Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management BS

Total Units Required: 120

A group listens as a student leader talks to them at Horseshoe Lake in upper Bidwell Park.

The Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management offers several options that lead to varied careers depending on a student's interests.

The option in parks and recreation management. This option prepares students to work in park management, protected area management, natural resources, and outdoor recreation. This is the major for those who love the outdoors and want a career that celebrates and preserves nature.

Classes visit national, state, and local parks and natural areas for hands-on education and meet with professionals who manage our state's outdoor areas. In the classroom, students learn about stewarding the natural environment, supporting and understanding visitors, providing recreation opportunities, and collaborating with public and private partners. 

The degree plan also includes a strong foundation in management principles, including customer service, diversity and inclusion, marketing, and legal issues. Students cap off their studies with a 14-week internship, which many students turn into a full-time job. 
 
Our graduates work across the state and nation with agencies that manage public lands (such as the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service), state parks and forests, wildlife refuges, cultural and historical heritage sites, and local and regional park districts. 

The option in resort and lodging management. This option prepares graduates for a career in the hospitality industry, including lodging management, restaurant management, and more. Along with core department courses, the RLM option offers courses on topics like hotel and restaurant management, tourism management, hospitality budgeting, strategic management seminar, and includes hands-on training with hospitality professionals.

Graduates acquire the necessary skills to be competitive hospitality professionals upon graduation and enjoy helping others and bringing an upbeat attitude to their job. 

The option in recreation therapy (suspended). Admission to the option in recreation therapy is currently suspended. Contact the Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management Department for more information.

This option prepares students to work as allied health professionals with people who have special needs in clinical, residential, and community-based agencies. Students studying in this option meet the standards developed by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) and the California Board of Recreation Therapy Certification (CBRTC). Successfully completing this curriculum provides students with knowledge competencies necessary to qualify for both the national and state Recreation Therapy Certification exams.

The option in event management. This option prepares students to work in the conferences and events, either as event planners or with suppliers (such as hotels and convention centers).

Students learn about event planning, coordination, and management, with a capstone course where students design, plan, and/or implement a special event. The degree plan includes a strong foundation in management principles, including hotel and resort management, food and beverage management, customer service, diversity and inclusion, marketing, and law. 

Most students also learn through experience by working in the industry or volunteering for special events in the local area. Students cap off their studies with a 14-week internship, which many students turn into a full-time job. 

Our graduates work with many different types of events such as conferences, conventions, exhibitions, festivals, and music or sporting events. They also work as managers at event facilities, such as hotels, resorts, country clubs, restaurants, and wineries.