For complete curriculum details, click on the REQUIREMENTS button to the right.
Undergraduate
The Leisure and Sport Management program is a major leading to a Bachelor of Science
(B.S.) degree with a general core accredited through the Council on Accreditation:
Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT). Students may choose courses
from tracks in recreation administration, outdoor recreation, and sport management. View the upper division form.
The Leisure and Sport Management program does not require a minor; however, possible
choices include Athletic Coaching and Officiating, Communication Disorders, Driver
and Traffic Safety Education, Health, Health and Physical Education, Health and Human
Performance, or Recreation.
Accelerated Bachelors to Masters (ABM) Program – BS
The LSTS Accelerated Bachelors to Masters (ABM) Program allows eligible students to
take selected courses that will count towards a Bachelors of Science (B.S.) in Leisure
and Sport Management and Masters of Science (M.S.) in Leisure, Sport, and Tourism Management. LSTS majors
who have completed 75 hours of coursework and who have a 3.0 GPA or higher are eligible
to apply for the ABM. Once accepted, students work with their advisor to identify
four graduate classes that may substitute for four undergraduate classes, at no additional
cost! These two graduate courses (6 credits) may then transfer toward a Masters of
Science in Leisure, Sport, and Tourism Management (students must earn a B or higher
in all graduate classes and have cumulative UG GPA 3.25). ABM students who earn a
grade of B or higher in their graduate courses and who maintain a cumulative GPA of
3.25 are eligible to be admitted to LSM Masters Program without taking the GRE. The
M.S. in LSM requires 30 credit hours (thesis track) or 36 credit hours (internship
track) of coursework. Students must apply & meet the specified requirements.
Graduate
The department also offers a Master of Science (M.S.) degree with a major in Leisure, Sport, and Tourism Management and two concentrations from which to choose: Recreation and Leisure Services and
Sport Industry. A Ph.D. is available in Human Performance within which one can specialize
in leisure studies.
Other programs offered by HHP
Other undergraduate majors offered by the Health and Human Performance Department
that lead to a B.S. include Athletic Training; Exercise Science; Community and Public Health with concentrations in Public Health and Health Education and Lifetime Wellness; Physical Education; and Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.
The department offers undergraduate minors in Athletic Coaching and Officiating, Driver
and Traffic Safety Education, Health, Health and Physical Education, Health and Human
Performance, Recreation, and Somatic Movement Education, and Speech-Language Pathology
and Audiology.
In addition, an M.P.H. is offered with a major in Public Health, which has two concentrations: Health and Physical Education.
Other specializations under the Ph.D. in Human Performance are exercise science, health, and physical education.
Leisure and Sport Management
Course offerings by semester
LSTS 3000 - Leisure in Your Life
3 credit hours
Issues relative to choices an individual and society make when utilizing "free" time and resources. Increased understanding of the multibillion dollar leisure industry and its effect on our personal and collective lives.
LSTS 3010 - Introduction to Leisure, Sport, and Tourism Studies
3 credit hours
Development and basic concepts of the leisure, sport, and tourism studies profession. History, definitions, theories, and social psychological concepts as well career opportunities and areas of service delivery.
LSTS 3150 - Foundations of Sport Industry
3 credit hours
Introduces the dynamics of the sport industry field. Discusses theoretical foundation and subsequent application and addresses the various aspects of the sport industry profession. Provides a clear understanding of the role of sport industry professional, specifically the sport industry, ethical concerns, risk management, marketing, economics, and the supervision of sporting industry.
LSTS 3360 - Camp and Camp Counseling
3 credit hours
Emphasis on the camp counselor, including discussion of techniques and skills appropriate in various camp settings. Day-to-day management of residential, trip/travel, and special emphasis camps examined. Some off-campus experience.
LSTS 3370 - Principles of Outdoor Recreation
3 credit hours
Concepts, principles, and practices in various types of park, recreation, and tourism settings. Emphasis on overall and critical subsystems of the outdoor recreation management system primarily in public land settings.
LSTS 3371 - Principles of Interpretation and Resource Education
3 credit hours
The study of natural, cultural, and historical interpretation and resource education concepts, principles, and practices applicable to various types of recreation and leisure service settings. Emphasis on interpretation and resource education, why and how to interpret and educate about resources, as well as how to effectively manage interpretation and resource education in varied settings.
