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Parks, Recreation and Tourism

College of Health


15

Average
Class Size

144

Declared
Majors

Courses

Getting Started

  • Complete MATH 1030 - Intro. To Quant. Reasoning or MATH 1050 - College Algebra
  • Complete WRTG 2010 - Intermediate Writing
  • Enroll in other Gen Ed courses that align with your interests
  • Complete IS 2010 - Computer Essentials

Making Progress

  • Consider taking NOLS courses for credit
  • Choose elective courses in your emphasis area
  • Earn academic credit by participating in a learning abroad semester or program
  • Take a summer field studies or Hinckley Institute internship course
  • Complete the PRT Integrated Core block courses

Finishing Up

  • Complete your emphasis area courses & any minor or certificate courses
  • Complete PRT 4828 - Senior Internship
  • Complete PRT 5865 - Practicum

Community

Getting Started

Making Progress

  • Enroll in the PRT Integrated Core block courses & complete a community project
  • Pursue volunteer opportunities in your emphasis area (natural resource management, sport management, etc.)
  • Work on a research project in the ORET Lab

Finishing Up

  • Pursue a leadership position in RAPS or another student organization
  • Volunteer for a Community Recreation Center, Conservation Organization, or Youth Sports Program

Knowledge & Skills

Getting Started

  • Meet with your academic advisor to discuss emphasis areas, declare your major, & set a plan
  • Complete prerequisite Gen Ed courses so you can begin PRT coursework
  • Research elective courses that interest you

Making Progress

  • Choose & complete elective courses in your emphasis area such as Geology of Utah, Sports Psychology, Global Climate Change, and/or Field Study in International Sustainable Tourism
  • Complete your PIR hours
  • Explore minors in Communication, Business, or Environment & Sustainability Studies
  • Consider an Entrepreneurial Certificate or the American Hotel and Lodging Association's Hospitality Operations Certificate

Finishing Up

  • Complete a practicum
  • Put your knowledge & skills to work by completing your senior internship
  • Complete a research project with a faculty member

Transformation

Getting Started

Making Progress

  • Choose your emphasis area in PRT & pursue work & volunteer options that complement your area
  • Identify a faculty mentor
  • Work on your Honors Thesis
  • Participate in RAPS student group social & professional development events
  • Complete a NOLS expedition in the United States or Internationally for credit

Finishing Up

  • Complete your Honors Thesis
  • Start your own small business in the PRT field
  • Attend graduation & graduation celebrations

Impact

Getting Started

  • Meet with your academic advisor, set a course plan, & career goals
  • Apply to volunteer & work opportunities in your field

Making Progress

  • Begin to refine your career plan
  • Look into a study abroad experience with PRT or another department
  • Participate in an alternative break focusing on social justice & community development
  • Look into leadership roles at the company or non-profit you work for

Finishing Up

  • Complete a project for your company or organization as part of your senior internship
  • Research & apply to graduate schools

Careers

Getting Started

Making Progress

  • Engage with different areas of interest by conducting informational interviews,shadowing, volunteering, or working
  • Use career events (Career Fairs/Meet & Eats) and resources (Handshake/AlumniFire) to get connected
  • Identify a PIR opportunity to gain experiences
  • Get your resume/LinkedIn reviewed and build references and contacts for the jobsearch; attend the Career Conference to get all of these at once

Finishing Up

  • Secure an internship in an area of interest
  • Prepare for the full-time job search through by practicing interview and salary negotiation skills

Start Your Career Journey


Find support at the Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC)

Visit cpdc

 

About the Major

Utah is the West at its best: four distinct seasons, ready access to all outdoor activities, five national parks, and countless national, regional, state, and local recreation areas. The Parks, Recreation, and Tourism (PRT) program at the U provides you with the opportunity to take advantage of Utah's natural landscapes and recreational resources while learning how to provide healthy, fulfilling, and sustainable outdoor, recreation, sport, and tourism opportunities to people of all backgrounds.

In this major, you will explore how to manage and maintain these resources and environments to ensure that the public can safely enjoy the myriad of benefits that recreation, tourism, and nature have to offer. You can focus your education on one of three emphasis areas: Commercial, Community, and Sport Management; Outdoor Recreation Studies; and Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality Management. Regardless of emphasis area, you will study leisure theory or research and take courses in applied topics such as leisure services management, natural resources, recreation planning and management, experiential education, and sport management.

This program also offers opportunities for community engagement, studying abroad, and other hands-on outdoor experiences through National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) courses and U-Explore Outdoor Activity courses. With a degree in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, you will be prepared to pursue a professional graduate program or a career in a wide array of fields concerned with social, environmental, and economic aspects of society.

Learning Outcomes

  • Understand the historical and current trends in the field including philosophical issues, the role of various governmental services, and economic factors.
  • Identify, create, and lead recreational opportunities for individuals with an array of skill and interest levels within a diverse set of program types.
  • Use quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate parks, recreation, and tourism services for the purposes of improving managerial decision making.
  • Recognize the significance of providing services for all individuals and learn to adapt and create services for non-dominant populations.
  • Learn the skills you need to succeed in professional parks, recreation, and tourism organizations including marketing and promotion, budgeting and pricing, and potential risk and liability matters.
  • Gain practical experience by completing 400 or more hours of service in a professional parks, recreation, and tourism organization.

Plan & Prepare

At the U, we plan for our students to have an exceptional Educational Experience identified by four broad categories we call the Learning Framework: Community, Knowledge & Skills, Transformation, and Impact. This major map will help you envision, explore, design, and plan your personalized Exceptional Education Experience with the Learning Framework at the core. In addition to assisting you in planning your coursework and navigating the requirements of your major, this map will help you incorporate other kinds of experiences to expand your knowledge, support your development, and prepare you for the future you want.

Discover More.


H EDU

Health and Kinesiology

ENGL.T

Secondary Education Licensure Program

GERM

German
Last Updated: 4/12/22