BA in Recreation
Oversee recreational programs at parks, sports facilities, community centers, and other institutions. Recreation managers plan, organize, and direct recreation and leisure programs. They may lead activities such as adventure programs, arts and crafts, sports, and camping. You may obtain your BA in Recreation in the following concentrations:
- Community Recreation
- Outdoor Recreation Resource Management
- Campus Recreation and Student Services
- Tourism Management.
Professional positions held by graduates:
- National, state and municipal parks and recreation coordinators, managers, supervisors, directors
- City managers
- Community services directors
- Park naturalists and park rangers
- Senior center directors in hospitals, clinics and rehabilitation programs
- University recreation center and intramural directors
- Athletic sorts program managers
- Facility managers
- Student services managers
- Outdoor adventure and day camp directors
- Recreation facility or club managers
- Travel and tourism agents or guides
- Sporting goods sales representatives
- Amusement park, hotel or resort managers
- Military recreation and employee services specialists
- Social director and event managers
- Nonprofit and volunteer services managers
- Recreation centers, parks, and summer camps
- National parks
- Amusement parks, theme parks, and cruise ships
- Community centers, playgrounds, libraries and gardens
According to PayScale the average base salary for a certified park and recreation management professional is approximately $57K. Learn more about Rec Management roles and salaries. For Recreation Therapy professionals the national average salary is $68,451, according to ZipRecruiter.
Service orientation
Recreation managers want to share their passion for recreation and leisure activities with other people.
Problem-solving skills
Recreation managers should be able to design activities for people of different ages and abilities. They must be able to adapt activities to the individual needs of participants.
Communication skills
Recreation managers need to give clear instructions when directing activities.
Leadership skills
Recreation managers should be able to lead both small and large groups. They often lead activities for people with different skill levels.
Physical stamina
Recreation managers are often on their feet and should be able to demonstrate activities.
Major Core Courses:
Take all of the following:
- REC 141 - Introduction to Leisure Services (3 units)
- REC 225 - Programming Recreation Activities (3 units)
- REC 341 - Evaluation and Research in Leisure Services (3 units)
- REC 351 - Foundations of Inclusive Recreation and Recreation Therapy (3 units)
- REC 480 - Philosophy of Recreation and Leisure (3 units)
- REC 498 - Internship in Leisure Services (6-12 units)
Take all of the following:
- REC 201 - Teamwork and Group Dynamics (3 units)
- REC 210 - Health and Wellness in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism (3 units)
- REC 321 - Leadership in Recreation and Leisure Studies (3 units)
- REC 326 - Fundamentals of Digital and Online Media Strategies in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism (3 units)
- REC 421 - Supervisory and Administrative Practices (3 units)
- REC 437 - Equity and Access of Recreation and Leisure (3 units)
Take one of the following courses:
- ANTH 120 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3 units)
- CDFS 211 - Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children (3 units)
- HDEV 180 - Lifespan Human Development (3 units)
- PSY 100 - General Psychology (3 units)
- SOC 100 - Principles of Sociology (3 units)
Complete one of the following three concentration areas:
A. Parks and Recreation Management Concentration:
Take all of the following courses
- REC 323 - Park & Recreation Facility Operations (3 units)
- REC 325 - Advanced Program and Event Management (3 units)
- REC 425 - Financing Leisure Services (3 units)
Take any two of the following courses
- REC 322 - Recreational Sports Supervision (3 units)
- REC 416 - Aquatic Facility Management (3 units)
- REC 428 - Principles of Nonprofit/Volunteer Management (3 units)
- REC 433 - Management of Organized Camps (3 units)
- REC 473 - Aging and Leisure (3 units)
B. Tourism Management Concentration:
Take all of the following courses
- REC 168 - Introduction to Travel and Tourism (3 units)
- REC 462 - Travel, Tourism, and Resort Recreation Management (3 units)
- REC 465 - Convention and Conference Planning (3 units)
- REC 468 - Sustainable Tourism Planning and Development (3 units)
Take an additional upper-division recreation course
C. Outdoor Recreation and Adventure Leadership Concentration:
Take all of the following courses
- REC 331 - Dynamics of Outdoor Recreation (3 units)
- REC 430 - Recreation in the Ocean Environment (3 units)
Take any three of the following courses:
- REC 337 - Outdoor Education and Interpretation (3 units)
- REC 431 - Recreation Resource Management (3 units)
- REC 433 - Management of Organized Camps (3 units)
- REC 434 - Adventure Education Programming and Leadership (3 units)
- REC 435 - Human Dimensions and Management in Experiential Education (3 units)
