Program Overview

Your adventure in leadership, sports and outdoor excellence starts here. Unleash your potential with premier opportunities.

At Missouri State University, we’re proud to offer a dynamic sport and recreation administration program that sets you up for success.

• 100-hour practicum + 400-hour internship: Gain real-world experience with our close ties to community agencies like Wonders of Wildlife, Springfield-Greene County Park Board and Ozark National Scenic Riverways.
• 95% graduation rate: Our students thrive, with most securing jobs before graduation thanks to field experiences tailored to their goals.
• 16% job growth (2020–2030): The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a booming demand for recreation workers, far outpacing other fields.

Springfield’s thriving job market offers roles with top employers like CoxHealth Fitness Center and Springfield-Greene County Library District, and internships abound. Our graduates often transition into full-time roles with these agencies, giving you a competitive edge.

Stand out with undergraduate certificates

Boost your resume with specialized skills. 

These certificates, paired with our No. 7 Best Value ranking (CollegeValuesOnline.com), make you a standout candidate in a multibillion-dollar industry.

Why choose Missouri State?

• Affordability: Tuition is below the national average, with $24+ million in annual scholarships and out-of-state waivers, keeping student loan debt among the lowest in Missouri and the nation.
• Hands-on learning: From practicums to educational trips in Yellowstone, New Zealand, and Fiji, you’ll learn by doing. 
• Head start on your career: With a 94% employment rate post-graduation (mirroring MSU’s strong career outcomes), our students are job-ready.
• Excellent faculty: Led by Dr. Hugh M. Gibson, our experienced professors bring diverse industry insights to small, cohort-based classes.
• Unique experiences: Explore the Ozarks’ 320+ acres of outdoor recreation areas and engage with a community passionate about nature and sports.

Meet your program director

Dr. Gibson’s expertise in outdoor leadership and community engagement ensures you’re prepared for a thriving career.

• School of Health Sciences, Missouri State University.
• Professor and program director: Oversees sport and recreation administration (SPR), esports, and recreation and parks administration graduate certificate.
• Internship coordinator: Connects you with top-tier placements in SPR, and sports management programs.

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