Recreation Studies Schools and Programs in The United States

Recreation Studies Studies in The United States

Recreation studies covers the planning, leadership and management of leisure services: community recreation centres, parks, camps, outdoor programmes, sport, tourism and events, and therapeutic recreation for people with disabilities or illnesses. In the United States the field appears under names such as recreation management, parks and recreation, leisure studies or recreation and sport management. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) describes recreation workers as people who organise, conduct and promote group activities for leisure and other purposes. SpainExchange lists 33 colleges and universities in the United States that teach recreation studies.

How the degree is organised

There are three main levels. Community colleges offer two-year programmes leading to an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree. A bachelor's degree usually takes four years of full-time study, and each institution sets the number of credits needed to graduate. Graduate study leads to a master's degree, usually about two years, or a doctorate.

Bachelor's programmes are normally split into specialisations. The Recreation, Parks and Leisure Studies Department at SUNY Cortland has four majors: Therapeutic Recreation, Recreation Management, Outdoor Recreation, and Tourism and Recreation. Illinois State University teaches a Recreation and Sport Management major with two sequences, Recreation and Sport and Therapeutic Recreation, and its graduates complete two professional internships. At Colorado State University the subject sits in natural resources: the Bachelor of Science in Conservation and Environmental Leadership has a concentration in Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Management.

At graduate level, SUNY Cortland offers three Master of Science programmes (Management of Leisure Services, Therapeutic Recreation, and Environmental and Outdoor Education), and its therapeutic recreation programmes are taught online. Colorado State University has a Master of Tourism Management and a Master of Park and Protected Area Management. Shorter options exist too: the University of Florida has a 15-credit undergraduate Recreation Resources Management Certificate.

Accreditation and certification

The specialised accreditor for this field is the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT). It was established in 1974 and accredits bachelor's programmes in parks, recreation, tourism, sport management, event management, therapeutic recreation and leisure studies. Its directory currently contains 63 accredited programmes. Accreditation applies to individual programmes, so check the one you plan to enter. SUNY Cortland, for example, states that the core curriculum of all four of its recreation degrees is accredited by COAPRT.

Therapeutic recreation has its own professional credential, the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). According to BLS, many employers require recreational therapists to be certified, and a small number of states require a licence or certification.

Admission, language and costs

Teaching is in English, and universities require an English proficiency test before admission. Each institution sets its own entry requirements, so its international admissions page is the reference; EducationUSA advises starting the search 12 to 18 months before the planned start. For a full degree, international students need a student visa: once accepted by a school certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), the international student office issues the Form I-20 used in the visa application.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), average tuition and fees at 4-year institutions in 2022-23 were $9,800 at public institutions and $40,700 at private nonprofit institutions. The public figure is the in-state rate, so check what each university charges non-residents. Starting at a community college, which is usually cheaper, can lower the total cost of a bachelor's degree.

Where to study recreation

The 33 schools are spread across the country, and no single city concentrates them. Public universities in the list include San Diego State University, the University of Florida, Colorado State University, East Carolina University, West Virginia University, Old Dominion University, Temple University, the University of North Texas and the University of Northern Colorado. Private institutions in the list include Ithaca College, Mars Hill University and New England College. Community colleges such as North Idaho College, Western Nevada College, Onondaga Community College and American River College offer a two-year start.

Careers

BLS counted about 346,900 recreation workers in 2025; the largest employers were local government (32%) and nursing and residential care facilities (19%). Employment is projected to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035, with about 67,000 openings a year. Entry-level recreation jobs typically need only a high school diploma, but BLS notes that employers may prefer a bachelor's degree in recreation for some positions, such as coordinating activities at a residential care facility.

Recreational therapists plan, direct and coordinate recreation-based treatment programmes and typically need a bachelor's degree. This is a small occupation, with 15,600 jobs in 2025; BLS projects 5% growth from 2025 to 2035 and about 1,400 openings a year.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a recreation degree take in the United States?

An associate degree at a community college takes two years and a bachelor's degree usually takes four years of full-time study. A master's degree adds about two years.

What is COAPRT accreditation?

COAPRT is the council that accredits bachelor's programmes in parks, recreation, tourism and related fields. It was established in 1974 and lists 63 accredited programmes.

Do I need a degree to work in recreation?

According to BLS, recreation workers typically need at least a high school diploma, while recreational therapists typically need a bachelor's degree and many employers require certification.

Can international students work while studying?

According to EducationUSA, international students may work on campus up to 20 hours a week in their first year, with permission from the international student office.