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What is Parks and Recreation Management (PRM)?

A degree in parks and recreation management prepares students for a career in administering the various tasks associated with recreation facilities and parks. Students will take courses covering a variety of topics to ensure that such managers are well rounded prior to stepping into managerial positions.

This includes budgeting, business operations, advertising and community development and awareness, human resource management and the development and implementation of recreational activities, including those of a therapeutic nature.

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$59,410

PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE

37.61%

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

35419

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Parks and Recreation Management Degree

University of Florida offers a degree in Recreation and Parks. The curriculum in this program will prepare students to develop, manage and deliver leisure services to a variety of populations in diverse settings. Students here will be trained to become decision makers in private and public organizations while providing a foundation for students as they pursue graduate studies. The program’s goal is to ensure that as soon as their students graduate, they should have obtained competencies and skills enough to take the Certified park and Recreation Professional examination and become a certified park and recreation professional. 

Acceptance Rate

36.58

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

NYU or New York University will begin to offer the MS in Travel and Tourism Management in Fall 2021. This program is expected to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the global tourism industry. Since they are located in the world’s premier destination for international travel and business, they will make full use of their location by integrating academic theory with real-world application so that students will excel in this multibillion-dollar industry. Graduates of this program will be well prepared for travel and tourism roles in the public, private as well as in the voluntary sector. 

Acceptance Rate

16.2

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Florida State University offers an undergraduate degree in Recreation, Tourism and Events. This offers courses that lead to the Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation, Tourism and Events. This degree is expected to prepare students for professional positions in settings like special events management, corporate and employee recreation, youth serving and military agencies, travel and tourism, resort and commercial recreation, and public parks and recreation. Additionally, all undergraduates at Florida State University should demonstrate basic computer skills competency prior to graduation. 

Acceptance Rate

35.97

Student to Faculty Ratio

21:1

The College of natural Resources at North Carolina State University at Raleigh offers a major in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management. It provides real-world experience through hands-on classes and internships. Their students benefit from partnerships with local and state agencies and a network of parks in the greater Raleigh area. Students receive the opportunity to gain professional and leadership experience by assisting the office with projects in the areas of agri-tourism and micro-entrepreneurship. 

Acceptance Rate

45.13

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

Clemson University is currently offering a BS Degree Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management. This major will teach how to manage recreational experiences in a way that is sustainable, preserving the natural and cultural resources that every living thing is dependent on. They claim to conduct class differently and let their students spend an entire semester in a field with a group of fellow majors and passionate professors. Students will take trips, meet area professionals, organize events, write papers and learn how to communicate professionally and collaborate effectively on real-world business plans. 

Acceptance Rate

51.26

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

Students seeking to step into a vocation in Parks and Recreation Management can parlay a number of degrees available to qualified students at the University of Washington – Seattle Campus. Within the UW School of Environmental Sciences and Forest Management, students can pursue a graduate-level degree in a number of areas of study.  Academic pathways include degree and certificate options such as forest management, environmental horticulture, and environmental studies.  Both graduate and undergraduate degree programs can help students unlock access to a career in Parks and Recreation Management in and around the Puget Sound.  

Acceptance Rate

51.76

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

College of the Ozarks offers a major in Recreation and Sports Management. In this BS degree program, students will acquire knowledge and understanding of content within a chosen physical education departmental major or in the academic Allied Health Science Interdisciplinary major. Students can expect to develop skills and a work ethic for application in the workplace through professional expertise. This major will teach them how to understand and appreciate the role of physical fitness and national preparedness in defense of the country.

Acceptance Rate

10.26

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

Sport & Recreation Management degree program is currently available at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. The quality of this program is verified when it receives accreditation from ACBSP. This can be taken as on-campus major, on-campus minor, online major, online minor, or online certificate. They maintain small class sizes to allow professors to successfully share their SRM knowledge and experience. 

