Would you like to plan and manage special sporting events, sports leagues or tournaments? Want to manage a recreation or fitness center, state park or nature area or plan a city-wide festival or major event at an arena? Then you should pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation, Event and Sport Management at the University of North Texas.
Your future in Recreation, Event and Sport Management
A degree in this area prepares you for entry-level positions in all aspects of the sports, special events and recreation services industry. To advance into management or establish your own business, you may need a graduate degree.
Places where you may be employed are:
- Community sports associations
- Faith-based organizations
- Federal, state or municipal park and recreation agencies
- Fitness facilities
- Municipal convention and visitor bureaus
- Numerous public, nonprofit and private camp organizations
- Professional, semipro and collegiate sports organizations
- Special events management
- Special needs organizations
What we offer
The course structure will enable you to apply theoretical knowledge to practice and to step into an exciting and rewarding career. We provide options to study sports management, event management or program management.
Our faculty members bring experience and expertise to the classroom in:
- Community programming
- Diverse populations
- Management of leisure services
- Older adults
- Special events and festival management
- Sports operations and facility management
- Trail use and development
They've also been honored by the National Recreation and Park Association, Society of Health and Physical Educators, National Therapeutic Recreation Society and Texas Recreation and Park Society.
UNT's New College at Frisco, in the heart of a sports and events mecca. You can complete your junior and senior year at the New College and enjoy unique hands-on experiences that will make you a more desirable employee, thanks to UNT's sports partnerships.
To meet others with similar career interests, you can join the Recreation, Leisure and Sport Society student organization. It provides opportunities to volunteer and network at local, state and national conferences. The society also plans on-campus activities and social events and is a good stepping stone to other professional organizations that can help advance your career.
There are several college-wide, departmental and program scholarships available to help you pursue your degree.
What to expect
You'll take courses that emphasize life development, wellness and communication skills. You'll also learn how to plan, design, implement and evaluate any type of recreation, event or sports program. Some of the course work includes:
- History and philosophy of sports and leisure
- Leadership and management
- Planning, managing and operating sport or recreation facilities
- Recreation program planning and evaluation
- Risk analysis
- Special events planning and management
- Tournament and league operations
During your senior year, you're required to complete a 12-credit-hour internship. Our internship advisor will help you choose an internship aligned with your career goals. This particular service is in addition to those career services provided by the university.
Our Career Center, Learning Center and professional academic advisors are among the many valuable resources available to you at UNT. The Career Center can provide advice about internships, future employment opportunities and getting hands-on experience in your major. The Learning Center offers workshops on speed reading, study skills and time management. Academic advisors will help you plan your class schedule each semester.
Report content errors on this page to programinfo@unt.edu.