ABOUT US
Recreation, Sport and Tourism Management is a multidisciplinary department offering students a broad based educational experience through the major in Recreation Administration. The program is accredited by the National Recreation and Park Association and the American Association for Leisure and Recreation. The major is comprised of a common core of courses in recreation administration and offers tracks in public recreation, sport operations management and athletic administration, resort and tourism management, and therapeutic recreation. Students in the program must complete all core course requirements and one of the specialization tracks. Core curriculum focuses on understanding the following concepts and relationships: significance of recreation and leisure throughout one’s life span; interrelationship between leisure behavior and the natural environment; issues and trends in the profession; diverse delivery systems; inclusion and meeting the recreation needs of special populations; health and wellness; program and event planning; community and economic development; facility design; administration; management and leadership; marketing and public relations; finance and budgeting; risk management and legal foundations; and evaluation and assessment.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The major is a combination of courses in recreation, business, education, psychology, health and wellness science, public administration and human relations. The body of knowledge and content in all courses provide students with the ability to develop the necessary skills to provide high quality recreation and leisure services to various publics and populations. Graduates from the program are eligible to take the National Recreation and Park Association Certification exam. The Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) credential is nationally recognized as the premier designation for professionals in recreation and leisure service. Graduates from the program with a Therapeutic Recreation specialization also are prepared to sit for the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification exam. The Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential is nationally recognized as the primary qualification for recreation therapists.

For the non-major who has an interest in recreation and leisure service, the department offers minors and certificate programs in Youth Development and Recreation/Sport Administration.

INTERNSHIPS
The recreation administration program emphasizes the application of theory to the practice of recreation leadership in various settings. A unique feature of the program is the internship requirement during the senior year whereby the student applies classroom knowledge in a 12 to 15-week full-time professional work experience.

FACULTY
Full and part-time faculty members possess excellent academic credentials and practitioner experience to provide students with knowledge and expertise they will need to be a successful recreation and leisure service professional.

CAREER OUTLOOK
The Recreation, Sport and Tourism Management department prepares students for a broad range of professional career opportunities in recreation and leisure service administration to include: