The department offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation Administration for individuals who are committed to the recreation and leisure services profession. The major in Recreation Administration prepares students with the knowledge, understanding, ability, and skill necessary to successfully function in professional positions related to the major. Accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism, and Related Professions, the department offers a B.S. and a Minor in Recreation Administration. Students in the recreation administration major complete a core of courses. These courses are designed to assist students in acquiring competencies related to the principles of recreation, leadership, group dynamics, and leisure behavior. Courses also cover legal and financial aspects of recreation service, advanced program planning, organization and administration of leisure services, evaluation, and professionalism. Students develop specific skills in the areas of communication, human behavior, youth services, entrepreneurism, and adventure-based recreation and tourism, finance, management, marketing, funding, resources, program planning and supervision, and facility management. Under the guidance of a practitioner, students in recreation administration are encouraged to acquire 1,000 hours of paid or voluntary hands-on experience in a variety of recreation, clinical, or leisure services agencies. In addition, they complete full-time internships with commercial recreation and tourism enterprises, public recreation agencies, nonprofit organizations, park-oriented agencies, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and other service organizations. Students may apply for an out-of-state internship if they achieve a major GPA of 3.3 and a cumulative GPA of 3.0. Additional requirements must also be met.

Recreation Administration is the academic program for students who want to prepare for a career in the ""Recreation and Leisure Industry."" Overall, the Recreation Industry, including tourism, is a huge and diverse industry with over $1 trillion of spending within the U.S. each year. We manage facilities, programs, and services that help people have a higher quality of life through positive, enjoyable, and enriching recreation and leisure experiences. That's what recreation and leisure professionals do, and our curriculum helps students learn the necessary skills to facilitate such experiences. What You Can Earn: 1) Campus Recreation Director $63,993 (in our region) 2) Recreation Coordinator $44,078 (Intramurals - in our region) 3) Golf/Country Club $73,900 4) U.S. Gov. Military Recreation $69,800 5) Resort/Resort Hotel $66,400 6) School District Recreation Program $66,000 7) City Parks & Recreation Department $63,300 8) Private Recreation/Sports Center $60,000 9) Community Recreation/Sports Center $58,200 10) YMCA/YWCA/JCC $57,300 11) College/University Recreation/Intramurals $57,200 12) Sports/Health/Fitness Club $53,900 13) Youth/Private Camp $53,000 14) Campground/RV Park $52,200.