Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies
Careers in Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies
Parks and Outdoor Recreation and Therapeutic Recreation graduates, with the knowledge gained from these nationally-accredited programs, are prepared to pursue a wide range of professional careers and to assume leadership roles in public, private, commercial, and non-profit organizations. Below is a sampling of careers in these fields.
| Parks and Outdoor Recreation (POR) | Therapeutic Recreation (TR) |
| National or State Park Naturalist | Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Specialist |
| Visitor Services Supervisor | Senior Center Activities Director |
| Military Recreation Programmer | Community Therapeutic Recreation Coordinator |
| Park Ranger | Clinical Therapeutic Recreation Specialist |
| Public Recreation Director | School Inclusion Coordinator |
| Meeting and Special Events Coordinator | Corrections Recreation Director |
| Camp Administrator | Special Olympics Coach |
| Cruise Ship Activity Specialist | Residential Recreation Counselor |
| Intramural Recreation and Sports Director | Therapeutic Horseback Riding Specialist |
| Public Policy Analyst | Community Inclusion Officer |
| University Life Director | Grant Writer |
| Ecotourism Guide | Aquatics Instructor for Individuals with Disabilities |
| Golf Course and Sport Facility Manager | At-Risk Youth Counselor |
| Corporate Fitness and Aquatics Director | Research Specialist |
| Community and Park Planner | Community Services Director |
| Research and Grants Specialist | Leisure Educator |
Career help is available through University Career Services, including:
- career research and decision-making
- internships, Co-op, and part-time employment
- job search or graduate school preparation
- full-time employment of qualified candidates