Community Development
Address changes occurring in metropolitan centers, fringe areas and rural communities through applied research and extension programs. Through coursework, extension and research, you can focus on community and economic development, sociology of rural minorities, sociology of nutrition and health, natural resources and environmental quality, and sociology of agriculture.
Event Management
Explore the issues surrounding planned events as well as their management, design and production. This program will prepare students to gain practical and theoretical understandings of events and the experiences created by fairs, sports, expositions, and festivals. Students often work closely with professionals and practitioners in public service and not-for-profit sectors.
Natural Resource Management and Policy Analysis
Management of recreation, park and leisure service agencies that requires expertise in problem-solving, computer-based decision making, assessment of social and environmental impacts, personnel, public relations, volunteer management, financing and fund-raising, marketing of services, and needs assessments. Skills in working with people in the legal and political environment are necessary, as well as the ability to assess and work with other organizations for cooperative developments in recreation and tourism. Students in this emphasis prepare for managerial careers with public recreation and park agencies, youth agencies, not-for-profit recreation agencies, and commercial recreation enterprises.
Recreation and Park Administration
Park and recreation amenities are crucial elements in healthy communities. Your coursework and research, conducted in cooperation with faculty, can focus on marketing and financing parks, positioning, visitor behaviors, constraints to participation, park planning and risk management.
Tourism Management
Study the myriad issues associated with one of the world’s largest industries. Research that the faculty conduct within this emphasis combines a balance between tourism development and sustainability from the following perspectives: marketing, management, anthropology, geography, technology, communications, conservation, planning, psychology, heritage, sustainability and ecotourism.
Youth Development
Delve into interdisciplinary research and learning opportunities related to youth development and programs that help young people to become fully functioning adults. Research conducted in this area includes evaluation of youth recreation programs, adolescent development and health, and issues related to race and ethnicity. The Elda K. Bradberry Recreation and Youth Development Chair is housed within the department.