Recreation, Sport, & Tourism
Turn your passion into a career in one of the world’s largest industries by majoring in Recreation, Sport and Tourism (RST). In this major, you will learn how to design, manage, and deliver recreation, sport, and tourism activities and services to diverse populations. Graduates of this program have secured leadership positions in organizations such as collegiate and professional sports, park districts, and tourism management organizations. In addition to taking coursework from globally renowned faculty, your academic preparation will include presentations from high-level industry leaders, experiential learning and internships, field experiences, and networking opportunities. You will choose from three concentrations: Recreation Management, Sport Management, or Tourism Management.
Students pick at least one aspect – recreation or sport or tourism – in which to specialize. Students also have the freedom to specialize in any two or all three.
Recreation Management prepares you for leadership and administrative roles in public, non-profit, and commercial recreational organizations. You will focus on skills for developing and delivering recreation programs and services at local, state, and national levels. Career examples include youth development, outdoor adventure recreation, park management, commercial recreation, event and facility management, aquatics, recreational fitness, and camps
Sport Management prepares you for managing, marketing, and delivery roles in spectator and participatory sports. You will focus on skills such as sponsorship activation, brand management, data analytics, and arena management. Career examples include professional and collegiate sports, sport agencies, event and facility management, youth sports, and sport promotions.
Tourism management prepares you for working in one of the world's largest industries. You will focus on skills that will prepare you for managing, developing, and implementing quality tourism experiences which includes considering the impact that attractions, events, environments, and technology have on these experiences. Examples include tour operations, destination marketing, event planning, convention and visitor bureaus, crisis management, and museum management.
- RST 100—RST in Modern Society
- RST 101—Orientation to RST (8-week course)
- RST 120—Parks, Recreation, and Environments
- RST 130—Foundations of Sports Management
- RST 150—Foundations of Tourism Management
- RST 200—Leadership in RST (8-week course)
- RST 210—Management in RST
Students should consult with an academic advisor regarding course selection prior to the advanced registration period.
Recreation, sport and tourism (RST) offer outstanding career prospects because they are each facets of the world’s largest and fastest growing industry.
- Administration
- Budgeting and finance
- Communication
- Critical and creative thinking
- Event planning
- Interpersonal dynamics
- Leadership
- Marketing
- Planning and development
- Public speaking
- Strategic decision making
- Teamwork
- Adventure Travel Coordinator
- Airline Industry
- Athletics Director
- Camp Director
- Campus Recreation Director
- Club House Manager
- Conference Coordinator
- Corporate Event Manager
- Commercial Recreation
- Community Recreation
- Collegiate/Scholastic Athletic Administration
- Cruise Ship Activity Director
- Cultural Arts Director
- Destination Marketing
- Destination Sales and Promotion
- Development/Fundraising
- Event Planner
- Facility Manager
- Forest or Park Ranger
- Government Tourism Manager
- Hotel & Resort Manager
- Marketing Director
- Nonprofit Agency Director
- Olympic/International Sport
- Park District Director or Superintendent
- Park Development Manager
- Professional Sports
- Recreation Programs Supervisor
- Resort Development and Management
- Sports Promotion Director
- Sport Operations Manager
- Stadium Manager
- Sponsorship Sales and Promotion
- Sport Governance
- Sport Facility and Event Management
- Sport Marketing
- Team Director of Operations
- Tourism Development and Planning
- Visitor Experience Coordinator
- Participating in undergraduate research
- Applying for a study abroad experience
- Utilizing resources of The Career Center
- Joining a Registered Student Organization (RSO) related to this major, such as:
- Applied Health Sciences Student Council: Educates students of the various academic, social, and professional opportunities available. Promotes enhanced interaction between students, alumni, staff, in addition to organizations within the college of Applied Health Sciences.
- Sport Business Administration: Find out more information about this great student-led organization and contact the faculty advisor Michael Raycraft at mraycraf@illinois.edu.
There are several professional organizations dedicated to a career in Recreation, Sport and Tourism. Their websites might be able to provide a glimpse in the world of RST. These organizations include World Tourism Organization and North American Society for Sports Management.