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Recreation Management & Recreational Therapy

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Recreation Management & Recreation Therapy offers programs for careers in recreation, tourism, and event management with hands-on learning and internships.

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Undergraduate programs

Outdoor, Recreation, Tourism & Event Management

Undergrad major Undergrad minor Graduate degree

Outdoor, Recreation, Tourism & Event Management (ORTEM) students learn the skills and knowledge to pursue professional careers designing, facilitating, and managing recreation, tourism, and outdoor experiences. They work with people from diverse backgrounds in settings such as parks and recreation departments, outdoor adventure agencies, camping organizations, and tourism and event management businesses.

Areas of study

Community-Based Recreation Emphasis

The community-based recreation emphasis prepares students for professional roles in programming and management in a wide variety of recreation related fields in the public and non-profit sectors such as municipal parks and recreation departments, state agencies, youth serving agencies, religious-affiliated agencies, social service agencies, and campus recreation.

Undergrad major View a sample plan for Community-Based Recreation Catalogfor Community-Based Recreation

Generalist Emphasis

The recreation management generalist emphasis allows students to explore all areas of recreation. Students in the generalist emphasis take the recreation management core curriculum and an additional nine credits selected from the other three emphasis areas.

Undergrad major View a sample plan for Generalist Catalogfor Generalist

Outdoor Recreation Emphasis

The outdoor recreation emphasis is for students who want to work in natural resource-based recreation settings. This program helps students develop skills in outdoor programming and leadership, environmental education, outdoor guiding and adventure, and nature-based recreation management.

Undergrad major View a sample plan for Outdoor Recreation Catalogfor Outdoor Recreation

Outdoor and Recreation Management

Undergrad minor

Tourism & Event Management Emphasis

The tourism and event management emphasis is for students interested in creating and managing visitor experiences. Whether it is managing a resort, promoting a destination, leading adventure tours, or planning events, a career in tourism is about helping others enjoy their travel and event experience as much as you enjoy your own.

Undergrad major Undergrad minor View a sample plan for Tourism & Event Management Catalogfor Tourism & Event Management

Undergrad + graduate dual degree Bachelor of Science in Recreation Management (four emphasis options) & Master of Science in Recreation Management Dual Degree Program

Students in this dual degree program in recreation management earn a Generalist Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree in Recreation Management.

  • Community-Based Recreation
  • Generalist
  • Outdoor Recreation
  • Tourism/Event Management
Undergrad major Graduate degree View a sample plan for Undergrad + graduate dual degree Catalogfor Undergrad + graduate dual degree
Catalogfor Outdoor, Recreation, Tourism & Event Management
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Recreational Therapy

Undergrad major Graduate degree

Recreational therapists assist people who are marginalized and/or live with disabilities and illnesses to help them improve their health and well-being. This is achieved through a wide range of recreation and leisure activities, as well as techniques to improve their physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and leisure needs.

 

Areas of study

Undergrad + graduate dual degree

As the field of recreational therapy moves toward master’s level entry, this dual degree program offers students a more efficient path toward completion of their master’s degree. Students earn a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in recreational therapy.

Undergrad major Graduate degree View a sample plan for Undergrad + graduate dual degree Catalogfor Undergrad + graduate dual degree
Catalogfor Recreational Therapy
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Inclusive Recreation

Undergrad minor

Those involved in the inclusive recreation field help a community or space adapt so everyone has an equal opportunity to feel welcome, comfortable and develop to their fullest potential. This way the responsibility of adapting is placed on the space or community instead of people with disabilities.

Recreation and leisure is one way people can express who they are. If people encounter barriers in the process of recreating, it is much harder to find their authentic self in that space. If we truly value diversity within a community and everyone’s contributions, then inclusion in these activities needs to be fully embraced.

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Graduate programs

Recreation Management

Graduate degree The Master of Science in Recreation Management prepares graduates for careers in public, private, non-profit, and commercial sectors of the recreation field.
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Recreation Management - Professional Development

Graduate degree This online master's degree program in recreation management is designed for working professionals.
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Recreational Therapy

Graduate degree The Master of Science in Recreational Therapy prepares graduates for careers in the diverse field of recreational therapy.
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Featured courses

