Program Description
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management prepares students for a variety of careers in the public, private and non-profit sectors. The curriculum provides broad exposure to the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to create, manage, lead and operate in organizations, agencies and businesses that provide leisure and leisure-related experiences, services, environments and therapeutic interventions. Students choose from one of five concentration areas: Community Recreation, Sport, and Camp Management (CRSCM); Parks and Conservation Area Management (PCAM); PGA Golf Management (PGA GM); Recreational Therapy (RT); and Travel and Tourism(T&T). These concentration areas offer the flexibility to accommodate each student’s career objectives in positions in community recreation, community and campus-based sport/athletics management, event and experience planning and management, commercial recreation and tourism, park and conservation area management, interpretation and management of natural, historic, and cultural sites, rehabilitation services, recreational therapy, programs for people with disabilities, senior citizens or other special populations, camp administration, golf industry, travel industry, resort management, convention and visitor bureaus, conference and meeting planning, and community tourism development to name a few.
The Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT). Therefore, our graduates are immediately eligible to apply to become National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) “Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP),” a valuable credential for professional development. Students choosing the Recreational Therapy option will also be qualified to sit for the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) certification; and PGA Golf Management students will be in a position to complete the requirements to become a Class A Professional with the PGA of America.
When space is available, a student may change majors to one of the degree concentrations in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management with a 2.0 cumulative grade-point average and approval of the department chair or his/her designee. Students are encouraged to speak with a PRTM advisor about changing their major prior to the start of their sophomore year to avoid a delay in graduation due to course sequencing and course prerequisite requirements.
Graduate degrees offered are Master of Science (Thesis option or Online/non-thesis option) and Doctor of Philosophy.
Concentration
The PGA Golf Management (PGA GM) Concentration provides a unique educational background for students who desire to become PGA professionals. Students obtain specialized knowledge and skills which prepare them to become leaders in the golf industry. The PGA GM Concentration combines academics, career training, and extensive internship experience to develop well-rounded, service-oriented professionals who can meet and respond to the personal as well as business management requirements of golf programs and facilities. Students must pass the Playing Ability Test to graduate with a concentration in PGA Golf Management.