Experiences Beyond the Classroom: Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management

Research

As a student in the Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management undergraduate program, you can develop research-based independent studies in collaboration with a faculty member. You may also support on-going research being conducted by faculty and graduate students. There are commonly a number of research projects in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management. They can include research such as discovering how leisure activities improve health among people, understanding tourism and tourism development, improving visitor management in protected areas, and using technology to improve a golfer’s game performance.

• Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management
• Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management Undergraduate Program

You may have the opportunity to work with researchers, getting experience in a research environment. You may work on projects through data collection, coordinating research subjects, travelling to sites, and helping prepare research for publication.

Internships

As a student, you will have the opportunity to work outside of the classroom and gain valuable hands-on experience. Through the internship program in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management, you will get to spend time in professional environments where you can develop your skills in preparation for your career.

Academic and internship advisers in the department can help you selecting and applying to your internship that is best for your career goals. In addition, you can benefit from our large network of alumni and the many professional relationships we have with organizations across the country.

You may choose to do your internship at organizations throughout the United States. Or you may decide to look internationally for internship opportunities.

Study Abroad

You can take courses within the Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management major that focus on sustainability, eco-tourism and the socio-cultural influences in leisure experiences. With these courses, you will take classes on campus and focus on coursework and prepare for your study abroad trip. You then take part in a two-to-three week trip abroad to destinations such as Australia, Fiji, and New Zealand.

The goal of these courses is to expose you to different perspectives and help you understand how tourism can affect human societies and the natural environment.

There are also faculty led trips to St. Andrews golf club in Scotland to learn more about the sport and its history.