Doctoral Program

The Doctor of Philosophy is a research oriented degree that prepares successful candidates for positions in higher education, private organizations, public agencies, and other research-based positions. During their doctoral program, students complete course work, written and oral preliminary examinations, and a dissertation in an area of specialization.

Core Requirements:

• RST 550- Theory and Methods of Leisure Research- 4 hours
• RST 551- Contemporary Issues in Leisure Research- 4 hours
• RST 590- Graduate Seminar- 0 hours

        (required every semester on campus)

Specialization Requirements:

• Departmental coursework to support specialization- 12 hours
• Coursework outside department to support specialization- 16 hours
• Advanced research methods to support specialization- 12 hours

Thesis Requirements:

• RST 599- Thesis Research- 32 hours

TOTAL UNITS (minimum): 80 credit hours

Prerequisite for Ph.D. program:

Graduate level foundations class in leisure (e.g., current RST 501)

Graduate level social science research design (e.g.,current RST 503)

Teaching Practicum

In addition to the above coursework, students are expected to take advantage of teaching workshops and teacher training opportunities on campus. If appropriate, students may take responsibility for teaching an undergraduate course within a Teaching Practicum context. All opportunities to gain teaching experience are above and beyond the 80 hours required for doctoral study.

Annual Reporting

At the end of spring semester (e.g., April 1), each doctoral student is expected to file a brief statement of progress toward their degree that identifies their plan of study, including their specialization and coursework taken and to-be-taken to fulfill degree requirements. These plans will be reviewed by the Graduate Committee for compliance with curriculum, to assess progress, and to facilitate decisions about future departmental funding.

RST 501: Foundations of Leisure Studies

Examines basic philosophical, historical, and scientific foundations and developments in leisure and recreation; discusses significance of leisure in modern societies; critically reviews major writings in the field with attention to particular special problem areas and current issures (Deficiency for doctoral students)

RST 550: Theory and Methods of Leisure

Surveys concepts, methods, and problems of leisure research that are common to recreation, sport and tourism; histories of theoretical and methodical developments are discussed, appreciated and critiqued; examines the development of ideas through literature, with discussion centered on explaining the evolution of literature (Prerequisite is 501 or equivalent)

RST 551: Contemporary Issues in Leisure

Critically surveys research from neighboring disciplines to determine how this research may inform and influence future research in recreation, sport and tourism; provides a comparative perspective, including discovery alternative theories to guide our research; examines links between distinct phenomena that can potentially lead to creative research (Prerequisite is 550)