Information About the Major
The Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences focuses on the management and sustainable use of natural resources for recreation and tourism. The Department offers undergraduate and graduate degrees with three different option areas, each with exciting career opportunities:
RPTS Homepage
Natural Resource Recreation and Conservation Option
This option equips students to balance use and protection in natural places through a combined understanding of natural sciences, social and behavioral sciences, policy and resource management. Students also develop skills for assuming leadership, interpretive and administrative roles in a variety of public and private organizations.
Organizations:
Adventure Outfitters
Bureau of Land Management
Conservation Agencies
Ecotourism and Agro-tourism Companies
Guide Services
National Park Service
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s)
State Park Systems
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Forest Service
Tour Operators
Recreation and Park Administration Option
This option emphasizes knowledge about planning, financing and programming places and services. Students develop skills for working with people, organizing activities and managing programs in community settings. Graduates assume leadership, supervisory and administrative roles across a range of public and private agencies.
Organizations:
Armed Forces Recreation Programs
Camps
Campus Recreation
Corporate Recreation Programs
Motor Home Parks and Campgrounds
Municipal Park and Recreation Programs
Museums
Religious Organizations
Retirement Communities
Special Events Agencies
Youth Service Agencies
Tourism Management Option
This option provides an interdisciplinary approach to the management, development and promotion of places and events as tourism attractions. Graduates assume roles in management, promotion, marketing, public relations and sales in many employment arenas.
Organizations:
Adventure Outfitters
Chambers of Commerce
Cruise Lines
Economic Development Councils
Golf Courses and Marinas
Health and Fitness Centers/Sports Clubs
Heritage Sites and Heritage Tourism Councils
Local and State Tourism and Convention Bureaus
Meeting and Convention Planners
Motor Home Parks and Campgrounds
Museums
Resorts, Hotels and Vacation Communities
Special Event and Festival Management Companies
Theme Parks
Tour Operators
Tourism Research and Consulting Companies
Travel Agencies
Visitor and Conference Centers
Wineries and Leisure Theme Restaurants
Professional Associations
International Federation for Information Technology in Travel and Tourism (IFITT)
International Festivals and Events Association (IREA)
National Association of Recreation Resource Planners (NARRP)
National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)
Resorts and Commercial Recreation Association (RCRA)
Texas Recreation and Park Society (TRAPS)
Texas Travel Industry Association (TTIA)
Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA)
Student Organizations
Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences Club (RPTS Club)
Student Texas Recreation and Park Society (STRAPS)
Salary
Salary Survey Results
Campus Recruiting Reports for:
