Program Information

Springfield College has been preparing recreation professionals for over 70 years, recognizing the contribution which recreation experiences make to the quality of life. Leadership, management, and program skills are the focus of the curriculum, which is accredited by the Council on Accreditation, Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT). Recreation management majors follow a track in general recreation management.

Recreation management is an accredited professional program that prepares students for leadership positions in recreation programming, facility management, and personnel management. Graduates of this program are employed professionally throughout the world in municipal recreation departments, YMCA’s, commercial recreation services, outdoor recreation centers, armed forces recreation programs, resorts and the tourism industry.. The program aims to impart an understanding of the following:

• Recreation management and leadership practices in the context of human-helping professions.
• Experiential learning concepts that enhance skills in management, programming, and group dynamics.
• Current management applications, such as total quality management, team and project approaches, strategic planning, entrepreneurial strategies, the development of learning organizations, and active listening.

Students in the Recreation Management program may also elect to extend their education through study abroad in international recreation programs, such as courses offered at Hong Kong Baptist University’s Physical Education and Recreation Management program or through training sessions promoted by the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and Outward Bound. Limited college credit for NOLS, or outdoor expeditions may be arranged to supplement the student’s academic program and professional development.

If students opt for an additional semester to satisfy the program’s internship requirement, additional tuition charges will apply.

For more information on the Recreation Management major and other Business related programs, click here.

Degree Information

Degree: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a major in Recreation Management

 (120 credit hours) Requirements are subject to change

Contact Information

For more information about the Recreation Management major, contact Dr. Ariel Rodriguez, Program Director for Recreation Management, at arodriguez16@springfieldcollege.edu or Dr. Kevin McAllister, chairperson of the Sport Management and Recreation Department, at (413) 748-3476 or the Admissions Office at (800) 343-1257.

Curricular Requirements

General Education Program (40 - 46 credits)

The General Education program at Springfield College is informed by its century-old Humanics tradition of educating the whole person in spirit, mind, and body, for leadership in service to humanity. These requirements have the goal of developing literate, thoughtful, socially responsible students, and instilling in them a spirit of inquiry into the nature of humankind and the universe. Towards those ends, the requirements emphasize and encourage: the acquisition of knowledge, understanding, and competency essential for the improvement of the human condition in a diverse society; a search for personal and spiritual values; and the development of an understanding and appreciation of physical well-being. 

For specific requirements, see the General Education Program (40 - 46 credits)  section.

II. Recreation Management Options

Program and Advanced Standing Requirements

Recreation management majors must qualify for advanced standing in order to register for the third and fourth year sequences of required courses (including Practicum and Internship). To qualify for advanced standing, the student must meet the following standards by the conclusion of his or her sophomore year.

1. The student’s overall cumulative grade point index must meet or exceed a 2.50 GPA.
2. Proper professional and responsible behavior is expected of each recreation management student. This includes behavior while a student (on- and off-campus) and as a member of the college community.

After achieving the minimum GPA, the student must maintain those standards through the remainder of the program. If the student fails to meet or maintain those standards, the faculty will review the student’s record and recommend departmental probation (with appropriate prescription to overcome the deficiency) or dismissal from the program.

Appeal Process
A student may appeal any action taken by the department regarding his or her probation or dismissal from the major. In order to appeal, the student must submit a letter to the department chairperson requesting a review of their status. This appeal must be submitted within two weeks of the student being notified of his or her probation or dismissal. The sport management and recreation chairperson will call a meeting of the appropriate faculty to which the student will be invited. The student will be notified within ten days of the meeting regarding the outcome of their appeal.