Office of the University Registrar

Recreation, Parks and Tourism

This curriculum prepares students to develop, manage and deliver leisure services to a variety of populations in diverse settings and to become decision makers in private and public organizations while providing a foundation for students to pursue graduate studies.

About This Major

  • College: Health and Human Performance
  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Parks and Tourism
  • Hours for the Degree: 120
  • Specializations: Natural Resources Recreation Management,
    Recreation and Event Management, Recreation Programming,
    Tourism and Hospitality Management
  • Minor: No
  • Combined-Degree Program: Yes
  • Website: www.hhp.ufl.edu/trsm/acad/unde/programs.php

Overview

By graduation, students will have obtained competencies and skills sufficient to take the Certified Park and Recreation Professional examination to become a certified park and recreation professional.

To earn the Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Parks and Tourism or the Bachelor of Science in Sport Management, courses must be completed successfully in general education, the major, related professional courses and cognate or specialized elective courses. An approved full-semester internship is required upon completion of all coursework.

Cognate Courses

In each specialization, cognate or specialized elective courses are required; the number of hours varies according to the degree program. These courses must be selected from a list of courses by specialization. Courses taken that do not match the selected specialization will not be accepted to fulfill degree requirements. Contact the college's academic advising office for a cognate course list.

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.

Specialization: Natural Resources Recreation Management
Specialization: Recreation and Event Management
Specialization: Recreation Programming
Specialization: Tourism and Hospitality Management

Natural Resources Recreation Management

Natural resources recreation management prepares students for employment opportunities in parks, beaches and waterfront, wildlife refuges or forest settings and in other outdoor recreation and park services. Courses and training focus on the knowledge and skills necessary to manage recreation programs in natural environments, including parks and protected areas, and to manage the use of natural resources to protect the environment and enhance outdoor recreation experiences. Students also can choose natural resources recreation management with an emphasis in ecotourism. Contact a college adviser for details.

Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan

Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites for Recreation and Tourism and Natural Resource Recreation Management that may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1:

  • 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-4
  • 2.0 GPA on tracking coursework for semesters 1-4
  • Complete 1 of 5 critical-tracking courses: ECO 2013 or ECO 2023,
    BSC 2007/2009L or BSC 2010/2010L, EDF 3110 or DEP 3053, SPC 2608 or
    AEC 3030C, SYG 2000

Semester 2:

  • Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course

Semester 3:

  • Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses

Semester 4:

  • Complete all 5 critical-tracking courses

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.

Recommended semester plan

Semester 1Credits
BSC 2010 and 2010L Principles of Biology 1 (3) and Principles of Biology 1 Laboratory (1) or
BSC 2007 and 2009L Biological Sciences: Cells, Organisms and Genetics (3) and Biological Sciences Laboratory (1) (GE-B)
4
SPC 2608 Introduction to Public Speaking or
AEC 3030C Effective Oral Communication
3
Composition (GE-C, WR)3
Elective3
Mathematics (GE-M)3
Total 16
Semester 2Credits
SYG 2000 Principles of Sociology (GE-S)3
Cognate course (see adviser for current list)3
Elective3
Mathematics (GE-M)3
Total 12
Semester 3Credits
ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics or
ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics (GE-S)
4
LAA 2710 History of Landscape Architecture (GE-H, N)3
PCB 3034C Introduction to Ecology (GE-B)4
Cognate course (see adviser for current list)2
Elective3
Total 16
Semester 4Credits
EDF 3110 Human Growth and Development (GE-S) or
DEP 3053 Developmental Psychology (GE-S)
3
MAR 3023 Principles of Marketing (GE-S)4
Cognate course (see adviser for current list)4
Elective3
Humanities (GE-H, N, WR)3
Total 17
Semester 5Credits
LEI 3140 Philosophy and History of Recreation (GE-H)3
LEI 3320 Leadership in Recreation and Leisure Services2
LEI 3250 Introduction to Outdoor Recreation and Parks3
LEI 3400 Recreation Program Design3
LEI 3600 Design and Maintenance of Leisure Facilities2
LEI 3705 Leisure Services for People with Disabilities3
Total 16
Semester 6Credits
LEI 3500 Administration of Leisure Service3
LEI 3546 Park Management3
LEI 4540 Management and Supervision of Leisure Facilities and Personnel3
Cognate course (see adviser for current list)4
Total 13
Semester 7Credits
LEI 3921 Field Experience in Leisure Services3
LEI 4501 Legal Aspects of Recreation, Parks and Tourism3
LEI 4570 Revenue Resources Management3
LEI 4880 Evaluation of Leisure Services3
Cognate course (see adviser for current list)3
Total 15
Semester 8Credits
LEI 4940 Internship in Leisure Services15
Total 15

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Ecotourism

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.

