Recreation Management, BS: Parks and Outdoor Recreation Concentration

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Accreditation by COAPRT

The Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT) recognizes academic programs in colleges and universities that prepare new professionals to enter the parks, recreation, tourism and related professions. COAPRT Accreditation is a status granted to an academic program that meets or exceeds stated criteria of educational quality.

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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.

For more information on this degree, please contact: Brenda Wiggins.

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

SRST 450: Research Methods (3 credits) (Satisfies the university Writing Intensive requirement))

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

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

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.

This program has been identified by George Mason University as one that may lead to a career requiring professional licensure/certification. Federal regulations require Mason to disclose information as to whether this program meets/does not meet the educational requirements for licensure/certification in your state, or whether such a determination has not been made. Please consult our Licensure Disclosure Tool for the disclosure statement specific to your desired state/program combination.

George Mason University will verify completion of the requirements of a Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) state-approved preparation program at the graduate or undergraduate level. Such verification does not guarantee the issuance of a Virginia Collegiate Professional, Postgraduate Professional, or Pupil Personnel license from the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is solely the student's responsibility to comply with all requirements for licensure by the Commonwealth. Under Virginia law, a social security number is required for licensure.