Parks and Recreation Management students benefit from the integrated Leadership and Planning Option curriculum, which leverages Auburn University’s state-of-the-art sports and recreation programs to provide a hands-on, real-world learning experience. Our faculty instruct students on topics such as recreation planning, sports coordination, environmental interpretation and leadership using learning laboratories such as Auburn’s Campus Recreation and Wellness Center, City of Auburn Parks and Recreation facilities, the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center and Chewacla State Park, among others.

The Leadership and Planning Option prepares students to plan, conduct, develop and administer recreational opportunities and events for the public. In-demand career paths with this major include parks and recreation programmer, sports and recreation league coordinator and recreation center programmer within community parks and recreation facilities. In nature-based recreation settings, they will be qualified to serve as camp leaders, event and programming coordinators, private-industry recreation coordinators, outdoor educators, field guides and similar positions.

Leadership and Planning Option students will take courses in community- and nature-based recreation, event management, programming, leadership and communications, preparing them for more hands-on involvement in events such as tennis and soccer tournaments, mountain biking and running races and other educational activities and community programs. The major is designed in accordance with the standards set by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT). After one year of employment, students who have completed the degree are eligible to take the examination to become Certified Park and Recreation Professionals (CPRP) through the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).

Parks and recreation management offers diverse and plentiful career opportunities with national, state, local and private organizations that manage parks and recreation facilities for public or private use within occupations such as:

• Recreation center programmer
• Sports and recreation league coordinator
• Parks and recreation programmer
• Event and programming coordinator
• Camp program leader
• Outdoor educator
• Field guide