LEISURE SERVICES MANAGEMENT OVERVIEW

The leisure service management (LSM) program serves students by providing a spiritually enriching, stimulating, and rigorous educational environment preparing them for leadership and service in the fields of outdoor recreation, community recreation, commercial recreation and youth leadership. The LSM program‘s course work focuses on developing analytical, problem solving, and writing skills graduates utilize when directing recreation programs and managing recreation facilities.

Graduates of the program are active and engaged lifelong learners with the ability to think critically and creatively and contribute to the recreation profession and to society. Students involved in the LSM program are mentored through research, course instruction, and internships in learning how to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate high-quality recreation, youth, and family programs that contribute to the overall well-being and vitality of society. The LSM program offers a study of people and organizations interested in understanding and helping others to appreciate the importance of recreation and leisure in the well-being of a society and individuals.

LSM LEARNING OUTCOMES

The LSM learning outcomes are in line with the RMYL department‘s learning outcomes. Students completing a bachelor of science degree, with a focus on the LSM option, will:

1. Design, implement, and evaluate wholesome leisure experiences that strengthen individuals, families, and communities

2. Demonstrate excellence in analytical thought through oral and written communication

3. Utilize the philosophies and theories of recreation and management to guide professional practice

4. Lead others through effective interpersonal skills and positive relationships

5. Communicate enhanced spirituality, character, and respect for diversity

6. Develop key management skills

LSM POTENTIAL CAREERS:

Professional careers in this area of emphasis are very broad. They can include working with commercial companies that provide recreational services (such as ski resorts, wilderness guiding companies, health spas, golf courses, hotel management, entertainment and amusement park organizations, stadium and event facility‘s management, tourism management, corporate recreation programs, etc.), community recreation employment (such as city parks and recreation departments, national and state park services and land management agencies, school districts, college and university recreation programs, senior centers, etc.), and nonprofit agencies (such as the Boys and Girls Club, Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of America, American Red Cross, United Way, Special Olympics, etc.).

Salaries in these professions can range from starting yearly salaries beginning in the mid-$20,000 up to six-digit incomes for directors of community or commercial agencies. Average salaries are typically $40,000 to $60,000 per year.

INTERNSHIPS:

The LSM program requires all students completing their degree in this option to fulfill a minimum four hundred-hour internship with a recreational oriented business or agency. This requirement is the capstone for the LSM program. Students, with the help of the LSM internship coordinator Dr. Brian Hill, select the internship and participates in this program during a semester of their senior year or during the spring and summer terms. The internship may or may not be a paid position with the company or agency selected.