Program Coordinator/Contact
Bryan Romsa, Assistant Professor
Department of Health and Nutritional Sciences
Wagner Hall 411
605-688-6389
Stella Liu, Assistant Professor
Department of Health and Nutritional Sciences
Wagner Hall 407
605-688-6163
Program Information
Sport and Recreation Management professionals are needed to meet recreation demands resulting from expanding populations, increased leisure time, greater mobility and changing social attitudes. The curriculum in Sport and Recreation Management is designed to prepare students for professional positions in sport, recreation, parks and outdoor recreation programming and administration.
Students interested in sport and recreation management can find a variety of career opportunities including community recreation, federal, state and municipal governmental agencies, private outdoor and tourism enterprises as well as intercollegiate athletic departments and minor and major league sport teams. Students interested in municipal and county recreation agencies, YMCA/YWCAs, Boys and Girls Clubs, college/professional sports, fitness/facility management organizations, and therapeutic recreation in clinical as well as community settings, can focus their interests using additional recreation, marketing, accounting, economics, social media, management, entrepreneur, and leadership elective courses. This major is based on interdisciplinary approach providing a broad, comprehensive background for leadership and administrative roles in sport and recreation industries. It also provides students a foundation for advanced academic pursuits of a graduate degree in sport or recreation administration or related degree programs.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Sport and Recreation Management major students will:
- Evaluate the professional, social, and ethical responsibilities, including an appreciation of the impact of diversity on societies. (Cross-curricular Skill: Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
- Apply entry-level knowledge about operations and strategic management/administration in sport and recreation related professions. (Cross-curricular Skill: Information Literacy)
- Demonstrate the combination of knowledge, skills, and values that make a difference in the field of sport and recreation for promoting quality of life through community engagement and hands-on learning. (Cross-curricular Skill: Civic Knowledge and Engagement)
- Develop the ability to use systematic and structured ways of critical thinking to solve problems related to different facets of professional practice. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking)
- Apply oral and written communication skills in varied situations, including projects, activities, and presentations, for interacting with others team members and contributing quality and quantity effort into team tasks. (Cross-curricular Skill: Teamwork)
Academic Requirements
A minimum GPA of 2.0 is also required in all courses taught in the major. All students transferring into the program must have a 2.0 GPA to be accepted. Transfer students with less than a 2.0 GPA may petition for approval. If accepted, the transfer student will enter on probation for one semester. A student in the major must have a 2.4 cumulative GPA to be recommended for the required internship experience. A minimum final grade of “C” is required in all courses taught in the major.
Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure
Upon successful completion of the degree, students who are in the field working under a certified professional may apply to become a Certified Park and Recreation Professional.
Course Delivery Format
The program offers coursework through classroom (face to face, hybrid and/or online), service learning and lab experiences (indoor and outdoor), sport, recreation and park site visits, practicum and/or field experience/s.
