Ohio University

Recreation Management

The Recreation Management major is a nationally accredited major and will prepare Bobcats for programming, management, as well as coordinator positions within the field of parks and recreation. Bobcats within the major will be working with and learning from experienced faculty, who have worked in various recreation agencies and remain active in a variety of recreation organizations. 

Through hands-on experiences, Bobcats within the major will learn about working in public and non-profit agencies such as municipal parks and recreation, state and federal recreation agencies, youth agencies, commercial recreation agencies and many more! Bobcats will learn about the variety of professions and job opportunities within the field of recreation and will work with these agencies through course projects as well as through their required internship.

Course topics within the Recreation Management major include:

  • Programming
  • Management and leadership
  • Facility operations
  • Research
  • Risk management
  • Inclusive recreation
  • Festival and event planning

Bobcats within the major are also set up to earn a certificate in Festivals, Events, and Entertainment Management to compliment their degree. Graduates from the Recreation Management major are prepared to lead and excel in their profession!

Example Job Titles:

  • Director of Parks and Recreation
  • Program Coordinator
  • Camp Director
  • Youth Sport Coordinator
  • Recreation Facility Director
  • Resort Manager
  • Travel Consultant/Coordinator
  • Festival Director
  • Event Planner/Coordinator

Why OHIO's Recreation Management Program? 

  • The Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies Program is nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Parks, Recreation, and Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT). 
  • The Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies program combines both traditional classroom experience with hands-on learning that aims to enhance students’ employability and connect students with recreation agencies within the industry. 
  • Employers of OHIO alumni include the National Parks Service, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, U.S Forest Service, Outward Bound, NOLS, Alaska Geographic, YMCA, Camp Joy, Garden of the Gods (Colorado), Scouting USA, Naturalists At Large, Adventure Treks, Columbus Metro Parks, and many more! (Business Wire report)
  • The Recreation Industry continues to grow rapidly and encompasses a wide variety of sectors, services, and experiences such as fitness, community recreation, sports, tourism, festivals, and more! 
  •  OHIO’s location in Athens, Ohio, offers students a scenic and college town experience that provides year-round recreational opportunities that includes hiking, cycling, backpacking, bouldering (indoor and outdoor), mountain-biking, standup paddle boarding, canoeing, camping, wildlife viewing, swimming, and much more.
  •  Located in a region rich with outdoor and adventure recreation opportunities, the Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies program is in close proximity to nationally renowned areas for mountain-biking (Bailey’s Trail System; 8 miles), hiking (Hocking Hills State Park; 37 miles) as well as climbing and whitewater paddling (New River Gorge National Park; 149 miles).
  •  The Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies program requires a 400 internship experience. Internship sites have included camps, national parks, state parks, forest service areas, YMCAs, parks and recreation departments, Outward Bound, wilderness therapy organizations, outdoor education centers, commercial outfitters, guide services, and ecotourism resorts. 

Program Requirements

View the Course Catalog entry for detailed requirements and curriculum.

The coursework in this major is offered within many other academic departments, such as Business, Psychology, Economics, Philosophy, Communication, and Journalism. As such, the major is very academically rigorous and allows you to customize your experience.

 

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For more information, contact:

Dr. Andrew Szolosi
Program Coordinator, Recreation Management
Patton College of Education
McCracken Hall 202L
Athens, OH 45701
740.597.1757
szolosi@ohio.edu