California State University, Northridge
AC-4: Graduate Program

This program offers an education in understanding and evaluating current practices, including environmental, social and economic considerations, and in choosing and implementing best practices through the application of this knowledge.

The five required courses ground students in the foundations of sustainability, best practices and the regulatory framework in which pro-environmental decisions must be made, as well as the economic and financial considerations of those decisions.

Following completion of the five core courses, four elective courses (to be chosen from a list of courses in specialized tracks), and a culminating experience, students will be able to apply these principles and solutions to their chosen profession in the sciences, including social sciences, business and management, environmental and resource management, environmental and occupational health, design and construction, planning and policy, engineering and others.

Students receiving a Master of Arts in Sustainability will be able to:

-Master the key concepts associated with sustainability theories and the key elements of human-environment systems that motivate them.
-Understand the local, regional and global practices used to address sustainability challenges in the economic, social, cultural, environmental, political and community dimensions.
-Master research methodologies, using evidence-based techniques to acquire, evaluate, analyze and synthesize data.
-Apply problem-solving skills in a community setting.
-Identify, articulate and address ethical and moral values that will guide them in using their skills to pursue the common good and the long-term preservation of all life forms, culture and social systems, while contributing to economic prosperity and social stability.

The master’s degree program is intended for persons interested in developing and/or improving their knowledge of recreation management, hospitality management or tourism management. The program is designed for those seeking advancement in their career settings or a change in career settings. The selection of courses allows students to pursue one of three options: (a) Recreational Sport Management/Recreation Management, (b) Tourism Management or (c) Hospitality Management.

The option in Tourism Management is designed to prepare graduate students for leadership roles in the global tourism industry. The program provides students with a background in tourism planning, sustainability, global tourism issues, and cultural tourism and how these relate to the supporting industries. The program provides leaders with a combination of theory and practical applications for the diverse tourism field.

Students receiving a Master of Science in Tourism, Hospitality, and Recreation Management will be able to:

-Demonstrate critical thinking, including analysis, synthesis and evaluation within the recreation, hospitality and/or tourism industry(ies) through a variety of pedagogies.
-Apply knowledge of the economic, environmental, cultural and social impacts of hospitality, tourism and/or recreation experience to real-world settings or problems.
-Obtain theoretical knowledge and practical skills in preparation for a career in the tourism, hospitality and/or recreation industry(ies) as demonstrated by satisfactory completion of research projects, coursework and internships.