WCU’s Parks and Recreation Management Program prepares students to serve as community
recreation leaders or administrators, facility managers, camp staff and directors,
outdoor activity instructors, adventure travel guides, environmental education naturalists,
community health and wellness coordinators, aquatics directors, physical activity
instructions and coordinators, park or forest rangers, recreation program directors,
or staff positions with resorts and private clubs. A leading outdoors magazine featured
WCU in 2014 and 2015 for winning an online poll to select the No. 1 outdoor adventure
college in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. Located near the Great Smoky Mountains
National Park, two national forests, and a variety of water based recreation, WCU
offers opportunities to gain experience with tourism-related parks and recreation
programs and businesses, and in outdoor activities such as hiking, paddling, climbing
and snowsports. College of Education and Allied Professions Parks and Recreation Managment Program
Parks and Recreation Management
What You'll Learn
Coursework prepares students to administer, plan, lead and instruct outdoor and recreational
programs and study topics from ethics and hazards connected with back-country pursuits
to coordinating commercial recreation services. Students perform service work in the
region and gain hands-on experience through internships at sites such as the Nantahala
Outdoor Center or local recreation departments. In addition, students have an opportunity
to earn nationally recognized certifications such as Wilderness First Aid for course
credit. The WCU Parks and Recreation Management Club hosts social activities, assists
with a community canoe slalom, and brings students together for activities from outdoor
pursuits to trail maintenance. Students may choose to reside and study together in
WCU’s Outdoor Adventure living and learning community, and participate in WCU’s Base
Camp Cullowhee outdoor program trips.
Where You'll Go
Graduates go on to lead programs for parks and recreation or community organizations,
manage facilities such as a college campus recreation center, or work as a camp counselor-director,
resort recreation coordinator or instructor at programs such as Outward Bound or skiing
or rafting companies. Some work as outdoor guides, conference organizers, park rangers,
trail crewmembers or in administrative positions with tourism-related businesses.
Still others may work as group exercise instructors, aquatics directors or health-wellness
program coordinators.
College of Education and Allied Professions, Department of Human Services
Location
Cullowhee Campus
Length
Full and Part-Time
Time to Complete:
4 Year Average
Credits:
120 Credit Hours
App Deadline:
Admission through general WCU undergraduate enrollment
More About Our Parks & Recreation Management Program
The PRM program at WCU equips students for careers in recreation, outdoor leadership,
tourism, and leisure-service management. Through classroom learning, outdoor education,
internships, and experiential training, you’ll gain the skills to plan, lead, and
manage recreation and natural-resource programs, while promoting wellness, environmental
stewardship, and community engagement.
Whether you envision managing a city park, leading outdoor adventures, coordinating
resort recreation, or working with a conservation agency, PRM provides the foundation
and flexibility for a rewarding career in recreation and leisure services.
With a mix of classroom learning, outdoor training, and real-world internships, the
PRM curriculum gives you both theoretical knowledge and practical experience — making
graduates job-ready across recreation, tourism, and natural-resource sectors.
Admission is simple — declare PRM once you're enrolled and plan your coursework with
an advisor. Maintain a 2.5 GPA and complete required internships and certifications
to finish the degree.
Whether you aim to run a city recreation program, lead wilderness expeditions, manage
a resort recreation department, or work for a resource agency — PRM gives you the
training, credentials, and flexibility to succeed.
PRM isn’t a one-size-fits-all degree — you can choose a path that matches your passion,
whether it’s community recreation, wilderness guiding, resort management, or conservation-based
work.
By graduation you’ll have both practical experience and a professional portfolio —
giving you a head-start whether you’re entering the workforce or pursuing graduate
studies in recreation, tourism, or outdoor education.
