Recreation and Sport Management

The Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Sport Management is designed to prepare students for a variety of careers in the recreation and sport industry or to pursue graduate studies in related areas. Students with an interest in recreation tend to gravitate toward careers in public, private and commercial recreation in a variety of settings (e.g., community, university, state and national parks, and non-profit organizations), while students with an interest in sport tend to pursue careers in professional, collegiate and amateur sport; event management; and sport agencies.

Outdoor recreation is a diverse and rapidly evolving workforce that includes guiding and outfitting, outdoor education, parks and public lands, conservation, tourism, outdoor retail and services, trail development, and recreation management. Employers in these fields increasingly seek professionals who can combine technical outdoor skills with communication, leadership, risk management, problem-solving, teamwork and professional judgment.

The Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s in Sport Management program provides an opportunity for undergraduate students to complete graduate level courses in the final calendar year of their undergraduate degree. The ability to enroll in graduate-level courses accelerates students’ exposure to graduate coursework and the timeline to complete the Master of Science in Sport Management degree upon conferral of their undergraduate degree.

The M.S. in Sport Management (SPMT) prepares students to enter the work force in entry-level administrative positions in college athletics departments. However, many of the skills and experiences from the M.S. in Sport Management program transfer to other areas of recreation and sport management including community recreation, university recreation and professional sports settings, including sport marketing, administration and facility management. A minimum of 30 credit hours is required for the M.S. in SPMT degree.

The Ph.D. program in Health, Sport and Exercise Science, with a concentration in Recreation and Sport Management, prepares students to become teachers, researchers and leaders in recreation, sport management and leisure.