LSTS 3380 - Disabilities and Diversity in Leisure, Sport, and Tourism
3 credit hours
Explores issues surrounding leisure, sport, and tourism opportunities for persons with disabilities. Introduces important issues such as attitudes, advocacy, accessibility, legislation, and the broad range of opportunities in the provision of leisure, sport, and tourism services for persons with disabilities in our society. For LSTS majors only.
LSTS 3520 - Leadership and Group Processes in Leisure, Sport, and Tourism
3 credit hours
Conceptual and human relationship skills required of effective professionals. Emphasis on understanding group dynamics and processes associated with leading activities, programs, and personnel in leisure, sport, and tourism settings. Key component will be field application of skills. LSTS majors only.
LSTS 3530 - Program and Facility Planning in Leisure, Sport, and Tourism Studies
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: LSTS 3010 or THM 3100. The understanding of participant leisure, sport, and tourism needs and ways organizations create services to respond to them. For LSTS/THM majors only.
LSTS 3540 - Facility Operations in Leisure, Sport, and Tourism
3 credit hours
Theoretical foundations, principles, and subsequent application of these principles will provide a unique vantage point in the understanding of addressing various aspects of facility operations in the leisure, sport, and tourism industry. Provides insight into the facility operations industry; facility administration, event logistics, ethical concerns, ADA requirements, risk management, emergency preparedness, crowd management, safety and security, budget development, sponsorships, scheduling and booking, contract and negotiations, labor union relations, customer service within collegiate, private, public and community entities.
LSTS 3560 - Field Studies in Leisure, Sport, and Tourism
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: LSTS 3010 and LSTS 3530. Provides an opportunity for supervised practical application of classroom theory in professional leisure, sports, and tourism field work. LSTS majors only.
LSTS 3570 - Outdoor Pursuits Education
3 credit hours
Concentration on developing student's ability in adventure-based recreation and education. Emphasis placed on learning how to implement an outdoor pursuit experience for oneself and others. Both on- and off-campus experiences will be conducted and may involve day/overnight camping, canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, rappelling, caving, ropes courses, and orienteering.
LSTS 4110 - Youth Sport Programming and Administration
3 credit hours
Explores and examines youth sport history, philosophy, developmental stages of youth, administration and programming for youth, and current issues and events necessary to deliver youth sport activities within a variety of settings, agencies, and/or organizations. Addresses the various learning stages of youth sport and the impact these experiences can have on youth.
LSTS 4120 - Community Development through Leisure, Sport, and Tourism
3 credit hours
Explores and utilizes sustainable practices to assess, develop, implement, and evaluate tourism's potential contribution to, or detraction from, the quality of life for communities. Examines economic, environmental, socio-cultural, and political impacts on community tourism development within the community tourism development context.
LSTS 4250 - The Sport Agent
3 credit hours
Introduces student to the principles, dynamics, and realities of the sport agent industry. Provides insight into the history and legal foundations of sports representation, the evolution of the industry, the business of competition for clients, common pitfalls of both representatives and clients, a wide array of ethical issues, the laws that govern the industry, the structures and language of contracts, negotiation tactics, and sport-specific information.
LSTS 4470 - Leisure and Aging
3 credit hours
Aging relative to the individual, family, peers, and society with an emphasis on leisure. The holistic approach including physical, psychological, social, cultural, environmental, and cognitive aspects. Interdisciplinary approach makes this course ideal for the developing or practicing human service professional.
LSTS 4480 - Recreational Therapy Techniques
3 credit hours
Explores the many activity-based therapeutic interventions currently utilized to alleviate existing health-related problems, maintain current level of functioning, or to assist in overall rehabilitation efforts of the transdisciplinary treatment team.
LSTS 4490 - Campus Recreation
3 credit hours
For those wishing to acquire a specific and comprehensive knowledge of the recreational sports program and an understanding of its place and value in education and society.
LSTS 4499 - Therapeutic Terminology in RT
3 credit hours
Designed to provide students with an understanding of therapeutic terminology and the utilization of appropriate terminology for third party reimbursement, treatment teams, counseling, and medical documentation.
