Recreation Management Dalhousie University

Overview

Dalhousie University 's Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Management in  Recreation Management programme is offered jointly by Dalhousie’s Faculty of Health (School of Health and Human Performance) and the Faculty of Management.  

After five years, you’ll graduate with a Bachelor of Science (Recreation) and a Bachelor of Management degree.  You’ll have the business know-how and recreation management skills needed to start an exciting career in the growing recreation and leisure service industry.

Programme options

The programme has an honours option that allows you to complete a thesis in an area of your choice under the supervision of one of our faculty members. Past students have completed theses in diverse areas such as canine companionship and well-being, university mental health initiatives, and spirituality in therapeutic recreation.

The following Recreation Management programme options are offered by Dalhousie University’s Faculties of Health and Management. Connect with an academic advisor after you start your studies to explore options such as:

• Bachelor of Science, Recreation and Bachelor of Management

• Bachelor of Science, Recreation (Honours) and Bachelor of Management

What you will learn

You’ll have a wide variety of courses to choose from as you complete your degrees.  In your first year, you’ll take a mixture of introductory courses in areas such as Recreation and Leisure Studies, Management, Economics, and Sociology. In subsequent years, the required Recreation and Management courses become more specialized, and you’ll have the opportunity to choose electives as well.  Some students choose to complete certificates or, through the Management part of the programme, majors in areas such as Leadership and Organizations or Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

The 16-week internship, taken during the last semester of the programme, takes you out of the classroom and provides you with valuable hands-on experience to enhance your studies and get started on your career path. You will be mentored by and learn from a professional in your field. Past students have done their internships locally, nationally, and internationally.

Careers

The demand for professionals in the field of recreation and leisure is increasing as people, communities, and governments prioritize healthier lifestyles.  Because you’ll graduate with two degrees, you can find career options that combine both recreation and management while also having the flexibility to find opportunities that may focus on one or the other.

Opportunities are available in such industries and organizations as:

• Provincial, national, and international recreation organizations

• Municipal recreation centres

• Festival and special event management

• Outdoor recreation

• Recreation facility operations management

• Tourism, leisure, and sport marketing

Future studies could include programmes at the graduate level in recreation and leisure studies, business administration, or professional degrees such as law.

Accreditation

The course is the only Recreation programme in Canada to be accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism, and Related Professions (COAPRT).  The rigorous standards required for accreditation ensure top-quality curriculum and student supports.