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, Conservation, and Outdoor Recreation; or Tourism and Event Management; 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 approval of the department chair or the chair’s 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.