Internship

Hands-on experience in your field

Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management students gain real-world experience through internship. Under the guidance of experienced professionals and mentors in the field, students network and apply course learnings to their career paths.

What is internship?

Successful completion of the capstone internship is required for each student seeking a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management in the options of community, commercial and outdoor recreation management.

The capstone internship is a culminating experience in which students continue to learn, develop and practice their skills, knowledge and abilities related to the program objectives.

For most students, internship is a full-time academic load for one semester (or summer session). Internship is:

• 12 credits
• 12 consecutive weeks
• 35-40 hours per week

Students qualify and apply for internship when they have satisfied the pre-internship requirements:

• Achieved seventh-semester standing having earned at least 89 credits toward graduation
• Completed 300 hours of pre-internship work hours
• Completed the pre-internship course (RPTM 394) and programming in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management (RPTM 456) with a “C” or better
• Have a current Adult CPR and First Aid Certification at the time of the internship

Once approved for internship, students must enroll in RPTM 495A and pay full tuition for 12 credits.

Under special circumstances, a student may apply to satisfy the internship requirement over two semesters or capstone project. If approved, the student may satisfy the 12 credits in two contiguous semesters of six credits each. A third option, if approved, allows students to complete classes and a capstone project under the supervision of a faculty member in lieu of the on-site experience.

The workplace is your classroom

While students learn firsthand in the field, they are also enrolled in a concurrent internship course, RPTM 495A. 

RPTM 495A serves as the academic component of the internship connecting classroom theory to practice. The course includes:

• Assignments including an agency special project, professional development assignment, and mid-semester and final reflections.
• The instructor advising and monitoring learning from a distance through communication and feedback on assignments.  
• The Instructor serving as a coach, guiding students through new professional situations and providing insights and advice through formal and informal communication with students.

Current students

Current students can view internship information at the RPTM iSite.