Recreation and Sport Management

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Purpose and Focus

The Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation prepares students to work in the expanding leisure service industry. Graduates of this program acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to manage public, commercial, and not-for-profit sport and leisure services and facilities, including municipal recreation; state and federal parks; commercial recreation facilities, such as fitness centers and resorts; military recreation operations; YMCAs/YWCAs; and sport organizations.

Accreditation

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Professional Golfers’ Association of America

Undergraduate Major

Recreation

Area of Concentration

Professional Golf Management

The Professional Golf Management (PGM) concentration is accredited by the Professional Golfers’ Association of America and provides students with the academic knowledge and experience necessary for a career in the golf industry. The PGM concentration consists of 34 credits beyond the major core in recreation. Sixteen months of internship at approved golf facilities is also required. Completing the Recreation major and PGM concentration qualifies students with U.S. citizenship membership into the PGA upon eligible employment in the golf industry. For a yearly fee, extensive golf-course playing and practice privileges are provided to enrolled students in good standing with the PGM program.

Admission Requirements to the Concentration of Professional Golf Management

GPA 2.5. Attain a golf handicap of 12 or less verified by the United States Golf Association, Professional Golfers’ Association of America, PGA golf professional, high school golf coach, or successfully pass the PGA playing-ability test.

Certification and Licensure Programs

After accruing two years of post-degree field experience in a leisure service setting, graduates with a major in recreation are eligible to sit for the National Certified Park and Recreation Professional Examination.

Progression

Students are expected to make continued progress toward completing the degree and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or above and a C (2.00) or better in all required courses completed in the recreation and sport management curriculum.

Work Experience Requirement

Students are required to accrue 300 hours of field experience in a leisure service agency prior to the senior internship. The field experience hours must be approved by the Department Internship Coordinator and documented in the student’s academic record. The 300-hour requirement differs from the senior internship in that the internship is a full-time, 14-week placement in a leisure service setting that is supervised by faculty. Students receive 12 academic credits for the internship.

Advisement

Upon acceptance as a major, students will receive advising from the college’s Office for Student Advising. Faculty advisors will assist students in pursuing elective tracks that enhance the student’s individual career preparation. Special areas of interest may include sport management, fitness management, youth development, outdoor recreation management, commercial recreation, spa management and resort leisure service management. Faculty advisors will also advise students on internship opportunities.

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