Program Administration in Recreational Sport | 3 |
RMP 872 | Law and Public Policy in Leisure Services | 3 |
RMP 912 | Non-Profit Administration and Leadership | 3 |
RMP 924 | Fund Development and Grantwriting | 3 |
RMP 963 | Graduate Field Practicum | 2 |
Required Research Competencies | ||
RMP 992 | Research Methods in Recreation Management and Policy | 3 |
SW 962 | Data Analysis and Statistics | 3-4 |
or EDUC 881 | Introduction to Statistics: Inquiry, Analysis, and Decision Making | |
Capstone Course (choose 1 track) | 6 | |
Thesis Track: | ||
RMP 899 | Master's Thesis (Sections I & II - 6 credits total) | |
Non-thesis Track: | ||
RMP 980 | Independent Study | |
RMP 995 | Colloquium Seminar | |
Select one of the following Electives (not an all-inclusive list) | 3 | |
EDUC #852 | Contemporary Issues in Learning Disabilities | |
EDUC 856 | Advocating for Diverse and Inclusive Family-School-Community Partnerships | |
EDUC #857 | Contemporary Issues in Autism Spectrum Disorders | |
KIN 865 | Advanced Topics in Coaching (highly encouraged) | |
KIN 881 | Inclusion in Physical Education | |
OT #822 | Introduction to Assistive Technology | |
OT #824 | Assistive Technology and Physical Disabilities | |
OT #826 | Assistive Technology and Sensory, Communicative, and Cognitive Disabilities | |
SW 812 | Understanding Developmental Disabilities | |
SW 897 | Special Topics in Social Work and Social Welfare (Mental Health Aspects of IDD) | |
SW 897 | Special Topics in Social Work and Social Welfare (Youth Emotional Behavior) | |
Total Credits | 32-33 |
- Students will know the roles and interrelationships of diverse leisure service delivery systems, as well as professionalism in the discipline.
- Students will know and apply the psychological, sociological, and social psychological theories and philosophies associated with leisure and recreation behavior.
- Students will develop the ability to translate and apply relevant theory to park and recreation programs and services.
- Students will know the historical and cultural perspectives associated with the park and recreation field, and will apply issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion to park and recreation management.
- Students will apply financial, budgetary, planning, marketing, program evaluation, and human resource knowledge and skills to meet present and future organizational needs and challenges.
- Students will implement leadership skills that advance the park and recreation profession and broader society.
- Students will design and conduct research, analyze and interpret data, and apply research findings to the park and recreation profession.
- Students will explore the interrelationships of allied professions with the park and recreation profession.
- Students will know how to promote the benefits of recreation and leisure to enhance individual, social, economic, and environmental well-being and quality of life.
- Students will demonstrate effective conceptual and technical communication skills, both in oral and written form.
Deadlines
Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:
- Fall: Feb. 1 (for funding and GA application); March 15 (final)
- Spring: Nov. 1
- Summer: N/A
- Special: N/A
Application fee: $65
Campus: Durham
New England Regional: ME MA RI
Accelerated Masters: Yes (for more details see the accelerated masters information page)
New Hampshire Residents
Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence Form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission or you will not be able to register for classes.
Transcripts
If you attended UNH after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester and UNH Non-Degree work.
If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must request one official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. International transcripts must be translated into English. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:
- Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
- Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.
Transcripts are required for any school you earned a degree from, attended for at least one year, or attended for 2 or more semesters. Exceptions to this rule may be approved at the discretion of the program you are applying to and the UNH Graduate School Admission’s office.
Letters of recommendation: 3 required
Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.
Personal Statement/Essay Questions
Prepare a careful statement regarding:
- Why are you choosing to pursue graduate work in the RMP Department at UNH?
- Why are you interested in this specific option of study (choose one: recreation administration, therapeutic recreation administration, or adaptive sports administration)?
- How does your professional and/or educational background make you suitable for a career in this specific option of study?
- What are your academic and research interests?
- What professional and/or academic accomplishments have you achieved to date that will contribute to your success?
- What are your future career goals – what do you plan to do after completing the RMP graduate program?
Statements must be included with your submitted application.
Resume
A current resume is required with your submitted application.
Important Notes
All applicants are encouraged to contact programs directly to discuss program specific application questions.
International Applicants
Some academic departments recommend that international applicants, living outside of the United States, and planning on pursuing a research based degree, submit a preapplication form before submitting a full application. If your desired program is not on the form, departments prefer a full application be submitted. Preapplication requests will be carefully reviewed and a decision usually provided within 3 weeks. If your preapplication is approved then it is recommended you then submit a full application. If you are currently living in the United States (on a H1B visa, etc.), or you plan on pursuing a professional master’s degree, then you do not need to submit a preapplication.
Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.