Parks, Recreation and Tourism
144
Declared
Majors
15
Average
Class Size
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
- Enroll in 'Work, Wellness, & the Great Outdoors' - a two semester learning community
- Join our PRT student organization RAPS
- Volunteer with the Bennion Center
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
- Meet with a Career &Professional Development Coach
- Identify volunteer opportunities in an area of interest - Forest Service, Boys & Girls Club, Bike Utah, etc.
- Interview a professional in the PRT field
Making Progress
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
- Take Focus2 or the StrengthsFinder assessments through the CPDC to know yourself better
- Use ONet and Who Hires U of U Grads to research career options
- Meet with a Career Coach for guidance
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)
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.
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.