The School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism values research and scholarship.  Faculty members expand knowledge and understanding in a variety of disciplines and fields by publishing research findings in prestigious journals and by making presentations to national and international audiences.  Additionally, RHT scholars support the research of others by serving on advisory committees and editorial boards, and as leaders of influential state, national, and international professional associations.

Laboratories and Centers

To support faculty and student research and scholarship, the school operates several laboratories and research centers.

Center for the Advancement of Public Health (CAPH)
The CAPH, located on the Fairfax Campus and under the direction of Dr. David Anderson, conducts research on health promotion, safety, and alcohol, tobacco, and substance abuse prevention.

Center for Recreation and Tourism Research and Policy (CRTRP)
This center is located on the Prince William campus and promotes research and disseminates information in the areas of recreation, parks, natural resource management, and tourism.

The Center for Sport Management (CSM)
The CSM, located on the Prince William campus and under the direction of Dr. Bob Baker, conducts and facilitates research on sport management, and promotes professional development opportunities for sport managers. The Center is also involved in chronicling and archiving resources related to the development of the sport industry.

Mason's Center for Teambuilding and Organizational Learning – The EDGE
The EDGE provides hands-on outdoor experiential learning programs that offer thought provoking, yet fun, team development activities and workshops grounded in cutting edge team and organizational development. Programs are designed to meet the needs of university groups, schools (5th grade through high school), community groups and corporations.

National Center for Public Safety Fitness (NCPSF)
Housed on the Fairfax campus, this center focuses on the dissemination of information relating to health promotion and illness prevention for police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and other public safety personnel.

Sports Medicine Assessment Research & Testing (SMART) Laboratory
The SMART Laboratory is under the direction of Dr. Shane Caswell and is housed in the Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center, an innovative joint partnership between George Mason University, Prince William County and the City of Manassas, located on the Prince William campus of George Mason University.