Undergraduate Program
The Undergraduate curriculum in the Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences department at Texas A&M University provides students with an education in recreation, park and tourism sciences. Students study both the social and life sciences in order to understand and manage the use of natural and cultural resources for recreation and tourism. The program emphasizes the application of science to recreation, park and tourism development and management. Communication and business skills are also emphasized in the program because of their fundamental importance to the administration of recreation, park and tourism facilities and resources.
To accomplish its objectives, the department has assembled an outstanding faculty, developed state-of-the-art computer facilities, undertaken exciting new research initiatives and created courses of study that will prepare students as leaders for the 21st century.
There are three areas of emphasis in the undergraduate program of the department:
Park and Natural Resources Management (129 hours)
This emphasis focuses on management of natural and cultural resources associated with park and amenity development. Land managers and related professionals operate within a variety of forums that require the integration of concepts in the bio-environmental sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and policy and administrative decision-making. Necessary skills include computer applications for natural resource management, geographic information systems, impact assessment methodology, and heritage and natural resources planning techniques.
Students with an emphasis in this field look forward to careers with both public and private employers in the recreation, park, and tourism fields, including state and federal agencies and private enterprises, non-profit organizations, youth camps, and environmental education programs.
Recreation and Park Administration (129 hours)
The recreation and park administration emphasis focuses on management of recreation, park and leisure service agencies and requires expertise in problem-solving, computer-based decision making, assessment of social and environmental impacts, personnel, public relations, volunteer management, financing and fund-raising, marketing of services, and needs assessments. Skills in working with people in the legal and political environment are necessary, as well as the ability to assess and work with other organizations for cooperative developments in recreation and tourism.
Students in this emphasis prepare for managerial careers with public recreation and park agencies, youth agencies, not-for-profit recreation agencies, and commercial recreation enterprises.
Tourism Resource Management (129 hours)
Tourism is one of the world's largest and most diverse industries. To help students prepare for tourism careers, this emphasis area introduces issues pertaining to the management, development, and promotion of places and events as tourism attractions. Courses in tourism are designed to collectively build understanding about the linkages that exist between local places, host populations, and various public, private, and special interest groups. Students also develop competencies in assessing economic, environmental, social, and political impacts of tourism, as well as in tourism marketing. Students in this emphasis can pursue careers in private sector enterprises, government agencies, convention and visitor bureaus, and other tourism related service organizations.