Graduate Courses
In this section you will find a brief description for the courses offered in the Master of Science in Recreation and Tourism, Master of Nonprofit Studies, and courses for our Ph. D. in Community Resources & Development.
Courses - Master of Science in Recreation and Tourism
REC 500, Research Methods, 3 credits
Offered in fall
Introduces recreation research methods, with emphasis on methodological questions, research issues, and techniques relevant to contemporary social research. Prerequisite: 500-level or higher approved statistics course.
REC 502, Statistical and Data Analysis, 3 credits
Offered in the fall
Introduces descriptive and inferential methods used in recreation and tourism sciences. Students gain experience using statistical software.
REC 530, Recreation and Tourism Service Management, 3 credits
Offered in spring
Examines and applies organizational behavior, leadership, human resources, and development; planning and risk management to profession.
REC 552, Critical Issues in Recreation and Tourism, 3 credits
Offered in fall
Examines critical research issues in the leisure, recreation and tourism fields.
REC 555, Theoretical Perspectives in Community Development, 3 credits
Offered in spring
Reviews theoretical and empirical social science literature in recreation and tourism.
REC 580, Practicum, variable credit
Structured practical experience in a professional program, supervised by a practitioner and /or faculty member(s) with whom the student works closely.
REC 599, Thesis, variable credit
Supervised research focused on preparation of thesis, including literature review, research, data collection and analysis, and writing.
Electives:
REC 569, Advanced Tourism Studies, 3 credits
Offered once a year
Advanced survey of tourism literature with an emphasis on relevant theories, concepts, and current research.
REC 570, Society and Natural Resources, 3 credits
Offered once a year
Analyzes the social aspects of natural resource science, policy, and management. Prerequisite: PRM 370 or instructor approval.
REC 579, Tourism Analysis, 3 credits
Offered once a year
Examines theories and methods that govern tourist behavior and their relevance to destination development, operations, and management.
A number of special topics courses are available as well. These may be offered as graduate level courses or as undergraduate/graduate level. Some examples include:
- REC 591, Sports Management
- REC 591, Nature Based Tourism
- REC 591, Special Events Management
- REC 591, International Tourism
- REC 591, Assessment & Documentation in Therapeutic Recreation
- REC 591, Processes & Techniques in Therapeutic Recreation
- REC 598, Entrepreneurial Recreation and Tourism
Courses - Master of Nonprofit Studies
Required Core Classes (18 Credit Hours):
NLM 510 Foundations in Nonprofit Management (3)
This course provides students with a grounding in nonprofit management and the historical and philosophical foundations of the nonprofit sector in American society. Students identify and study issues and trends related to governance and delivery systems of the nonprofit sector.
NLM 520 Financial Management in Nonprofit Organizations (3)
Reviews fiscal-management accounting procedures, understand financial tools used by nonprofit managers, and provides basic framework for evaluating financial performance of a nonprofit organization.
NLM 530 Program Evaluation & Information Management (3)
This course provides the tools to design and conduct practical program evaluation research in today's nonprofit organizations. In addition, it provides an extensive overview of information technology resources (e.g., excel, access, & SPSS) to manage and analyze information. Students will select an individualized project and design a program evaluation specific to their organization.
NLM 540 Human Resource Management in Nonprofit Organizations (3)
This course addresses the challenges of supervising both paid and unpaid staff in nonprofit organizations. Students will gain an understanding of human resource theories and tools to determine roles, evaluate responsibilities, and lead staff toward optimal performance. It will improve supervisory, management, and leadership skills.
NLM 550 Philanthropy: Theory and Practice (3)
This course examines issues confronting nonprofit organizations related to fundraising and philanthropic purposes in society. Students will learn fund raising strategies such as conducting annual campaigns and developing individual donors.
NLM 620 Capstone: Critical Issues in Nonprofit Management (3)
Students identify and review key issues confronting the nonprofit sector, while integrating learning from the entire program. This course will allow students to synthesize, analyze and prepare for entry/reentry into the nonprofit sector. (Prerequisite: Advisor/Instructor approval. Recommended that all core classes; NLM 510, NLM 520, NLM 530, NLM 540, & NLM 550; are completed before taking NLM 620).
Elective Courses (15 Credit Hours):
NLM 560 Leadership & Ethics - Course description: Examines leadership and ethical questions encountered by managers and leaders in the nonprofit organizations.
