The Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree: 120 units

See Bachelor's Degree Requirements in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 39 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.

A suggested Major Academic Plan (MAP) has been prepared to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. You can view MAPs on the Major Academic Plans page or you can request a plan from your major advisor.

Courses in this program may complete more than one graduation requirement.

General Education Pathway Requirements: 48 units

See General Education in the University Catalog and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Pathway Requirements and course offerings.

Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units

See Diversity Requirements in the University Catalog. Most courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education .

Upper-Division Writing Requirement:

Writing Across the Curriculum (Executive Memorandum 17-009) is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of four Writing (W) courses, two of which are designated by the major department. See Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning and Writing Requirements in the University Catalog for more details on the four courses.  The first of the major designated Writing (W) courses is listed below.

The second major-designated Writing course is the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) (Executive Order 665). Students must earn a C- or higher to receive GW credit. The GE Written Communication (A2) requirement must be completed before a student is permitted to register for a GW course.

Grading Requirement:

All courses taken to fulfill major course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as Credit/No Credit grading only.

Application to the Major:

Departmental approval is required before you begin course work for this major. Application to the major can be made at the department office.

Course Requirements for the Major: 58-60 units

Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree. Additional required courses, depending upon the selected option are outlined following the major core program requirements.

Note: A maximum of 15 units of internship (courses numbered 189, 289, 389, 489, 589) may be applied to a bachelor's degree at CSU, Chico.

Since the Department of Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management uses a mentor-advisor system, it is important for you to request an advisor when you declare Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management as your major. In general, Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management majors are encouraged to take RHPM 200 during the first semester in the department. Depending on the desired option, RHPM 250 (for the Options in Resort and Lodging Management and Event Management) or RHPM 240 (for the Option in Parks and Recreation Management) should also be considered.

Major Core Program: 32 units

6 courses required:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
RHPM 200	Foundations of Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management		3.0	FS
First professional preparation course for majors and minors. Prerequisite to all upper-division required recreation courses for majors and minors. Sociology and social psychology of leisure. History of leisure in Western cultures. Philosophical foundations of leisure studies. Introduction to the principal journals and professional literature. Ethics and foundations of professional practice. Introduction to the principal professional organizations. Career and course of study planning. 3 hours lecture. (008779)
RHPM 326W	Recreation Therapy and Inclusion (W)		3.0	FS	USD  W
A study of the characteristics and needs of diverse populations, specifically related to the delivery of inclusive leisure services. In-depth discussion of personal and societal attitudes, stereotypes, cultural competencies, legislation, accessibility, and program modification. Learning experiences include volunteer work, guest speakers, and wheelchair experience. This course is applicable to all disciplines dealing with diverse populations. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved Writing Course. This is an approved US Diversity course. (008785)
RHPM 371	Customer Service Management in Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks		3.0	FS
Prerequisites: RHPM 200; RHPM 240, RHPM 250, or RHPM 326W (may be taken concurrently), open to Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management majors and minors only, or faculty permission. Comprehensive knowledge of managing customer service in recreation, park, hospitality, and tourism operations. Methods for identifying customer service expectations; developing a service culture; setting quality standards; developing policies, procedures, and systems to assure quality customer service; managing personnel for quality customer service; developing techniques service recovery; and measuring customer satisfaction. 3 hours lecture. (015805)
RHPM 400W	Management of Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks (W)		3.0	FS	GW  W
Prerequisites: GE Written Communication (A2) requirement; RHPM 200; RHPM 240, RHPM 250, or RHPM 326W; senior standing. Legalities, policies, practices, procedures, principles, and theory related to planning, organizing, staffing, training, motivating, controlling, evaluating, financing, and managing resources in parks, recreation, and hospitality environments. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. This is an approved Writing Course. (008838)
RHPM 420	Budgeting and Finance in Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management		3.0	FS
Prerequisites: RHPM 200, RHPM 240, or RHPM 250 (for RHPM majors only); ACCT 201, NFSC 230 (for NFSC majors only); or faculty permission. Management approaches to budget and finance in recreation, hospitality, and park agencies and businesses; spread sheet skills; budget preparations, forecasting, accounting techniques, pricing, financial analysis, and capital acquisition. Review of revenue sources, and capital funding. 3 hours discussion. (008829)
RHPM 428	Legal Principles of Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management		3.0	FS
Prerequisite: Junior standing. Introduction to the study of law applicable to recreation, hospitality, and parks management. Examines general legal principles; organizational structure; contracts; and contracting for recreation, hospitality, and park settings. Introduces human resources law; liability and litigation; and special topics which apply to hotels, restaurants, events, recreation, and parks providers. 3 hours lecture. (008818)

Internship Program

3 courses required:

OR (the following course may be substituted for the above)

Major Option Course Requirements: 26-28 units

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required dependent upon the option chosen. Students must select one of the following options for completion of the major course requirements.  Use the links below to jump to your chosen option.

