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Parks and Recreation Management Program
Department of Geography, Planning and Recreation
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University has been offering Bachelor of Science degrees in Recreation since 1961. The Parks and Recreation Management Program (PRM) is located in the Geography, Planning and Recreation Department, a unit within the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

The Parks and Recreation Management Program is accredited by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). The PRM program prepares professionals for rewarding positions in the exciting and rapidly growing field of parks, recreation and leisure services through traditional campus and web based courses. We promote, experiential education, and real-life challenges, which teaches students to plan, organize and facilitate challenging and satisfying leisure service programs to meet the needs of an ever-changing population. We offered the first (2003) and still the only NRPA accredited online Bachelor of Science degree in Park and Recreation Management.

"Knowledge, Experience and Exploration; a unique partnership
preparing park, recreation and leisure service professionals for careers in the 21st century."

The Parks and Recreation Management Program leads to a Bachelor of Science Degree. Faculty in the program have diverse interests and experience in outdoor leadership, community recreation management, park and resource protection, recreation programming, interpretation, outdoor recreation research, recreation site and area planning and leisure theory.

Emerging trends in leisure and recreation underscore the dynamic environment in which the recreation professional must be prepared to function. In this dynamic setting, recreation professionals are leaders whose vital role it is to ensure the availability of future park, recreation and leisure service opportunities.
 
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"The only true measure of ones life is how many other lives you have touched."
Dr. Charles Hammersley

The Parks and Recreation Management Program is housed in NAU's Social and Behavioral Science West building. Here, students have access to the latest computer technology and equipment.


PRM faculty

Meet the PRM Faculty

One of the most recognized strengths of the PRM program is the professionalism, dedication,   and commitment of it's faculty. They collectively bring professional experiences from across the park, recreation and leisure services spectrum.

PRM faculty from left to right; Aaron Divine, Marieke Taney, Dr. Charles Hammersley, Dr. Pam Foti, Kathy Dodd and Judy Montoya.
 
bulletAaron Divine, MS, Lecturer
bulletKathy Dodd, M.S., Park Ranger Training Director
bulletPam Foti, Ph.D., Professor & GPR Chair
bulletCharles Hammersley, Ph.D., Professor & Assistant Chair
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Judith Montoya, M.A, Senior Lecturer

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Marieke Taney, M.S., Instructor

Park Ranger Training Program   

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The Parks and Recreation Management Program offers a Seasonal Law Enforcement Training Program (SLETP). In the fall the PRTP is offered as an nine week full time program (classes meet Monday through Friday all day) and during the spring as a thirteen week program (classes meet Monday through Friday afternoons and on several weekends). The program is offered as either a credit or non-credit program. Upon successful completion of both courses, students are eligible to receive a seasonal law enforcement "Certificate of Completion" that is recognized by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and various state parks. 

For more information contact:

Kathy Dodd, Director
Park Ranger Training Program, Northern Arizona University, PO box 15016,
Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5016
Office: (928) 523-8242 Fax: (928) 523-2275
e-mail: Kathy.Dodd@nau.edu
 

Online Degree in Parks and Recreation Management

We offered the first (2003) and still only NRPA accredited online Bachelor of Science degree in Parks and Recreation Management. We offer two online degrees.

bullet Bachelor of Science in Parks and Recreation Management; and
 
bullet Bachelors of Arts in Disciplinary Studies (BA-IS) & Bachelors of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies (BS-IS)
 

The difference between the two are in the PRM and curriculum requirements. If you plan to pursue a career in the park and recreation profession we recommend the Bachelor of Science degree in Park and Recreation Management. The program of study for the Bachelor of Science degree in Park and Recreation Management is the same as the one offered to our campus students at the Flagstaff Mountain campus.  The NAU Parks and Recreation Management online degree requires 120 hours of credit, including a 45-hour professional core.

Worldwide University (online out-of-state) students do not pay out-of-state tuition and all PRM core courses are offered via the World Wide Web. Distance students usually combine NAU web classes with previous or concurrent college coursework from other institutions to meet the 120 hour requirement. Most distance students take the PRM core courses and either the Community/Commercial or Individual emphases via the web at NAU, but may also include liberal studies courses from their local community college or other institutions.

For more information about the PRM online degree contact:
Dr. Charles Hammersley, phone (928) 523-6655 or e-mail: Charles.Hammersley@nau.edu

Online Certificate in Parks and Recreation Management

The PRM Certificate was designed to meet the needs of individuals currently working in the parks and recreation field who wish to strengthen their professional background. In addition, it provides an opportunity for individuals without a park and recreation background to achieve a sound academic foundation in this field.

The difference between a "Certificate" and a "Minor" is the Certificate was designed for non-matriculating, non-traditional students. The PRM Minor is for degree seeking students with other than a PRM Major. The PRM Certificate consists of six PRM classes (16-18 hours) delivered via the World Wide Web.

For more information about the PRM online certificate contact:
Dr. Charles Hammersley, phone (928) 523-6655 or e-mail: Charles.Hammersley@nau.edu

Career Opportunities

2004 PRM 210 students in the Taos "Box"

Parks and recreation management graduates can find jobs with municipal parks and recreation departments; private resorts, clubs, and spas; federal land-management agencies; county, state, and federal correctional institutions; non-profit organizations; religious youth and adult organizations; hospitals; military installations; sporting goods manufacturers and trade associations; and travel and tour companies. In it's Jan 1, 2000 edition, Newsweek predicted that by 2050, a full 50% of American jobs will be in "leisure/tourism."

Agencies Which Employ PRM Majors

bulletFederal Agencies (National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management) 
bulletMunicipal and state park recreation agencies
bulletResorts, cruise lines, ski areas and tour companies
bulletPrivate outdoor outfitters, adventure and guide services
bulletNonprofit organizations (YMCA, YWCA, Boys & Girls Club, Camp Fire, Inc., Boy and Girl Scouts, Jewish Community Centers, and Catholic Youth Organizations)
bulletSummer and residential camps

More Park and Recreation Management Information

Course Descriptions

Emphasis Areas

bulletCommunity & Commercial Recreation Management (Community & Commercial and Tourism Tracks
bullet Individual Emphasis
bullet Outdoor Education & Leadership
bullet Park Protection
bulletWildland Recreation Management

Major in PRM (Program of Study)

Minor in PRM

PRM Learning Portfolio

PRM Scholarship Information

Sample Four Year Advising Curriculum

Web Course Offerings

Parks and Recreation Club

Internship Program

The final semester of the Parks and Recreation Management Program consists of pre-professional work experience, PRM 408 Internship in Parks and Recreation Management. A fifteen-week internship is required to earn the bachelor of science degree and may be completed at a park, recreation, and/or leisure service agency of the student's choice. A student must complete 600 hours of work for an organization and fulfill guidelines as set by the intern advisor of the recreation program. The internship may be completed at an agency in the public sector, commercial enterprise, or a nonprofit organization, within the United States or abroad.

Recreation Opportunities at NAU

Students attending NAU find a wide range of recreational opportunities awaiting them both off and on campus. Abundant local public recreation lands, including the Grand Canyon National Park, provide prime recreation opportunities as well as living laboratories in which to learn first-hand about recreation management. The diverse opportunities for recreation participation and education also include on-campus recreation centers that offer weight-lifting rooms, gymnasiums, racquetball courts and swimming.

 Flagstaff was voted the 9th best college town by Outside magazine (September 2003)

"...take advantage of the adventure perfect landscape and mild climate to get outside..."

A major source for on-campus recreation is the NAU Outdoors Program which features classes on kayaking, fly-fishing, rock climbing, and skiing. The program also rents equipment at low cost to students for camping, backpacking, and other activities.

Please contact us for further information:

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Admission Packet Request
 

Video Conferencing is available.
Contact Dr. Charles Hammersley for more details.

Contact: Dr. Charles Hammersley
Parks and Recreation Management
Northern Arizona University
PO Box 15016, Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5016
Phone: (928) 523-6655 or 
Fax: (928) 523-2275
E-mail: charles.hammersley@nau.edu 

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PRM students hiking to Rainbow Bridge

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