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 allow students learn to plan, organize and facilitate challenging and satisfying leisure service programs to meet the needs of an ever-changing population.
"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.
Link to the Rec Club webpage.
"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.
Meet the PRM Faculty
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; Dr. Charles Hammersley, Ph.D., Judy Hammersley, M.A., Steve Dodd, M.S. and Dr. Pam Foti
- Steve Dodd, MS, Park Ranger Training Director
- Pam Foti, Ph.D., Professor
- Charles Hammersley, Ph.D., Associate Professor/Assistant Chair
- Judith Hammersley, MA, Senior Lecturer
Programs
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:
Steve 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: Steve.Dodd@nau.edu
Online Degree in Parks and Recreation Management
In the summer of 2003, NAU Parks and Recreation Program began offering the first online Bachelor of Science degree in Parks and Recreation Management. We now have two online degrees.
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.
Distance 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
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
- Federal Agencies (National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management)
- Municipal and state park recreation agencies
- Resorts, cruise lines, ski areas and tour companies
- Private outdoor outfitters, adventure and guide services
- Nonprofit organizations (YMCA, YWCA, Boys & Girls Club, Camp Fire, Inc., Boy and Girl Scouts, Jewish Community Centers, and Catholic Youth Organizations)
- Summer and residential camps
More Park and Recreation Management Information
Emphasis Areas
- Community & Commercial Recreation Management (Community & Commercial and Tourism Tracks
- Individual Emphasis
- Interpretation
- Outdoor Education (Leadership and Education Tracks)
- Outdoor Recreation Planner
- Park Protection
- Wildland Recreation Management
The Parks and Recreation Club
- Major in PRM (Program of Study)
- Minor in PRM
- PRM Learning Portfolio
- PRM Scholarship Information
- Sample Four Year Advising Curriculum
- Web Course Offerings
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:
- Admission Packet Request
- Video Conferencing is available. Contact Dr. Charles Hammersley for more details.
PRM students hiking to Rainbow Bridge
