University Catalog 2024-2025

Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management (BS): Tourism and Event Management Concentration

The curriculum in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management is a professional program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions. The curriculum provides students with a broad education in natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences, and fosters the professional, technical, and communication skills needed to plan and implement recreation programs and tourism events, manage parks and facilities, and design tourism services.

The curriculum is designed to prepare students for a variety of positions in a dynamic, people-centered profession that includes some of the fastest growing sectors of the global economy. The curriculum provides 42 hours of core coursework that includes foundations of tourism and event management, geospatial problem solving, outdoor recreation management, organizational leadership, fiscal management, and recreation programming.

In addition to the general education requirements and the core professional requirements, students can attain specialized training by choosing a concentration - either Recreation and Park Management (RPM) or Tourism and Event Management (TEM) - and selecting 15 hours of coursework related to their professional interests.

Academic studies on campus are supplemented by service learning opportunities, practical experiences in the Triangle area, and a 10-week internship with a park, recreation, event, or tourism organization. Other optional and encouraged opportunities include a weeklong experience at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, faculty-supervised research projects, and study abroad opportunities.

Tourism & Event Management (15 hours)

Tourism and Event Management students seek opportunities to work with people; think strategically and enjoy the process of planning; are inspired by the world’s unique natural and cultural resources; and want to use travel and events to bring people closer together. Examples of concentration courses include: Sustainable Tourism; Destination Planning and Management; Services, Facilities, and Event Marketing;Tourism, Poverty, and Health; and Special Event Planning.

Plan Requirements

PRT Major
PRT 150Recreation, Sport, Tourism, and Event Management Orientation1
PRT 152Introduction to Parks, Recreation, Tourism, and Event Management (CP)3
PRT 220Foundations of Tourism and Event Management3
PRT 230Foundations of Outdoor Recreation Management3
PRT 238Diversity and Inclusion in Recreation and Sport3
PRT 240Geospatial Applications for Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Event Management 3
PRT 358Recreation Program Planning4
PRT 359Organizational Leadership in Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Event Management (CP)3
PRT 371Risk Management in Parks, Recreation, Tourism, and Event Management3
PRT 375Professional Development and Internship Orientation2
PRT 380Evidence-based decision making in Recreation, Sport, Tourism, and Event Management (CP)3
PRT 454Finance and Economics of Parks, Recreation, Tourism, and Event Management3
PRT 475Recreation and Park Internship8
Math
MA 105Mathematics of Finance3
or MA 107 Precalculus I
or MA 111 Precalculus Algebra and Trigonometry
or MA 114 Introduction to Finite Mathematics with Applications
or MA 121 Elements of Calculus
ST 311Introduction to Statistics3
or ST 350 Economics and Business Statistics
or BUS 350 Economics and Business Statistics
Other Major
COM 110Public Speaking3
or COM 112 Interpersonal Communication
ARE 201Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics3
or ARE 201A Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics
or EC 201 Principles of Microeconomics
or EC 205 Fundamentals of Economics
Concentration Electives15
Free Electives (12 Hr S/U Lmt)21
GEP Courses
GEP Natural Sciences7
ENG 101Academic Writing and Research 14
GEP Humanities6
GEP Social Sciences3
GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion3
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives5
GEP Health and Exercise Studies2
GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement)
World Language Proficiency (verify requirement)
Total Hours120
1

A grade of C- or higher is required.

Acad Writing Research

Acad Writing Research
ENG 101Academic Writing and Research4
FLE 101Academic Writing and Research4
Transfer Sequence
ENG 1GEP3
ENG 202Disciplinary Perspectives in Writing3

Concentration Electives

PRT 250Facilities Management in Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Event Management3
PRT 307Services, Facilities and Event Marketing3
PRT 319Sustainable Tourism3
PRT 410Food and Beverage Management3
PRT 420Destination Planning and Management3
PRT 430Tourism, Poverty, and Health3
PRT 458Special Events Planning3
PRT 452Field Experience in Nature-Based Recreation & Tourism Management3

Semester Sequence

This is a sample.