• The Option in Parks and Recreation Management
• The Option in Resort and Lodging Management
• The Option in Recreation Therapy
• The Option in Event Management

The Option in Parks and Recreation Management: 28 units

4 courses required:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
RHPM 240	Outdoor Recreation Systems		3.0	FA
Resources and needs for outdoor recreation experiences. Study of historic, social, political, economic, and environmental factors influencing natural resources recreation at federal, state, and local levels. Survey of conflicts in natural resource land use. Field trips may be required. 3 hours lecture. (008782)
RHPM 342	Systems Management in Maintenance and Operations		3.0	FA
Prerequisite: RHPM 200 (may be taken concurrently) or faculty permission. Overview of maintenance planning and implementation from a systems perspective. Topics include strategies to enhance guest experiences, reduce depreciative behaviors, and maintain facilities and settings. 3 hours lecture. (008804)
RHPM 441	Citizen Involvement in Recreation Resource Management		3.0	SP
Prerequisite: Junior standing. Theoretical and applied concepts and techniques of citizen involvement in policy and management decisions for both public and private sectors of recreation resource management. Discussion of legal mandates, agency/organization credibility, applied methods for obtaining citizen input, and case studies. Attendance at public meetings may be required. 3 hours lecture. (008839)
RHPM 523	Special Event Planning and Operations		1.0	FS
Prerequisites: RHPM 323, RHPM 448 or RHPM 470. Experiential course offering students hands-on experience with aspects of planning and implementation of an event, including design, marketing, staffing, operations, risk management, and evaluation. 3 hours laboratory. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 3.0 units. (021262)

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
RHPM 323	Principles of Event Management		3.0	FS
Prerequisite: RHPM 200 or faculty permission. Introduction to event management fundamentals and overview of the event industry. Topics include strategic planning, logistics, operations, financial management, risk management, and sustainability in event operations. 3 hours lecture. (008801)
RHPM 448	Methods and Materials for Environmental Education		3.0	SP
This course is also offered as EDCI 448. Experiential-oriented survey of methods and materials for teaching environmental concepts in schools, communities, nature centers, camps, and parks. Exposure to history, theory, philosophy, and goals of environmental education programs. 3 hours lecture. (002778)

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
RHPM 422	Leisure Services Promotion		3.0	FS
Prerequisites: RHPM 200, RHPM 240, or RHPM 250; junior standing; or faculty permission. Introduction to marketing concepts; application of promotion in recreation, hospitality, and parks through the development of promotional materials for programs, organizations, and events. Creation of program, organization, and business promotional strategies, including message design, promotion creation, and evaluation. 3 hours lecture. (008832)
RHPM 444	Environmental Interpretation and Communication		3.0	SP
Prerequisites: Junior standing. Theory and application of environmental interpretation services to visitors in natural and cultural resource settings. Communication of environmental information to general public via media presentations, conducted trips, exhibits, nature trails, publications, and visitor centers. 3 hours lecture. (008840)

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
RHPM 446	Natural Resources Management		3.0	FA
Prerequisite: RHPM 240 or faculty permission. Managing the interactions between natural resources and users to ensure sustainable outdoor recreation. Carrying capacity, limits of acceptable change, competition, and complementarity among recreation uses and between recreation uses and other resource uses. Methods for monitoring recreational impacts, and approaches to managing resource quality and recreational opportunities. Field trips may be required. 3 hours discussion. (008843)
RHPM 524	Commercial Recreation Operation		3.0	FA
Prerequisites: RHPM 420 (may be taken concurrently). Management of private and commercial recreation programs, areas, and facilities. Considers planning, organizing, financing, staffing, operation, evaluation, facility use, and operational effectiveness and efficiency. Explores a broad range of private and commercial operations. 3 hours lecture. (008830)

9 units selected from:

Any RHPM courses.

The Option in Resort and Lodging Management: 27 units

6 courses required:

9 units selected from:

Any RHPM courses.

The Option in Recreation Therapy: 26 units

Admission to the Option in Recreation Therapy is currently suspended. Please contact the Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management Department for more information.

The Recreation Therapy Option is designed to prepare students to work as allied health professionals with people who have special needs in clinical, residential, and community-based agencies. Students studying in this option will meet the standards developed by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) and the California Board of Recreation and Park Certification (CBRPC). Successfully completing this curriculum will provide students with knowledge competencies necessary to qualify for both the National and State Therapeutic Recreation Certification Exams.

8 courses required:

The Option in Event Management: 28 units

6 courses required:

1 course selected from:

9 units selected from:

Any RHPM courses.

Electives Requirement:

To complete the total units required for the bachelor's degree, select additional elective courses from the total University offerings. You should consult with an advisor regarding the selection of courses which will provide breadth to your University experience and possibly apply to a supportive second major or minor.

Advising Requirement:

Advising is mandatory for all majors in this degree program. Consult your undergraduate advisor for specific information.