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Recreation and Tourism Management

Professionals in Recreation and Tourism manage facilities, programs and services that enrich people’s lives through high-quality and memorable leisure-time experiences. Tourism and recreation activities are an integral part of people’s lifestyles, and billions of dollars are spent annually on recreation, tourism and events in public, private and nonprofit recreation agencies and businesses.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite Coursework (3 hours)
The following course must be completed with a C minus or better:

Course Description Hours
CGS 2100 or
CGS 2518
Microcomputer Applications for Business or
Spreadsheets for Business
3

Note: State-wide common prerequisites are always under review. For the most current information and for acceptable alternative courses, visit the “Common Prerequisites Manual.” This is available from the “Student Services” section of http://www.flvc.org.

Requirements for Progression to the Upper-Division Major
To be admitted to this program, students must have the following:

  1. Completion of at least 52 semester hours;
  2. A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all college work attempted;
  3. Satisfactory completion of all required prerequisite coursework; and
  4. Successful completion of 1st & 2nd GE English and 1st & 2nd GE Math coursework.

Requirements

Major Program of Study (39 hours)
Community college courses may not be substituted for 3000/4000 level courses. All courses must be completed with a grade of C minus or better and a minimum GPA of 2.00 in courses used to satisfy the major requirements.

Computer Skills Competency
No additional hours are needed beyond prerequisites (CGS 2100 or CGS 2518).

Oral Communication Competency (3 hours beyond major coursework)
Students must demonstrate the ability to orally transmit ideas and information clearly. This requirement may be met through a University approved college-level course.

Dedman College of Hospitality - ALL Majors (18 hours)

Course Description Hours
HFT 3424 Hospitality Financial Analysis 3
HFT 3431 Hospitality Managerial Accounting 3
HFT 3806 Introduction to Food & Beverage Management 3
HFT 4502 Integrated Marketing for Hospitality 3
HFT 4224 Hospitality Leadership and Ethics 3
HFT 3941* Internship 3-12

*All majors must complete a minimum of 3 hours of HFT 3941 (Internship). Students must have a total of 12 credit hours between HFT 3941 and elective requirements. Students may complete additional credit hours (up to 12) and use them as substitutes for elective requirements. This means that if the max of 12 hours are put towards HFT 3941, 0 hours of electives are required under major coursework.

Major Coursework (21 hours)

Course Description Hours
LEI 1000 Introduction to Recreation and Tourism 3
LEI 3420 Recreation Activities Leadership 3
LEI 3435 Planning Recreational Experiences 3
HFT 3700 Tourism and the Environment 3
LEI 3843 Commercial Recreation and Tourism 3
LEI 4602 Planning and Maintenance of Facilities 3
HFT 4941* Field Work 0
HFT or LEI Elective 3

*Required Work Experience
Students must complete at least 1,000 hours of work experience in the hospitality industry. The work experience must be completed at the post-secondary level. Students must register for HFT 4941 (Field Study in Hospitality Administration) in their final semester.

Students are required to complete 3 credit hours of Management Internship (HFT 3941) as part of their work experience.

Electives

Majors must have a total of 12 credit hours between HFT 3941 and elective requirements. Students can complete additional credit hours of HFT 3941 and use them as substitutes for elective requirements.

Not all electives are offered every semester/year.

Course Description Hours
HFT 2060 Coffee, Tea & International Culture 3
HFT 2061 Ales, Lagers & International Culture(d) 3
HFT 2062 International Wine and Culture(d) 3
HFT 2063 Distilled Spirits & International Culture 3
HFT 2080 International Protocol(d) 3
HFT 2452 Supply Management 3
HFT 2704 A Survey of Ecotourism 3
HFT 2716 International Travel and Culture(d) 3
HFT 2801 Tequila, Agave, Spirits and Culture 3
HFT 2876 Italian Wine and Culture(f) 3
HFT 2890 International Food and Culture(d) 3
HFT 2895 Italian Food and Culture(f) 3
HFT 3100 Intro to Global Club Management 3
HFT 3221 Human Resource Management  
HFT 3240 Managing Service Organizations 3
HFT 3242 Hospitality Communications(w) 3
HFT 3270 Resort Operations(r) 3
HFT 3275 Resort Development(r) 3
HFT 3515 Resort Marketing(r) 3
HFT 3519 Convention Services & Event Management 3
HFT 3542 Event Management 3
HFT 3891 Global Food Controversy 3
HFT 4064 Ales, Lagers and Culture (must be 21+) 3
HFT 4205 Conversational Spanish for Hospitality Managers 3
HFT 4448 Technology & Big Data Applications in Hospitality and Tourism 3
HFT 4866 Wine and Culture 3
HFT 4905 DIS (Directed Individual Study) 0-12
HFT 4930r Special Topics in Hospitality 3
HFT 4970 Honors Thesis 3
LEI 1181 Leisure, Recreation, and Adaptation(d) 3
LEI 2318 Events, Ethics, and Sustainability(e) 3
LEI 3266 Outdoor Adventure 3
LEI 3312 Introduction to Special Events 3
LEI 4314 Event Operations and Management 3
LEI 4524 Leadership Supervision(w) 3
LEI 4551 Administration of Leisure Systems 3
LEI 4561 Event Promotions 3
LEI 4864 Technology for Events(dl) 3

(d) Fulfills university diversity course requirement

(e) Fulfills university ethics course requirement

(dl) Fulfills university digital literacy requirement

(f) Course offered only through the Florence study-abroad program

(r) Course offered only through the Resort and Vacation Rental Management program

(w) Upper-division writing course

Major Program Summary

Minimum Program Requirements
General Education 36*
Prerequisite 3*
College Core 18
Major Program of Study 21
Minor** 0
Computer Skills 0 (beyond prerequisites)
Oral Competency 0-3
Electives No. to bring total to 120
Total Hours Required 120

*Some prerequisite courses may also be counted as part of General Education requirements.

**Optional. Students who wish to have a minor must choose a program outside of the Dedman College of Hospitality.

In addition to the HFT / LEI electives offered, includes any approved courses across the university.

Mapping
Mapping is FSU’s academic advising and monitoring system. Academic progress is monitored each Fall and Spring semester to ensure that students are on course to earn their degree in a timely fashion. Transfer students must meet mapping guidelines to be accepted into their majors. You may view the map for this major here.

Remarks

  1. A minimum of 45 hours at the 3000 level or above, 30 of which must be taken at this University.
  2. Half of the major course semester hours must be completed in residence at this University.
  3. The final 30 hours must be completed in residence at this University.

Minor in Recreation and Tourism

A minor in recreation and tourism requires twelve (12) hours of coursework. A grade of "C–" or better must be earned in each course counted toward the minor.

Available to students not majoring in a hospitality program.

Course Description Hours
Required Courses (3 hours)
LEI 1000 Introduction to Recreation and Tourism 3
Any three of the following courses (9 hours)
LEI 3266 Outdoor Adventure Education 3
LEI 3420 Recreation Activities Leadership 3
LEI 3435 Recreation Program Design 3
LEI 3843 Commercial Recreation and Tourism 3
LEI 4524 Leadership and Supervision 3

Careers

Salary Information
For more information visit the National Association of Colleges and Employers or the Occupational Outlook Handbook provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Representative Job Titles Related to this Major
Parks and Recreation Director, Guest Services Director, Athletics Supervisor, Cultural Arts Supervisor, Recreation Program Director, Recreation Supervisor, Campus Recreation Director, Facility Manager, Resort Activities Director, Aquatics Supervisor, Tour Guide/Director, Fishing Charters Manager, Marina Manager, Program Director, Outdoor Recreation Manager, Conservation Manager, Park Ranger, Camp Coordinator.

Representative Employers
National and state recreation and park agencies, nonprofit community organizations, commercial recreation businesses, visitor and convention bureau, employee recreation programs, armed forces recreation, private clubs, resorts, colleges and universities, camps, tourism agencies, retirement communities, recreation/fishing product suppliers, equestrian centers, and commercial marinas.