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Department of Recreation, Parks & Tourism Administration (RPTA) College of Health & Human Services

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Why Choose RPTA at Sac State?

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When you choose to study RPTA at Sac State, you are on your way to a degree where you can do what you love & love what you do!

Join us in one of the fastest growing professions in the U.S. and around the world. Choose from three exciting degree programs:

  • BS Recreation Administration
  • BS Recreation Therapy
  • BS Hospitality and Tourism Management

Play, Discover, Explore:

Career Pathways & Opportunities : Recreation Administration

Outdoor and Natural Resources:

The outdoor recreation and natural resource area of the RPTA major has a breadth of courses ranging from those focusing on experiential and outdoor education to courses focused on management issues related to the natural environment. All our courses involve field components and travel to the outstanding natural places in the Sacramento region including river, mountain, and coastal areas. Students taking courses in this area are often considering employment as

  • Park rangers
  • Adventure instructors
  • Raft guides
  • Environmental educators
  • Wilderness rangers
  • Camp counselors or directors
  • Rock climbing gym instructors
  • Agency resource managers with federal, state, or local agencies (California State Parks, National Park Service, US Forest Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, California Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, Sacramento County Regional Parks)

Municipal Recreation:

  • After school program director
  • Youth sports coordinator
  • Music and arts director
  • playground supervisor
  • Recreation leader or supervisor
  • Cultural arts director
  • Aquatics director
  • lifeguard supervisor
  • Volunteer coordinator

Career Pathways & Opportunities: Hospitality & Tourism Management

HTM majors frequently seek management, supervision, marketing, and planning positions related to:

  • Hotels, motels, other lodging facilities
  • Restaurants, clubs, bars, catering
  • Casinos
  • Conference and convention centers
  • Festivals and events
  • Health and fitness facilities
  • Ski resorts
  • Cruise lines, airlines
  • Destination marketing organizations
  • Theme parks, amusement parks, other tourist attractions
  • Entertainment, event, sports venues
  • Institutional food and beverage operations

Career Pathways & Opportunities: Recreational Therapy

Recreation Therapist

  • Hospital, clinics
  • Behavioral Health
  • Schools
  • Community Recreation
  • Long Term Care Facilities
  • Correctional Facilities