Recreation and Sport Management

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Purpose and Focus

The mission of the Department of Recreation and Sport Management is to understand and promote leisure experiences that contribute to the enjoyment and personal growth of individuals, as well as the ecological, social and economic sustainability of communities. The Bachelor of Science with a major in Recreation prepares students for employment in the recreation, leisure, sport, and golf industries. The degree emphasizes the theoretical understanding of leisure behavior, practical implementation of small group dynamics and leadership, management skills, program planning and assessment, budget and finance foundations, legal liability, and facility planning and operations. Students participate in community and organization field experiences that compliment and extend their learning experiences. Students select one of 5 concentrations in order to acquire specialized knowledge, skills, experience, and marketability in their area of interest.
The Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Recreation is a professional degree for students seeking careers in public parks and recreation, state and federal park and recreation agencies, nonprofit youth-based organizations, programs and agencies focusing on seniors, commercial recreation enterprises, golf courses and the golf based industry, professional, intercollegiate, and amateur sport organizations, military recreation, resort recreation, spa management, and the broader leisure services industry.
 

Accreditation

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

Undergraduate Major

Recreation

Areas of Concentration
Recreation Evaluation and Management
Recreation and Youth Development
Leisure and Aging
Sport Management
Professional Golf Management

Minors
Recreation
Sport Management
 

Areas of Concentration

Recreation Evaluation and Management
Students focus on advanced evaluation and management skills for recreation organizations concentrating on positions in public, nonprofit, and commercial sectors. The concentration consists of 18 credits beyond the major core. Students take 6 required credits and select 12 credits from an approved course list.
Recreation and Youth Development
Students in the recreation and youth development concentration are prepared to enter nonprofit and public youth service and recreation positions that help young people capitalize on life’s opportunities and successfully meet its challenges through a coordinated and progressive series of activities and experiences. The concentration consists of 18 credits beyond the major core. Students take 6 required credits and select 12 credits from an approved course list.
Leisure and Aging
The leisure and aging services concentration prepares students for careers in public, commercial and nonprofit agencies focused on enhancing the health and quality of life for senior adults. The concentration consists of 18 credits beyond the major core. Students take 3 required credits and select 15 credits from an approved course list allowing a student to simultaneously complete the UNLV Gerontology Certificate.
Sport Management
The sport management concentration prepares students for employment in the sport industry, including professional sport organizations, intercollegiate athletics, and national/international governing bodies. It consists of 18 credits beyond the major core in recreation. Students take 12 required credits and select 6 credits from one of 3 tracks: marketing-management, event management, or economics.
 

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 314 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

Admission to the university plus 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 successful completion of 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 2.00 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. PGM concentration students are advised by PGM faculty. Faculty advisors will assist students in pursuing elective tracks that enhance the student’s individual career preparation. Faculty advisors will also advise students on internship opportunities for the recreation major.

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