Recreation Management program

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Do you enjoy being active, working with people and helping them develop and grow?

Join a profession where your work is to bring quality leisure into people's lives.

The Recreation Management program at UWL is the only nationally-accredited recreation management program in Wisconsin and one of the largest undergraduate programs in the U.S. Our students gain practice in the field and network with professionals through internships and community engagement in their coursework.

Recreation Management jobs

The recreation management program offers four different emphasis areas (generalist; tourism and event management; community-based recreation, and outdoor recreation), which allows students to study and prepare for careers most closely related to their interests.

Students are trained for middle management careers in a range of agencies, such as national, state, and local parks and recreation departments, destination marketing organizations, tourism attractions and facilities, event venues, and various non-profit enterprises.

Career options

  • Recreation center supervisor
  • Parks & Recreation coordinator
  • Park ranger
  • Amusement park manager
  • Cruise ship director
  • Camp director
  • Outdoor program coordinator
  • Event coordinator
  • Event planner
  • Outdoor adventure program guide
  • Director of fan experiences
  • Sport director
  • Wellness director
  • Tourism marketing director
  • Convention sales manager
  • Director of hospitality
  • Environmental educator

Graduate education

The rigorous undergraduate curriculum also provides a solid foundation for those choosing to pursue a graduate degree in recreation management. A dual degree option is available for students wishing to complete a bachelor's and master's in reduced time.

What distinguishes UWL's program?

Hands-on experience

Students gain hands-on experience through a 12- week internship designed to serve as a student’s transition from the university curriculum to the profession. Also, students complete an additional 100 hours of hands-on professional experience prior to their internship.

Nationally-accredited

UWL's Department of Recreation Management and Therapeutic Recreation has been nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism, and Related Professions (COAPRT) since 1988.

Excellent curriculum

Curriculum exceeds national accreditation standards and is a key factor in the department’s national reputation.

Connection to faculty

Faculty play an important role in the educational and professional development of each student. Students are assigned a faculty adviser who is available for advisement on registration, internships, and professional development throughout their academic career.

Reputable faculty

All of the faculty members are involved in leadership positions with national and state recreation professional associations. They also perform research and write extensively on important topics in the recreational field, and several are nationally and internationally renown scholars.

Tourism Research Institute

Tourism Research Institute provides opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to engage in tourism-related research activities. 

Post-graduation success

The placement rate for recreation management majors is consistently above 90 percent in locations around the U.S.

Areas of study

Recreation Management

mUndergrad minor GGraduate program View a sample plan for Recreation Management

Community-Based Recreation Emphasis

MUndergrad major View a sample plan for Community-Based Recreation Emphasis

Generalist Emphasis

MUndergrad major View a sample plan for Generalist Emphasis

Outdoor Recreation Emphasis

MUndergrad major View a sample plan for Outdoor Recreation Emphasis

Professional Development

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Tourism and Event Management Emphasis

MUndergrad major mUndergrad minor View a sample plan for Tourism and Event Management Emphasis

Bachelor of Science in Recreation Management (four emphasis options) & Master of Science in Recreation Management Dual Degree Program

MUndergrad major GGraduate program View a sample plan for Bachelor of Science in Recreation Management (four emphasis options) & Master of Science in Recreation Management Dual Degree Program

Sample courses