Recreation Resource Management B.S.

The recreation resources management curriculum prepares students to plan and manage natural and non-urban recreational land and water, as well as manage the people and organizations that depend on these important resources. The curriculum emphasizes natural and managed non-urban areas; natural resources-oriented recreation programs in public and private sectors; social science aspects of natural resources use; and skills in communication, planning, and management. Students select between two tracks: 1) recreation resource management and 2) resource based tourism. Students taking the recreation resource management track receive more training in principles and techniques of resource management; students taking the resource based tourism track receive more training in organizational and visitor management, policy, and administration. Graduates serve as educators, naturalists, wilderness managers, park or river rangers, adventure trip leaders, recreation supervisors, or recreation area and facilities planners and managers. Principal employers are federal, state and local parks, forestry, wildlife, nature conservation and related natural resource agencies and nongovernmental education and conservation organizations. Graduates may also work with tourism boards, related planning organizations, and with hospitality and resort industries. A minor is also available. Additionally, this curriculum provides excellent preparation in the human dimensions of natural resource sciences that is essential for graduate study and careers in research and teaching.

Admission Requirements

For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the   Office of Admissions Web site.

General Requirements

Program Requirements

All required courses must be taken A-F, and students must earn a grade of at least C-.

Program Sub-plans

Students are required to complete one of the following sub-plans. (Note for the Twin Cities and
Morris campuses: The honors sub-plan does not meet this requirement. Honors students are required to
complete one sub-plan plus the honors sub-plan. Please see an adviser if no honors sub-plan is listed
for the program.)
                 

The recreation resource management (RRM) track is designed for students who wish to develop careers in planning or managing the use of recreational land and water, and for students wishing to pursue graduate study in this area. Graduates may become directly involved in recreation resource management and planning and public relations. Principal employers are federal, state, and county land management agencies with recreation resource responsibilities. Nongovernmental organizations and conservation foundations are also significant employers. Graduates may also pursue graduate study to facilitate career advancement or develop a foundation for research and teaching in this area.

The resource based tourism (RBT) track is intended for students who wish to understand the fundamentals of resource management, but focus on managing the businesses and visitors who depend on these resources for recreation and revenue. Graduates are likely to pursue opportunities developing and managing resource based tourism operations, programs, and visitors in both domestic and international locations. Principle employers are hospitality and resort industries and state, county, and local tourism based agencies and providers.    Graduates may also pursue graduate study to facilitate career advancement or develop a foundation for research and teaching in this area.