B.S. in Recreation & Tourism Management

SDSU Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Tourism Management Curriculum

Students choosing the undergraduate major in Recreation and Tourism Management are first admitted to the pre-RTM major for their first two years of university work. During these two years, students should complete general education courses and the 24-unit lower division preparation for the major courses. These prerequisite/preparation for the major courses may not be taken CR/NC; the minimum grade in each class is C. In addition, students must have completed a minimum of 60 transferable semester units. To complete the major, students must fulfill the degree requirements for the major described in the catalog in effect at the time they are accepted into SDSU (assuming continuous enrollment.) Supplemental admissions criteria must be met before students may declare an upper division major and be eligible for upper division courses.

Preparation for the Major (24 Units)

• GEOG 102 - People, Places, and Environment (3)
• HTM 219 - Hospitality, Recreation and Tourism Professions (3) Or MATH 120 - Calculus for Business Analysis (3)
• HTM 290 - Quantitive and Qualitative Literacy in Tourism (3) Or MIS 180 - Principles of Information Systems (3)
• HTM 223 - Managerial Accounting (3)
• RTM 201 - Introduction to Hospitality and Tourism Management (3)
• RTM 284 – Supervised Field Work (3)
• PSY 101 - Psychology (3)
• ECON 101 - Principles of Economics (3)

NOTE: The following requirements are subject to change.Please consult your emphasis advisor prior to planning your classes. Not all classes are offered every semester

A minimum GPA of 2.3 is required to get into upper division. Use the online GPA calculator to figure out grades needed to achieve your desired GPA.   

If you do not meet this requirement, you must meet with Academic Advisor Stephanie Macias to inquire about our formal exception policy.

All RTM majors are required to complete 125 hours of Supervised Field Work (RTM 284) before beginning upper division coursework.

This field work experience is designed to provide students with hands-on experience in recreation leadership through observation, participation, and direct involvement in community recreation programs. Students gain practical experience in a variety of recreational settings while developing professional and leadership skills within the field.

Students typically complete approximately 8 hours per week at an approved agency and may complete their hours during the school year or over the summer. While students may work in a variety of recreation-related positions, we strongly encourage selecting opportunities connected to your intended area of emphasis or career goals.

Examples of qualifying positions include:

• Aztec Recreation
• Mission Bay Aquatic Center
• Recreation Leader
• Recreation Aide
• Park Ranger
• Camp Counselor
• Park Attendant
• Sports Instructor (Coaching, Surf, Kayak, and more)
• Tour Guide

Please note: Restaurant positions are not considered qualifying recreation experience. Retail may apply if in a related field (i.e,Sporting supply or outdoor rentals) 

If you are unsure whether your position fulfills this requirement, or if you need assistance finding employment opportunities, please schedule a meeting with the RTM Internship Coordinator. KJ LeCesne by emailing [email protected]

KJ LeCesne, RTM Internship Coordinator will host at least one pre-internship meeting a semester. Students should plan to attend that meeting and/or meet directly, with KJ, the semester prior to enrolling in an internship class to discuss options. Appointments can be made by emailing KJ at K[email protected] or through EAB Navigate.

Once you have completed requirements 1-3, you must be signed into upper division by Ms. Stephanie Macias.

Recreation and Tourism Management (Minimum 48 units required)

• RTM 301 - Service Leadership (Development (3)
• RTM 304 – Leisure and Tourism (3)
• RTM 360 - Recreation and Tourism Management (3)
• RTM 396W - Recreation in Recreation Settings (3)
• RTM 404 – Cross-Cultural Perspectives of Tourism (3)
• RTM 470 – Global Travel and Tourism Management (3)
• RTM 489 – Outdoor Leadership and Adventure Programming (3)
• HTM 330 - Event and Meeting Industry (3)
• RTM 498 - Internship in Recreation and Tourism Management 6-12 (12)

• RTM 305 - Wilderness and Leisure Experience (3)
• RTM 340 – Conduct of Recreational Sports (3)
• RTM 351 – Recreation and Special Populations (Fall) (3)
• RTM 475 – Commercial Recreation Management (Fall) (3)
• RTM 489 – Outdoor Leadership and Adventure Programming (3)
• HTM 435 – Sporting Events and Festival Management (3)
• HTM 495 - Innovation in the Experience Economy (3)

• RTM 484 - Directed Leadership (3)
• RTM 496 - Experimental Topics (3)
• BA 350 - Management and Organizational Behavior (3)
• MGT 352 – Human Resource Management (3)
• BA 370 - Marketing (3)
• PSY 340 - Social Psychology (3)
• SOC 355 - Sociology of Race and Ethnicity (3)
• SOC 444 – Juvenile Delinquency (3)

Internship in Recreation and Tourism Management (6 or 12 units classes): Twenty off-campus hours required per week for 6-unit program, or 40 off-campus hours required per week for 12-unit programs. Prerequisites: Consent of instructor or department chair, completion of all required lower division recreation courses, and completion of both Standard or Multimedia First Aid certificate and CPR certificate by end of semester. For a six unit internship: 250 hours of professional work experience in recreation and tourism management. For a 12 unit internship: 500 hours required Credit for course requires completion of ePortfolio. Maximum credit 12 units.

The L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism Management is passionate in providing international experiences for our students. Outdoor Resource students not required but are highly encouraged to study abroad. It’s an AMAZING experience. Study abroad for a year, a semester, a summer, or a faculty lead trip. There are lots of options.

• International Field Trip;
• International Internship;
• International Student Exchange;
• CSU Study Abroad Program; or
• International Professional Engagement.

Scholarships are available for International Experience. The International Experience should meet the student learning outcomes of the emphasis in sustainable tourism management.