› Recreation, Park, and
Tourism Management UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM
Prepare for a career providing and managing recreation, park and tourism resources, facilities, and programs
› Recreation, Park, and
Tourism Management
Transforming Health and Well-Being
› BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE
Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management is designed to help you gain knowledge and skills in the transformation of human and environmental health and well-being through engaging people in recreation, park, tourism, and leisure experiences. The number and diversity of places where you can study and work is broad. These settings can include resorts, arenas, national parks, YMCAs, golf courses, event planning agencies, and tourism companies, to name a few. If you are interested in managing natural resources, facilities, and programs for the benefit of individuals and their communities, a degree in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management is the right choice for you. As a student in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management, you will learn, for example, how economic, cultural, and other factors affect individuals’ behavior during their free time as well as the impact recreation, park, and tourism development has on the health and well-being of individuals and their communities. You will also develop leadership, planning, and evaluation skills both in and out of the classroom. Some examples include leading outdoor education programs at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, planning a special event for an agency in the community, or evaluating the success of a golf clinic at the Penn State Golf courses. With a focus on management, students in the program learn to administer natural resources, facilities, and individuals’ experiences.
› Program overview Help transform human health and well-being through recreation, park, tourism, and leisure opportunities. Community and Commercial Recreation Option In the Community and Commercial Recreation option, you will focus on management of recreation and tourism facilities and programs. The courses in the option are designed to help you develop a well-rounded view of the business of recreation and tourism, with courses in tourism, marketing, event planning, and management. Work in resorts, theme parks, or convention centers, or improve the quality of life for others through recreation program delivery in government and non-profit agencies or the tourism industry.
Outdoor Recreation Option As a student in the Outdoor Recreation option, you will focus on the outdoors as a setting for recreation programs, environmental education and interpretation services, as well as outdoor facilities management. Through courses and experiences outside of the classroom, you will study how people, communities, and environments can benefit from interaction with the natural world. You can also take advantage of Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, Penn State’s affiliate nature center and its 7,000-acre outdoor laboratory.
PGA Professional Golf Management Option If you are interested in pursuing a career in the golf industry, you may be interested in the PGA Professional Golf Management option. This option not only helps students prepare for careers in the golf industry, but it also meets the standards and accreditation by the Professional Golf Association of America (PGA). This helps students to fast track to full PGA membership. Courses in the option focus on business as well as hospitality management and turf grass management. The experiences beyond the classroom can include working at or visiting golf courses around the world. There you can learn first-hand how to deliver golf instruction and gain experience in retail and facility management.
› Careers Overview In the program, you will gain a deep understanding of the role recreation programs, tourism, development, and natural resources has on individual and community health and well-being. Travel and Tourism
Event and Facility Management
Graduates of the program find themselves working in a number of positions in destination marketing organizations, resorts, theme parks, as well as government and non-profit agencies, providing people amazing travel experiences and tourism opportunities.
If you like managing facilities and planning events a degree in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management may be appropriate for you. Successful graduates find careers with special event companies, non-profit organizations, and schools, colleges, and universities.
Outdoor Recreation and Environmental Education
Golf Industry
If you are interested in working in an outdoor setting you should consider a career in Recreation, Park and Tourism Management. Successful graduates pursue careers with national and state parks, historical sites, campgrounds, park and land management agencies, adventure and team building organizations, and environmental centers.
If golf is your passion, make it your career. With a degree in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management, you can find a career with golf courses, golf tours, golf equipment companies, country clubs, and golf resorts.
Create and manage experiences and opportunities for individuals and communities that will enhance their overall health and well-being
› Recreation, Park, and
Tourism Management Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management The Pennsylvania State University 801 Ford Building University Park, PA 16802 814-865-1851 hhd.psu.edu/rptm
Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to minorities, women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and other protected groups. Nondiscrimination: http://guru.psu.edu/policies/AD85.html (UNDG16072) U.Ed. HHD 16-072