Recreation, Sport & Tourism, BS

for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major 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 Major 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 Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
RHET 105 or CMN 1014CMN 101 or RHET 1053
RST 1003RST 2552
RST 1011RST Elective3
RST 2002Concentration specific course #13
RST 2103General Education course3
General Education course3Free Elective course3
 16 17
Total Hours 33
Second Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
RST 3403RST 2403
RST elective3RST 3253
RST elective3General Education course3
General Education course3Geenral Education course3
Language Other than English (3rd level)4Free Elective course3
Free Elective course1Free Elective course2
 17 17
Total Hours 34
Third Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
RST 4403RST 4103
RST 3703RST 4653
RST 4603Concentration specific course #33
Concentration speciic course #23RST 4801
General Education course3General Education course3
Free Elective course2Free Elective course3
 17 16
Total Hours 33
Fourth Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
RST 4294RST 48512
RST elective3 
General Education course3 
General Education course3 
Free Elective course3 
 16 12
Total Hours 28

Total Hours: 128

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


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

  1. Communicate effectively in writing and in oral presentations about issues in recreation, sport, and tourism.
  2. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the historical and theoretical underpinnings of recreation, sport, and tourism in modern society.
  3. Demonstrate basic knowledge about various dimensions of diversity, equity, and inclusion and their implications for recreation, sport, and tourism organizations.
  4. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the essential management functions necessary to deliver and manage services in recreation, sport, and tourism organizations.
  5. Apply knowledge of basic management principles to professional practice.
  6. Design, implement, and evaluate services in recreation, sport and tourism venues.
  7. 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 Major in Recreation, Sport & Tourism


Recreation, Sport & Tourism

Recreation, Sport & Tourism Department website
Recreation, Sport, & Tourism Faculty
219 Huff Hall, 1206 South Fourth Street, Champaign, IL 61821
(217) 333-4410

College of Applied Health Sciences

College of Applied Health Sciences website 
Applied Health Sciences Catalog Page