Recreation and Parks Management, B.S.

UNC Greensboro’s Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Parks Management prepares students to enhance the health, wellness, and quality of life of individuals and communities. Students in this program develop skills in management, leadership, community inclusion, healthy living, assessing, planning, implementation, documentation, and evaluation for all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.

Upon graduation students have the knowledge and experience to pursue employment in the following areas:

• Gerontology
• Youth development
• Parks and forestry
• Public recreation
• Specialized facility management
• Commercial enterprising
• Recreational therapy
• Inclusion facilitation
• Event planning
• Sports management
• Resource management
• Administration.

Program Distinctions

• Faculty are credentialed and nationally recognized as exemplary teachers, advisers, and scholars.
• Program has been accredited continuously since 1981.
• Students consistently earn scholarships and awards from state and national professional associations.
• Accreditations and affiliations include:
  • Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism, and Related Professions
  • American Therapeutic Recreation Association
  • National Recreation and Park Association
  • North Carolina Recreational Therapy Association
  • North Carolina Recreation and Park Association
  • The Academy of Leisure Sciences

The Student Experience

• Service-learning and volunteer opportunities offer hands-on practical experience in a myriad of professional and community settings.
• Formal fieldwork placements totaling over 600 hours provide students extensive experience in the field prior to graduation.
• In the department’s Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP), students have the opportunity to graduate with a Bachelor of Science AND Master of Science degree, within a 5-year time period.
• Opportunities to develop professional networks prior to graduation
• Undergraduate research assistantships are available to support students as they gain valuable research experience by working with faculty members.
• Students have the opportunity to join the CTR club.
• UNCG offers extensive and affordable study abroad opportunities.

After Graduation

• Upon program completion, graduates may work as recreational therapists, recreation programmers, aquatic therapists, athletic program supervisors, inclusion facilitators, campus recreation coordinators, community center managers, event planners, park managers, senior center coordinators, and youth activity directors.
• Graduates are eligible for the national credentialing exams as Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRS) and Certified Parks and Recreation Professionals (CPRP).
• Graduates are eligible to become Licensed Recreational Therapists upon completion of the degree and national credentialing exam requirements.

Undergraduate Minor

The College of Arts and Sciences offers a minor in Videogaming and Esports that pairs well with this degree. Students complete one required course and 12 hours of electives in courses like Intro to 3D Animation and Fandom and Religion: Rituals, Texts, Communities. Learn More.

Additional affiliated minors include:

• Community and Therapeutic Recreation Undergraduate Minor
• Community and Recreation Undergraduate Minor
• Events Planning Undergraduate Minor
• Recreational Therapy Undergraduate Minor