Recreation Administration
Master of Arts
Ready to take the next step and grow your administrative and executive leadership skills in the field of recreation? Be prepared to lead youth work and youth development, community recreation and outdoor programming with our on campus Master of Arts in recreation administration.
- 33-credit-hour program with thesis, non-thesis (research paper) and internship (with synthesis paper) options.
- In-person classes led by expert faculty ready to lead and listen
- Learn to design programs, manage facilities and lead teams dedicated to the betterment of their communities.
- Enjoy classes in UNI’s Wellness and Recreation Center, a lively facility dedicated to athletics, fitness, rock climbing and aquatics.
- Explore on-campus job opportunities in recreation and athletics or apply for a graduate assistant position in outdoor education and leadership.
In addition to students with previous training in recreation, this master's is open to students who are ready to move into recreation administration after completing undergraduate studies in other areas -- such as education and the social sciences, like psychology, gerontology or social work.
A Focus on Recreation Administration
UNI officially renamed this program as of December 2025. This shift to a master's in recreation administration better reflects the administrative and executive leadership roles central to today’s recreation profession. The new title highlights the organizational, strategic and supervisory skills developed in the program and underscores the leadership positions you'll be in position to pursue in shaping recreation and community-serving organizations.
Leadership
Empower healthy choices and foster resiliency by directing youth camps, outdoor programs, or senior centers.
Communities
Facilitate community building by creating recreational centers, playgrounds, visitor centers, parks, and natural areas that promote connectivity.
Expansion
Embark on a dynamic career in the growing recreation industries.
Interested? Request information
Tell us more and we'll send information on how you can succeed with a recreation administration MA degree from the University of Northern Iowa College of Education.
Chris Kowalski, EdD
Recreation, Tourism and Nonprofit Leadership Graduate Program Coordinator
rtnl@uni.edu
Cheryl Meller
COE Graduate Recruitment Coordinator
coegradstudies@uni.edu
Career Opportunities
With this degree, your potential for advancement in a variety of career directions expands greatly. Our graduates are prepared to grow their careers in settings which include:
- Campus recreation
- Nonprofit agencies
- Parks and community recreation
- Tourism agencies
- Sports administration
- Outdoor resource management
- Youth services and camps
- Senior centers and assisted living
- Outdoor and environmental education
The U.S. outdoor recreation industry experienced a 7% growth from 2021 to 2022, including for-profit sectors like eco-tourism, nonprofit organizations such as Outward Bound, and government agencies like campus recreation at public universities, departments of natural resources or the U.S. Forest Service.
Courses & Curriculum
The MA in recreation administration is a 33-credit-hour degree with thesis, non-thesis and internship options. This graduate program supports the next level of critical thinking and in-depth knowledge in areas such as financial management and youth development in addition to a wide range of elective options. Coursework includes:
- Philosophy/History/Ethics
- Quantitative Methods
- Cultural Competency
- Social Policy or Social Psychology
- Financial Decision-Making
- Management Issues
- Marketing the RTNL Agency
- Special Events Management
Courtney Johnson
"Everything that I did in my graduate assistant (GA) position at UNI has been a transferable skill for what I am doing now....I loved my GA position because it grew my love for the outdoors. I was doing the activities I enjoyed while also learning.”
Hannah Lang
Hannah Lang has been able to take her love of outdoor recreation and turn it into a successful career at the Adaptive Sports Center in Crested Butte, Colorado. The support of faculty and staff and the valuable hands-on experiences she received at the University of Northern Iowa helped make it possible.
Next Steps
Apply Now
Our application process is smooth and easy. You can apply now and pay your fee later or even get it waived, if you qualify. Current or former UNI students will also have their app fee waived.
Requirements for Admission
- Undergraduate and/or graduate official and final transcripts
- Personal Statement, addressing the motivations for seeking degree at UNI, research interests, professional goals
- 2.75 is the minimum GPA to be accepted without provision; applicants with a GPA lower than 2.75 may still be admitted provisionally, at the discretion of the program and the Graduate College
- 2 letters of recommendation
- A resume or CV
- Application fee (this can be waived or deferred, if you qualify).
Fall semester applications are due on March 1 for full consideration for admission and funding.
Requirements for International Applicants
Along with the basic application requirements, international applicants also need:
- Proof of English proficiency
- A copy of the personal data page of your passport
- A completed UNI Financial Statement and Certification form
- Non-refundable application fee.
Making an Impact
I hope students learn from me that they can make a meaningful impact in the recreation field, and enjoy the process that is associated with making that meaningful impact. -- Chris Kowalski
A Shared Journey
Faculty with a variety of backgrounds are ready to partner with you through your journey as a recreation, tourism and nonprofit leadership master's student. The team includes:
Lives Worth Living
The pursuit of high quality leisure, through community parks and recreation, or nonprofits, or outdoor recreation is what makes life worth living. It is a profession of existentialism that leads to happiness. Although leisure can help us relax and escape, serious leisure creates positive emotions, authentic relationships, engagement in community and belonging, meaning/purpose and achievement. -- Rod Dieser
Fund Your Degree
Get the opportunity to learn and fund your degree through hands-on experiences, earning monetary awards, or a combination of both. Visit one of the following pages to learn about graduate assistantships, scholarships, and other funding options.