Program Description
The Bachelor of Arts in Parks and Recreation degree builds knowledge and leadership skills relevant to careers in parks and recreation management and leisure services. Students learn how to design, plan, implement and evaluate visitor experiences and administer parks and recreation systems.
Delivery Mode
Traditional (on campus)
Accreditation
This program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT).
Curriculum
The following eight-semester schedule of courses provides a recommended framework for completing this program of study in four years.
| Course | Credits |
| Freshman Year | |
| First Semester | 16 |
| ENG 101 English Composition I | 3 |
| REC 165 Introduction to Recreation and Leisure | 3 |
| UNI 100 First-Year Seminar** | 1 |
| Free Elective | 3 |
| General Education Courses | 6 |
| Second Semester | 15 |
| ENG 102 English Composition II OR ENG 211 Business Writing OR ENG 217 Science and Tech Writing | 3 |
| General Education Courses | 6 |
| Related Elective | 3 |
| Related REC Course | 3 |
| Sophomore Year | |
| Third Semester | 15 |
| REC 361 Parks and Recreation for Diverse Populations |
3 |
| General Education Courses | 6 |
| Related Elective | 3 |
| Required Related Course | 3 |
| Fourth Semester | 15 |
| REC 362 Recreation Site Design and Management | 3 |
| General Education Courses | 6 |
| Related Electives | 6 |
| Junior Year | |
| Fifth Semester | 15 |
| REC 365 Recreation Resource Management | 3 |
| REC 374 Commercial Recreation Management | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 |
| Related Elective | 3 |
| Required Related Course | 3 |
| Sixth Semester | 15 |
| REC 378 Recreation Management and Leadership |
3 |
| REC 412 Program Planning and Evaluation |
3 |
| General Education Courses | 6 |
| Related Elective | 3 |
| Senior Year | |
| Seventh Semester | 15 |
| GEO 474 Developing the Master Plan | 3 |
| REC 415 Challenges and Trends in Parks and Recreation | 3 |
| REC 478 Professional Development in Recreation | 3 |
| Related Electives | 6 |
| Eighth Semester | 15 |
| GEO 479 Internship | 12 |
| Related Elective | 3 |
| Total | 120 |
Required Related Courses (6 credits)
- REC 195 Leisure and Wellness Recreation
- REC 220 Youth Competitive Recreation Activities
- REC 225 Recreation and Youth Development
- REC 230 Youth Camp Counseling and Administration
- REC 235 Special Event Management in Recreation Settings
- REC 240 Human Ecology
- REC 246 Scenic Areas of U.S.
- REC 250 Non-Profit and Community Recreation
- REC 255 Water-Based Rec Management
- REC 270 Interpretative Methods in Parks and Recreation
- REC 275 Sustainable Recreation and Green Parks
- REC 280 Adventure and Outdoor Recreation Outfitting
Free Electives (36 credits)
Suggested program-related classes:
- REC 195 Leisure and Wellness Recreation
- REC 220 Youth Competitive Recreation Activities
- REC 225 Recreation and Youth Development
- REC 230 Youth Camp Counseling and Administration
- REC 235 Special Event Management in Recreation Settings
- REC 240 Sustainable Communities and Ecosystems
- REC 246 Scenic Areas of U.S.
- REC 250 Non-Profit and Community Recreation
- REC 285 Water-Based Rec Management
- REC 270 Interpretative Methods in Parks and Recreation
- REC 275 Sustainable Recreation and Green Parks
- REC 280 Adventure and Outdoor Recreation Outfitting
- GEO 150 Survey of Travel and Tourism
- GEO 217 Demographic Analysis
- GEO 420 Disaster Vulnerability Assessment
- GEO 426 Impacts and Sustainability of Tourism
- GIS 311 Geographic Information Systems
- EAS 150 Intro to Geology
- EAS 230 Earth Resources
- EAS 300 Natural Hazards (4 credits)
- ELM 360 Environment Ecology and Nature-study Education
- ENS 399 Conservation Biology
- Other Advisor Approved Courses
Program Notes
- A minimum of 42 credits must be upper-division courses (300-400 level) for graduation.
- Graduation Requirements: minimum GPA of 2.0; minimum of 120 credits; all required major and gen ed courses completed.
Program Webpage
https://www.calu.edu/academics/undergraduate/bachelors/parks-recreation-management/index.aspx