This option prepares students for employment in businesses that serve the leisure services industry or in public agencies using entrepreneurial practices. Students are exposed to small business management practices as they are related to commercial recreation. The Natural Resources Recreation Management Option prepares students for employment opportunities in areas such as park, beach, wildlife refuge or forest settings and in other outdoor recreation and park services. The student can expect to administer and manage recreation programs in natural environments and manage the use of natural resources to protect the environment and enhance the outdoor recreation experience. A student may choose Ecotourism as an emphasis of study under this Option.
Ecotourism prepares students for employment in nature-based tourism.
Students will be sensitized to the interaction of tourism and natural resources, ethical use of natural resources as attractions and economic values of nonconsumptive uses of flora and fauna. The students can expect to develop, implement and evaluate recreational activity programs for agencies. The Therapeutic Recreation Option prepares students for employment in clinical and community settings that offer therapeutic recreation services to people with illnesses and disabling conditions. In addition to the primary option, emphases in aging and correctional recreation are offered. Travel and Tourism Planning Option.