Program Mission, Goals, Objectives & Student Success Information

Mission:

The mission of the Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Resources program is to enhance societal understanding, stewardship, and the sustainable use of recreational resources by educating students to become knowledgeable professionals and citizens, advancing and communicating research knowledge, and providing professional service.

Goals:

1. To enhance societal understanding, stewardship, and the sustainable use of recreational and tourism resources by educating students to become knowledgeable professionals and citizens, advancing and communicating research knowledge, and providing professional service.
2. To provide a quality recreation, parks and tourism management education, research and outreach program with an emphasis on natural resource-based recreation and tourism.

Objectives:

• 1. Demonstrate entry-level knowledge about operations and strategic management, planning, & policy related to parks, recreation, tourism, natural resources and/or related professions.
• 1.1 Current status and trends of parks, recreation, and tourism industries
• 1.2 The challenges with and prospects for parks, recreation, and tourism industries
• 1.3 Tools, methods, and techniques in parks, recreation, and tourism research and practice
• 2. Design, implement, and evaluate services that facilitate various outdoor recreation and tourism experiences and opportunities.
• 2.1 Natural and cultural interpretation
• 2.2 Inclusive recreation
• 2.3 Trail and park design
• 2.4 Destination management and marketing
• 2.5 Outdoor education learning
• 3. Apply classroom knowledge to professional recreation and tourism settings through fieldwork, certification, service learning, practicum, and internship experiences.
• 3.1 Hand-on experience through field trips to recreation areas and tourism destinations
• 3.2 Wilderness living skills
• 3.3 Challenge course and canopy tour
• 3.4 Internship requirement nationwide
• 4. Describe and apply comprehensive natural resource management principles and strategies (from both ecological and social sciences) by analyzing natural resource recreation and tourism management problems and policy.
• 4.1 Human dimensions in natural resource management
• 4.2 Sustainability theory and principles
• 4.3 System view and strategies
• 4.4 Stakeholder/collaboration theory and principles
• 5. Strategically apply the scientific method to improve the management and planning of recreation and tourism areas and organizations.
• 5.1 GIS application in recreation and tourism
• 5.2 Social research methods in parks and recreation
• 5.3 Recreation planning and park design
• 6. Communicate effectively to enhance the management and planning of recreation and tourism programs, areas and organizations.
• 6.1 Communication skills in parks, recreation, and tourism settings
• 6.2 Interpersonal abilities

RPTR Student Success:

The retention rate of RPTR freshman and sophomore students continues to be very good in recent years with an annual average retention rate of 78%, higher than the university average of 76% and higher than the average national retention rate of 73.6%. Over the last 5 years, the average number of students graduating from the RPTR program was 21 per year. Over the same review period, the program has maintained a 55% continuance rate, and a 4.5 to 5-year time to degree completion. 

The most recent (2019) alumni survey of RPTR graduates indicated that just over 80% of respondents found employment in fields of recreation, tourism, forestry, or natural resources. In regard to where graduates were employed, 29% reported employment with government agencies, 43% were in private industry, 14% were employed in higher education, and 14% reported “other” employment. Average salaries were reported as: 14% reported earning under $40,000, 29% reported earning $40-45,000, 14% reporting earning $45-50,000, 14% reported earning over $50,000, and 29% noted they “preferred not to report”.