Recreation Management

Recreation Management professionals plan, organize, and lead experiences for people with diverse backgrounds and interests. Experiences range from sports to special events to travel experiences to park visits to afterschool programs to family experiences and beyond! 

They also work in a variety of settings including public recreation departments, parks, sport facilities, community centers, retirement villages, camps, event venues, and tourism attractions. 

Students in this major put theory into practice by completing two internships. There are also opportunities to attend conferences, participate in clubs, and travel through study abroad. These experiences help students develop a professional network that they can call on beyond graduation.

Faculty in Recreation Management have won awards for teaching, research, and service. They also conduct and publish research as well as write industry-leading textbooks. 

Why Study Recreation and Sport Management - Recreation Management?

Recreation is an important cultural and economic force. The profession influences the well-being of others. Recreation managers promote personal growth, fitness, and wellness through healthy experiences.

Recreation Management is a hands-on major. Students study leadership theory, program and event planning, evaluation, management, and administration. They take what they learn in the classroom and apply it in practical experiences.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 10 percent growth from 2014 to 2024 for the profession. This is faster than the average for all occupations. As the importance of exercise gets an increase in attention, employers will need recreation managers to work in a variety of settings.

The Illinois State Recreation & Sport Management program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Parks, Recreation, Tourism, and Related Professions.