School of Kinesiology and Recreation

Recreation Management

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2006), overall employment of recreation professionals is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2014. People will spend more time and money on recreation, spurring growth in civic and social organizations and, to a lesser degree, State and local government. Much growth will be driven by retiring baby boomers, who, with more leisure time, high disposable income, and concern for health and fitness, are expected to increase their consumption of recreation services. Job growth also will be driven by rapidly increasing employment in nursing and residential care facilities. The emphasis in Recreation Management is on marketing, management, finance, business law, event and program planning, and fundraising.

Recreation Management professionals must plan, organize, and administer exciting and stimulating recreational programs, services, and activities that please guests from diverse backgrounds and a wide range of interests. Examples of employment settings are sports/fitness centers, park districts, employee recreation programs, hotels, resorts, entertainment centers, theme parks, bowling centers, cruise lines, theaters, amusement parks, high adventure outdoor pursuits, and the travel/tourism industry. Students graduating from this program are immediately eligible to sit for the examination to become a Certified Park and Recreation Professional. For more information, please consult the Illinois State University undergraduate catalog.

Examples of Senior Internship Sites

  • Skokie Park District
  • Amelia Island Resort
  • Princess Cruise Lines (Miami, Florida)
  • Hickory Ridge Convention Center
  • Hyatt Regency Hotel
  • Peoria Civic Center
  • YMCA of the Rockies (Estes Park, CO)
  • Six Flags of America
  • Okinawa (Japan) Air Force Base
  • Chicago Mayor's Office
  • Illinois State University Recreation Services

Employment Settings for Recreation Management Graduates

  • Park Districts
  • Convention and tourism bureaus
  • Health and fitness clubs
  • Hospitality and hotel management
  • Recreation services
  • Special events businesses
  • Campus recreation
  • Employee recreation services
  • Military recreation
  • Church recreation
  • State and national parks

Expected Salaries of Recreation Management Professionals

  • Starting: $23-30,000

  • Experienced: $30-70,000

Examples of position titles of our Commercial Recreation Graduates

  • Business owner
  • Superintendent of Recreation
  • Management
  • Tourism promoter
  • Hotel sales and catering
  • Trip coordinator
  • Program supervisor
  • Special events planner
  • Intramurals coordinator

  • Park ranger

Certification Opportunities

Students graduating from this program are immediately eligible to sit for the following certification examination: Certified Park and Recreation Professional

Professional Organizations in Recreation Management