Western Carolina University

WCU's Parks and Recreation Management (PRM) Program will prepare you for jobs in the leisure service and tourism industries, as well as with land agencies such as the National Parks and U.S. Forest Service. Students in the program earn a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Parks and Recreation Management or a minor.

Your Learning Environment
Promoting resourcefulness, independent thinking, and service both in- and outside the classroom, our program prepares leaders for professions in recreation and outdoor education. You’ll learn from our accomplished faculty in an intellectual and caring environment in which hands-on experiences complement classroom theory.

Career Options & Preparation
The field of parks and recreation offers graduates a wide range of career options in community recreation, outdoor leadership and instruction, commercial and resort recreation, and recreation resource management.

For this reason, we encourage you to gain experience in your chosen area through coursework, internships, and summer employment. You’ll gain leadership and participatory experience through volunteer work at Base Camp Cullowhee, where a range of activities are planned for the on- and off-campus community.

Internship Opportunities
Excellent internship opportunities, including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Lake Hartwell, Nantahala Outdoor Center, Project SOAR, and several camps, surround the WCU campus. The strongest industry in the region is tourism, so our students enjoy internships at attractions and resorts in Western North Carolina and in the coastal areas of both North and South Carolina at places like Wilmington, Hilton Head Island, Myrtle Beach, and Charleston. Community parks and recreation agencies abound in the region.

Want to Know More?
Read our mission statement, learn about declaring and planning your major, or contact us with your questions. We look forward to hearing from you.