B.S. in Parks, Recreation and Tourism

University of Maine

Recreation is one of the world’s most diverse and fastest-growing industries. It is often intertwined within another worldwide growth industry, tourism.The Parks, Recreation and Tourism (PRT) program is designed to provide students with training that will qualify them to work in a variety of work settings such as parks and protected natural areas, the public and private business sectors, non-profit environmental organizations, as well as state and federal natural resource agencies. The PRT program emphasis on the integration of natural, social, and management sciences reflects the inter-disciplinary context in which recreation, tourism, natural resource planning, and environmental concerns are addressed.Students interested in the study of Parks, Recreation and Tourism will find the program ideally situated close to the rocky coasts, mountains, Acadia National Park, Baxter State Park, the Appalachian Trail and Maine tourism developments. Visits to these sites afford students unique and exciting opportunities both during class and leisure to observe and participate in on-going operations relevant to the profession. We frequently have guest lectures from the public sector and commercial recreational enterprises to acquaint students with the diversity of professional management issues and practices.Our faculty, both full-time and cooperating, are unique in their extensive experience in the field as well as their national and international reputations. A wide array of academic experiences are available to students: summer camps, field experiences, studies abroad and assisting with recreation-related research enhance our students’ education and employability.Small class sizes ensure student/professor interaction and a more personal learning experience. A faculty advisor works closely with students to assist in choosing a program of study, provide career counseling, and provide a better understanding of the profession.Students interested in summer intern and cooperative education opportunities can receive academic credit in addition to the valuable on-the-job training experiences. Numerous and diverse intern opportunities exist in the area allowing students to take classes simultaneously if they wish.The faculty in Parks, Recreation and Tourism bring over 6 decades of experience in recreation resource management and research to the program. The location of the PRT program within the Department of Forest Management provides students with a solid grounding in natural resource management training.

College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture