Florida International University

What you'll study

This degree combines core management and business skills with practical training in facility operations, parks administration and leisure services programming. Coursework typically covers facility design and maintenance, risk and safety management, event and activity programming, financial planning and budgeting, human resource management, and legal and ethical issues in parks and recreation. Students also study environmental stewardship and sustainability practices for green spaces and facilities, alongside community engagement, inclusion and accessibility in leisure services.

• Core topics: Principles of parks and recreation, facility management, program planning, customer service, and organisational behaviour.
• Operational skills: Maintenance systems, grounds and turf management, preventive maintenance, custodial operations and health and safety protocols.
• Management and planning: Budgeting and finance for leisure facilities, marketing and revenue generation, policy and governance, strategic planning and facility master planning.
• Specialist areas: Risk management and liability, event and crowd management, inclusive recreation, and sustainability in outdoor and built environments.
• Applied learning: Field-based labs, site visits to parks and complex facilities, a supervised practicum or internship with municipal, commercial or non-profit partners, and a senior capstone or project integrating operational and managerial competencies.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a recognised secondary school diploma or equivalent. Typical academic preparation includes study of English and mathematics; courses in biology, environmental science or social studies are advantageous. Admissions decisions consider high school grades, personal statements and any relevant extracurricular experience in recreation, parks, sports or community service.

• Competitive secondary school GPA or equivalent credentials as required by the university.
• Proof of English proficiency for applicants whose first language is not English (for example accepted scores from recognised English tests or equivalent qualifications).
• Relevant work, volunteer or leadership experience in recreation, leisure services, parks maintenance or community programming can strengthen an application.
• Transfer applicants should provide college transcripts; the programme typically accepts transfer credit for relevant college-level coursework.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for a wide range of roles in public, private and non-profit sectors that operate and manage leisure facilities and parks. Career paths commonly include facility manager for community centres, recreational complexes or sports arenas; parks superintendent or maintenance supervisor for municipal or regional park systems; recreation programme coordinator; special events and venue manager; and operations manager for resorts, theme parks or senior living facilities.

• Municipal parks and recreation departments (park managers, grounds supervisors, programme coordinators).
• Commercial and institutional facilities (sports and entertainment venues, fitness centres, resorts, campus recreation).
• Non-profit organisations and community-based leisure providers (programme directors, outreach coordinators).
• Consultancy and planning roles (facility planning, accessibility and inclusion consulting, sustainability advising).
• Further study and professional certification in facility management, parks planning, public administration or related fields.

Why study at Florida International University

Florida International University offers this programme in a region with extensive park systems, municipal recreation services and a busy tourism market, providing plentiful opportunities for internships and practicum placements. Students benefit from applied learning emphasised across the curriculum, with fieldwork, site visits and partnerships with local agencies and organisations.

• Location advantages: access to year-round outdoor spaces, diverse communities and a wide range of public and private leisure organisations for experiential learning.
• Practical focus: curriculum designed to build hands-on operational skills as well as management and planning competencies sought by employers.
• Support services: academic advising, career services and connections to local industry that help students secure internships and job placements.
• Interdisciplinary opportunities: ability to take complementary courses in business, hospitality, environmental studies and public administration to broaden career options.