Skip to main content

Recreation

Major Information

The Recreation and Tourism Management (RTM) program embraces all facets of the leisure service delivery system and prepares students for rewarding careers that promote individual and community well-being. Our graduates are employed by a wide range of public, private, and non-profit entities including tourism and destination management enterprises, community based recreation and sport organizations, and federal, state, and local park agencies. The curriculum is characterized by experiential learning opportunities including a 480-600 hour internship that students complete in their final semester. The program has been accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT) since 1983, and is the only one of its type in the state of Georgia.

General Information

Degree(s) Offered:

  • Bachelor of Science: Recreation 
  • Minor in Recreation & Tourism Management
  • Interdisciplinary Certificate in Hospitality and Tourism Management

Concentrations:

  • Outdoor Recreation
  • Tourism & Community Leisure Services

Sample Occupations

  • Adventure Travel Guide
  • Aquatics Director
  • Athletic Coach
  • Athletic Coordinator
  • Camp Director
  • Campus Recreation Director
  • Conservation Law Enforcement
  • Corporate Travel Director
  • Cruise Ship Activities Director
  • Environmental Educator
  • Event Coordinator
  • Game Warden
  • Flight Attendant
  • Hotel Guest Services Manager
  • Leisure Educator
  • Outdoor Educator
  • Park Ranger
  • Natural Resource Manager
  • State Tourism Coordinator
  • Travel Agency Manager
  • Visitor’s Bureau Director
  • Recreation Coordinator
  • Wildland Firefighter
  • Wildlife Educator
  • Park Interpreter

Sample Work Settings

  • Airlines
  • Adult Care Facilities
  • Adaptive Recreation Programs
  • Camps & Recreation Centers
  • Campus Recreation 
  • Childcare Facilities
  • Community Centers
  • Conservation Areas
  • Convention Centers
  • Cruise Lines
  • Educational Institutions
  • Federal, State & Local Parks
  • Fitness Centers
  • Government Agencies
  • Guides Services & Outfitters
  • Military MWR Programs
  • Visitors Bureaus
  • Nonprofit Organizations
  • Resort Hotels
  • Zoos & Aquariums
  • Wilderness Treatment Programs

Sample Employers

  • Army Corps of Engineers Adventures in Missions
  • Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center
  • Bryan Country Parks Dept.
  • Delta Airlines
  • Florida State Parks
  • Georgia Aquarium
  • Georgia DNR Law Enforcement
  • Gwinnett County Parks
  • Intercontinental Hotel Group
  • Interstate Hotels and Resorts
  • Manor Care
  • Marriott International
  • National Park Service
  • Savannah Visitors Bureau
  • Second Nature
  • YMCA

Connecting Majors, Skills, and Occupations

  • View learning outcomes associated with your major in the Georgia Southern Academic Catalog:

Georgia Southern Academic Catalog

  • Explore the connection between occupations and skills in O*Net:

www.onetonline.org

  • Use Handshake to upload your résumé and explore internships and jobs. For more information:

www.georgiasouthern.edu/ocpd

Internet Resources

To explore values, interests, and skills:

FOCUS 2

bit.ly/focuscareer

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) – $18

http://www.georgiasouthern.edu/ocpd

To explore occupational outlooks and salaries:

National Compensation Survey

www.bls.gov/ncs/

National Association of College and Employers  (NACE) 

http://salary.com 

Professional Organizations

American Camping Association

www.acacamps.org

Georgia Recreation and Park Association

www.grpa.org

National Intramural-Recreation Sports Association

www.nirsa.net

North American Association for Environmental Educ.

www.naaee.org

US Travel Association

www.ustravel.org

Association of Outdoor Recreation & Education

www.aore.org

National Association for Interpretation

www.interpnet.com

National Recreation and Park Association

www.nrpa.org

Southeast Festivals and Events Association

www.southeastfestivals.org

Georgia Southern Student Organizations

Recreation Student Association

Professional Tips

  • Get a part-time job at Campus Recreation & Intramurals
  • Work or volunteer for Statesboro Bulloch County Park & Recreation Department
  • Volunteer with the Statesboro Convention & Visitors Bureau or Downtown Development Authority

Résumé Tips

  • Bachelor of Science: Recreation
  • Include emphasis (Outdoor Recreation or Tourism & Community Leisure Services).
  • Include relevant experience, including internships and volunteering.
  • Include certifications, especially for First Aid/CPR/AED if completed.

Last updated: 6/26/2013