Recreation, Sport & Tourism, BS

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Sport & Tourism

The Recreation, Sport & Tourism, BS degree program includes a set of three concentrations, of which a student must complete at least one:

The Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism (RST) originated at Illinois in 1940. Today, this program continues to rank nationally among the top three in the field, and takes pride in producing a large number of exceptional professionals. The Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism offers a bachelor of science degree with three areas of concentration: recreation management, sport management, and tourism management. The curriculum prepares students to design, manage, and deliver RST services to a variety of populations in diverse settings and provides a firm foundation from which students may pursue graduate studies. A broad general education is emphasized and complemented with a core of professional courses. Beyond a strong core integrating theory, management, and research, the program allows students to focus on a major market segment within the RST field by choosing an area of concentration. A total of 128 hours is needed for graduation. For further information, contact the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism, 219 Huff Hall, 1206 S. Fourth Street, Champaign, IL 61820, (217) 333-4410.

Internship Program

All students in the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism must satisfactorily complete the Internship Program prior to graduation. The program is designed to augment formal classroom instruction with active experiential learning under the guidance of a university and an agency-based supervisor.

The program consists of two courses (RST 480 and RST 485). Students register for RST 480 after completing a series of required RST courses. During this semester, students make final arrangements for completing RST 485 the following semester.

The RST 485 Internship is taken during the student's junior or senior year after satisfactorily completing the majority of required RST course work, including RST 480. RST 485 is completed with agencies that are approved by the department and contracted for this program. Since a limited number of assignments are available in the campus area, most students look forward to the opportunity of an off-campus assignment. Students have been placed across the United States and abroad.

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Sport & Tourism

Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements.

First Semester
Requirements	Hours
Composition I or CMN 101	4
RST 100 - Recreation, Sport, and Tourism in Modern Society	3
RST 101 - Orientation to Recreation, Sport and Tourism	1
RST 200 - Leadership in Recreation, Sport and Tourism	2
RST 210 - Management in Recreation, Sport and Tourism	3
General Education course	3
Semester Hours	16

Second Semester
Requirements	Hours
CMN 101 or Composition I	3
RST 255 - Ethical Issues in Recreation, Sport and Tourism	2
RST Elective	3
Concentration specific course #1	3
General Education course	3
Free Elective course	3
Semester Hours	17

First Semester
Requirements	Hours
RST 340 - Facility Management in Recreation, Sport and Tourism	3
RST Elective	3
RST Elective	3
General Education course	3
Language Other Than English (3rd level)	4
Free Elective course	1
Semester Hours	17

Second Semester
Requirements	Hours
RST 240 - Financial Resource Management in Recreation, Sport and Tourism	3
RST 325 - Marketing in Recreation, Sport and Tourism	3
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
Free Elective course	3
Free Elective course	2
Semester Hours	17

First Semester
Requirements	Hours
RST 440 - HR Management in RST	3
RST 370 - Research Methods & Analysis	3
RST 460 - Event Management in Recreation, Sport and Tourism	3
Concentration speciic course #2	3
General Education course	3
Free Elective course	2
Semester Hours	17

Second Semester
Requirements	Hours
RST 410 - Strategic Management in Recreation, Sport and Tourism	3
RST 465 - Event Implementation and Evaluation in Recreation, Sport and Tourism	3
Concentration specific course #3	3
RST 480 - Orientation to Internship	1
General Education course	3
Free Elective course	3
Semester Hours	16

First Semester
Requirements	Hours
RST 429 - Contemporary Issues in Recreation, Sport and Tourism	4
RST elective	3
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
Free Elective course	3
Semester Hours	16

Second Semester
Requirements	Hours
RST 485 - Internship	12
Semester Hours	12

Total Hours: 128

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Sport & Tourism

Students graduating with the B.S. in Recreation, Sport & Tourism should be able to:

Communicate effectively in writing and in oral presentations about issues in recreation, sport, and tourism.
Demonstrate a basic understanding of the historical and theoretical underpinnings of recreation, sport, and tourism in modern society.
Demonstrate basic knowledge about various dimensions of diversity, equity, and inclusion and their implications for recreation, sport, and tourism organizations.
Demonstrate a basic understanding of the essential management functions necessary to deliver and manage services in recreation, sport, and tourism organizations.
Apply knowledge of basic management principles to professional practice.
Design, implement, and evaluate services in recreation, sport and tourism venues.
Identify and apply basic research methodologies at a level sufficient to collect, analyze, and critique applied research data.

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Sport & Tourism