Recreation&

Leisure Studies

The RLS Program

features one of only a

hundred nationally-

accredited recreation

curricula across the

United States.

The RLS Program

features one of only a

hundred nationally-

accredited recreation

curricula across the

United States.

• Missouri State University, with our enrollment of Missouri State University, with our enrollment of approximately 20,000 students, is located in the Queen approximately 20,000 students, is located in the Queen City of The Ozarks, Springfield, Missouri (pop. c. 200,000).  City of The Ozarks, Springfield, Missouri (pop. c. 200,000). 

• Sitting atop the Ozark Mountain Plateau, Springfield is Sitting atop the Ozark Mountain Plateau, Springfield is surrounded by an array of natural recreation areas.  surrounded by an array of natural recreation areas. 

• Branson, one of America's musical capitals, is less than an Branson, one of America's musical capitals, is less than an hour from campus.  Numerous other public, commercial hour from campus.  Numerous other public, commercial recreation resources and programs are available to recreation resources and programs are available to students and residents of the Springfield Area. students and residents of the Springfield Area.

• The Recreation & Leisure Studies (RLS) Program at Missouri State University has been involved in Outdoor Recreation since 1968. The program has a long history of providing students access to training in outdoor recreation. Springfield is one of Mid-America’s ideal locations for outdoor pursuits.

• The RLS Program has an ideal location within the Ozarks Plateau Region of Missouri.

• This area has premier outdoor recreation opportunities all within a 2-hour drive.

• The Ozark National River, Buffalo National River, Mark Twain National Forest, Ozark Trail, Ozark Highland Trail, White River, Busieck State Forest, and Sam’s Throne are just a few of the outdoor areas close to campus.

Hawk’s Bill Crag, NW Arkansas

• “I have friends at other recreation agencies who have had interns from Recreation & Leisure Studies at MSU, and we say they are head-and-shoulders above those from other colleges.” --- David Waddell, Pastor of Recreation, Germantown Baptist Church, Collierville, Tennessee

Grads in Commercial Rec work for: airline companies, dude ranches, travel agencies, sporting goods retail outlets, in amusement game centers or casinos, on cruise ships, for concessioners, over special events, at golf courses and amusement parks, music theaters, for shopping mall companies, at fairgrounds, hotels and resort hotels, marinas, fitness centers, country clubs, night clubs, for tour operators, etc.

• “I thank the Recreation &

Leisure Studies Program

for assisting me in building

my leadership skills.  The

instructors were all

instrumental in helping me

look ahead to the future.”

--- Mike Castulik, Director,

Sherwood Forest Camp,

Overland, Missouri

• The Health & Wellness Promotion option will prepares students for management, marketing, fitness instructor positions in community-based, private, or corporate fitness, and health-related services promoting the concept of wellness. Graduates may also pursue qualification as personal trainers.

• “The instructors in Recreation & Leisure Studies are very well-rounded and always encourage students to combine school with work experience in the field.” – Barbara Ducey Bowden, Revenue Manager, Peabody Hotels, Orlando, Florida

• The Community Recreation Option is a generalist curriculum designed to prepare students for several management-based careers. 

• Public-sector recreation is comprised of municipal recreation and park agencies. 

• Military Recreation (MWR) provides recreation opportunities for individuals and families serving in the Armed Services. 

• Graduates opting for this career area will not be members of the military, but civilian workers, employed by the U.S. Federal Government. 

• The nonprofit sector of community recreation organizations comprises of agencies like the YMCA, YWCA, Boys & Girls Clubs, religious organizations, Scouting, and quasi-government organizations or nonprofit agencies.

•   ““At MSU, Recreation & At MSU, Recreation & Leisure Studies is a great Leisure Studies is a great major.  It provided me with major.  It provided me with valuable work experience valuable work experience and professors who were and professors who were easy-going, provided easy-going, provided camaraderie, and an camaraderie, and an interest in students that interest in students that far-surpassed what I saw far-surpassed what I saw in other disciplines.  When in other disciplines.  When I arrived in the Recreation I arrived in the Recreation & Leisure Studies Program & Leisure Studies Program there, almost immediately, there, almost immediately, I felt at home.” --- Jeanette I felt at home.” --- Jeanette Stoecklin Gaines, Stoecklin Gaines, Purchasing Agent, Boeing Purchasing Agent, Boeing Aircraft, Hazelwood, Aircraft, Hazelwood, MissouriMissouri

• The Therapeutic Recreation Option will prepare you for supervisory and leadership positions in community-based or private health care facilities providing recreation therapy for persons with various disabilities.

• Successful completion of this option will qualify the applicant to sit for the National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) Exam upon graduation.

• “We are committed to quality instruction utilizing a variety of the latest technologies and resources available. Our mission is to give you solid performance-based competencies to help you succeed in your career.  We are committed to professionalism, continuing education and helping you obtain professional certifications.  Our peer and administrative evaluations each year reflect strong ratings.  All faculty have successfully completed the University's Master Advisor certification program.”

Twenty years of National Accreditation

The Council on Accreditation for Recreation, Park Resources and Leisure Studies

Has Conferred Academic Accreditation to Missouri State University

Recreation and Leisure Studies Program

October 13, 2008-October 2013

Contact us!

Dr. Keith Ernce, Director E-Mail: keithernce@missouristate.edu• Tel: (417) 836-5411• Our website:

Recreation & Leisure Studies