Recreation Management option

Major: Recreation Management and Recreational Therapy

What is recreation management?

Recreation management is the coordination of leisure activities in public and private settings. Graduates are prepared for careers in management and operations within the growing multi-billion-dollar recreation industry.

Why recreation management at OSU?

Through experiential learning, students gain practical experience and professional skills. Our program has a strong national reputation and produces exceptional graduates who are taught by expert faculty. Ultimately, we bring wonder, joy, excitement and adventure to others.

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Career paths

Our graduates go on to work as:

Military recreation directors
Campus recreation directors
Park and recreation directors
Special events coordinators

Camp or youth program directors
Intramural sports directors
Municipal, state and federal park managers
Resort/tourism managers

UPAEP

Better understand youth development through community-inspired sport and recreation initiatives during a study abroad trip as part of our partnership with the Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla’s recreation management program.

Highlights

Coursework Preview

Laboratory in Leisure Services
Gain hands-on experience with activities in all areas of recreation − sports, wellness and relaxation, aquatics, dance, outdoor recreation, arts and crafts and games
Recreation Program Planning
Learn the skills needed to plan and implement a community recreation program.
Recreation in a Technologically Advanced Society
Use technology to enhance participant recreation by creating your own recreation game phone application.
Introduction to Leisure Services
Facility Design in Leisure Services
Campus Recreation, Intramural and Sport

Internship Experiences

Students are empowered to apply their learning within their desired recreation through a required internship completed during the junior and senior year. During the internship, students gain more than 500 hours of experience in the field and develop and apply professional skills such as programming, administration, communication and conflict resolution. From resorts on the beach, to adventure camps in the mountains, to city recreation services, faculty work with you to find internships geared toward your interests.

Student Perspective

“One of the greatest things about my internship was getting to be outside while enjoying the most beautiful views and working with some of the most wonderful people. I got to do something I love, while creating lifetime memories for others.”

- Gavin Mastell, Recreation Management student
Internship: Adventure Ridge in Vail, Colorado