The Recreation and Park management minor offers an opportunity to enter the Recreation field as a professional leisure service provider. The minor is aimed at majors in all areas, for example, languages, Economics, Biology, Education, Computer Science, Geography, Geology, Physical Education, History, Political Science, Public Administration, Business Administration, Travel and Tourism, and Communication. A student with an interest in leisure services can complete the Recreation and Park Management minor concurrent with completion of his/her own degree. Completion of the minor will open another career path in additional to the student’s major specialization.

Individuals who do not have a recreation degree or those professionals currently working in a career but desire a change in career to recreation can complete the Recreation and Park Management minor in two semesters of full-time study!

The leisure services field consists of community recreation, outdoor recreation, natural resources development, wildland recreation, commercial recreation, youth recreation, adventure recreation, environment or outdoor education, industrial recreation, prison recreation, military recreation, and sports. It is a leading growth-oriented industry. Leisure and Hospitality are among the highest in percent change in wage and salary employment by industry sector projected from 2004-2014 (Occupational Outlook Quarterly, Winter 2005-2006). According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Overall employment of recreation workers is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2014.” For further information see http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos058.htm.