This bachelor’s/accelerated master’s program is designed for students interested in fast-tracking their career in recreation administration.
Recreation administrators impact and enrich peoples’ lives. The recreation administration concentration develops and enhances the skills needed to provide meaningful experiences through recreation and sport programs and events, outdoor adventure activities, interactions with the natural environment, and commercial recreation attractions.
Students explore multiple facets of this dynamic and rapidly growing field. Our graduates are prepared to make a real difference—informing policy, promoting economic development, advocating stewardship of natural resources, encouraging inclusive community service and lifelong recreation participation, and working to enhance the quality of life of all individuals, families, and communities at the local, national, and international levels.
The Recreation Administration BAM meets the growing need for professionals and academics and equips students with skills to manage a diverse array of recreational experiences. An integral part of the Recreation Administration curriculum includes opportunities for field experiences in indoor and outdoor settings in the Northern Virginia region, the greater D.C. metro area, and throughout the world. Students put their skills and knowledge to use in one of three capstone experiences designed to meet their career goals: (1) internship, (2) applied research project, or (3) traditional research master’s thesis. Qualified Mason undergraduates can obtain both a bachelor's degree in any area and an MS in Recreation Management within an accelerated timeframe while paying undergraduate tuition rates for graduate classes taken while finishing the bachelor’s degree. George Mason University’s Recreation Administration program serves one of the nation’s most diverse student populations.
• Recreation Center Director
• Theme Park and Attractions Operations
• Fitness Center Director
• Campus Recreation Coordinator
• Event Developer
• Outdoor Adventure Manager
• Park Director
• Natural Resources Manager
• Community Activity Programmer
• Resort Recreation Administrator
• Facility Manager
• Park Ranger (State or National)
MS Core Coursework (18 credits)
Select 5 credits from the following:
Concentration in Recreation Administration (RADM) (12 credits)
Select 6 credits from the following:
This program is offered on Mason’s Fairfax campus. Most students in the Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s (BAM) program complete both their undergraduate and graduate degrees within five years.
Fall Semester
(classes starting in August) |
Spring Semester
(classes starting in January) |
Summer Semester
(classes starting in May, June, or July) |
Priority*: April 1
Space Available: August 19 |
Priority*: November 1
Space Available: January 10 |
Priority*: February 1
Space Available: May 15 |
For more information and to apply, visit the admissions website.
* Priority deadline ensures consideration for the intended semester as well as financial aid options for students. Programs will continue to review applications until at capacity. Some programs do not review applications past the priority deadline.
All application materials must be submitted through George Mason’s online graduate application. In addition to meeting general university admissions requirements, applicants will need to provide the requirements below.
To be considered for graduate studies, the following items are evaluated during the admission review process:
- Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s application
- 750- to 1,000-word written statement of your goals and interest in the program
- Current resume
- Two letters of recommendation. Applicants should follow the instructions included in the online application to submit the recommendation forms directly to their recommenders. George Mason does not accept paper recommendations. Recommendations should be professional or academic in nature.
- One letter of recommendation from your George Mason undergraduate advisor
The College of Education and Human Development offers a number of combined bachelor's and accelerated master's (BAM) degree programs for academically strong undergraduates with a commitment to learning advanced skills in a specialized field of study. Applicants receive a waiver of the graduate application fee, and admitted students may obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree after satisfactory completion of 144 to 150 credits (number of required credits depends on the graduate program).
Students can submit an application to a BAM program once they have earned between 75 and 100 credits. Faculty admissions review includes a holistic review of requirements as well as the applicant’s potential academic and professional success upon completion of the program.
Bachelor's to Accelerated Master's (BAM) students can take graduate courses at the undergraduate tuition rate, depending on the program. Please meet with an admissions counselor to discuss your program options.
Undergraduate Tuition
| TUITION CLASSIFICATION |
COST PER CREDIT |
| Virginia Resident |
$592.50
(includes MSF*) |
| Non-Virginia Resident |
$1,612.00
(includes MSF*) |
CEHD Course Fee
($25/credit with higher per credit or flat course fees for internship and select ATEP, RECR, and RMGT courses) |
$25 - $257 |
| Total Cost for Virginia Residents per Credit |
$617.50 - $849.50 |
| Total Cost for Non-Virginia Residents per Credit |
$1,637.00 - $1,869.00 |
Undergraduate New Student Fee
(non-refundable, one-time fee) |
$350 | $275 for transfer students |
Please Note: Refer to the Students Accounts Office website for more information on tuition and fees. Various course and lab fees may be assessed depending on the course(s) in which the student is enrolled.
*Mandatory Student Fee (MSF): $159.50
Graduate Tuition
| TUITION CLASSIFICATION |
COST PER CREDIT |
| Virginia Resident |
$748.50
(includes MSF*) |
| Non-Virginia Resident |
$948.50
(includes MSF*; discounted from $1,679.50) |
| VA Resident and PK-12 VA Educator enrolled in a CEHD graduate program** |
$635.50
(includes MSF*) |
| CEHD Course Fee |
$25 - $84 |
| Total Cost for Virginia Residents per Credit |
$773.50 - $832.50 |
| Total Cost for Non-Virginia Residents per Credit |
$979.50 - $1,038.50 |
| Total cost for VA Resident and PK-12 VA Educator enrolled in a CEHD graduate program* |
$660.50 - $719.50 |
Graduate New Student Fee
(non-refundable, one-time fee) |
$60 |
Please Note: Refer to the Students Accounts Office website for more information on tuition and fees. Internship courses will incur a higher course fee to fund on-site assistance involving intensive clinical training/supervision.
*Mandatory Student Fee (MSF): $159.50
**VA state residents who are eligible must apply for the 15% PreK-16 VA Educators Discount in order to take advantage of the lower tuition. Eligible students receive 15% off the total tuition and mandatory student fee.
For information on loans and scholarships, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid. For information regarding grants, tuition waivers, and other merit aid, please inquire with your graduate department. Also, many school districts offer tuition reimbursement options. Speak to your employer for more information.
Academic Advisor
Melissa Busillo
Email: mbusillo@gmu.edu
Phone: 703-993-5261
Fairfax Campus: Krug Hall, Suite 213
To schedule an appointment: https://gmu.campus.eab.com/pal/oOhyMST5VC
Forms
Current students should visit MyMason for important forms and documents.
Chris Green
Academic Program Co-Coordinator
Pierre Rodgers
Academic Program Co-Coordinator
Robert Baker
Laurence Chalip
Hung-Ling Liu
Sammie Powers
Ellen Rodgers
Susan Slocum
Brenda Wiggins