Recreation Management - Professional Development

The Recreation Management – Professional Development master's program is designed for professionals who are already working in recreation, leisure services, parks, tourism, outdoor recreation, community programming, or related fields.

Ideal candidates typically have a bachelor's degree in recreation, leisure studies, or a related field or have professional experience in recreation or leisure services.

This is a professional master's degree focused on practical application rather than the traditional research, thesis track program. Students seeking a thesis-based graduate experience may wish to explore UWL's on-campus Master of Science in Recreation Management program.

While the program is designed for working recreation professionals, applicants from other backgrounds may be considered based on their qualifications and available program space.

Earn your degree from anywhere while continuing your career. Courses include one scheduled synchronous evening class meeting each week, allowing you to engage directly with faculty and classmates while maintaining flexibility for work and personal commitments.

Courses are just 6–7 weeks long, and students take one course at a time. The program runs during fall, spring, and summer terms, allowing you to stay focused while balancing work and life responsibilities.

The program culminates with a Capstone Seminar, where you'll develop an actionable solution to a real-world challenge in recreation or leisure service delivery. Learn more about courses.

No thesis or comprehensive exam required.

Apply directly to the program without taking a graduate admissions test.

Students progress through the program together, creating a supportive learning community and valuable professional network. Collaborative projects, discussions, and applied learning experiences help you learn from faculty and peers working across the recreation industry.

Scholarship opportunities are available specifically for students enrolled in the Recreation Management – Professional Development program, helping make graduate education even more accessible. Explore scholarships.

Our faculty bring expertise from a wide range of recreation and leisure professions, providing practical perspectives that connect directly to today's workplace. Learn more about program faculty.

Areas of expertise include:

• Campus Recreation
• Corporate Team Building
• Landscape Architecture
• Municipal Parks & Recreation
• National Parks
• Fundraising & Development
• Professional Guiding
• Tourism & Event Management
• Summer Camps & Conference Centers

The curriculum is designed to help you become a more effective leader and decision-maker in recreation and leisure services.

You'll strengthen your ability to:

• Analyze and evaluate data to inform decisions
• Lead and develop staff, boards, and stakeholders
• Serve increasingly diverse communities
• Secure funding and maximize organizational resources
• Address complex organizational challenges with innovative solutions
• Apply research and best practices to real-world situations