Recreation Management: Parks and Outdoor Recreation, BS Concentration

This career-ready concentration explores the contribution of recreation and parks to public well-being and quality of life. Graduates are employed in national, state, and local recreation and park agencies, non-profit organizations, and private and commercial operations.

Recreation Management: Parks and Outdoor Recreation (POR) concentration explores the contribution of recreation and parks to public well-being and quality of life. The curriculum includes courses in natural resources management, outdoor recreation programming, and environmental education. The Recreation Management concentration is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions. Graduates of this career-ready concentration are employed in national, state, and local recreation and park agencies, non-profit organizations, and private and commercial operations. Students complete both a supervised practicum and internship in professional settings.

Course Work

Mason Core Requirements (38 credits)

• Written communication (6)
• Oral communication (3)
• Information technology (3)
• Quantitative reasoning (3)
  Must take STAT 250
• Literature (3)
• Arts (3)
• Western civilization/World History (3)
• Social and behavioral science (3)
• Global understanding (3)
• Natural science (8) (Students pursuing the Certificate in Environmental Management must take BIOL 213 and either BIOL 303 or BIOL 304)
• Synthesis/Capstone (12), met by PRLS 490, a program requirement

Professional Sequence (68 credits)

• ATEP 120: First Aid and Emergency Care (2 credit hours)
• PRLS 210: Introduction to Recreation and Leisure (3 credit hours)
• PRLS 241: Practicum (3 credit hours)
• PRLS 300: People with Nature (3 credit hours)
• PRLS 302: Park Management and Operations (3 credit hours)
• PRLS 310: Program Planning and Evaluation (3 credit hours)
• PRLS 316: Leadership and Outdoor Education (3 credit hours)
• PRLS 317: Social Psychology of Play and Recreation (3 credit hours)
• PRLS 323: Program Leadership and Evaluation (3 credit hours)
• PRLS 327: Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation (3 credit hours)
• PRLS 362: Cultural and Environmental Interpretation (3 credit hours)
• PRLS 402: Human Behavior in Natural Environments (3 credit hours)
• PRLS 405: Planning and Operation of Recreation Facilities (3 credit hours)
• PRLS 410: Administration of SRT Organizations I (3 credit hours)
• PRLS 411: Administration of SRT Organizations II (3 credit hours)
• PRLS 460: Sport and Recreation Law (3 credit hours)

• SRST 450: Research Methods (3 credit hours) (Satisfies the university Writing Intensive requirement))

• PRLS 490: Recreation Management Internship (Must register for 12 credits))

• PRLS 501: Introduction to Natural Resources Law (3 credit hours)
• SRST 200: History of Sport and Leisure in America (3 credit hours)

Electives (14 credits)

Choose an additional 14 credits from the university catalog including the Physical Activity for Lifetime Wellness (RECR) courses that promote the health and wellness of students, faculty, and staff.

Total: 120 credits

Consult the current George Mason University catalog for descriptions of courses and degree requirements. Students will be cleared for graduation using the degree requirements for the catalog year they matriculated into the Recreation Management (POR) concentration.

Many POR students have applied their elective credits toward completion of a George Mason University certificate program as a complement to their major area of study. A minor or certificate can further enhance a student's expertise in specialized areas and may make them even more marketable upon graduation.