Tourism, Hospitality, and Recreation Management

Major

Join the next generation of recreation and tourism professionals with a major in Tourism, Hospitality, and Recreation Management.

Why Major in Tourism, Hospitality, and Recreation Management?

Recreation and leisure are more important than ever to our physical and mental well-being. And with nearly half of the U.S. population participating in activities such as hiking, fishing, skiing, rafting and biking, outdoor recreation is big business.

With more than 50 million annual visitors, L.A. tourism is an $18 billion industry, supporting more than 500,000 jobs in the leisure and hospitality sector. Accommodating that industry means training the next generation of recreation and tourism professionals, each equipped with the skills and mindsets needed to provide quality hospitality and leadership.

As a Tourism, Hospitality, and Recreation student, you'll make a difference in people’s lives by creating quality recreation and nature-based programs, education and events that provide leisure, enhance community and address societal concerns — such as physical health, at-risk youth and environmental sustainability.

Why Study Tourism, Hospitality, and Recreation Management at CSUN?

A Solid Foundation

Our program gives you a strong grounding in leisure and play theory, event planning, leadership, management and working with diverse groups while emphasizing sustainability of resources. Faculty advisors provide one-on-one personalized advising to help you tailor your education to support your goals.

Experiential Education

You'll take part in experiential education and community service learning opportunities. You'll also have the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of leisure organizations.

Internships

All students enroll in a capstone senior internship. To ensure the highest-quality internship experience possible, the department requires all students to have completed all 200- and 300-level core courses and the majority of their electives package prior to enrollment in the internship program. However, it is strongly encouraged that the senior internship experience be taken as the culminating learning opportunity toward the B.S. degree.

What You'll Learn

You'll take core courses that introduce you to important concepts in the field, including recreation therapy, hospitality and customer service, dynamics of leadership, recreation and community development, and entrepreneurship.

You'll choose from a broad range of course topics, including:

  • Dynamics of Early Childhood Play
  • Outdoor and Environmental Education
  • Principles of Sustainable Tourism
  • Women, Leisure and Ethnicity in the U.S.
  • Accommodations Management
  • Leadership Coaching
  • Meetings and Conventions Management
  • Rock Climbing and Mountaineering
  • Flat-Water Boating

Curriculum

Careers & Outcomes

Professional careers and opportunities for entrepreneurship in recreation and tourism management continue to grow and thrive in this exciting industry. Our graduates find success in a wide variety of private, public and nonprofit recreation enterprises.

Job Titles

  • Event Planner
  • Hotel Manager
  • Club Manager
  • Outdoor Recreation Coordinator
  • Travel Coordinator
  • Health Club Coordinator
  • Convention Coordinator
  • Cruise Ship Director
  • Sport Facility Manager
  • Camp Director
CSUN students playing indoor soccer

Experience the Center for Recreation and Tourism

The Center for Recreation and Tourism promotes health, a balanced lifestyle, and overall well-being through a variety of recreation and leisure experiences. The center provides training, education and research activities.

Accreditation

The Department of Recreation and Tourism Management is accredited through the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT) and the Association for Experiential Education (AEE).

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