Park and Recreation Management
SEE YOURSELF...
- coordinating a community-wide special event such as a Fourth of July celebration
- managing a fundraising event or promotional campaign
- managing a YMCA aquatics program for inner-city children
- becoming an executive director of a major leisure service provider
- advocating for young people in a nonprofit organization
- raising awareness through museum and community center management and programming
- developing recreation programs for the United States Army and Air Force
If you can picture yourself in a rewarding professional career in management, working with people and resources in outdoor and recreational settings, public or nonprofit agencies, or in urban and rural locations, then see yourself in the Park and Recreation Management specialization in Recreation, Park and Tourism Studies at Indiana University.
You Can Get There from Here
In Park and Recreation Management you will be managing resources and developing programs to help people of all ages enjoy healthy, challenging activities at one of the nation's thousands of parks, leisure service organizations, nonprofit organizations, military recreation facilities, or private retreats and campgrounds.
Recreation, Park and Tourism Studies at Indiana University provides opportunities for students to learn in professional settings comparable to those where they will seek employment after graduation.
Specialization in Park and Recreation Management
The Park and Recreation Management specialization focuses on enhancing the quality of people's lives by helping them participate in challenging and satisfying recreational activities in beautiful settings. Students acquire professional management skills that can be applied to a wide variety of facilities and events for diverse populations around the world. As a graduate, you will be at the center of planning, organizing, conducting and evaluating a wide range of events, programs, and services.
The curriculum includes a general education core, specialization courses, electives, 320 hours of field experience, and an internship. Each student meets regularly with a faculty advisor for ongoing academic and career planning. Students earn a Bachelor of Science in Recreation degree, with a specialization in Parks and Recreation Management. After completing the program, students are eligible for certification as a Park and Recreation Professional by the National Recreation and Park Association.
Career or Job?
For the past 60 years IU has been the leader in preparing the nation's top managers, administrators, and professionals in this filed. More than preparing you for a "job," we focus on your career. Our faculty publish the textbooks, serve on national and international committees, and consult around the world. Learn from our faculty and practicing professionals.
Continuing Opportunities
- Master of Science (M.S.) in Recreation with a specialization in Park and Recreation Management
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Leisure Behavior
Follow in These Footsteps
The Park and Recreation Management specialization prepares students to step into entry-level and middle management positions in a wide variety of government and nonprofit organizations throughout the United States and around the world.
Career opportunities exist in a richly varied array of settings, including:
- Event organization and management
- Community relations in public agencies
- State, county and municipal recreation and park agencies
- Museums and cultural centers
- Nonprofit organizations such as the YMCA/YWCA or Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America
- Military recreation services
- Youth-based organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Typical job titles are facility manager, recreation program coordinator or administrator, park ranger, recreation leader, aquatics manager, cultural program supervisor, marketing and community relations manager, special services coordinator, development officer, activities director, and program area manager for sports, recreation and community events.
Because people are spending more time and money on recreation and leisure services, the job outlook for Park and Recreation Management graduates is excellent. In 2000, Newsweek predicted that 50 percent of American jobs will be in leisure and tourism by 2050. The Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Studies prepares and makes available to all students a monthly nationwide listing of recreation-related jobs totaling more than 1,500 annually.
Real-World Experience
Through class practica, projects, internship opportunities, and field experiences, the Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies helps you apply what you learn when - and where - you learn it. Indiana University and local communities offer the following opportunities and living laboratories that will give you firsthand experience:
- Bradford Woods Outdoor Center: The 2,500-acre leadership and development center offers adventure recreational and leadership programs, challenge-based therapeutic programs, environmental education programs.
- Bloomington Parks and Recreation: This municipal setting offers a comprehensive array of recreation programs for all age groups in the community.
- Hilton Garden and Nature Center: This children's garden provides academic courses, youth and family gardening programs, and leadership experiences for students.
- Little 500 Bicycle Race: The nation's largest campus event presents numerous opportunities to learn event management firsthand.
Additional nearby opportunities range from the Children's Museum of Indianapolis and Brown County State Park to Wonderlab Museum and Yellowwood State Forest.
Degree Requirements
Bachelor of Science in Recreation
Major in Park and Recreation Management
124 credit hours with a minimum 2.0 GPA required for graduation
Admissions
A student seeking admission to the Park and Recreation Management major within the Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies must declare this major while in the University Division. When the student has passed 26 credits and has a cumulative GPA of 2.0, this student will be automatically certified into this School of HPER major program. A student, who is already in an upper division school must visit the School of HPER Records Office in HPER 115 to request to change from the current major to the Park and Recreation Management major program.
Join Our Learning Team
Be a part of the exciting learning and living opportunities available through Recreation, Park and Tourism Studies at Indiana University.
Contact Us Today
To learn more about the faculty, programs, facilities, and admission and academic requirements for the Park and Recreation management specialization, please contact:
Coordinator: Dr. Sarah Young
E-Mail:
recpark@indiana.edu
Phone: 812-855-4711
