Master of Science Degree in Sustainable Tourism

To honor the request of one of my all time favorite teachers when I was a doctoral student at Michigan State, I am pleased to share this announcement for those looking to study tourism and sustainability. 

Interdisciplinary Master of Science Degree in Sustainable Tourism, East Carolina University

As many of you know the new interdisciplinary Masters of Science in Sustainable Tourism at East Carolina University is in full operation with courses first offered in 2009 and our first graduates matriculating this spring. Conferred through ECU’s Graduate School and managed by the Center for Sustainable Tourism, this degree is designed for individuals interested in the tourism profession with a focus on sustainability; it prepares students for managerial or regulatory positions in the profession and for relevant PhD programs.

Core courses and electives are drawn from the Colleges of Business, Health and Human Performance, Arts and Science, Human Ecology, and Fine Arts and Communication. The degree program is thesis focused with students involved in primary research projects within the Center for Sustainable Tourism or aligned with Affiliated Faculty through grants and funded projects. Applicants are not restricted to any specific discipline.

This unique MS degree is part of the Academic Common Market (ACM) a program of the Southern Regional Education Board which allows qualified students from the 16 partner states to pay in-state tuition and fees. Participating states include: AL, AR, DE, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MI, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV, and students apply through their own state ACM Coordinator (www.sreb.org).

For application, three letters of reference are required as well as original transcripts, a statement of purpose, application fee and acceptable GRE or GMAT scores, (TOEFL score is also required for international applicants). All candidates offered admission will be considered for financial support and graduate assistantships as they are available.

The first full review of applicants for fall 2011 will occur beginning March 1, 2011, with admissions remaining open into early summer as long as space is available. We anticipate admitting 12-15 new students to the program for the fall.

For additional information, please see the information at the following web sites:
MS in Sustainable Tourism http://www.mastersofsustainabletourism.org/
Graduate School, East Carolina University www.ecu.edu/gradschool
Center for Sustainable Tourism http://www.sustainabletourism.org/

Should you have any specific questions regarding the program or the application, please contact:
Joseph D. Fridgen, PhD
Director of the Graduate Program
Center for Sustainable Tourism
RW 214 Rivers Building
Professor, Recreation & Leisure Studies
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27858-4353
Phone: (252) 328-5435
Fax: (252) 328-4963
fridgenj@ecu.edu