Acceptance Rate

56.74

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Texas A&M University offers a BS degree in Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences. This degree plan incorporates social and life sciences to help students learn how to manage and market organizations in the vast park, recreation and tourism industry. They also have Graduate Programs for RPTS. And this graduate program has produced leaders in academia, private industry and public services. 

Acceptance Rate

57.79

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

SUNY College at Cortland is currently offering a major in Recreation Management. This is best suited for those who dream to work at management-level positions in the diverse field of parks and recreation. This major is designed to combine advanced-level study in recreation administration and management with supporting management science courses in the Economics Department. Majors will learn how to be resourceful, provide service learning and develop independent thinking both in and out of the classroom. 

Acceptance Rate

46.04

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

You can begin your career in this competitive, exciting industry of Sport & Recreation Management at Temple University. They aim to provide real-world experience blended with sport-industry business skills to ensure that their alumni will gain a competitive advantage. Temple University is the leading provider of sport management talent in Philadelphia, and until today, they still give their best by evolving their programs to provide innovative coursework which effectively prepares the students in leading the industry. They also offer Minor & Certificate Programs designed to expand their major degree and expose them to the fast-paced world of sport, recreation and event management. 

Acceptance Rate

60.04

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

The degree in Recreation Sport Leadership and Tourism Management is currently available at the University of North Carolina – Wilmington. Those who completed this program manifested preparedness for management positions in a diversity of recreation, sport and tourism settings and for graduate study. The curriculum they provide is based on classroom experience and with significant experiential education. Graduates can find career opportunities in settings such as theme parks, private recreation clubs, municipal parks and recreation departments, meeting and event planning, and hotels. 

Acceptance Rate

65.45

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

University of St Francis offers a BA program in Recreation & Sport Management. This program is the only nationally accredited of its kind in the Chicago suburbs. This program is able to produce students who are marketable across a range of job settings. Additionally, they also have Minor Programs and Certificate Programs. 

Acceptance Rate

45.62

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

The online degree in Public Administration at Indiana Wesleyan University is one of several degree-granting pathways for students to consider.  Graduates of this MPA program can continue their academics or jump into jobs such as Parks and Recreation Management, Non-Profit Leadership, or Criminal Justice.  With the array of options at hand for IWU students, it is heartening to see the excitement of students as they traverse their required classes.  Learn more about IWU degree programs by requesting information from their admissions team.   

Acceptance Rate

67

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

SUNY College at Brockport offers a Major in Recreation & Leisure Studies. This major will allow the students to work hard and play hard at the same time. Students that chose this major enjoy the benefits of strong bodies and sound minds. This program aims to provide the knowledge and skills to develop professionals who can organize an activity while keeping parks clean and healthy. 

Acceptance Rate

54.74

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

Michigan State University offers a BS degree in Sustainable Parks, Recreation and Tourism. This major combined the understanding of natural resource recreation and tourism with sustainability. Additionally, it is also designed to effectively link theory with practice and community engagement. This major includes learning concepts of leisure, recreation, tourism and sustainability and also the operation of recreation delivery systems, management, planning, evaluation and policy administration. 

Acceptance Rate

71.12

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

Florida International University offers a BS degree Recreation Management and Sport Management.  The curriculum in this program offers professional preparation programs that are tailored to prepare students for employment in recreation, park, sport or recreational therapy delivery systems. They have two tracks, first is the Parks Management which is oriented towards direct services, supervisory and management employment opportunities. Second is the Recreation and Sport Management which is designed for students who may elect to gain competencies in the subplan area of recreation and sport management. Additionally, they also offer MS in Recreation & Sport Management, this will give advanced preparation for management and supervisory level positions. 

Acceptance Rate

57.51

Student to Faculty Ratio

26:1

The environmental science degree at Carroll University is an exciting, multidisciplinary program offered at the undergraduate level.  Students who are accepted to this program will learn key quantitative and qualitative methods in addition to lab time and hands-on learning opportunities.  The program helps students develop skills to solve complex environmental systems, GIS, and watershed management to support recreation management pathways.  

