About the Department

Mission

To improve understanding of the leisure experience as well as human well-being across the lifespan through interdisciplinary and internationally relevant research, teaching, and service related to recreation, park and tourism phenomena and resources.

Vision

To attain international preeminence among departments of recreation, park and tourism management providing research, teaching and service activities that:

Overview

Our programs prepare students for supervisory and administrative positions with park systems, environmental centers, commercial recreation and tourism agencies, golf courses, hospitals and assisted living facilities, private voluntary agencies, schools and colleges and other commercial, nonprofit and public organizations that provide recreation and leisure services. Students interested in developing an understanding of and conducting research that addresses the social, psychological and economic aspects of human behavior in recreation and leisure should also consider pursuing undergraduate and/or graduate degrees offered by the Department.

Internships and service learning opportunities like this one in Harrisburg, PA allow students to hone their skills in real-world settings.

The program combines a broad educational foundation with specific courses designed to accommodate each students’ career interests in recreation, park and tourism management. By requiring undergraduates to obtain 300 hours of “real-world” experience and to work full-time for 12 weeks with professionals in the setting of the students’ choice, the program helps students gain the theoretical, managerial, technical and experiential skills they need to become the next generation of leaders in the field. (In place of completing 300 hours of field work and 12 weeks of full-time experience, students pursing the Professional Golf Management option complete 16 months of co-op education under the direction of a Class A member of the Professional Golfers' Association of America. Students complete a minimum of five separate co-op experiences to satisfy the 16-month requirement.)

Strong relationships with faculty (many who have extensive experience with and conduct research with the industry), alumni (including many who have become the leaders in their chosen profession) and other industry leaders only serve to bolster this incredible learning experience.

Our programs have existed for six decades and are considered to be among the most outstanding recreation, park and tourism management programs in the nation. It should come as no surprise that our students are some of the most highly sought-after graduates in the field, and that the employment rate for our graduates is extremely high.