PhD in Recreation, Sport and Tourism in Urbana United States | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The Department of Recreation, Sport & Tourism provides graduate programs culminating in Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. The Master of Science curriculum explores leisure behavior, public recreation systems, and sport and tourism management across private, public, and nonprofit leisure service organizations. This degree can function as either a standalone professional qualification or as preparation for doctoral studies. The Ph.D. program cultivates scholars and educators specializing in leisure behavior research or the administration of recreation, tourism, and sport systems. This research-focused doctorate equips graduates for academic careers, leadership roles in public agencies, research positions in private firms, and other knowledge-intensive professions. Doctoral candidates undertake specialized coursework, comprehensive written and oral exams, and original dissertation research in their chosen field.