Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Department of Geography, Planning, and Recreation

Parks and Recreation Management, Bachelor of Science


Academic Information

Available Emphasis Areas:

The Outdoor Education and Leadership Emphasis is only offered at Flagstaff campus.

Through this degree, recreation resource professionals are prepared for diverse careers in the field of parks and recreation. The PRM Program focuses on small class size, high student-teacher interaction, on-site field experiences, and experiential learning opportunities. The faculty are are dedicated to expanding the scholarly knowledge base of people and organizations to enhance the quality of leisure experiences and places.

The PRM core curriculum is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT)

This program is recognized by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).

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Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Department of Geography, Planning, and Recreation

Parks and Recreation Management, Bachelor of Science


Careers

What Can I Do with a Bachelor of Science in Parks and Recreation Management?

If you have a keen interest in the outdoors and desire to help ensure the availability of future park, recreation, and leisure service opportunities, a degree in Parks and Recreation Management (PRM) will help you pursue this career. Graduates find jobs with municipal parks and recreation departments, private resorts, federal land-management agencies, correctional institutions, nonprofit organizations, and a variety of other outlets in the industry.

Northern Arizona University's location is perfect for studying parks and recreation with six National Forests and a dozen units of the National Park Service system within a half-day's drive of campus, including the nearby Grand Canyon. Degree coursework will help prepare you for a career that encourages healthy lifestyles and enjoyment of the outdoors.

Career opportunities that might be pursued:
  • Forest/Park service
  • Recreation planning
  • Urban planning
  • Leisure travel industry
  • Land management
  • Nonprofit organizations

With further education, one of these paths is possible:
  • Municipal parks and recreation director
  • National park service administrator
  • Urban planning commissioner
  • University professor

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Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Department of Geography, Planning, and Recreation

Parks and Recreation Management, Bachelor of Science


University Requirements

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Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Department of Geography, Planning, and Recreation

Parks and Recreation Management, Bachelor of Science


Overview

In addition to University Requirements:

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 120
Major GPA C
Highest Mathematics Required STA 270
Fieldwork Experience/Internship Required
University Honors Program Optional
Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan Optional
AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-A Recommended
Progression Plan Link View Progression Plan
Emphasis, Minor, or Coursework Required

An emphasis, minor, or coursework is required for this major.

Purpose Statement

The Parks and Recreation Management (PRM) program fulfills the discipline of preparing students for careers in parks, recreation, tourism, and related fields. The program provides an equitable, inclusive, and justice-oriented approach to education that develops students' critical thinking skills and competencies needed for these careers.

The curriculum incorporates experiential learning opportunities, scaffolds pedagogies and skills, and encourages curiosity through relationships with self, community, and world. Students develop competencies in areas like program delivery, outdoor recreation, event management, community engagement, environmental education, and more based on their chosen focus emphasis area.

Outdoor Education and Leadership

The Outdoor Education & Leadership (OEL) provides specialized skills and certification for students interested in careers in outdoor and environmental education, adventure leadership, guide services, and related fields. Students develop competencies in backcountry medicine, outdoor leadership, experiential education curriculum design and delivery, Leave No Trace ethics and training, and organizational management. In the OEL focus area students obtain a Wilderness First Responder Medical Certification, Leave No Trace Level-2 Instructor Certification, as well as the ability to effectively lead groups in the outdoors, develop and deliver environmental education programming, and analyze outdoor-focused organizations. Graduates are prepared for opportunities such as outdoor educators, wilderness guides, adventure program leaders, park naturalists, environmental interpreters, and related roles supporting healthy, ethical engagement with the natural world.

Community and Commercial and Tourism

Community, Commercial & Tourism (CCT) provides students with skills and knowledge related to planning and managing programs, events, facilities, and services for community recreation, commercial recreation businesses, sustainable tourism, and hospitality. Students develop competencies in areas like event planning, sponsorship, marketing, budgeting, financial analysis, cross-cultural program design, sustainable tourism development, hospitality services, recreation facilities operation, and environmental and cultural interpretation. They gain abilities to organize events, track finances, design inclusive programs, apply tourism and hospitality best practices, and promote environmental awareness. Graduates are prepared for careers such as special event coordinators, recreation supervisors, tourism development specialists, program managers, commercial recreation entrepreneurs, and related roles serving communities and businesses through accessible programming and sustainable tourism.

Further, students may use an Individualized Study or relevant minors, such as the Natural Resource Law Enforcement minor, to meet compliment their career interests, while completing the academic requirements of their bachelor’s degree in PRM.

The PRM program prepares students for opportunities serving communities in positions like recreation programmers, park rangers, tourism coordinators, outdoor educators, event planners, community engagement specialists, environmental advocates, and more. Graduates are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to promote justice, foster healthy communities, and contribute to a sustainable future in their careers.

Student Learning Outcomes

The core curriculum of the PRM bachelor’s degree aligns with the Council on Accreditation for Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT).
Community, Commercial & Tourism Emphasis
Outdoor Education & Leadership Emphasis

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Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Department of Geography, Planning, and Recreation

Parks and Recreation Management, Bachelor of Science


Details

Major Requirements
Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Program
General Electives
Additional Information
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Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Department of Geography, Planning, and Recreation

Parks and Recreation Management, Bachelor of Science


Campus Availability

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