Critical Path Courses – Identify using the code (CP) which courses are considered critical path courses which represent specific major requirements that are predictive of student success in a given program/plan. Place the (CP) next to the credit hours for the course.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
PRT 150 Recreation, Sport, Tourism, and Event Management Orientation 1
PRT 152 Introduction to Parks, Recreation, Tourism, and Event Management (CP) 1 3
ENG 101 Academic Writing and Research 1 4
Mathematics Elective 3
GEP Requirement 4
 Hours15
Spring Semester
PRT 220 Foundations of Tourism and Event Management 3
PRT 238 Diversity and Inclusion in Recreation and Sport 1 3
GEP Requirement 3
GEP Requirement 3
GEP Requirement 3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
 Hours16
Second Year
Fall Semester
PRT 230 Foundations of Outdoor Recreation Management 3
PRT 240 Geospatial Applications for Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Event Management 3
GEP Requirement 3
COM 110
Public Speaking
or Interpersonal Communication
3
Free Elective 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
Concentration 3
Select one of the following 3
Principles of Microeconomics
Fundamentals of Economics
Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics
Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics
GEP Requirement 3
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives 3
Free Elective 3
 Hours15
Third Year
Fall Semester
PRT 359 Organizational Leadership in Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Event Management (CP) 1 3
PRT 371 Risk Management in Parks, Recreation, Tourism, and Event Management 3
ST 311 Introduction to Statistics 3
PRT 375 Professional Development and Internship Orientation 2
Concentration 3
 Hours14
Spring Semester
PRT 358 Recreation Program Planning 4
PRT 380 Evidence-based decision making in Recreation, Sport, Tourism, and Event Management (CP) 1 3
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives 2-3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
Free Electives 6
 Hours16
Summer
PRT 475 Recreation and Park Internship 8
 Hours8
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
PRT 454 Finance and Economics of Parks, Recreation, Tourism, and Event Management 3
Concentration 6
Free Elective 3
 Hours12
Spring Semester
Concentration 3
Free Electives 6
 Hours9
 Total Hours120
1

A grade of C- or greater required.

Career Opportunities

Tourism is one of the world's largest industries. The growth of the industry is expected to increase as people have more discretionary time. Communities around the world need leaders who can help sustainably grow the tourism industry through leisure and business travel as well as events. The goals of tourism and event management professionals are to promote the planning, development, marketing, and provision of tourism and event opportunities that enhance economies while also promoting community well-being and the conservation of natural and cultural resources. Students within the Tourism and Event Management concentration are prepared to accomplish these goals and are equipped to plan and promote sustainable tourism and event opportunities that are inclusive of, and accessible to, a diverse population of visitors in a variety of settings.

Career opportunities include employment by tourism development agencies or organizations, such as convention and conference centers; visitor bureaus and centers; tourism development authorities; hotels and hospitality operators; resorts, private clubs, theme parks, and event management companies. Other career opportunities include tourism business or event management entrepreneurship. 

Career Titles

  • Camp Director
  • Fish and Game Warden
  • Golf Course Manager
  • Outdoor Education Teacher
  • Park Naturalist
  • Recreation Worker

Learn More About Careers

NCcareers.org
Explore North Carolina’s central online resource for students, parents, educators, job seekers and career counselors looking for high quality job and career information.

Occupational Outlook Handbook
Browse the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to view state and area employment and wage statistics. You can also identify and compare similar occupations based on your interests.

Career One Stop Videos
View videos that provide career details and information on wages, employment trends, skills needed, and more for any occupation. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Focus 2 Career Assessment (NC State student email address required)
This career, major and education planning system is available to current NC State students to learn about how your values, interests, competencies, and personality fit into the NC State majors and your future career. An NC State email address is required to create an account. Make an appointment with your career counselor to discuss the results.

National Recreation and Parks Association