LSTS 4500 - Introduction to Recreational Therapy
3 credit hours
Explores the profession of recreational therapy, the wide range of disabilities, and the role of intervention in a variety of settings: clinical, community, and transitional. Topics include history, philosophy, professional development/certification, systemic program design, and implementation.
LSTS 4510 - Recreational Therapy in Clinical Settings
3 credit hours
Increases understanding of recreational therapy in clinical settings, working with persons with health-related issues and/or disability. Concepts of disease and disability, holistic approach, interdisciplinary treatment, assessment, intervention planning and implementation, evaluation, documentation, and third party reimbursement explored.
LSTS 4520 - Transitional and Community Recreational Therapy
3 credit hours
Addresses issues clients may face when leaving institutions and returning to their communities. Examines the role and provision of recreational therapy services in transitional and community-based settings.
LSTS 4540 - Finance and Administration of Leisure, Sport, and Tourism Studies
3 credit hours
Provides an opportunity for understanding the duties and responsibilities of an administrator and for developing the ability to perform these in recreation and leisure settings. For LSTS majors only.
LSTS 4550 - Business Applications in Leisure, Sport, and Tourism
3 credit hours
Explores the application of public relations, customer service, and marketing systems including procedures for developing marketing and budget plans for leisure, sport, and tourism services. Emphasizes public and customer relations, budgeting, and organizing and analyzing the marketing strategies in leisure service, sport, and tourism organizations. LSTS majors only.
LSTS 4570 - Outdoor Recreation Workshop
3 credit hours
An off-campus course that provides materials and experiences unobtainable in the traditional classroom. Exposure to issues, trends, and concerns relevant to outdoor recreation, resource management, and the delivery of programs and services in outdoor environments. Public, private non-profits, and commercial agencies will be experienced through a series of field trips, talks, groups exercises, and other experiential-based activities.
LSTS 4580 - Seminar: Outdoor Recreation and Environmental Issues
3 credit hours
Increases awareness of the importance of environmental considerations when planning, managing, or administering outdoor recreation programs. Includes environmental issues and methods of seeking solutions to environmental problems.
LSTS 4590 - Readings in Leisure, Sport, and Tourism
3 credit hours
In-depth reading; preparation of an annotated bibliography and report. Arrangements for course should be made with the instructor prior to registration.
LSTS 4660 - Research and Evaluation of Leisure, Sport, and Tourism
3 credit hours
Research and evaluation procedures and techniques applicable to assessing leisure, sport, and tourism service programs, participants, administrative structures, and resources. Emphasis on beginning and completing a "real-world" evaluation project.
LSTS 4700 - Challenge Course Facilitation
3 credit hours
A systematic approach to the fundamentals of group management in an experiential ropes course setting. Focuses on both interpersonal and technical facilitation skills. Several on- and off-campus experiential, demonstration, and practical application sessions required.
LSTS 4790 - Sport and Society
3 credit hours
(Same as SOC 4790.) A behavioral approach to the sport and leisure phenomena from the related perspectives of sociology and anthropology.
LSTS 4850 - Cross-Cultural Perspectives in Leisure and Tourism
3 to 6 credit hours
An in-depth study of the leisure experience in other (non-U.S.) cultures through onsite observations; visits to cultural/historic sites; and interactions with managers and staff at selected parks, museums, attractions, and world heritage sites.
LSTS 4890 - Senior Seminar in Leisure, Sport, and Tourism
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: LSTS 3010 and LSTS 3530. Review of philosophy and professional ethics of leisure, sport, and tourism services. Self assessment of student's strengths, limitations, and career aspirations. Preparation of reference files, letters, and resumes. Identification of, application to, and acceptance by department-approved agencies for completion of internship.
LSTS 4900 - Internship in Therapeutic Recreation
12 credit hours
Prerequisites: Departmental approval; minimum 2.25 GPA; LSTS 3010, LSTS 3530, LSTS 3540, LSTS 4540, and LSTS 4890; additional prerequisites: LSTS 4500, LSTS 4510, and LSTS 4480 or LSTS 4520. Provides practical experience. Student assigned to a field experience to spend an entire semester or two summer sessions in on-the-job training with a recreational agency. Students will work or volunteer 40 hours per week with an agency for a minimum of 480 hours of contact time.