  • Introduction to Recreational Therapy
    RTH 250 | 3 credits
    The course introduces the history, service models, theory/philosophy, social implications, and potentials of recreational therapy practice. Basic skills of a recreational therapist are described and practiced. The need for, use of, and employment opportunities in recreational therapy are examined. Prerequisite: REC 150 or taken concurrently. Offered Fall, Spring.
  • Leisure in a Diverse Society
    REC 325 | 3 credits
    This course explores the increasingly diversified nature of society and its impact on individuals' experiences of leisure. A focus is placed on the experiences of members of minority populations including issues related to race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, social status, age, and disability. Students are introduced to factors that influence the experience of leisure and leisure service delivery. Offered Spring.
  • Recreational Therapy and Adaptive Sports
    RTH 414 | 3 credits
    This course introduces recreational therapists' use of adaptive sports, recreation, and leisure activities for individuals with disabilities to meet treatment goals and improve quality of life. Emphasis is given to the history and rules of a variety of sports, and possible settings where these take place. The examination of each sport includes a focus on its connection to the recreational therapy profession and professional processes used in the field. Hands on experience with a variety of sports are included. This course is taught largely at an undergraduate level. Graduate students will have additional course requirements/expectations. Prerequisite: RTH 319, RTH 352, RTH 376; RTH major; junior standing. Offered Occasionally.
  • Introduction to Tourism
    REC 320 | 3 credits
    This course provides an introduction to tourism through the examination of tourism as a system of interconnected parts. The topics include the history of tourism, destination mix, tourist motivation and behavior, destination marketing, and destination management. It explores the role of natural and built environments in creating tourism, economic implications for travelers and local communities, and social and cultural connections. Students gain an understanding of event and non-event based tourism. Offered Spring.
  • NatureRx: Environmental Ethics and Behaviors in Recreation and Tourism
    REC 306 | 3 credits
    This course provides an overview of the natural resources used for outdoor recreational pursuits and nature-based tourism. Students analyze leisure, recreation, and tourism activities dependent on natural resources, present issues associated with recreational land use, and develop environmental awareness and a personal environmental ethic. Offered Fall, Spring.
  • Introduction to Recreation Programming and Event Management
    REC 301 | 3 credits
    This course provides practical knowledge and experiences on the essential elements and design concepts of recreation programming and event planning. Emphasis is placed on student involvement in planning, directing, and evaluating programs that enhance well-being for diverse populations in a variety of physical settings. Offered Fall, Spring.
  • Leisure, Quality of Life, and Well Being
    REC 150 | 3 credits
    This course will focus on the knowledge and skills necessary for integrating the major elements of well-being (physical, emotional, spiritual, environmental, intellectual, social, and occupational) through the lens of a leisure perspective into a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle throughout one's lifespan. Course content will include theories and methods related to leisure as the foundation for enhancing overall wellness, building coping strategies, and negotiating a balanced, fulfilling life. Additionally, this course will explore philosophical and historical aspects of leisure and recreation. Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.
  • Leisure in a Diverse Society
    REC 325 | 3 credits
    This course explores the increasingly diversified nature of society and its impact on individuals' experiences of leisure. A focus is placed on the experiences of members of minority populations including issues related to race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, social status, age, and disability. Students are introduced to factors that influence the experience of leisure and leisure service delivery. Offered Spring.
  • Evaluation Methods and Practices
    REC 340 | 3 credits
    This course is designed to provide students with foundational skills necessary to evaluate existing recreation, tourism, and leisure research. Students develop relevant and appropriate evaluations of such services and apply these techniques in practice. Students are exposed to both qualitative and quantitative evaluation approaches. Offered Fall, Spring.
  • Experience Design, Promotion, and Communication
    REC 350 | 3 credits
    This course introduces students to the experience design process. A focus of the course is placed on how to promote services offered to both customers and supporting stakeholders with the overall experience in mind. Students learn how to create engaging content and enhance communication during all phases of an experience. Offered Fall, Spring.
  • Principles of Management in Recreation
    REC 390 | 3 credits
    Study of theories and techniques in leadership, group dynamics, and personnel management as they relate to programming and staff supervision in recreation agencies. Emphasis on personnel management techniques, including job analysis, recruitment, selection training, motivation, career development, and evaluation of paid staff and volunteers. Course includes issues common to full-time entry-level professional positions in recreation. Prerequisite: junior standing. Offered Fall, Spring.
  • Program Design and Administration of Recreational Therapy
    RTH 456 | 3 credits
    This course is designed to present a rationale and foundation for systematic program design, program implementation and program evaluation in various recreational therapy settings. Students develop competence in the planning and development of evidenced-based recreational therapy programs using a structured and systematic process for purposes of improved client functioning and independence in life activities. This course is taught largely at an undergraduate level. Graduate students will have additional course requirements/expectations. Prerequisite: RTH 319, RTH 352, RTH 355, RTH 376; junior standing. Offered Fall, Spring.
  • Introduction to Recreational Therapy
    RTH 250 | 3 credits
    The course introduces the history, service models, theory/philosophy, social implications, and potentials of recreational therapy practice. Basic skills of a recreational therapist are described and practiced. The need for, use of, and employment opportunities in recreational therapy are examined. Prerequisite: REC 150 or taken concurrently. Offered Fall, Spring.
  • Clinical Education Experience in Recreational Therapy
    RTH 492 | 3 credits
    This course provides opportunities to practice and integrate cognitive learning, with the associated psychomotor skills requirements of the profession, in accordance with professional standards of practice, to develop entry-level clinical proficiency and professional behavior as a recreational therapist as defined by professional guidelines for competencies necessary for safe and effective recreational therapy practice. This course is taught largely at an undergraduate level. Graduate students will have additional course requirements/expectations. Prerequisite: RTH 452, RTH 456, RTH 470; RTH major; junior standing. Offered Fall, Spring.
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Portrait of Kyra Neuser

Hear from an alum

Kyra Neuser

UWL has given me so much: fond memories, lifelong friends, superstitions about clocktowers, frustrations, joys and everything in between. I am so proud to be able to call UWL my home away from home. I can say with certainty that there will always be a piece of me in La Crosse — no matter where I end up.

Portrait of Pierce Johnson

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Pierce Johnson

The Recreation Management (ORTEM) program prepared me to make an impact at my internship site right away. The mix of classes gave me the practical knowledge to avoid wasting time having to learn the basics on site, while also giving me the theory and inspiration to dream new ways to educate, enrich and entertain our customers.

Portrait of Maisie Radle

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Maisie Radle

I couldn't have asked for a better college experience the last four years at UWL. A huge thanks to all of my supporters: my professors, my employers, my classmates, my friends and my family. La Crosse will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will cherish all of my memories made here, forever!