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.
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 Disabled Sports U.S.A., and Gold Level Club member of U.S. Paralympics. 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.
Phone: (603) 862-2391
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, affiliate of Disabled Sports U.S.A., and Gold Level Club member of U.S. Paralympics. 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 998 | Special Topics (Research Methods) | 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 | |
KIN 865 | Advanced Topics in Coaching (highly encouraged) | |
KIN 831 | Inclusive Teaching Through Sport | |
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) | |
EDUC 852 | Contemporary Issues in Learning Disabilities | |
EDUC #853 | Contemporary Issues in Behavioral Disabilities | |
EDUC #854 | Contemporary Issues of Developmental Disabilities | |
EDUC #855 | Facilitating Social Understanding and Relationships for Students with Disabilities | |
EDUC 856 | Supporting Families of Individuals with Exceptionalities | |
EDUC 857 | Contemporary Issues in Autism Spectrum Disorders | |
| Total Credits | 32-33 | |
Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:
Application fee: $65
Campus: Durham
New England Regional: ME MA RI
Accelerated Masters: Yes
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.
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:
Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.
Special Note: Currently enrolled UNH students applying to the accelerated masters non-thesis option are only required to submit two letters of recommendation; the third letter is waived. Prior to applying, please contact Patricia Craig (patricia.craig@unh.edu or 603-862-0140) to obtain the third letter waiver.
Prepare a careful statement regarding:
Statements must be included with your submitted application.
A current resume is required with your submitted application.
All applicants are encouraged to contact programs directly to discuss program specific application questions.
The University of New Hampshire recommends that international applicants who are living outside of the United States, and are planning on pursuing a research based degree, submit a preapplication form before submitting a full application. Your preapplication request 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.
