Practicums and Field Experiences

Guest Activities Practicum

Carnival Cruise Line

Within this experience, students apply operational and programmatic aspects of activity and leadership while delving into the management strategies of guest services. Students spend a week during the semester on a cruise, learning firsthand from industry professionals.

The practicum is designed to increase students' understanding and appreciation of the guest experience, the issues related to delivering recreation services in commercial recreation settings, principles of tourism, management strategies, and the factors affecting guest services.

This experience focuses on problem solving while encouraging a high level of interaction among participating students, faculty and industry partners. Students have the opportunity to actively engage with customers while assisting professional staff in running programs, events and working with guests.

The course includes an embedded travel component in which students and faculty visit guest experiences-focused commercial recreation, such as a resort or cruise ship, and then work with industry partners on a designated project with student recommendations that might be implemented on site. The course includes course fees for travel.

Upon completion of the course and practicum, student groups create and pitch program ideas to Carnival Cruise Line executives.

Typically offered during the fall semester, the Guest Activities Practicum course number is RPTM 345 and is three credits.

Outdoor Recreation Consortium

Smoky Mountains

The Outdoor Recreation Consortium provides students with hands-on exposure to outdoor recreation resources management in a National Park setting. It is designed to increase students' understanding and appreciation of outdoor recreation resources, the agencies managing those resources, the management strategies used, and the factors affecting management.

During the consortium, guest speakers from the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, and other public and private organizations provide information regarding current practices and opportunities.

Students also observe state-of-the-art environmental and visitor management practices under the guidance of the National Park Service and faculty from several leading universities. 

Course Objectives include:​

• Foster active, hands-on learning experiences by involving students directly in the day-to-day management and planning aspects of resource administration.
• Encourage collaborative problem-solving projects which address real-life issues in or around Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
• Provide an environment in which a diverse array of experiences, speakers, and situations will be encountered reflecting the complex and interrelated issues involved in outdoor recreation management and tourism development.
• Identify and learn about the relationship between tourism, park visitation, and natural resource management.
• Examine employment opportunities in related fields.

Typically offered during the spring semester, the Outdoor Recreation Consortium course number is RPTM 335 and is three credits.