Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration

College of Health and Human Services

Program Description

The Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration offers three separate Bachelor of Science degrees, a Master of Science degree, and several Minor and Certificate programs. The department’s programs provide students with the skills to manage people, programs, and events in a variety of recreational settings that include city parks and recreation programs, state and national parks, hotels, playgrounds, forests, beaches, health clubs, tourism destinations, recreational therapy programs, and non-profit community centers. Students will also gain an understanding of professional advocacy, ethics, inclusion, and current evaluation procedures applicable in a variety of employment settings.

RPTA students and graduates will find a wide range of internship and job opportunities with public and private agencies in the Greater Sacramento Region, the State of California, and throughout the United States.

Degree Programs

BS in Recreation Administration

BS in Recreation Therapy

BS in Hospitality and Tourism Management

Minor in Non-​Profit Management

Minor in Recreation Management

Certificate in Event Planning

Certificate in Natural Resources Administration

Certificate in Non-​Profit Administration

Certificate in Outdoor Adventure Administration

MS in Recreation Administration

Accreditation

In addition to California State University, Sacramento's full accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the Bachelor of Science in Recreation Administration and the Bachelor of Science in Recreation Therapy are also individually accredited by Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT).

Notice to Students RE: Professional Licensure and Certification

California State University programs for professions that require licensure or certification are intended to prepare the student for California licensure and certification requirements. Admission into programs for professions that require licensure and certification does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or certificate. Licensure and certification requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the California State University and licensure and certification requirements can change at any time.

The California State University has not determined whether its programs meet other states’ educational or professional requirements for licensure and certification. Students planning to pursue licensure or certification in other states are responsible for determining whether, if they complete a California State University program, they will meet their state’s requirements for licensure or certification. This disclosure is made pursuant to 34 CFR §668.43(a)(5)(v)(C).

Special Features and Fast Facts

  • The Sacramento area provides a wide variety of resources to supplement the formal classroom education of students enrolled in the concentrations offered by the Department.
  • Sacramento County, the City of Sacramento, and a variety of smaller cities and special districts have numerous park and recreation programs, and facilities.
  • The State Capitol offers opportunities to observe state government in operation and numerous state and federal agencies have central or regional offices within the urban area.
  • Faculty and students work closely with a variety of natural resource agencies that include: California State Parks, the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the National Park Service.
  • Students completing necessary coursework in the Recreation Therapy and Recreation and Park Management Concentrations are eligible for both state and national certifications (e.g. CTRS, MPI, CHA, and CPRP).
  • California has more National Parks than any other state in the country.
  • Both clinical and community based recreation therapy programs provide services to a variety of special populations.
  • Leisure businesses of all types abound in the immediate area, and in the Sierra Nevada and California Coastal regions within a 90 mile radius of the campus.
  • California is one of the world's most-visited tourism destinations, and Sacramento provides access to the Central Valley, the mountains, the coast, wine country, and numerous adventure recreation and recreational sporting opportunities.
  • The RPTA program at Sacramento State is the oldest COAPRT accredited program in Recreation Administration in California.

Career Possibilities

Recreation Therapist · Recreation Administrator · Event Planner · Conference Center Manager · Campus Recreation Facilities Manager · Recreation Program Planner · Intramural Sports Coordinator · Environmental Interpreter · Hotel Manager · Park Manager · Park Ranger · Outdoor Recreation Specialist · Camp Supervisor · Recreation Resources Manager · Community Center Director · ADA/Inclusion Consultant · Employee Recreation Manager · Fitness Club Manager · Vacation Resort Manager · Ski Resort Manager · Water Park Manager · Amusement Park Manager · Entertainment Facility Manager · Leisure Products · Resort Sales Representative · Recreation Specialist · Recreation Supervisor · Leisure Educator

Contact Information

Samantha Blackburn, Department Chair
Krystle Peay, Administrative Support Coordinator
MaVie Ivashkevich, Administrative Support Assistant

Solano Hall 4000
(916) 278-6752
FAX (916) 278-3866
Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Website

Faculty

BREUNIG, MARY

DAVIS, CHRISTINA

ERICKSON, ELIZABETH

HOFFMAN, JAMIE

HUR, JUNGYUN "CHRISTINE"

JORGENSEN-EASTERLA, LISA J.

KIVEL, B. DANA

LUVAAS, ERIK

ROLLOFF, DAVID

SHAW, GREG

SHEPPARD, ANTHONY G.

SHIRSAT, ABHIJEET

New Faculty Member:
JOYNER, LEAH