Florida International University

What you'll study

This degree combines technical, managerial and programming topics so graduates can manage built and natural leisure environments. Core subject areas typically include facility operations and maintenance, risk management and safety, budget and financial management, event and reservation systems, turf and grounds management, sustainable design and environmental stewardship, and recreation programming and community development.

Students usually take modules such as:

• Facility Operations & Maintenance — principles of preventive maintenance, HVAC basics, building systems and asset management.
• Risk Management & Safety — public liability, emergency planning, inspection protocols and compliance for public venues.
• Financial Management — budgeting, cost control, revenue generation, and fund accounting for public and private facilities.
• Event and Venue Management — scheduling, staffing, patron services, ticketing and logistics for leisure events and large gatherings.
• Sustainable Site and Grounds Management — landscape stewardship, irrigation, turf care, native planting and stormwater considerations.
• Recreation Programming and Community Engagement — designing inclusive programmes, marketing, volunteer management and accessibility.
• Facilities Information Systems — use of work order systems, GIS for park planning and basic asset-tracking software.
• Capstone / Internship — an applied practicum or internship with a municipal parks department, campus facilities unit, resort or private management company.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a standard secondary school diploma or equivalent with a college‑preparatory programme. Admissions typically consider academic record, relevant coursework in English and mathematics, and participation in extracurricular activities relevant to recreation, facilities or leadership.

Standardised tests may be accepted but many US universities operate test‑optional policies; check the university’s current requirements. International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through recognised tests or approved alternatives. Prior volunteer or paid experience in recreation, parks, groundskeeping, facilities or event work is advantageous but not always required.

Career prospects

Graduates enter a range of public, private and nonprofit roles where they manage spaces and services for leisure and recreation. Typical career destinations include:

• Parks and recreation manager or superintendent (municipal and regional parks)
• Facilities manager for campuses, corporate or cultural institutions
• Grounds or turf manager for sports complexes, golf courses or estates
• Event and venue operations manager for arenas, convention centres and resorts
• Maintenance supervisor or facilities operations coordinator
• Program director for community centres, youth services or therapeutic recreation
• Consultant in park planning, sustainability or asset management

Many graduates progress through on‑the‑job training into senior management or specialise in areas such as sustainability, accessibility, capital planning or emergency management. Internship placements and campus career services help connect students with employers in the Miami region and beyond.

Why study at Florida International University

Florida International University’s location in Miami offers direct access to a wide variety of public parks, coastal environments and a large leisure and hospitality sector, providing rich opportunities for fieldwork and internships. The university emphasises experiential learning — students benefit from practicum placements, community partnerships and applied projects with municipal parks departments, campus facilities and private operators in South Florida.

FIU also provides interdisciplinary collaboration across departments that support this programme, including hospitality, sustainability and urban planning, along with career services and an extensive alumni network in the region. The campus setting and local climate create a natural laboratory for studies in turf, coastal park management and year‑round leisure programming, preparing graduates for versatile careers in facilities and recreation management.