The Profession

Recreation Management encompasses a broad array of services, from public park and recreation agencies, to private commercialized for-profit recreation businesses. Leisure services are provided at all levels of government. At the local level, agencies that need recreation managers are youth bureaus, parks & recreation departments, YM/WCA's, and more. At the state level, management is provided at state parks, state heritage agencies, planning offices, tourism development offices, and more. At the federal level, the National Park Service, and other management agencies provide recreation services. The private sector needing recreation managers include clubs, resorts, ski areas, and other recreation enterprises. Recreation management is grounded in management, administration, and leadership theory, in recreation behavior, community development, and more. 
 

 
The Nationally Accredited Curriculum

The Recreation Management degree is nationally accredited by the National Recreation and Park Association Council on Accreditation. The courses, which integrate theory and practice, build on a solid liberal arts foundation.

Recreation Core Courses

• Foundations of Recreation
• Programming in Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Services
• Leadership in Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Services
• Outdoor Education Practicum
• Diversity and Inclusive Recreation Services
• Management of Recreation Resources
• Evaluation and Research
• The Law of Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Services
• Administration of Recreation
• Senior Seminar
• Internship
  

Management Courses

• Commercial Recreation Management
• Human Resource Management in Rec
• Special Events Planning I and II or
  • Site and Facilities Planning
• Principles of Microeconomics
• Priniciples of Management or Public Administration
• Principles of Marketing
• Principles of Accounting
• Finance
• Internship

 
Internship

A key component of the curriculum in the recreation degree is the internship. This semester-long, capstone experience provides students the opportunity to integrate theory with practice under the supervision of a faculty supervisor and an agency supervisor in the field. Students complete their internship experiences in a wide variety of agencies: public recreation agencies, community recreation (public or private), industrial or corporate recreation, resorts, ski areas, and more.
 

 
National Certification

Upon graduation, students are qualified to sit for the national certification exam for the Certified Park & Recreation Professional, administered by the NRPA National Certification Board.
 

 
Careers in Recreation Management

Managing a variety of agencies: city and county parks and recreation, campus recreation, coprorate recreation, resort properties, commercial recreation, youth serving agencies, special events, and more.

Positions are director, supervisor, manager, or other middle and executive management positions.

If you would like a career with an unmatched variety of exciting and meaningful opportunities, including the chance to improve the quality of life for individuals and society, and if you would like to study with the best, then we invite you to apply to SUNY Cortland.