Program Overview

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Tourism and Recreation Management, BS

The Bachelor of Science program in tourism and recreation management equips students with the planning and management skills required for careers in the growing tourism, recreation, sport, and event industries worldwide.

Program Description

Through this program, students acquire knowledge alongside expert instructors and hone their skills through hands-on experience. The curriculum offers broad understandings of each sector as well as the skills specific to a chosen field. Students are prepared to contribute to economic and social development and make a positive impact on quality of life, domestically and abroad.

At a Glance

• College/school: Watts College of Public Service & Community Solutions
• Location: Online, ASU Local
• Second language requirement: No
• STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
• First required math course: MAT 114 - College Mathematics
• Math intensity: General

Curriculum

The curriculum for the Tourism and Recreation Management, BS program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the industry. Students can view the 2025-2026 curriculum and curriculum archives for more information.

Concurrent Program Options

Students pursuing concurrent degrees earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with their academic advisors, students can create their own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.

Accelerated Program Options

This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving students who want the opportunity to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree.

Admission Requirements

• General university admission requirements apply to all students.
• First-year, transfer, international, and readmission students must meet specific requirements.

Tuition Information

When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.

Change of Major Requirements

A student must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 to change their major to this program.

Attend Online

ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year.

Transfer Options

ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use MyPath2ASU to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.

Program Learning Outcomes

Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program’s learning outcomes include:

• Incorporate multiple perspectives when proposing creative solutions to complex tourism issues.
• Integrate knowledge from diverse disciplines to develop comprehensive strategies that address the complex challenges faced by tourism organizations.
• Demonstrate proficiency in written communications with diverse audiences.

Global Opportunities

Future tourism professionals need to develop an understanding of how and why people travel to destinations around the world, and learn how to share the local environment with visitors. Students gain valuable experience in the global travel context by learning sustainable tourism policies in destinations around the world.

Career Opportunities

Industries in the leisure sector offer a wide variety of career options. Graduates are equipped to plan, design, develop, and manage services to address the needs of a particular clientele. Graduates can seek work in the public, nonprofit, or private and commercial sectors based on their interests. Employment opportunities are available in diverse organizations, including resorts, hotels, and convention and visitor bureaus, as well as in business and corporate travel, transportation, tour operations, event and meeting planning and management, and attractions management.

Example Job Titles and Salaries

• Event Planner: 4.8% growth, $59,440 median salary
• Front Desk Manager: 3.4% growth, $68,130 median salary
• General Manager (GM): 4.4% growth, $102,950 median salary
• Marketing Associate: -2.2% growth, $126,960 median salary
• Marketing Manager: 6.6% growth, $161,030 median salary
• Recreation Coordinator: 4.1% growth, $35,380 median salary
• Sales Manager: 4.7% growth, $138,060 median salary
• TV Program Director: 4.9% growth, $83,480 median salary
• Travel Agent: 2.2% growth, $48,450 median salary

Contact Information

School of Community Resources and Development, UCENT 550

Accelerated Programs

Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.

Concurrent Programs

Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees, and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.

Joint Programs

Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

New Programs

ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the “New Programs” option.

Online Programs

ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year.

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)

The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is a program in which residents of western states (other than Arizona) may be eligible for reduced nonresident tuition. Students from western states who select this major may be eligible for a reduced nonresident tuition rate of 150 percent of Arizona resident tuition plus all applicable fees.