Recreation Services Management
College of Business and Management
The Faculty of Recreation Services Management
DeNike Hall Room 231
570-422-3305
www.esu.edu/rlsm
About the Program
The Department of Recreation Services Management (RSM) can prepare you for a variety of career paths in recreation services settings. Our Bachelor of Science degree program was established in 1978.
The mission of the RSM program is to provide students with knowledge and skills needed for entry into the workforce. An advisory council, comprised of expert practitioners in the Pocono region, offers input to the faculty. Their perspectives enable the faculty to be responsive to the changing needs of the work force. The program provides students options that are determined by their interests and goals.
Accreditation
National accreditation was received in 1983 from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and has been maintained since that time. The accreditation organization is currently the Council of Accreditation for Park, Recreation, Tourism and related Professions (COAPRT).
Students graduating from this program are immediately eligible to sit for the examination to become a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP).
Professional Organizations
Professional organizations such as NRPA and the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society (PRPS) offer information on career opportunities. More specific information on the career option of commercial recreation is available from the Resort and Commercial Recreation Association (RCRA). If you are interested in an outdoor recreation career option, another source of career information is the National Association for Interpretation (NAI). If you think a career as a recreation therapist might be for you, information can be obtained from the National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) and the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA).
Transfer Students
Many students transfer from community colleges and other universities. We welcome your inquiries. More information about credit and course transfers is available from the Office of Admissions, 877-230-5547.
Are you interested in ...
- Planning and implementing meaningful recreation opportunities for others?
- Coordinating and planning events?
- Directing and monitoring an organization’s recreation resources?
- Facilitating team building experiences?
- Enabling others to improve their quality of life?
- A dynamic work environment that has you completing many different tasks each day?
Why Choose Recreation Services Management at ESU:
- Small class size
- Nationally accredited program
- Internship placement and other practical fieldwork experiences
- Qualified, experienced faculty
- Several career specializations
- Frequent faculty interactions that cultivates professional development
Is Recreation Services Management a career path for me?
Career Potential
- Event Planner
- Park Ranger/Park Manager
- Resort Recreation Director
- Recreation Therapist
- Community Recreation Director
Career Settings
- Municipal, state, and federal government agencies
- Community organizations
- Environmental education centers
- Youth camps
- Resorts
- Ski areas
- Theme parks
- Rehabilitation centers
- Hospitals
- Long-term care facilities
More detailed career information is available from the department and its website.