NLM 562 Social Entrepreneurship - Course description: Introduces social entrepreneurship, including how ideas are formulated, constructed, and implemented; experiential learning in developing a social enterprise plan.
NLM 565 Grant Writing for Nonprofit Organizations - Course description: Provides practical, experiential instruction identifying grant makers, writing proposals, developing budgets, and evaluating grant proposals for the nonprofit sector. Students develop proposals based on actual, identified needs of their partner nonprofit organization.
NLM 570 International Nongovernmental Organizations (INGO's) - A small class emphasizing discussion, presentations by students, and written research papers. This course is designed to increase students’ knowledge and understanding of INGOs and the distinctions between them and their domestic counterparts.
NLM 598 Topic: Community & Social Innovations – Course description: Examines what makes a healthy community and investigates innovative and creative communities around the world.
NLM 598 Topic: Volunteer Resource Management - Course description: Exploring issues relevant to volunteer management.
NLM 598 Topic: Nonprofits, Law and Society – Course description: This graduate seminar is designed to enhance the legal sensiblities of nonprofit leaders and engaged stakeholders.
NLM 610 Executive Leadership and Governance - Course description: Examines the multiplicity of roles for executives and board of directors in providing strategic leadership for nonprofits.
Courses - Ph.D. in Community Resources & Development
CRD 610 Sustainable Communities, 3 credits
Offered in fall
Analyzes “community” as concept and as an organizing system for promoting sustainability. This course considers issues at different scales, ranging from urban to rural, local to global, historical to contemporary. Students will critically examine the role of public, private, and nonprofit institutions in promoting quality of life.
CRD 620 Community Research Methodology, 3 credits
Offered in fall
Introduces community research methods, with emphasis on methodological questions and techniques relevant to contemporary community based research.
CRD 640 Research Seminar in Community Recourses and Development I
Offered in fall
A seminar designed to explore issues related to advancing a career as a researcher in the fields associated with community resources and development (i.e., non']profit, recreation and parks, tourism). Critical to this study is an understanding of the conduct of high quality research, an understanding of issues that arise in professional settings (e.g., expediency vs. effectiveness), and ethical principles and processes that undergird research.
CRD 650 Research Seminar in Community Resources and Development II
Offered in spring
Helps prepare doctoral students to become productive and successful social scientists in community resources and development. Covers a wide range of topics under the braoder conceptual umbrella of research, teaching and service.
REC 502 Statistical and Data Analysis, 3 credits
Offered in fall
Introduces descriptive and inferential methods used in recreation and tourism sciences. Students gain experience using statistical software.
REC 555 Theoretical Perspectives in Recreation & Tourism, 3 credits
Offered in spring
Reviews theoretical and empirical social science literature in recreation and tourism.
CRD 683 Field Work, 3 credits
Offered in spring
Structured, supervised field experience in a field science or other discipline requiring experience in field techniques.
CRD 792 Research, variable credit
Independent study in which a student, under the supervision of a faculty member, conducts research that is expected to lead to a specific project such as a thesis or dissertation, report, or publication. Assignments might include data collection, experimental work, data analysis, or preparation of a manuscript.
CRD 799 Dissertation, variable credit
Supervised research focused on preparation of dissertation, including literature review, research, data collection and analysis, and writing.
Electives:
REC 530 Recreation and Tourism Service Management, 3 credits
Offered in spring
Examines and applies organizational behavior, leadership, human resources, and development; planning and risk management to profession.
REC 552 Critical Issues in Recreation and Tourism, 3 credits
Offered in fall
Examines critical research issues in the leisure, recreation and tourism fields.
REC 569 Advanced Tourism Studies, 3 credits
Offered once a year
Advanced survey of tourism literature with an emphasis on relevant theories, concepts, and current research.
REC 570 Society and Natural Resources, 3 credits
Offered once a year
Analyzes the social aspects of natural resource science, policy, and management. Prerequisite: PRM 370 or instructor approval.
REC 579 Tourism Analysis, 3 credits
Offered once a year
Examines theories and methods that govern tourist behavior and their relevance to destination development, operations, and management.
A number of special topics courses are available as well. These may be offered as graduate level courses or as undergraduate/graduate level. Some examples include:
- REC 591 Sports Management
- REC 591 Special Events Management
- REC 591 International Tourism
- REC 591 Entrepreneurial Recreation and Tourism
- REC 591 Nature-based Tourism
Electives may also be selected from the many offerings by other ASU schools and departments with advisor approval.
