COURSE CURRICULUM

The Adaptive Sports Master’s degree consists of 32–33 credits that combine required coursework, electives, research training, and a capstone experience, designed to build advanced professional skills in adaptive sport leadership and program management. Students work with a faculty adviser to choose either a thesis track or a portfolio track depending on their career goals, with both options emphasizing applied research and practical competence in adaptive sport settings. The core curriculum covers essential areas such as recreation administration, adaptive sport facilitation, law and public policy in leisure services, nonprofit leadership, fund development and grant writing, and supervised field practicum experience in real adaptive sport environments. Alongside these professional foundations, students complete research and data analysis training through courses in research methods or data-driven decision-making and statistics, ensuring they can evaluate programs and apply evidence-based practices. The capstone component differs by track, with the thesis option requiring a substantial research project and the portfolio option focusing on applied professional work through a capstone seminar and related outputs. In addition, students complete 3–6 credits of elective courses that allow specialization in areas such as therapeutic recreation, youth development, entrepreneurship in recreation, coaching, inclusive education partnerships, adapted physical education, social issues in sport, adventure therapy, disability studies, and mental health aspects of developmental disabilities. The program is typically completed in about two years of full-time study plus a summer session, while part-time students may take longer depending on their pace. Overall, the structure is designed to integrate academic theory, legal and organizational knowledge, research skills, and hands-on field experience, preparing graduates for leadership roles in adaptive sports, recreation management, rehabilitation, community programming, and inclusive sport development.