Recreation, Sport & Tourism, BS

Overview

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.

Degree Requirements

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

Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 128 hours.

University Requirements

Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree.  Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.

The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

Composition I4-6
Advanced Composition3
fulfilled by RST 410
Humanities & the Arts (6 hours)6
Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours)6
Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)6
fulfilled by RST 100 and any other course approved as Social & Behavioral Sciences
Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) 3
Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I)6-10
fulfilled by RST 370 and any other course approved as Quantitative Reasoning I
Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required)0-15

 Major Requirements:

Communication Requirement3-6
CMN 101Public Speaking3-6
or CMN 111
& CMN 112		 Oral & Written Comm I
and Oral & Written Comm II
Core Courses39
RST 100Recreation, Sport, and Tourism in Modern Society3
RST 101Orientation to Recreation, Sport and Tourism1
RST 200Leadership in Recreation, Sport and Tourism2
RST 210Management in Recreation, Sport and Tourism3
RST 240Financial Resource Management in Recreation, Sport and Tourism3
RST 255Ethical Issues in Recreation, Sport and Tourism2
RST 325Marketing in Recreation, Sport and Tourism3
RST 340Facility Management in Recreation, Sport and Tourism3
RST 370Research Methods & Analysis3
RST 410Strategic Management in Recreation, Sport and Tourism3
RST 429Contemporary Issues in Recreation, Sport and Tourism4
RST 440HR Management in RST3
RST 460Event Management in Recreation, Sport and Tourism3
RST 465Event Implementation and Evaluation in Recreation, Sport and Tourism3
Electives28-32
Restricted Electives (12 hours): Departmental courses (RST) not required in the core or counted toward concentration requirement.
Free Electives (16-20 hours): Any courses not counted toward core requirements, concentration requirements, or restricted electives.
Experiential Education13
RST 480Orientation to Internship1
RST 485Internship12
Concentration required9
Recreation Management
Sport Management
Tourism Management
Total Hours128

Sample Sequence

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

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 Semester
RequirementsHours
Composition I or CMN 1014
RST 100 - Recreation, Sport, and Tourism in Modern Society3
RST 101 - Orientation to Recreation, Sport and Tourism1
RST 200 - Leadership in Recreation, Sport and Tourism2
RST 210 - Management in Recreation, Sport and Tourism3
General Education course3
Semester Hours16

Second Semester
RequirementsHours
CMN 101 - Public Speaking (or Composition I)3
RST 255 - Ethical Issues in Recreation, Sport and Tourism2
RST Elective3
Concentration specific course #13
General Education course3
Free Elective course3
Semester Hours17

Second Year 

First Semester
RequirementsHours
RST 340 - Facility Management in Recreation, Sport and Tourism3
RST Elective3
RST Elective3
General Education course3
Language Other Than English (3rd level)4
Free Elective course1
Semester Hours17

Second Semester
RequirementsHours
RST 240 - Financial Resource Management in Recreation, Sport and Tourism3
RST 325 - Marketing in Recreation, Sport and Tourism3
General Education course3
General Education course3
Free Elective course3
Free Elective course2
Semester Hours17

Third Year 

First Semester
RequirementsHours
RST 440 - HR Management in RST3
RST 370 - Research Methods & Analysis3
RST 460 - Event Management in Recreation, Sport and Tourism3
Concentration specific course #23
General Education course3
Free Elective course2
Semester Hours17

Second Semester
RequirementsHours
RST 410 - Strategic Management in Recreation, Sport and Tourism3
RST 465 - Event Implementation and Evaluation in Recreation, Sport and Tourism3
Concentration specific course #33
RST 480 - Orientation to Internship1
General Education course3
Free Elective course3
Semester Hours16

Fourth Year 

First Semester
RequirementsHours
RST 429 - Contemporary Issues in Recreation, Sport and Tourism4
RST elective3
General Education course3
General Education course3
Free Elective course3
Semester Hours16

Second Semester
RequirementsHours
RST 485 - Internship12
Semester Hours12

Total Hours

Total hours for all requirements: 128

Learning Outcomes

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:

  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.

Contact Information

for the degree of Bachelor of Science 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