BS in Parks, Recreation, Sport and Tourism with Emphasis in Natural Resource Recreation Management
Degree Program Description
The BS in Parks, Recreation, Sport and Tourism with an emphasis in Natural Resource Recreation Management focuses on the combination of natural and social sciences, and the management of people and natural resources in parks, forests, refuges, and reservoirs. Areas of study include outdoor recreation, methods of interpretation, and land management. Professionals in natural resource recreation management hold integral roles in operations, visitor management, protection and administration of our federal, state, and local outdoor recreation resources. Outdoor and natural resource recreation managers are employed by local, state, and federal agencies such as state and federal park systems. Responsibilities include managing natural and cultural resources, providing information and education, park operations, planning and design, and outdoor programming. Possible careers include ranger, education/outreach, naturalist, outdoor skills specialist, landscape maintenance, program supervisor, and grants/contract administrator.
Major Program Requirements
In addition to completing major program requirements, students must complete the following additional emphasis area requirements:
Natural Resource Recreation Management Emphasis Area Coursework
| Emphasis Area Requirements (minimum grade of C-) | ||
| NAT_R 1070 | Ecology and Conservation of Natural Resources | 3 |
| or NAT_R 2160 | Issues in Natural Resources and the Environment | |
| PRST 3230 | Outdoor Recreation Policy | 3 |
| PRST 3231 | Interpretation of Natural and Cultural Resources | 3 |
| or NAT_R 4024 | Foundations of Environmental Education | |
| PRST 4260 | Sustainable Tourism | 3 |
| or NAT_R 4353 | Natural Resource Policy/Administration | |
| PRST 4340 | Recreation Land Management | 3 |
| Professional Electives | 18 | |
| Advisor approved courses specific to the student's selected emphasis. At least 9 credits must have a PRST designator. These professional electives can be used towards a second emphasis. | ||
| Total Credits | 33 | |
Semester Plan
Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester. A student's actual plan may vary based on course choices where options are available.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENGLSH 1000 | 3 | MATH 1050 or 1100 | 3 |
| AGSC_COM 2220 or COMMUN 1200 | 3 | SOCIOL 1000 | 3 |
| PRST 1010 | 3 | PRST 2281 | 3 |
| PRST 1011 | 1 | PRST 2750 | 3 |
| NAT_R 1070 or 2160 | 3 | Missouri State Law Requirement | 3 |
| Humanities & Fine Arts | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| PSYCH 1000 | 3 | ABM 1041 | 3 |
| STAT 1200, ABM 2123, or ESC_PS 4170 | 3 | PRST 3231 or NAT_R 4024 | 3 |
| PRST 3210 | 3 | PRST 4250 or 4150 | 3 |
| AGSC_COM 3240, COMMUN 2100, ENGLSH 2030, or THEATR 1400 | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | Biological, Physical, or Mathematical Science with Lab | 3-4 |
| 15 | 15-16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ACCTCY 2010, 2026, or 2036 | 3 | ABM 3224, 3224W, MRKTNG 3000, or ABM 3223 | 3 |
| PRST 3215W | 4 | PRST 4340 | 3 |
| PRST 3230 | 3 | Professional Elective | 3 |
| Biological, Physical, or Mathematical Science | 3 | Professional Elective | 3 |
| Professional Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| PRST 4208 | 3 | PRST 4940 | 12 |
| PRST 4260 or NAT_R 4353 | 3 | ||
| PRST 3189 | 1 | ||
| Professional Elective | 3 | ||
| Professional Elective | 3 | ||
| General Elective | 3 | ||
| 16 | 12 | ||
| Total Credits: 120-121 | |||
Degree Audit
The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree.
MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.
Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.
Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.
For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.
Major and Career Exploration
The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.
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If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.
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If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major.
- If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.
- If you would like information about MU majors and degree programs, visit:
- the Degrees, Majors (Degree Programs), Emphasis Areas, Minors and Certificates page in the catalog,
- the MU Majors website.
For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.