The department of Recreation and Hospitality Management offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation and a Master of Science degree in Recreation. The emphasis in Leadership and Administration develops individuals to assume professional leadership and administrative positions in recreation and leisure services. The Therapeutic Recreation emphasis prepares students to work with individuals with disabilities and assists at-risk individuals in preventing disease. The primary purpose of therapeutic recreation is to increase the ability of individuals to experience freedom, have control and develop skills through leisure opportunities.
Graduates work in a variety of settings providing therapeutic services.
The Park Resource Management emphasis prepares students for outdoor recreation positions at levels of local, county, state and national government, as well as commercial and private recreation settings. The internship provides practical venues in which to apply classroom theory. Students learn firsthand about leadership, networking, managing multiple tasks, coordinating events and are able to see recreation philosophy in action. Contacts made during internships frequently lead to career opportunities. Students intern at such agencies as Paramount's Great America, Knight-Ridder, Stanford Hospital, the City of San Jose and the National Park Service.