WCU’s Parks and Recreation Management (PRM) Program prepares students for professional
roles in the leisure service, recreation, outdoor, and tourism industries, as well
as positions with land management agencies such as the National Park Service and U.S.
Forest Service. Through the program, students earn a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree
in Parks and Recreation Management, with a PRM minor also available. Graduates are
equipped to serve in a wide range of roles—including community recreation leadership
and administration, facility management, camp directing, outdoor instruction, adventure
travel guiding, environmental education, health and wellness coordination, aquatics
leadership, park and forest rangering, and recreation programming within resorts and
private clubs.
Parks and Recreation Management
What You'll Learn
Students in WCU’s Parks and Recreation Management Program develop strong leadership
skills along with field-based competencies (e.g., stand‑up paddleboarding, backpacking,
fishing, hiking, and wilderness medicine training). They learn essential administrative
and management techniques, including how to create, run, and assess programs through
practical experience in financial, marketing, risk, and personnel management. Coursework
emphasizes hands‑on learning through community‑oriented class projects, internships,
and partnerships with local, state, and federal organizations. Students also explore
the philosophy of recreation, the role of leisure in society, sustainable recreation
and land management, and build skills in research, analysis, and business‑plan development.
Where You'll Go
Our graduates generally pursue work in five different career paths: community recreation
(e.g., city parks and recreation departments or camp director positions); outdoor
leadership (e.g., field instructor roles with non‑profits such as Outward Bound, NOLS,
or Outdoor Therapy programs); commercial recreation (e.g., resort management or instructor
positions with for‑profit companies); and recreation resource management (e.g., park
ranger, naturalist, trail‑crew positions). In addition to entering the workforce,
many graduates continue their education in graduate school—often in areas such as
experiential education, outdoor leadership, parks and recreation management, or related
fields. Students interested in advanced study may wish to explore Western Carolina
University’sM.S. in Experiential and Outdoor Education, a hybrid graduate program that prepares professionals for diverse educational and
outdoor contexts.
Want a deeper look at the exciting career paths and real‑world opportunities available
through Parks & Recreation Management? Dive into our PRM Handbook to see what’s possible.
Degree Options
School
College of Education and Allied Professions, Department of Human Services
Location
Cullowhee Campus
Length
Full and Part-Time
Time to Complete:
3-4 year average (depending on summer courses)
Credits:
120 Credit Hours
(see p. 4 of PRM Handbook for Curriculum Overview)
App Deadline:
Admission through general Ģą˝¶ĚĘÓƵundergraduate enrollment
More About Our Parks & Recreation Management Program
Ģą˝¶ĚĘÓƵ sits minutes from Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is surrounded by the and Pisgah National Forest, offering fast access to trails, , and trout streams like the Tuckasegee River. Students are within an hour of the and Wild & Scenic Rivers, the and corridor, plus lakes including , and . Campgrounds range from national‑park and national‑forest sites to nearby county
options, and the on‑campus adds 6.8 miles of immediate adventure.
Our program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism
(COAPRT), demonstrating our commitment to current, evidence‑based practice. The curriculum
blends classroom learning, field‑based instruction, and professional internships,
with more details available in our PRM Handbook.
A PRM Minor pairs well with multiple programs (e.g., Psychology, Natural Resources
Management, Business), enhances your degree’s competitiveness, strengthens lifelong
wellness habits and skills, and offers hands‑on experiences that make learning genuinely
meaningful—and fun.
Explore the places our students learn, see pictures from our field‑based courses,
and hear the voices of our graduates
Explore scholarship opportunities for PRM students at WCU, including awards specific
to Parks and Recreation Management and broader university‑wide funding.
Discover global and hands‑on learning through PRM study abroad experiences in Ireland
and Norway, along with self‑selected internships that build real‑world skills.
The PRM Club is where students connect, build friendships, and become part of the
PRM community. Through networking, service projects, and shared outdoor adventures,
members gain meaningful involvement that strengthens future opportunities in parks,
recreation, and adventure fields.
What’s Happening
MAR
15
MAR
16
MAR
16
Related Programs
Explore our related programs until you find the one that’s right for you.
