Program Overview

MA Recreation and Leisure Studies

The MA Recreation and Leisure Studies program is designed to help students organize their progress through the program. The following tasks are the responsibility of the student.

Program Requirements

1. Register as an active student every term (Fall, Winter, and Spring) by arranging payment of tuition fees. Inactive registration is exceptional for medical reasons or other temporary obligations. If inactive status is requested, approval must be sought from the supervisor, the Associate Chair, Graduate Studies, and the Associate Dean, Graduate Studies. Requests for inactive status will not always be approved.
2. Complete academic integrity milestones (required by the University and must be completed before a student can graduate).

• Milestone 1: Complete the online Academic Integrity Tutorial (to be taken within 8 weeks of starting the program).
• Milestone 2: Attend the AHS Academic Integrity Workshop (normally held in September).

3. Meet with the supervisor to discuss the individualized program of study, including selection of appropriate courses.
4. Complete a minimum of 5 courses.

• REC 600 Integrative Seminar in Recreation and Leisure Studies
• REC 662 Foundations of Quantitative Inquiry
• REC 663 Foundations of Qualitative Inquiry
• One of REC 672 Quantitative Research Data Analysis and Interpretation OR REC 673 Designing Advanced Qualitative Inquiry
• One graduate-level elective
• Note: Students who have not completed an undergraduate-level research methods or analysis course are highly recommended to take either REC 371 (quantitative research) or REC 373 (qualitative research) for audit or credit.

5. In consultation with the supervisor, select a thesis topic and thesis committee (normally one committee member in addition to the Supervisor).
6. Complete, have signed, and submit the MA/PhD Thesis Topic and Supervisor Form.
7. Prepare a thesis proposal in close consultation with the supervisor.
8. Schedule an oral defence of the proposal at least one month in advance.

• Arrange a time and date acceptable to the committee
• Book a room on Outlook Calendar or through the AHS Receptionist
• The Master's proposal must be on display at least one week before the defence
• Obtain and submit a copy of the Master's proposal and defence notification form to the Faculty Graduate Studies Administrator at least one week prior to the proposal
• Distribute bound copies of the proposal to the committee and the Faculty Graduate Studies Administrator

9. Pass the oral proposal defence and make necessary modifications, if applicable (proposal to be on display for one week before defence).
10. Obtain approval for thesis research from the Office of Research Ethics (if appropriate).
11. Submit an application for research support funding to the Associate Chair, Graduate Studies if needed (maximum of $200).
12. Conduct thesis research and write up results in close consultation with the supervisor.
13. Submit original receipts and expense claim form for research support funding to the Department Administrator.
14. In consultation with the supervisor, identify a final reader of the thesis.
15. Schedule the final defence.

• Arrange a time and date acceptable to the committee and inform the Faculty Graduate Studies Administrator
• Book a room on Outlook Calendar or through the AHS Receptionist
• The final thesis must be on display at least two weeks before the defence
• Obtain and submit a copy of the Master's Thesis Defence Notification form to the Faculty Graduate Studies Administrator at least two weeks prior to the defence
• Distribute bound copies of the thesis to the committee and the Faculty Graduate Studies Administrator

16. Pass the final oral defence and make final modifications to the thesis to the approval of the committee.
17. Complete the application to graduate on Quest.

• Upload the final thesis to online UW Space
• Remove belongings from the graduate student desk and leave the file cabinet key in the top drawer
• Return the fob to the Department Administrator

18. Attend convocation and celebrate.
19. Connect with the Alumni Office and keep in touch.