BA (Hons) Recreation Management & Leadership

The BA (Hons) Recreation Management & Leadership program at Western Washington University is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage and lead recreational activities. The program covers a wide range of topics, including outdoor recreation, adventure programming, sport management, and event planning. Students will learn how to design, implement, and evaluate recreational programs, as well as how to work with diverse populations and communities. The program also places a strong emphasis on sustainability and environmental stewardship, preparing students to be leaders in the recreation industry.

Additional Information

Students in the program will have the opportunity to gain practical experience through internships and fieldwork, as well as to participate in research projects and community service initiatives. The program is designed to be flexible, allowing students to tailor their course of study to their individual interests and career goals.

Discover the Leader in Recreation Management & Leadership Education at Western Washington University

Western Washington University is a leader in recreation management and leadership education, with a strong reputation for producing graduates who are highly sought after by employers. The university's location in the Pacific Northwest provides students with unparalleled access to outdoor recreational opportunities, including skiing, hiking, and kayaking. The program's faculty are experts in their fields and are dedicated to providing students with a high-quality education.

The purpose of recreation and leisure is to contribute to the health and well-being of individuals and enhance the quality of community life. As such, the study of recreation is multidisciplinary, requiring understanding of the social, behavioral, physical, and environmental sciences as they pertain to helping people grow and develop in their leisure while conserving our vital natural resources. Knowledge of the arts and humanities is important as well, because leisure is one of the most fertile opportunities for self-expression and the development of community.

In support of healthy individuals, families, and communities, career opportunities in recreation and leisure services are numerous and diverse. The Recreation Management and Leadership curriculum prepares students to design, implement, manage, lead, and evaluate recreation programs and services. The program is designed as four sequential 15-17 credit hour blocks of classes (phases) with students moving through the program as a cohort group. Students enter Phase I of the program during spring quarter, typically during their sophomore or junior year.

Why Consider a Recreation Management and Leadership Major?

Recreation and leisure contribute to the health and well-being of individuals and their communities. Graduates of Recreation Management and Leadership are employed throughout the region, nation, and world in a variety of settings, including public recreation departments, outdoor recreation programs, hospitals, and tourism agencies. The Recreation Management and Leadership major emphasizes preparation in the broad areas of outdoor recreation, community recreation, therapeutic recreation, and sustainable tourism. Community and outdoor recreation graduates find employment in federal and state recreation and park agencies, county and community recreation departments, non-profit agencies, camp and adventure programs, wilderness therapy, and commercial recreation settings. Therapeutic recreation graduates find employment in hospitals; skilled nursing facilities; mental health agencies; adaptive outdoor recreation programs, community recreation departments; and federal, state, and private agencies serving persons with disabilities or other adapted recreation needs. Graduates prepared in sustainable tourism find employment with tour companies, resorts, ecolodges, and convention and visitor bureaus.

Recreation Management and Leadership and its Therapeutic Recreation Concentration are nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT).

Students should contact Jen Leita, HHD Advising Coordinator, for current information on admission procedures.

Academic Requirements for freshman students:

The admission requirements for undergraduate courses are given as follows:

• Completed application form

• Academic Transcripts(certified english translations if necessary)

• Relevant High school degree/Grade Report/Certificates

• SAT or ACT Scores (Optional)

• A cumulative GPA of 2.0

• Personal Statement or essay

• One letter of recommendation

• List of extracurricular activities(if any)

• Portfolio