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Honors Study in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management
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- Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management
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- Honors Study in Recreation, Park and Tourism Management
With a rigorous academic approach, the Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management Honors program delves deeply into examining the impact of recreation and tourism on ecological, economic, and cultural systems — and how they shape human development, health, and wellness on a global scale.
By leveraging flexible in-depth coursework, experiential learning, international experiences, and involvement with professional organizations, the RPTM Honors program will prepare you for pursuing an advanced degree or entering an astounding variety of careers that will make substantive contributions to the field of study and society as a whole.
Benefits
As a student in the Schreyer Honors College, you will be empowered to make the most of your college years. There are distinct opportunities afforded to Schreyer Scholars, including academic enrichment — such as exclusive honors courses, study abroad programs, research placements, and production of an honors thesis — as well as dedicated housing, and the distinction of graduating with honors from Penn State.
Earning a degree in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management from the Schreyer Honors College will allow you to realize the fullest potential of your academic skills, creativity, determination, and innovation, opening doors to limitless graduate school and career opportunities.
RPTM Honors Thesis Guide
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Yes. Most of us are scared to do something new and a thesis is a big (but rewarding) challenge. We’ll help you identify your interests early on in the program and help you identify a thesis supervisor. You will take small classes in research methods and developmental theory to help you build a strong foundation of knowledge before you start your thesis. And the rewards of completing a thesis are big. The skills and knowledge that you develop during the thesis process — critical thinking skills, analytic skills, strong writing skills, experience working with a thesis supervisor, and experience breaking a large task into manageable pieces — will help you in whatever career you choose.
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No. The Honors College will give you a terrific head start on a career in any number of fields. The main benefits of the Honors College are help thinking about your career path and how to achieve your goals, access to many opportunities to gain in-depth knowledge, advanced skills, and practical experience, closer contact with the faculty through small classes, a thesis, and individualized advising. You can design a plan for how you want to achieve your goals whatever they are and participating in the Honors College will provide you with extra tools and opportunities to get there.
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Yes. We strongly encourage honors students to get real-world experience through volunteering in the community, acting as teaching assistants, working in research labs, and doing internships. Most honors students have more than one real-world experience during their time in the Honors College.
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Yes. The Schreyer Honors College strongly encourages study abroad, and so do we. We have set up the honors curriculum so that you can study abroad and still be well-prepared for your thesis.
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Yes. The Honors College requirements replace some of the typical requirements for your major. In fact, because of the flexibility the Honors College provides and the fact that many honors students have AP credits and occasionally take more than 15 credits per semester, some honors students actually graduate a semester early.
Contact
To learn more about the Schreyer Honors College or completing honors studies in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management, contact:
Atherton Hall
(814) 863-2635
Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management
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Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management
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Postcards from the Field
- Kassidy Keller, Black Moshannon State Park
- Reagan Hubbard, Woodmont Country Club
- Colby Parkinson, Wrangell-St. Elias Natl. Park & Pres.
- Julia Skrabacz (’25), Discover Downstate Illinois Tourism Bureau
- Matt Truesdale (’10), PA Fish & Boat Commission
- Will Nyer, Whitewater Challengers
- Rebecca Hula (’25), Martinsburg-Berkeley Co. Parks & Rec.
- Kelly Richter (’19), Dewey Beer Company
- Donovan Fairhurst, The Weeknd’s “After Hours Til Dawn” Tour
- Taschet Murphy (’16), Montgomery Co. Recreation Youth Dev.
- Olivia Dorko, Denali National Park and Preserve
- Billy Sellers (’20), South Middleton Twp. Aquatics
- Caitlyn Doyle, PGA (’14), NorCal PGA of America
- Morgan Crump, Ph.D. (’23), Yellowstone National Park
- Sean Durant (’23), JMI Sports
- Emma Duffy, Peace Retreat – Costa Rica
- Ryan Sun, Wentworth Club – U.K.
- Emma Vanden Heuvel, YMCA of the Rockies
- Hussam Baloush (’24), Sela - Saudi Arabia
- Kelli McFadden, ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks
- Chloe Kramer, Morey’s Piers
- Josh Tremblay, PGA (’02), Lehigh Country Club
- Jenny Harchak (’14), Penn State Alumni Association
- Elena Piel, Greater Philadelphia YMCA
- Mathias Weinzen (’19), Black Moshannon State Park
- Brianna Bryant, Titus Sports Academy
- Lynde Metzler (’19), Penn State Outdoor Adventures
- Zach Fernandez (’19), Pittsburgh Steelers
- Amy Welshimer, Seabird Institute
- Jeremy Wdowiak (’17), Yellowstone Club
- Drs. Frank Guadagnolo & Deb Kerstetter (’80 & ’90), Professors Emerita
- RPTM Team Roster: Dan Merrell, PGA (’13)
- Eva Blankenhorn (’21), NPS at Eisenhower Nat'l Historic Site
- RPTM Team Roster: Jen Emigh (’01)
- Ryan Franks, Stone Valley Recreation Area
- Mo Gannon (’22), Atlanta Falcons
- RPTM Team Roster: Skylar Peters
- Jonathan Gold, PGA (’08), PGA of America
- Melanie Tracey (’22), Nixon Park Nature Center
- Cameron Lee, The Club at Creighton Farms
- RPTM Team Roster: Laurie McLaughlan
- Mike Ross (’10), Meet. Play. Chill.
- RPTM Team Roster: Dr. Carter Hunt
- Lauren Mann, Pierce Co. Parks & Rec
- Brandon George, Gorilla Guardians Village
- RPTM Team Roster: Dr. Jen Agans
- Rachel Inglesino (’19), Jonas Entertainment Group
- Katie Kubis (’21), NYC Dept. of Parks & Recreation
- Rachel Guiher (’04), James E. Van Zandt VA
- Nick Otto, Vagabond Cruise
- Dan Newhart (’04), Fiesta Bowl
- Stephen Slough, Marriott Vacation Club
- Aleah Gramling, Army's Morale Welfare and Recreation
- Courtney Meehan (’07), Lansdale Parks & Recreation
- Zach Winslow, Chesapeake Recreation & Parks
- Alex Toth, The Wembley Club
- Rob Tarves (’09), Our Town Brewery
- Grace Rygelski, Sankaty Head Golf Club
- RPTM Faculty & Staff, IRONMAN 70.3 Triathlon
- Nick Dawkins, YMCA of Centre County
- Alyssa Houtz ('13), Walt Disney World
- Jake Toliver ('12) & Sean Noonan, The Los Angeles Country Club
- John Piacentino, Babe Ruth League, Inc.
- Elizabeth Ochoa, Echo Hill Outdoor School
- Ryan Warren, National Park Service
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Major in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management
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