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Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management, General

Program Description

Just the Facts

Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management, General. A program that prepares individuals to develop and manage park facilities and other indoor and outdoor recreation and leisure facilities. Includes instruction in supervising support personnel, health and safety standards, public relations, and basic business and marketing principles.

This program is available in these options:

  • Certificate / Diploma
  • Associate degree
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Graduate Certificate
  • Master's degree
  • Doctoral degree

High School Courses

See the high school courses recommended for programs in this career cluster:

See the high school courses recommended for programs in this pathway:



Additional Information

There are many career tracks open to grads of recreation management programs. These include promoting tourism, handling marketing for commercial theme parks and organizing recreational activities.

Recreation management is offered at both the associate's and bachelor's degree level. You can also go on to further study at the master's and even the PhD level.

If your goal is to get out there and get working, the two-year associate's degree includes a lot of hands-on learning. Many combine academics with outdoor trips and experiences.

Two-year programs qualify you for entry-level positions, while a four-year degree prepares you for higher positions. Most two-year programs can be used as credit towards a four-year college or university degree if you decide to pursue that option later on.

Within most four-year programs, there is the opportunity to specialize. The most common areas of specialization are commercial and community recreation management (including business and tourism), park management and environmental specialization, and therapeutic recreation.

Students may also combine a recreation management degree with other specializations in art, natural sciences or other fields.

Most programs include co-op opportunities and internships. This provides on-the-job training along with the chance to explore areas of interest and possible future jobs.

A diploma or degree in recreation management can lead to many different careers, so students need to have a wide range of knowledge and experience.

"Each student [should] have well-developed entrepreneurial, analytical and critical thinking skills that can be applied to varying problems that arise in the profession," says Glyn Bissix, a recreation management professor. Students should also have a strong understanding of the role of leisure in society.

In high school, take classes in geography, sociology, psychology, biology, management and physical education.

You should also focus on developing competency in writing, basic mathematics and subjects that develop problem-solving skills. Any opportunity to work with and learn about people will be invaluable.

A common thread in all recreation management specializations and programs are leadership skills. "The most useful preparation is when a student gets involved in student affairs in some organizational capacity," says Bissix.

Try volunteering at your local YWCA or YMCA, summer camps and community events and organizations.


Links

Occupational Outlook Handbook
For more information related to this field of study, see: Recreation Workers

National Recreation and Park Association
Stay connected to the park and recreation community

Project Fit America
Dedicated to getting kids fit