Recreation Management (BSc)(BMgmt)
Manage and lead recreational programs and services.
Why choose this program?
This unique program is offered jointly by Dalhousie’s Faculty of Health (School of Health and Human Performance) and the Faculty of Management. After five years, you’ll graduate with both Bachelor of Science (Recreation) and Bachelor of Management degrees. You’ll have the business know-how and recreation management skills you’ll need to start an exciting career in the growing recreation and leisure service industry.
The Recreation Management program is the only Recreation program in Canada to be accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism, and Related Professions (COAPRT). The rigorous standards required for accreditation ensure top-quality curriculum and student supports.
Admission requirements
Minimum admission requirements
To be considered for admission to this program, you must meet minimum academic criteria:
- Completion of secondary school (Grade 12)
- Achievement of the minimum average for your program of choice.
- Completion of Grade 12 English (or equivalent course).
Admission to many Dalhousie programs is competitive. This means that meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Program-specific admission requirements
Minimum overall average: 70%
Academic English 12 (min. 70%)
Academic Math 12 (min. 70%)
Three additional academic subjects
Financial information
A university education is a significant financial investment. Every student is unique, and so are their financial circumstances. We offer competitive tuition, a robust scholarship and bursary program, and resources and support to help you explore financial options and develop a plan that works for you.
Program options
The program has an honours option that allows you to complete a thesis in an area of your choice under the supervision of one of our faculty members. Past students have completed theses in diverse areas such as canine companionship and well-being, university mental health initiatives, and spirituality in therapeutic recreation.
The 16-week internship in the final year of the program takes you out of the classroom and provides you with hands-on work experience to enhance your studies. You will be mentored by, and learn from, a professional in your field. Past students have done their internships locally, nationally, and even internationally.
The following Recreation Management program options are offered by Dalhousie University’s Faculties of Health and Management. Connect with an academic advisor after you start your studies to explore options such as:
Bachelor of Science, Recreation and Bachelor of Management
Bachelor of Science, Recreation (Honours) and Bachelor of Management
What you will learn
You’ll have a wide variety of courses to choose from as you complete your degrees. In your first year, you’ll take a mixture of introductory courses in areas such as Recreation and Leisure Studies, Management, Economics, and Sociology.
In subsequent years, the required Recreation and Management courses become more specialized, and you’ll have the opportunity to choose electives as well. Some students choose to complete certificates or, through the Management part of the program, majors in areas such as Leadership and Organizations or Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
The 16-week internship, taken during the last semester of the program, takes you out of the classroom and provides you with valuable hands-on experience to enhance your studies and get started on your career path.
Sample courses may include:
Interdisciplinary Management
- Introduction to Recreation Management Professions
- Leadership and Group Dynamics
- Microeconomics
People and Culture
Leisure Theory
Inclusive Recreation Service Delivery
- Ethics and Social Responsibility
- Program Planning
- Introduction to Accounting
Analysis of Leisure Service Delivery Settings
Leisure Education
- Introduction to Marketing
- Organizational Behaviour
- Financial Management and Fundraising
- Community Development
- Recreation Facility Design and Operations Management
- Professional Communication Skills
- Recreation Entrepreneurship and Special Events
- Management Strategy
- Recreation Management Internship
Careers
The demand for professionals in the field of recreation and leisure is increasing as people, communities, and governments prioritize healthier lifestyles. Because you’ll graduate with two degrees, you can find career options that combine both recreation and management while also having the flexibility to find opportunities that may focus on one or the other.
Opportunities are available in such industries and organizations as:
• Provincial, national, and international recreation organizations
• Municipal recreation centres
• Festival and special event management
• Outdoor recreation
• Recreation facility operations management
• Tourism, leisure, and sport marketing
Future studies could include programs at the graduate level in recreation and leisure studies, business administration, or professional degrees such as law.