Acceptance Rate

67.36

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

The environmental and ecological science department at Elon University continue to earn high marks in our study this year.  The courses curated by the Elon faculty are intended to help students be properly equipped to manage, monitor, and remediate various environmental degradation.  In addition to the robust undergraduate degree pathways, students can also elect to move on to a graduate-level degree at Elon.  Pathways in this field include wildlife ecology, environmental science, conservation biology, ecosystem, recreation management and ecology.  

Acceptance Rate

78.44

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

BS degree in Recreation Management is currently offered at Saint Joseph’s College – Suffolk Campus. This program is designed to provide students with a strong working knowledge of sports & recreation from an operational perspective. Throughout the program, students are required to participate in internships and gain exciting networking opportunities. Graduates of this program developed knowledge and skills essential for work in sports and recreation industries. 

Acceptance Rate

72.99

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Trinity Christian College has majors and minors in Recreation, Physical Education, and Kinesiology.   The combination of Trinity Christian College’s strong academic quality of biology, chemistry and exercise science departments with the faculty’s commitment to port-graduate placements is an effective way to prepare students for a career in physical therapy. The course of study involves chemistry, psychology, biology and math courses which are all prerequisites for most graduate programs. They claim that they offer more than just a degree based on scientific study and research, their students will be privileged to learn from professors who see leisure, sports and fitness through a biblical lens. 

Acceptance Rate

69.06

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

The Park and Conservation Program at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania offers 1 undergraduate degree in Park and Resource Management and 2 graduate degrees in Park and Resource Management and Environmental Education.BS in Park and Resource Management is for those who consider working as a park ranger or park manager in national or state park. The MED in Environmental Education is designed to facilitate upward mobility in the field of environmental education and communication. Lastly, the MS in Park and Resource Management is oriented to meet the needs of park and resource or environmental education professionals who serve as environmental educators. It is a 30-hour program and is offered online only. 

Acceptance Rate

70.65

Student to Faculty Ratio

21:1

Appalachian State University offers a BS degree in Recreation and Park Management. This program provides instruction and training in the management of national, state and municipal parks, campus recreation administration, sports and facility management and military recreation. Faculty advisor will guide students in personalizing their educational program to ensure that it will meet their career goals. The program aims to professionally and academically prepare students through a required internship and other provided opportunities for practical experience. Completion of this program will qualify the graduates to pursue graduate school in related fields like management, public health or public administration.  

Acceptance Rate

76.81

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

The Master of Science in Recreation Management at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, is a multidisciplinary program of advanced study tailored to prepare graduates for careers in the public, private non-profit, and commercial sectors of the recreation profession. This program has three curricular options, the thesis, graduate project or internship. It serves both students seeking for a master program as their gateway into the recreation field and students with extensive recreation backgrounds. UWL takes much pride because their Recreation Management program is the only nationally-accredited of its kind in Wisconsin and is one of the largest undergraduate programs in the US. 

Acceptance Rate

73

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

Western California University offers a program for Parks and Recreation Management. This program is designed to prepare students for professions in the leisure service, tourism industries, and in land agencies. Students who complete the program will earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Parks and Recreation Management. They also offer a PRM minor. There are no formal requirements for admission to this program, yet students must earn a 2.5 GPA in order to graduate with the PRM degree. 

Acceptance Rate

68.71

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Top Degrees in Parks and Recreation Management

Are you thinking about earning a degree in parks and recreation management (PRM)?  If so, take the time to understand your degree options and reach out to schools.  By collecting valuable information from accredited colleges and universities, you will be equipped to make sound decisions about your future.

Below you can find a summary of each degree type and a quick means to connect with top colleges in parks and recreation management.  The degree programs range from undergraduate to graduate programs with variations and specialties associated with each.

Bachelor Degree in Parks and Recreation Management

Classroom-based degrees and online bachelor degrees in parks and recreation management are plentiful.  Online classes offer unique features such as schedule flexibility, access, cost savings, and quality curriculum from accredited schools.  Bachelor degrees in parks and recreation can be conferred as either a Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) as a function of the program’s emphasis.

