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Recreation, Sport and Tourism

College of Applied Health Sciences

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What is Recreation, Sport and Tourism?

In this major, you’ll learn how to design, manage, and evaluate a variety of recreation, sport and tourism activities and services to diverse populations. You'll receive a broad general education and take courses in management, special events, and marketing to prepare you for a professional career. You’ll choose from one of three concentrations:

  • Recreation Management
  • Sport Management
  • Tourism Management

Recreation Management prepares you for leadership and administrative roles in public, nonprofit, and commercial recreational organizations. It focuses on knowledge and skills essential for developing and delivering recreation programs and services in many contexts (including youth development, health promotion, and outdoor recreation) at the local, state, and national levels.

Sport Management encompasses the governance, administration, and marketing of spectator, entertainment, and participatory sports (youth and amateur), and accompanying industries (e.g., multimedia, sport manufacturer and retail, and facilities).

Tourism management is one of the world’s largest industries. It covers the design and implementation of the travel experience. This includes the impact of attractions, events, environment, and technology in its development.

Career Options

  • Collegiate & scholastic athletic administration
  • Commercial recreation
  • Community recreation
  • Cultural arts administration
  • Destination marketing
  • Destination sales & promotion
  • Hospitality & event planning
  • Nonprofit & community sport
  • Olympic & international sport
  • Park management
  • Professional sport
  • Recreation program supervision
  • Resort development & management
  • Sport facility & event management
  • Sport governance
  • Sport marketing
  • Sport sales & promotion
  • Tourism development & planning

Post-Graduation Success1

91% employed or continuing education

36% employed after graduation

55% attending graduate school

$39,875 average starting annual income

Sample employer destinations: Echo Global Logistics (2), Busey Bank (2), Chestnut Mountain Resort (1) View All

Sample grad school destinations: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois Chicago, Washington University in St. Louis View All

Review Criteria

First-Year Major-Specific Criteria

  • Demonstrated understanding of the major and career options
  • Commitment to activities, employment, or community involvement and/or leadership experiences

View All Review Criteria

Transfer Criteria

Transfer Handbook

Graduation & Retention2

4.0 years to degree

86% first-year retention rate

76% four-year graduation rate

88% six-year graduation rate

Annual Program Costs3

Illinois Resident

  • Tuition: $12,992
  • Fees: $5,054
  • Expenses: $18,884
  • Total: $36,930

Non-Resident

  • Tuition: $33,344
  • Fees: $5,054
  • Expenses:$19,224
  • Total: $57,622

International

  • Tuition: $34,338
  • Fees: $5,054
  • Expenses: $19,224
  • Total: $58,616
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