Recreation, Event and Sport Management


Your future in Recreation, Event and Sport Management

Would you like to plan and manage special sporting events, sports leagues or tournaments? Do you want to manage a recreation or fitness center, state park or nature area? Then you should pursue a major in recreation, event and sport management at the University of North Texas.

A Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation, Event and Sport Management can prepare you for entry-level positions in practically all aspects of the sports and recreation services industry. However, to advance into management or to establish your own business, you may need a graduate degree.

Employment opportunities for Recreation, Event and Sport Management majors include:

  • 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 enables you to apply theoretical knowledge to practice and leave the program ready to step into an exciting and rewarding career. We provide options to study sports management or program management.

Our faculty members bring experience and specialized expertise to the classroom in areas such as special events and festival management, sports operations and facility management, diverse populations, community programming, trail use and development, older adults, and management of leisure services.

To meet other students with similar career interests, you can join the Recreation and Leisure Studies Society student organization. It provides opportunities to volunteer for local, state and national professional conferences where you can network with other professionals. 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.

We also support a Residents Engaged in Academic Living Community for students who are interested in a healthy lifestyle. The community is open to students living on campus and enhances academic and social experiences. More information about the Health and Wellness Community is at reslife.unt.edu.

There are several college-wide, departmental and program scholarships available to help fund your education. Scholarship information is available at www.coe.unt.edu/scholarships.

The Recreation, Event and Sport Management program is accredited by the National Recreation and Park Association (22377 Belmont Ridge Road; Ashburn, Va. 20148-4501; telephone 800-626-6772). This designation means the program meets or exceeds high standards of excellence in education.


What to expect

You will take courses that emphasize life development, wellness and communication skills. You also learn how to plan, design, implement and evaluate any type of recreation 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 will be required to complete a 12-credit-hour internship. Our internship advisor will help you choose an appropriate opportunity in line with your career goals. This particular service is in addition to those provided by the university.

The Career Center, Internships and Cooperative Education office, and professional academic advisors are among the many valuable resources that are available to you at UNT. The Career Center and the Internships and Cooperative Education office can provide advice about future employment opportunities as well as getting hands-on experience in your major. Academic advisors will help you plan your class schedule each semester.


How to enroll at Unt

High school students

We encourage you to fulfill the graduation requirements for the Texas Recommended or Distinguished Achievement Program or the equivalent in high school.

In your junior year, take the SAT or the ACT and have your scores sent to UNT.

In your senior year, apply for admission at www.applytexas.org by March 1 and request that your high school transcript be sent to the UNT admissions office.

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses can count toward college credit at UNT. For details, visit www.unt.edu/credit.


Transfer students

If you’re attending a Texas community college, you should consult our Transfer Articulation web page, the UNT Undergraduate Catalog and an academic counselor/advisor to review your degree plan. Proper planning will help you receive the maximum amount of transfer credits.

Our Transfer Center will help you make a successful transition to college life at UNT by connecting you with a peer mentor and other campus resources. More than 3,500 students transfer to UNT each year. The center is in the University Union, Room 320. More information is at transition.unt.edu.