Bachelor degrees are 4-year degree granting programs.  As the most popular college degree, bachelor degrees provide the breadth and depth to prepare students for a viable career in industry.  A bachelor degree also provides the foundational knowledge to enter a graduate school program in a variety of fields.

Bachelor’s degrees are a mix of liber arts education such as communications, history, art, creative writing, philosophy, and psychology with core curriculum.  Core classes will be a function of the area of specialty chosen by students.  Tracks will vary by school but will typically include the following areas of emphasis:

  • General Parks and Recreation
  • Community Recreation
  • Sport Management
  • Camp Management
  • Parks Area Management
  • Conservation Area Management
  • Professional Golf Management
  • Travel & Tourism
  • Recreational Therapy

Students will often elect to add a minor or dual major to this degree.  A popular double major is a professional golf degree coupled with a business management degree.  Popular minors can include business, sociology, nonprofit leadership, athletic leadership, and communications.

Master Degree in Parks and Recreation Management

Online master’s degrees in parks and recreation are 2-3 year programs for most students with the program lasting longer for part-time students.  Master’s degrees are conferred as Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MS) dependent upon the curricular focus of the program.

Graduate students will need to elect an area of emphasis and degree type.  The area of emphasis will vary from school to school but may include parks and conservation, recreation therapy, travel and tourism, and community recreation.  Degree type will be the thesis option or non-thesis option.

The non-thesis option essentially requires students to take additional classes compared to the thesis track.  Courses in the core program will generally include a series of classes in PRM research, behavioral aspects of PRM, and philosophical underpinnings of PRM.

Doctorate Degree in Parks and Recreation Management

Doctoral degrees in parks and recreation management are conferred as a PhD and found in the course catalog as a Doctor of Philosophy.  PhD programs in PRM will take 3-5 years to complete including the creation and defense of a dissertation project.

Doctorate programs in PRM are frequently designed by the student and graduate advisory committee.  Classes taken at the PhD level will be a function of school resources combined with the student’s goals, aspirations, and areas of interest.  Doctor of Philosophy programs in PRM are research-latent degrees that help prepare students for careers in education, research, and industry jobs.

Educational Requirements in PRM

Students studying in such a program will learn in a classroom setting as well as in practical settings through agreements between the school and local parks and/or facilities. Such programs are usually offered at the bachelor degree level; although graduate programs are also available, typically offering more in depth studies pertaining to higher levels of management and a more focused education regarding programs and resources.

A curriculum in parks and recreation management may include a variety of targeted courses. An overview of classes your may find in a course catalogue include the following:

  • Foundations in Recreation
  • Program Planning
  • Risk Management
  • Budgeting
  • Commercial Recreation Management

Employment Opportunities in PRM

Individuals pursuing a career in parks and recreation management will seek employment at locations that provide recreational services, such as cruise ships, art parks, city parks, nursing homes, schools and more. Individuals in the field will be responsible for seeking funding and managing budgets in order to ensure that programs are properly implemented and maintain quality in reaching their desired goals.

Individuals may seek certification through a variety of certifying bodies in order to demonstrate additional qualifications which are desirable for potential and current employers. Certifications typically require an individual to have worked in the field of recreation for an extended period of time prior to the examination.

Due to the variety of option available to an individual in terms of employment, salaries will vary greatly among potential employers. Private businesses tend to pay more the government funded positions, though managerial positions in large parks or facilities may prove competitive in regards to wages. Certified individuals may also expect to make more, as will individuals with higher education and experience.

Student Resources in Park Management

Individuals interested in parks and recreation management may also be interested in social work, forestry, environmental biology, environmental health, recycling, and sustainability.  Additionally, the NRPA may be an association worth researching further.  The National Recreation and Parks Association provides unique member benefits and resources for PRM graduates from coast to coast.

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