The Department of Recreation and Tourism Management of California State University, Northridge provides a challenging, student learning centered educational experience that prepares professionals with a commitment to enhancing the quality of life through recreation, leisure and play.
The Department of Recreation and Tourism Management prepares students for full-time entry level positions in a wide range of career settings. The major emphasizes the importance of high quality recreation, tourism, and play experiences as a means for improving the quality of life of individuals, families, local communities, and organizations. The Department of Recreation and Tourism Management offers many exciting general education courses as well as the professional preparation major degree tracks. Students in the major develop leadership, planning and implementation skills, and knowledge necessary to be prepared to successfully meet the challenging career settings of the 21st century. Many of our B.S. degree graduates go on to enter our Graduate Degree Programs for those career paths that require advanced study.
Recreation Management Option (B.S. Degree Program): A critical element in working in the global market today is understanding and working comfortably with diverse groups. Recreation professionals can make a difference in the quality of life for all citizens by encouraging and facilitating the positive use of leisure time, whether that be while at home, traveling, engaging in recreation, recreational sport, or entertainment . The Recreation Management emphasis has been developed to educate students in leisure and play theory, event planning, leadership, management, and working with diverse groups while embracing the need to understand the sustainability of resources needed while participating in leisure time pursuits.. Students complete practicum and internship experiences in various leisure service settings in the for-profit, government and non-profit sectors.
Therapeutic Recreation Option (B.S. Degree Program): The Recreation Therapist is prepared to utilize recreation as a treatment and education modality for children, youth, adults, and older adults with physical, cognitive, emotional and/or social disabilities in clinical, residential, and community settings. Recreation Therapy programs are designed to facilitate positive changes within individuals with disabilities and to enable them to enjoy health, well-being, and independent leisure lifestyles. Therapists must be able to assess clients’ needs and abilities and apply appropriate intervention strategies. Students in this option will complete clinical/community Recreation Therapy practicum and internship experiences. Graduates are encouraged to sit for both state and national certification exams.
This program provides a basic framework of skills and understandings in the function, structure and process of leisure and recreation services as described in the B.S. Degree programs. Students completing the minor will be able to perform such services in support of professional roles in related fields.
Recreation and Tourism Management graduates have many career paths within the human services industries to pursue. Included in this vast array of career opportunities are: Adventure Travel Coordinators, Hotel Management, Tour Guides and Interpreters, Sustainable Destination Specialists, Convention Coordinators, Cruise Ship Activity Directors, Event Planners and Coordinators, Recreational Sport and Entertainment Facility Management/Marketing and Customer Relations, Entrepreneurs, Intramural/Campus Recreational Sport and Campus Life Directors.
Other graduates chose paths in the Recreation Therapy, Outdoors, Municipal Recreation and Non-Profit Sectors of the profession. These professional areas offer careers as Recreation Therapy Specialists, Recreation Center Directors, Recreation Center Specialists, Outdoor Education Specialists, Camp Directors, Nature Interpreters, Aquatic Specialists, Play Center Facilitation/Directors, and Employee Recreation Services and Sport Directors.
Finally, other graduates find fulfilling careers in professional settings such as Military Recreation, Correctional Recreation, Campus Student Unions, Religious Youth Recreation, Fund Development, and Community Youth Recreation and Sport Agencies.
Recreation and Tourism Management faculty listed above are available each semester for academic advisement prior to registration. Meeting with a faculty member of your choice who has the expertise that represents your career objectives is encouraged, and can take place during their regular faculty office hours. The undergraduate advisors are Craig Finney, Dianne Philibosian and Jan Tolan. Graduate advisors are Craig Finney and Jan Tolan.
Upon completion of the academic advisement session, students’ “registration hard hold” is lifted and students then may participate in the registration process as scheduled by the University.
Undergraduate majors in Recreation and Tourism Management are required to earn a grade of C or better in each of the core classes for the units to be counted as progress toward a degree.
Each class can be repeated once to improve the grade. Subsequent retakes must be appealed to the Department of Recreation and Tourism faculty. First Aid and CPR certification (non-online) required at time of graduation.
Professional learning experiences are offered students throughout the program. Experiential education and community service learning opportunities are included in coursework. Students are provided the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of leisure organizations including recreational and human service agencies.
Recreation Therapy students are provided with opportunities to complete a total of 300 practicum hours prior to internship in preparation for state and national certification. Internship: All students enroll in a capstone 600 hour (6 units) internship. To ensure the highest quality internship experience possible, the department requires all students to have completed all 200 and 300 level courses prior to enrollment in the internship program. See your academic advisor for further requirements.
Students consult with faculty in their option regarding policies and procedures governing practical experience. Multiple professional certifications are both possible and encouraged through judicious selection of field placements and elective coursework.
The Department is committed to providing a generalist framework from which students may seek one or more professional certifications. See advisor for specific career preparation patterns. Electives are selected in consultation with and approved by the departmental academic advisor.
Select from the following (other courses may be selected with department major advisor):
In order to meet the requirements for national certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, students must also complete a course in human lifespan development from childhood through senescence. Students should seek advisement regarding acceptable courses.
The master’s degree program is intended for persons interested in developing and/or improving their knowledge of recreational sport management or hospitality, travel and tourism. It is designed for those seeking advancement in their career settings or a change in career settings. The selection of courses allows students to “specialize” in either: a) Recreational Sport/Campus Recreation Management or b) Hospitality, Travel and Tourism. Students progress through the program as a cohort and are actively engaged in courses and internships on evenings and weekends.
Bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Hospitality, Travel and Tourism, Recreational Sport Management, or allied field(s). Students not so qualified must successfully complete a prescribed program with a grade point average of 3.0. University requirements must be met for promotion to classified status. Graduate admission fall only.
Students will complete 15 units of required core classes, 9 units in their selected track (Recreational Sport Management or Hospitality, Travel and Tourism), and 6 units of approved electives for a total of 30 units. The core classes include 2 internship experiences of 2 units each. A 2 unit written project based on the internship experiences is the culminating experience for the degree and will be completed during the last semester of enrollment in the program. A grade of “B” or better in each graduate course is required for the units be counted as progress toward degree requirements.