Department Overview

The goal of the Department of Recreation and Parks Management is to prepare liberally educated individuals whose philosophical and practical approaches to the provision of recreation services and facilities are based on the latest methods and techniques. Students learn to be inquisitive and receptive to varying points of view, proficient in a broad spectrum of software and skilled in multiple modalities of communication and interpersonal relations. Graduates will have the ability to motivate and to help others enrich their lives through the constructive use of leisure.

Students develop appropriate professional capabilities and attitudes required for work in a variety of settings. They learn to advise customers and to organize, plan, budget, and manage both leisure services and recreation and park resources. The use of technology to enhance the provision of leisure services has become a distinguishing characteristic of graduates.

Fieldwork is offered in various recreation and resource settings, and students serve full-time internships with public recreation agencies, private or commercial recreation businesses, hotels and resorts, therapeutic programs, or parks and natural resource-related agencies.

The Department of Recreation and Parks Management has one of the largest and most respected programs of its kind in the nation. It is one of only three programs in the United States accredited in all four areas offered by the NRPA/AALR Council on Accreditation. Fifteen diverse and dedicated faculty members strive to ensure the best professional education for program majors, minors, and graduate students.

Career Outlook

Recreation is the second-largest industry in the United States. While no university degree automatically ensures employment, Chico graduates who have tailored their programs and work experiences to market opportunities secure rewarding career positions. We strive to develop and maintain close ties to the profession to help our students become leading candidates for jobs upon graduation.