LSTS 4901 - Internship in Outdoor Recreation
12 credit hours
Prerequisites: Departmental approval; minimum 2.25 GPA; LSTS 3010, LSTS 3530, LSTS 3540, LSTS 4540, and LSTS 4890. Provides practical experience. Student assigned to a field experience to spend an entire semester or two summer sessions in on-the-job training with a recreational agency. Students will work or volunteer 40- hours per week with an agency for a minimum of 480 hours of contact time.
LSTS 4902 - Internship in Recreation Administration
12 credit hours
Prerequisites: Departmental approval; minimum 2.25 GPA; LSTS 3010, LSTS 3530, LSTS 3540, LSTS 4540, and LSTS 4890. Provides practical experience. Student assigned to a field experience to spend an entire semester or two summer sessions in on-the-job training with a recreational agency. Students will work or volunteer 40 hours per week with an agency for a minimum of 480 hours of contact time.
LSTS 4903 - Internship in Sport Management
12 credit hours
Prerequisites: Departmental approval; senior standing; minimum 2.25 GPA; LSTS 3010, LSTS 3530, LSTS 4540, and LSTS 4890. Provides practical experience. Students assigned to a field experience to spend an entire semester or two summer sessions in on-the-job training with a sport agency. Students will work or volunteer 40 hours per week with an agency for a minimum of 480 hours of contact time.
LSTS 4920 - Independent Study in Leisure, Sport, and Tourism Studies
3 credit hours
(Same as ATHT 4920/EXSC 4920/HLTH 4920/PHED 4920.) Independent study topics based on a study plan prepared in cooperation with a faculty supervisor. Culminates in a formal paper and/or comprehensive examination. Application forms must be completed and approved prior to enrollment. A maximum of three credit hours may be applied toward degree.
LSTS 4965 - Aquatic Exercise and Therapeutic Rehabilitation Techniques
3 credit hours
(Same as ATHT 4965.) Examines the various uses of the aquatic environment to develop, maintain, and improve physical performance with practical development of skills and techniques and aquatic exercise programming. Combines both didactic and laboratory activities in an experiential learning environment.
Mission Statement
The Leisure and Sport Management (LSTS) program at Middle Tennessee State University
is a nationally accredited academic program recognized by the Council on Accreditation:
Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (since 1994). We fully embrace
the 2007-2017 Academic Master Plan of Middle Tennessee State University and work diligently
to meet the goals and objectives described therein. The LSTS faculty is committed
to creating an atmosphere of shared responsibility, respect, and dignity through open
and honest communication, which will facilitate teamwork and enhance service delivery
to our students, the campus and the community. Every opportunity to enhance the diversity
of the faculty, staff, and students will be pursued in order to create a stimulating
environment indicative of the larger global community. Through mutual respect and
realistic expectations, faculty and staff will work together to further the mission
of the University. We continually develop and revise goals in each of the three primary
areas recognized by MTSU: education; research, and service.
Vision Statement
The vision of the Leisure, Sport, and Tourism program is to work collaboratively within
the Department of Health and Human Performance and Middle Tennessee State University
to strengthen our students individually and collectively. We will prepare students
to face the future by being globally oriented and skillfully prepared for the new
challenges our society faces in this millennium.
Value Statement
The Leisure, Sport, and Tourism program is located in the Department of Health and
Human Performance and embraces the following core values:
- Healthy and active lifestyles
- Community service
- Fostering of diverse experiences
- Collaborative atmosphere
- Lifelong learning
Forms & Manuals
Important Information Regarding Degree Mills
Please watch this important video regarding degree and accreditation mills. According to CHEA, "Degree mills and accreditation
mills mislead and harm. In the United States, degrees and certificates from mills
may not be acknowledged by other institutions when students seek to transfer or go
to graduate school. Employers may not acknowledge degrees and certificates from degree
mills when providing tuition assistance for continuing education. “Accreditation”
from an accreditation mill can mislead students and the public about the quality of
an institution. In the presence of degree mills and accreditation mills, students
may spend a good deal of money and receive neither an education nor a useable credential.
Read more on CHEA's website..
COAPRT Annual Data Report
