Recreation Management and Policy: Adaptive Sports M.S.

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Recreation Management and Policy: Adaptive Sports M.S.

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 affiliate of Disabled Sports USA. 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).

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Application Requirements & Deadlines

Contact

Department of Recreation Management & Policy
Hewitt Hall, 4 Library Way
Durham, NH 03824

Phone: (603) 862-2391

Curriculum & Requirements

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.

Required Core Competencies17
RMP 820Adaptive Sports and Recreation Facilitation3
RMP 860Program Administration in Recreational Sport3
RMP 872Law and Public Policy in Leisure Services3
RMP 912Non-Profit Administration and Leadership3
RMP 924Fund Development and Grantwriting3
RMP 963Graduate Field Practicum2
Required Research Competencies6-7
RMP 998Special Topics (Research Methods)3
Select one of the following Graduate statistics' courses:
SW 962Data Analysis and Statistics3
EDUC 881Introduction to Statistics: Inquiry, Analysis, and Decision Making4
Capstone Course (choose 1 track)
Thesis Track
RMP 899Master's Thesis (I & II, 3 credits each)6
Non-thesis Track:
RMP 980Independent Study3
RMP 995Colloquium Seminar (Project Track:)3
Elective (not an all-inclusive list)3-4
Select one of the following:
KIN 865Advanced Topics in Coaching (highly encouraged)4
KIN 831Inclusive Teaching Through Sport4
KIN 881Inclusion in Physical Education4
OT 822Introduction to Assistive Technology4
OT 824Assistive Technology and Physical Disabilities4
OT 826Assistive Technology and Sensory, Communicative, and Cognitive Disabilities4
COMM 914Augmentative and Alternative Communication3-4
SW 812Understanding Developmental Disabilities3
SW 897Special Topics in Social Work and Social Welfare (Mental Health Aspects of IDD)3
SW 897Special Topics in Social Work and Social Welfare (Youth Emotional Behavior)3
EDUC 852Contemporary Issues in Learning Disabilities4
EDUC 853Contemporary Issues in Behavioral Disabilities4
EDUC 854Contemporary Issues of Developmental Disabilities4
EDUC 855Facilitating Social Understanding and Relationships for Students with Disabilities2
EDUC 856Supporting Families of Individuals with Exceptionalities4
EDUC 857Contemporary Issues in Autism Spectrum Disorders4

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

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.

Letters of recommendation: 3 required

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.

Personal Statement/Essay Questions

Prepare a careful statement regarding:

  1. Why are you choosing to pursue graduate work in the RMP Department at UNH? 
  2. Why are you interested in this specific option of study (choose one: recreation administration, therapeutic recreation administration, or adaptive sports administration)?
  3. How does your professional and/or educational background make you suitable for a career in this specific option of study?
  4. What are your academic and research interests?
  5. What professional and/or academic accomplishments have you achieved to date that will contribute to your success?
  6. 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.

Additional Details for International Applicants

Prospective international students are strongly encouraged to complete our international pre-application process and are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. Please note that 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.

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