Universidad Ana G. Méndez

What you'll study

This master's programme combines applied management, planning and technical knowledge needed to run parks, recreation and leisure facilities. Students study core principles of recreation services alongside practical topics in facility operations, safety and community programming. The curriculum typically blends taught modules, case studies and a practicum or capstone project with opportunities to work directly with local parks, recreation departments and campus facilities.

• Recreation and Leisure Theory: foundations of leisure studies, social and cultural role of recreation, community needs assessment.
• Facility Operations and Maintenance: lifecycle planning, preventive maintenance, asset management and sustainable site practices.
• Risk Management and Safety: health and safety protocols, emergency planning, legal responsibilities and insurance considerations.
• Programming and Community Engagement: designing inclusive leisure programmes, volunteer management, outreach and evaluation.
• Financial and Human Resource Management: budgeting, revenue generation, grant writing, staffing, supervision and labour relations.
• Planning and Landscape Design for Parks: site planning, accessibility standards, ecological considerations and landscape maintenance strategies.
• Research Methods and Policy: applied research techniques, data collection and analysis for programme evaluation, public policy affecting parks and recreation.
• Capstone or Practicum: an applied project or supervised placement in a parks, recreation or facilities environment that demonstrates professional competence.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a related field such as recreation, public administration, sport management, hospitality, environmental studies or a comparable discipline. Relevant professional experience in recreation, parks, facilities or community programming is highly valued and may strengthen an application. Typical application materials include official transcripts, a personal statement outlining professional goals, and one or more letters of recommendation. Candidates whose first language is not the language of instruction may be asked to demonstrate language proficiency.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for leadership roles across public, non-profit and private sectors. Typical career paths include:

• Park Superintendent or Parks Manager in municipal or regional park systems
• Recreation Director or Programme Coordinator for community centres and leisure organisations
• Facilities Manager for sports complexes, campuses, resorts or corporate leisure sites
• Operations Manager for events, tourism attractions or recreational venues
• Consultant in planning, accessibility or sustainability for outdoor and leisure environments
• Roles in policy development, grant administration and community engagement for government and NGOs

Why study at Universidad Ana G. Méndez

Universidad Ana G. Méndez offers a programme situated in a distinctive bilingual and island context, providing direct access to a wide variety of parks, coastal areas and community recreation settings for applied learning. The university maintains collaborative links with local municipalities, recreation departments and community organisations, enabling practicum placements and project work that address real local needs. The faculty bring professional experience in public administration, recreation and facilities management, and the programme is designed to balance academic rigour with hands-on practice to prepare graduates for immediate leadership in the field.