Recommended semester plan

Semester 1Credits
BSC 2010 and 2010L Principles of Biology 1 (3) and Principles of Biology 1 Laboratory (1) or
BSC 2007 and 2009L Biological Sciences: Cells, Organisms and Genetics (3) and Biological Sciences Laboratory (1) (GE-B)
4
SPC 2608 Introduction to Public Speaking or
AEC 3030C Effective Oral Communication
3
Composition (GE-C, WR)3
Humanities (GE-H)3
Mathematics (GE-M)3
Total 16
Semester 2Credits
SYG 2000 Principles of Sociology (GE-S)3
Elective3
Cognate course (see adviser for current list)3
Mathematics (GE-M)3
Physical or Biological Science (GE-P or GE-B)3
Total 15
Semester 3Credits
ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics or
ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics (GE-S)
4
LAA 2710 History of Landscape Architecture (GE-H, N)3
PCB 3034C Introduction to Ecology (GE-B)4
Cognate course (see adviser for current list)2
Elective2
Total 15
Semester 4Credits
EDF 3110 Human Growth and Development (GE-S) or
DEP 3053 Developmental Psychology (GE-S)
3
MAR 3023 Principles of Marketing (GE-S)4
Cognate course (see adviser for current list)4
Elective2
Total 13
Semester 5Credits
LEI 3140 Philosophy and History of Recreation (GE-H)3
LEI 3250 Introduction to Outdoor Recreation and Parks3
LEI 3320 Leadership in Recreation and Leisure Services2
LEI 3400 Recreation Program Design3
LEI 3705 Leisure Services for People with Disabilities3
LEI 3830 Principles of Travel and Tourism3
Total 17
Semester 6Credits
LEI 3500 Administration of Leisure Service3
LEI 3546 Park Management3
LEI 4501 Legal Aspects of Recreation, Parks and Tourism3
LEI 4833 Ecotourism3
LEI 4880 Evaluation of Leisure Services3
Total 15
Semester 7Credits
FOR 4664 Sustainable Ecotourism Development3
LEI 3921 Field Experience in Leisure Services3
LEI 4540 Management and Supervision of Leisure Facilities and Personnel3
LEI 4570 Revenue Resources Management3
Cognate course (see adviser for current list)2
Total 14
Semester 8Credits
LEI 4940 Internship in Leisure Services15
Total 15

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Recreation and Event Management

Recreation and event management courses and training focus on the knowledge and skills necessary to administer and manage commercial and entrepreneurial leisure service businesses. The curriculum prepares students to organize events and conferences, as well as community recreation services.

Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan

Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students

Semester 1:

  • 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-4
  • 2.0 GPA on tracking coursework for semesters 1-4
  • Complete 1 of 5 critical-tracking courses: ECO 2013 or ECO 2023, EDF 3110 or DEP 3053, SPC 2608 or AEC 3030C, PSY 2012, SYG 2000

Semester 2:

  • Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course

Semester 3:

  • Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course

Semester 4:

  • Complete all 5 critical-tracking courses

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To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.

Recommended semester plan

Semester 1Credits
SPC 2608 Introduction to Public Speaking or
AEC 3030C Effective Oral Communication
3
Composition (GE-C, WR)3
Elective2
Mathematics (GE-M)3
Physical or Biological Science (GE-P or B)3
Total 14
Semester 2Credits
ECO 2023 Microeconomics or
ECO 2013 Macroeconomics (GE-S)
4
EDF 3110 Human Growth and Development or
DEP 3053 Developmental Psychology (GE-S)
3
Mathematics (GE-M)3
Humanities (GE-H, N and WR) 3
Physical or Biological Science (GE-P or B)3
Total 16
Semester 3Credits
MAN 3025 Principles of Management (GE-S)4
PSY 2012 General Psychology (GE-S)3
Cognate course (see adviser for current list)3
Elective3
Total 13
Semester 4Credits
MAR 3023 Principles of Marketing (GE-S)4
SYG 2000 Principles of Sociology (GE-S)3
Cognate course (see adviser for current list)3
Elective2
Humanities (GE-H, D and WR)3
Total 15
Semester 5Credits
LEI 3140 Philosophy and History of Recreation (GE-H)3
LEI 3320 Leadership in Recreation and Leisure Services2
LEI 3400 Recreation Program Design3
LEI 3832 Special Events and Meeting Planning3
LEI 3836 Hospitality Management3
LEI 3843 Commercial Recreation3
Total 17
Semester 6Credits
LEI 3500 Administration of Leisure Service3
LEI 3705 Leisure Services for People with Disabilities3
LEI 4540 Management and Supervision of Leisure Facilities and Personnel3
Cognate course (see adviser for current list)s6
Total 15
Semester 7Credits
LEI 3921 Field Experience in Leisure Services3
LEI 4501 Legal Aspects of Recreation, Parks and Tourism3
LEI 4570 Revenue Resources Management3
LEI 4880 Evaluation of Leisure Services3
Cognate course (see adviser for current list)3
Total 15
Semester 8Credits
LEI 4940 Internship in Leisure Services15
Total 15

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Recreation Programming

Recreation programming prepares students for activity leadership employment in recreation settings, such as camps, activity programs, YMCAs, YWCAs and Boys and Girls Clubs. Courses focus on planning, implementation and evaluation of recreational activities for all segments of the population, including at-risk youth.

Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan

Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students

Semester 1:

  • 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-4
  • 2.0 GPA on tracking coursework for semesters 1-4
  • Complete 1 of 5 critical-tracking courses: SPC 2608 or AEC 3030C, ECO 2013 or ECO 2023, EDF 3110 or DEP 3053, PSY 2012, SYG 2000

Semester 2:

  • Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course

Semester 3:

  • Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses

Semester 4:

  • Complete all 5 critical-tracking courses

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.

Recommended semester plan

Semester 1Credits
SPC 2608 Introduction to Public Speaking or
AEC 3030C Effective Oral Communication
3
Composition (GE-C, WR)3
Humanities (GE-H, N and WR)3
Mathematics (GE-M)3
Physical or Biological Science (GE-P or B)3
Total 15
Semester 2Credits
PSY 2012 General Psychology (GE-S)3
Cognate course (see adviser for current list)3
Humanities (GE-H, N and WR)3
Mathematics (GE-M)3
Physical or Biological Science (GE-P or B)3
Total 15
Semester 3Credits
ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics or
ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics (GE-S)
4
LEI 3250 Introduction to Outdoor Recreation and Parks3
SOP 3004 Social Psychology (GE-S)3
Elective3
Total 13
Semester 4Credits
EDF 3110 Human Growth and Development (GE-S) or
DEP 3053 Developmental Psychology (GE-S)
3
MAR 3023 Principles of Marketing 4
SYG 2000 Principles of Sociology (GE-S)3
Cognate course (see adviser for current list)s4
Elective2
Total 16
Semester 5Credits
LEI 3140 Philosophy and History of Recreation (GE-H)3
LEI 3400 Recreation Program Design3
LEI 3705 Leisure Services for People with Disabilities3
LEI 3832 Special Events and Meeting Planning3
Cognate course (see adviser for current list)3
Total 15
Semester 6Credits
LEI 3320 Leadership in Recreation and Leisure Services2
LEI 3500 Administration of Leisure Services3
LEI 3546 Park Management3
LEI 4540 Management and Supervision of Leisure Facilities and Personnel3
Cognate course (see adviser for current list)s5
Total 16
Semester 7Credits
LEI 3921 Field Experience in Leisure Services3
LEI 4501 Legal Aspects of Recreation, Parks and Tourism3
LEI 4570 Revenue Resources Management3
LEI 4880 Evaluation of Leisure Services3
Cognate course (see adviser for current list)3
Total 15
Semester 8Credits
LEI 4940 Internship in Leisure Services15
Total 15

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Tourism and Hospitality Management

Tourism and hospitality management courses prepare students for opportunities in the tourism industry and with agencies responsible for travel and tourism development, resort recreation management and hospitality management.

Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan

Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students

Semester 1:

  • 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-4
  • 2.0 GPA on tracking coursework for semesters 1-4
  • Complete 1 of 5 critical-tracking courses: ECO 2013 or ECO 2023, EDF 3110 or DEP 3053, PSY 2012, SPC 2608 or AEC 3030C, SYG 2000

Semester 2:

  • Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course

Semester 3:

  • Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course

Semester 4:

  • Complete all 5 critical-tracking courses

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.

Recommended semester plan

Semester 1Credits
SPC 2608 Introduction to Public Speaking or
AEC 3030C Effective Oral Communication
3
Composition (GE-C, WR)3
Elective2
Mathematics (GE-M)3
Physical or Biological Science (GE-P or B)3
Total 14
Semester 2Credits
ECO 2023 Microeconomics or
ECO 2013 Macroeconomics (GE-S)
4
EDF 3110 Human Growth and Development or
DEP 3053 Developmental Psychology (GE-S)
3
Humanities (GE-H, N and WR) 3
Mathematics (GE-M)3
Physical or Biological Science (GE-P or B)3
Total 16
Semester 3Credits
MAN 3025 Principles of Management (GE-S)4
PSY 2012 General Psychology (GE-S)3
Cognate course (see adviser for current list)3
Elective3
Total 13
Semester 4Credits
MAR 3023 Principles of Marketing (GE-S)4
SYG 2000 Principles of Sociology (GE-S)3
Cognate course (see adviser for current list)3
Elective2
Humanities (GE-D, N and WR)3
Total 15
Semester 5Credits
LEI 3140 Philosophy and History of Recreation (GE-H)3
LEI 3400 Recreation Program Design3
LEI 3705 Leisure Services for People with Disabilities3
LEI 3830 Principles of Travel and Tourism 3
LEI 3836 Hospitality Management3
Total 15
Semester 6Credits
LEI 3320 Leadership in Recreation and Leisure Services2
LEI 3500 Administration of Leisure Service3
LEI 3831 Fundamentals of Tourism Planning3
LEI 4540 Management and Supervision of Leisure Facilities and Personnel3
Cognate course (see adviser for current list)s6
Total 17
Semester 7Credits
LEI 3921 Field Experience in Leisure Services3
LEI 4501 Legal Aspects of Recreation, Parks and Tourism3
LEI 4570 Revenue Resources Management3
LEI 4880 Evaluation of Leisure Services3
Cognate course (see adviser for current list)3
Total 15
Semester 8Credits
LEI 4940 Internship in Leisure Services15
Total 15

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