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A student climbs the rock climbing wall at the student recreation center on campus.

Tourism, Recreation, & Sport, B.A.

Get Paid to Play!
  • 107

    Among Public National Universities, U.S. News & World Report

  • 32nd

    UNCW Ranked 32nd Best Public College Value by Kiplinger’s

Tourism, Recreation and Sport, B.A. Program Overview

Learn to Play

You can participate in faculty research; international and domestic travel opportunities; and experiential, applied and service learning experiences.

Tourism, Recreation and Sport professionals provide leisure opportunities and experiences for individuals to enhance their overall health, well-being and quality of life.

3 Concentrations Offered

Tourism, Hospitality & Events
Parks & Outdoor Recreation
Sport & Recreation

Learn To

Create a professional marketing plan for local recreation, sport and/or tourism business or organization.

Differentiate among the principles and practices of safety, emergency, and risk management in recreation, sport and tourism industries.

Analyze principles and procedures related to the operation and care of leisure service resources, areas and facilities.

Describe historical, scientific, and philosophical history of the leisure service profession.

Deliver effective oral presentations.

Plan and implement recreation programs.

Prepare an operating budget.

Find your career in:

Manage employees and for planning, marketing, coordinating and administering hotel services such as catering and accommodation facilities. (Source)

Oversees the design, set-up, and execution of events that bring people together. (Source)

Responsible for administrative oversight of Campus Recreation and provides leadership and direction in support of the mission, vision, and goals of the department.

Directs and manages all parks, recreation, building & grounds, golf programs, youth activities, park reservations, and municipal sports programming.

Provides services to passengers on cruise ships. Besides assisting in the operation of the ship, they may serve food and drinks, maintain cabins and public areas, lead shipboard activities, and provide entertainment. (Source)

Directs athletic programs and activities.

Accompanies groups of visitors to tourist attractions, whether on day trips or longer visits, and give them information and insights that help them make the most of the experience. (Source)

Encourage recreational and sporting activities in various settings such as schools, parks, and youth centers. 

Five students sit while watching fireworks.

Sample Courses

A table showing a few sample courses required for the tourism, recreation and sport b.a. program.
REC 265 Leisure & Society
REC 270 Program Planning & Leadership
REC 303 Inclusive Recreation Services
REC 380 Marketing for Recreation, Sport Leadership & Tourism
REC 440 Risk Management & Liability in Recreation Services
See The Full Curriculum

How Do I Apply?

Students may declare Tourism, Recreation and Sport as a major after completion of 24 credit hours and a 2.0 or higher UNCW GPA.

An application is not required.

Students must also choose from one of three concentration options when declaring their major.

REC students just starting out in their major are required to complete REC 265 and REC 270 before taking other REC courses. In all REC courses taken, students must earn a “C” or higher to progress in the major.

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School of Health & Applied Human Sciences

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