About
The recreation management industry is expanding and expected to grow faster than average over the next eight years. At Appalachian State University, you’ll prepare for careers in recreation management in one of the United States’ most beautiful places for year-round recreation.
The Recreation Management (BS) - Recreation and Park Management degree provides instruction and training in the management of national, state and municipal parks, campus recreation administration, military recreation, and sports and facility management. With the help of a faculty advisor, students personalize their educational program to meet their career goals. A required internship, as well as the program’s other opportunities for practical experience, round out students’ professional and academic preparation.
After Graduation
Employment: Students find jobs in a variety of fields such as aquatic facility management, camp management, campus and intramural recreation, community recreation, destination management, environmental interpretation, military recreation, sport management, youth development and numerous municipal, state and national parks ranger and manager positions.
Former students have found internships and employment at Charleston County Parks and Recreation, Carl Sandburg Home, National Park Service, Cary YMCA, Yellowstone National Park, U.S. Coast Guard Morale Welfare, Winston Salem Dash baseball club, and others.
Graduate School: Students may pursue graduate school in related fields such as management, public health or public administration.
People
Related Programs
Minors
A minor is required.
Engagement Outside the Classroom
The Recreation Management Association (RMA) - a club providing extra recreational, social, and professional development opportunities to supplement Appalachian’s Recreation Management (RM) program. Membership is open to all Recreation Management majors/minors as well other interested students.
Global Learning
Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.
Admission Requirements
There are no admission requirements beyond admission to Appalachian State University.
Why Appalachian?
- Nearly 100% of Appalachian Recreation Management students pass the Certified Park and Recreation Professional Exam.
- Appalachian’s location in Boone provides a scenic, small town backdrop with year-round recreation opportunities, including climbing, skiing, snowboarding, hiking, white water boating, fishing and camping.
- The region includes some of the best outdoor and adventure recreation opportunities, such as Mount Mitchell (the highest peak east of the Rockies), the Blue Ridge Parkway, the New River (part of the Wild & Scenic Rivers System and an American Heritage River), Grandfather Mountain, several N.C. state parks, four ski resorts, the Pisgah National Forest, and numerous recreation oriented resorts and private developments.
- The Department of Recreation Management and Physical Education emphasizes a combination of classroom and hands-on experience with one-on-one advising.
- An internship is required. Host sites have included: resorts, camps, outdoor education centers, adventure programs, therapeutic wilderness programs, parks and recreation departments, state parks, national parks, YMCAs, theme parks, outfitter/guide services, convention and visitors bureaus, professional sports teams and military bases.
Location
Boone and Hickory*
*The Hickory Campus location is pending accreditation from SACSCOC for this program. Accreditation is expected in summer 2023.
Careers
- Aquatic facility management
- Camp management
- Campus and intramural recreation
- Community recreation
- Destination management
- Environmental interpretation
- Military recreation
- Sport management
- Youth development
- Municipal, state and national parks management
View more career possibilities
Contacts
Department of Recreation Management and Physical Education
Beaver College of Health Sciences
Dr. Daniel Theriault
Program Director
theriaultds@appstate.edu
828-262-4989