Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management: Parks, Recreation and Tourism Concentration, BS


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 two concentration areas: (1) Parks, Recreation and Tourism Concentration with an emphasis area in Community Recreation and Sport Management; Parks and Conservation Area Management; or Travel and Tourism; or (2) Recreational Therapy (RT). These concentration areas offer the flexibility to accommodate each student’s career objectives in positions in community recreation, campus recreation, sports and 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, 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. The Recreational Therapy program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Recreational Therapy Education (CARTE), and students choosing the Recreational Therapy option will also be qualified to sit for the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) certification.

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.

Parks, Recreation and Tourism Concentration


The Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Concentration prepares students with the theoretical, conceptual, and applied knowledge bases necessary for success in its diverse field. The program focuses on students developing an understanding of the importance of the parks, recreation and tourism field to the community and individual well-being, an appreciation for the cultural, natural, economic, and recreation resources that can be a source of quality of life for residents and visitors alike, and an understanding of the linkages that exist between local communities, their populations, and various public, private, and non-profit organizations and special interest groups that can help plan, develop, and manage these resources. This concentration prepares students for careers in, but not limited to, public and community recreation leadership, campus recreation, sports and athletic management, camp management, fitness/wellness programming, recreation and event facility operation and management, park planning and management, visitor management, interpretation, and resource management in park and protected area settings, convention and visitor bureaus and other destination management organizations, government agencies, private sector enterprises, special events and event management, sport and leisure service administration, and tourism marketing agencies.

Freshman Year


First Semester


  • Cross-Cultural Awareness, Science and Technology in Society, or Other General Education Requirement 3 Credits 1
  • Mathematics Requirement 3 Credits 1
  • Natural Science Requirement 4 Credits 1
  • Social Science Requirement 6 Credits 1
Credit Hours: 16

Second Semester


  • Arts and Humanities (Non-Lit.) Requirement 3 Credits 1
  • English Composition Requirement 3 Credits 1
  • Mathematics or Natural Science Requirement 3 Credits 1
  • Oral Communication Requirement 3 Credits 1
  • Elective 3 Credits
Credit Hours: 15

Sophomore Year


Credit Hours: 2


Junior Year


First Semester


Credit Hours: 15

Second Semester


Credit Hours: 12

Credit Hours: 6


Senior Year


First Semester


Credit Hours: 12

Second Semester


  • Elective 12 Credits
Credit Hours: 12

Total Credits: 120


Footnotes


1 See General Education Requirements  and advisor. Clemson University requires a total of 33 credits of General Education, including two credits of Academic and Professional Development (satisfied by PRTM 2060  and PRTM 2070 ). Students must take at least 31 additional credits of General Education as outlined in the General Education  section.

2 Select MGT 2010 , NPL 3030 , or PRTM 3080  

3 Select one of the following 24-credit Emphasis Areas:

Community Recreation and Sport Management Emphasis Area: PRTM 3090 , PRTM 4030 , and PRTM 4410 ; one additional three-credit PRTM course related to community recreation, tourism, or event, sport or camp management at the 3000 or 4000 level; and 12 additional credits selected from any 3000- or 4000-level courses offered at Clemson University. Course selections must be made in consultation with an advisor.

Parks and Conservation Area Management Emphasis Area: PRTM 2700 , PRTM 3300 , PRTM 4030 , and PRTM 4740 ; and 12 additional credits selected from any 3000- or 4000-level courses offered at Clemson University. Course selections must be made in consultation with an advisor.

Travel and Tourism Emphasis Area: PRTM 3420 , PRTM 3450 , PRTM 4460 , and PRTM 4470 ; and 12 additional credits selected from any 3000- or 4000-level courses offered at Clemson University. Course selections must be made in consultation with an advisor.

4 Select MKT 3010 , NPL 3010 , NPL 3050 , or PRTM 3440  

5 Select FIN 3060 , NPL 3020 , or PRTM 4210  

6 Select LAW 3220 , NPL 3040 , or PRTM 3050