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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 1070Ecology and Conservation of Natural Resources3
or NAT_R 2160 Issues in Natural Resources and the Environment
PRST 3230Outdoor Recreation Policy3
PRST 3231Interpretation of Natural and Cultural Resources3
or NAT_R 4024 Foundations of Environmental Education
PRST 4260Sustainable Tourism3
or NAT_R 4353 Natural Resource Policy/Administration
PRST 4340Recreation Land Management3
Professional Electives18
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.
Any ACCTCY, AG_ED_LD, BUS_AD, FINANC, FINPLN, HSP_MGMT, MANGMT, MRKTNG, NEP or PRST Course.
Total Credits33

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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
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGLSH 10003MATH 1050 or 11003
AGSC_COM 2220 or COMMUN 12003SOCIOL 10003
PRST 10103PRST 22813
PRST 10111PRST 27503
NAT_R 1070 or 21603Missouri State Law Requirement3
Humanities & Fine Arts3 
 16 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
PSYCH 10003ABM 10413
STAT 1200, ABM 2123, or ESC_PS 41703PRST 3231 or NAT_R 40243
PRST 32103PRST 4250 or 41503
AGSC_COM 3240, COMMUN 2100, ENGLSH 2030, or THEATR 14003General Elective3
General Elective3Biological, Physical, or Mathematical Science with Lab3-4
 15 15-16
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ACCTCY 2010, 2026, or 20363ABM 3224, 3224W, MRKTNG 3000, or ABM 32233
PRST 3215W4PRST 43403
PRST 32303Professional Elective3
Biological, Physical, or Mathematical Science3Professional Elective3
Professional Elective3General Elective3
 16 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
PRST 42083PRST 494012
PRST 4260 or NAT_R 43533 
PRST 31891 
Professional Elective3 
Professional Elective3 
General Elective3 
 16 12
Total Credits: 120-121

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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/.

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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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.

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