Master of Sport and Leisure Service Management M.S. (Discontinued 2011)

The Master’s of Science in Sport and Leisure Service Management provides students with the necessary theory, knowledge, and skills to assume management positions in sport and leisure service agencies. A variety of organizations across the country have a need for qualified management personnel who also possess a theoretical background in sport and leisure behavior. Successful management of sport and leisure services is predicated on acquiring three areas of knowledge. First, a successful manager needs a theoretical foundation in sport and leisure behavior. This background enables the manager to understand the motivations, expectations, and satisfactions of the participant and spectator and to be take them into consideration when planning events, programs, and services. Second, one needs an understanding of management techniques specific to the delivery of sport and leisure service. These include a thorough background in the management, development, and operation of sport and leisure service delivery systems, facilities, programs, and ancillary services. Third, a manager must have an understanding of research and analysis that will allow him or her to evaluate programs and services, interpret complex information, and utilize data-based management applications and problem-solving techniques.

An important aspect of the degree program is the opportunity to develop a specialization in either leisure service or sport management. Specializations allow for additional focused study that enables students to prepare for a career in a specific programmatic or organizational setting. The majority of the courses included in a specialization are selected in consultation with the student’s advisor. Specialization courses may be selected to expand the student’s knowledge in law and liability in sport and leisure, athletic administration, finance, budgeting, marketing, leisure needs assessment, program design and operation, program evaluation, or other topics pertinent to the specialized management of sport and leisure. Opportunities for individualized study of special topics and internships in sport and leisure service agencies also further individualize the student’s preparation.

Successfully completing the program of study will result in conferral of the Master of Science degree in Sport and Leisure Service Management. Graduates of this program find employment with organizations providing professional, collegiate, and amateur sports; community, therapeutic, outdoor, and commercial recreation; and health and fitness services.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must submit the following information for admission:

1. Application for admission.
2. Submission of two copies of official transcripts from all institutions attended after high school. One copy should be sent directly to the Graduate College and the other to the Harrah Hotel Graduate Studies Office. Please note: it is a requirement of the UNLV Graduate College that students with class credits and/or degrees from educational institutions outside the United States must provide a course-by-course evaluation of those credentials by a NACES Evaluation Agency. This is to obtain an evaluation of the courses, verification of degrees, and establish accreditation of the schools and/or universities.
3. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a minimum overall GPA of 2.76 on a 4.00 scale or 3.00 in the last two years of study.
4. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. A minimum score of 450 in each of the GRE sections of verbal and quantitative is required. 
5. Two letters of recommendation. These letters should be from faculty members who know the applicant’s academic capabilities and can predict success in graduate school.
6. A one-page statement describing the applicant’s goals and reasons for seeking graduate education in sport and leisure service management.
7. Current resumé.
8. A bachelor’s degree with a major or minor in Leisure Studies, Recreation, Sport Management or a closely related field. Applicants not meeting this criterion may be required to take prescribed deficiency undergraduate courses.
9. International applicants: if English is not the applicant’s native language, and his/her baccalaureate degree was not from a school where English was the language of instruction, the applicant must complete one of the language tests listed below with the minimum score indicated or above:

Applicants who do not meet the above minimum GPA or GRE test score requirements may be admitted as Provisional Graduate Students.

Application Deadline

Fall:  August 1, domestic students; May 1, international students
Spring:  December 1, domestic students; October 1, international students

All documentation and application materials must be in the Graduate College and the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration Graduate Studies Office by the deadline for the application to be considered.

Transfer of Credit

Nine credits of relevant graduate courses taken prior to admission to the Sport and Leisure Service Management program may be accepted toward the student’s official graduate program. These credits may be from another accredited university or from UNLV. However, the hours transferred must be: 1) graduate level, 2) a grade of A or B (B- is not acceptable), 3) appropriate to the proposed degree, and 4) approved by the student’s advisor and the Director of the MS SLS program, and, 5) taken within the allowable six-year time limit on all course work. Additional graduate credits may be petitioned for transfer.

Progression of Graduate Program

Prior to completing 16 hours of graduate credit, the student in consultation with his/her advisor, will file a Proposed Masters & Specialist Degree Program Form. This form is a contract that specifies the courses necessary to obtain the master’s degree. Any changes in the official program must be made on a Change of Degree Program form, approved by the advisor and graduate program director, and submitted to the Graduate College.

Concurrent with the filing of the Proposed Masters & Specialist Degree Program Form, the student’s Graduate Examination Committee is to be appointed. The committee consists of three graduate faculty members from the department and one outside graduate faculty member (usually from an appropriate cognate area in which the student has taken classes). Generally, the student’s advisor serves as the committee chair.

Each master’s degree candidate must complete a thesis or professional paper. In either case, a prospectus will be presented to the Examination Committee. After approval of the prospectus, the student may proceed with the project. Upon completion of the thesis or paper, the written document is provided to the Examination Committee members at least two weeks prior to an oral presentation and defense of the work before this group. Both the thesis and professional paper should adhere to the American Psychological Association’s current Publication Manual regarding writing style and format. Copies of the completed thesis must also meet the UNLV Graduate College guidelines and be deposited according to published timelines. Professional papers must be bound and copies provided to the department office and advisor.

Courses