The study of Recreation, Parks and Tourism Resources prepares students for careers providing recreational opportunities in the public or private sector and non-profit organizations. Since a large core of recreation classes is required regardless of the option of study a student chooses, employment beyond the limits of each course of study is possible. Faculty members have conducted research projects funded by the West Virginia Department of Tourism, the National Park Service, the US Forest Service, and the US Army Corps of Engineers. Majors in the Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences Agribusiness Management & Rural Development B Agricultural & Extension Education B, M Agricultural & Resource Economics M Agriculture Education M Agriculture, Forestry, & Consumer Sciences M Agronomy B, M Animal & Food Sciences D Animal & Veterinary Sciences B, M Basic Sciences B Biochemistry B Child Development & Family Studies B, M Entomology M Environmental Microbiology M Environmental & Natural Resource Economics B Environmental Protection B Family & Consumer Sciences M Forest Resources Management B Forest Resources Science D Forestry M Genetics & Developmental Biology M, D Horticulture B, M Human Nutrition & Foods B Interior Design B Landscape Architecture B Natural Resource Economics D Plant Pathology M Plant & Soil Sciences D Recreation, Parks, & Tourism Resources B, M Reproductive Physiology M, D Textiles, Apparel & Merchandising B Wildlife & Fisheries Resources B, M Wood Science & Technology B B = Bachelor's; M = Master's; D = Doctorate For more information, contact Steve Selin at 304-293-2941, ext 2442, sselin@mail.wvu.edu or visit the Web site at: www.forestry.caf.wvu.edu/ wvu%5Fparks/

The WVU Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences
The Davis College has 18 undergraduate major fields of study that are divided into five academic divisions: Animal and Veterinary Sciences; Family and Consumer Sciences; Forestry; Plant and Soil Sciences; and Resource Management. The excellent instructional facilities of the Davis College offer many learning opportunities. The Agricultural Sciences Building contains most offices, classrooms, and laboratories for agricultural programs. Percival Hall houses the Division of Forestry’s offices, classrooms, and laboratories, including the wood processing facilities. In Allen Hall, Family and Consumer Science classes are held, and the laboratory nursery school is located on the Evansdale Campus. Maintaining eight farms, two campus greenhouses, and more than 8,000 acres of forest land for teaching and research, the Davis College offers students a variety of educational opportunities with hands-on experiences.

Students are offered fields of study that complement various careers. The study of ecology is interwoven throughout courses to offer students the education necessary for careers emphasizing the protection of environmental quality and the management, utilization, and conservation of our soil, water, forests, wildlife, domestic animals, food, and fiber.

Admission
Students who meet University admission requirements may be accepted directly into the Davis College as Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Resources majors.

Curriculum
To complete the Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Resources Program and earn a bachelor of science in recreation, a student must complete 136 credit hours. The program offers two options: Leisure Service Delivery and Natural Resource Recreation. Other areas of expertise may be developed through strategic selection of electives.

Regardless of the area of concentration, all students may enroll in two introductory Recreation, Parks, and Tourism resources courses in the freshman year. Courses such as sociology and psychology are required skills applied in the delivery of recreation services. Additionally, 33 credit hours of Recreation and Parks courses are required for graduation.

At the end of the junior year, students must complete an approved full-time internship of not less than eight weeks with a recreation agency.

Providing preparation for general entry into the parks and recreation field, the Leisure Service Delivery option consists of course work that qualifies students for positions of increasing managerial responsibility.

Also, classes concentrate on the planning, organization, and delivery of recreation and parks services in a variety of settings. Political science, economics, accounting, management, forestry, and behavioral sciences are also part of the course of study.

By concentrating in Natural Resource Recreation, students may prepare for positions concerned with outdoor recreation. Students not only take recreation classes, they complete courses in natural resources, behavioral sciences, political science, economics, and management. Although emphasis is placed on recreation in outdoor settings, some flexibility exists to allow students to study other areas as well.

Course Work

Accreditation
West Virginia University is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Accredited by the National Recreation and Parks Association, the Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Resources Program at WVU is one of only 100 programs in the country to earn such approval.

Career Opportunities
Graduates in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Resources are employed by city, state, and national parks, commercial recreation businesses, hospitality and tourism organizations, and nonprofit agencies.

Graduate School Opportunities
Graduate schools offer additional education in focused areas. Advanced degrees grant an increase in salary along with increased responsibilities. Often the administrators of large and complex recreation and park programs are required to hold master’s degrees, and college teachers and research specialists typically hold at least a master’s degree (preferably a doctorate). Areas that receive emphasis at the graduate level include Human Dimensions of Recreation Resource Management, Managing Recreation Resources, Community-Based Conservation, Interpretation, and Sustainable Tourism Development.

WVU offers a master’s degree in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Resources.

Salary Range
The average recreation entry-level salary is in the mid-$20,000 range. Federal government employees with bachelor’s degrees start at $27,000.