About Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management

Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management strives to positively affect the social, economic, and environmental health and well-being of people and places by engaging communities and individuals of all backgrounds through research-driven administration, leadership, and management of recreation, parks, tourism, and sport. 

Since 1946, the Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management (RPTM) has been making an impact through teaching, research, service, and outreach. The multi- and interdisciplinary nature of our faculty allows us to better understand the natural, psychological, sociological, philosophical, economic, and cultural systems influencing human behavior and provision and management of services to support leisure pursuits broadly. The work of our faculty touch the RPTM field across a multitude of contexts including recreational programming, park management, sport, events, environmental education, outdoor adventure, tourism management, youth development, and beyond. Within these settings and contexts, we share a systems approach that positions our work to tackle some of the most complex environmental and social challenges facing us today. We influence policy and practice that are central to the health and well-being of both individuals and communities.

RPTM provides four unique undergraduate degree options: Outdoor Recreation Management, Community Recreation Management, Commercial Recreation and Tourism Management, and Professional Golf Management. Students can bolster their degree with minors like Sustainability Leadership and certificates like Meeting and Event Management and Professional Snowsports Education.

RPTM also offers two of the department's four undergraduate options online through Penn State World Campus as well as at sister programs at Penn State Abington and Penn State Greater Allegheny. RPTM has a strong graduate program, offering a variety of unique collaborative research, theory, and practice opportunities related to leisure and recreation experienced at the individual, societal, and cross-cultural levels.

Additionally, RPTM is home to the AURORA Program, Penn State's award-winning Outdoor Orientation Program that utilizes the backdrop of nature to cultivate experiences that support the transition of students to the university.