Program(s) Available: B.S., Minor
Do you like helping people improve their overall wellness and quality of life? If so, the recreation, parks, sport and tourism degree may be right for you. The degree provides five different emphasis options for students to choose from:
Professionals who work in these areas of emphasis play a crucial role in mental and physical health of communities through their work in sports, recreation, parks, fitness and therapy-based programs.
Did you know? Northwest's recreation, parks, sport and tourism degree is accredited by COAPRT. Northwest provides profession-based learning experiences through partnerships with Northwest’s fitness center and campus recreation, Northwest Athletics, MOERA outdoor Odyssey challenge course and more!
Corporation recreation/wellness offers programming related to a person’s physical well-being.
Recreation and park management prepares students for program leadership, overall development, budget and facility management and more.
Sport management prepares students for leadership roles in professional, collegiate and community sports organizations.
In therapeutic recreation, you’ll learn how to use recreation and leisure activities to improve the physical, emotional, and social well-being of individuals with disabilities or health conditions.
Tourism and Event Planning prepares students for global travel and tourism topics, service management and event planning in commercial and public settings.
A minor in recreation is available! This program teaches students how to assess the recreational needs of a community, plan and implement programming and evaluate program effectiveness. Prior to the completion of this program, students complete a 200-hour field experience with a recreation agency. Through Northwest’s partnerships with local agencies and businesses, these hours can be completed in Maryville.
The therapeutic recreation minor introduces student to assessing and evaluating the needs of individuals with special needs.
Thu, Jan. 29, 2026
(College of Education, Health and Human Services Webinar)
Fri, April 3, 2026
(applied health science)
Fri, April 3, 2026
(recreation, parks, sport & tourism)
Fri, April 3, 2026
(health/PE & foods/nutrition)
Office of Admissions
800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468
660.562.1562
admissions@nwmissouri.edu
“I felt that Northwest provided a lot of resources and services for the students to succeed. I also loved the campus size and the high rate of students succeeding after they graduate. ” — Elisa Greer
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What Can I Do With a Major in Recreation, Parks, Sport and Tourism?
The Robert and Virginia Foster Fitness Center is available for students to gain experience in managing facilities, developing programs and personal training.
Mozingo Outdoor Education Recreation Area (MOERA) offers more than 320 acres of land dedicated to providing experiential learning opportunities for Northwest students.
Northwest’s partnership with the Maryville Community Center provides students with opportunities to gain profession-based experiences through event planning, project management and maintaining a budget. Did you know? Northwest students have planned the annual Daddy-Daughter Dance for more than a decade!
Field experiences are required in this major and consist of 10 weeks and a minimum of 200 hours during the student’s sophomore or junior year.
Internships are required with a recreation major. Upon completion, students earn between 480 and 600 hours of personal training in their field.
Martindale Hall, the home of Northwest's School of Health Science and Wellness, will have seven new lab spaces through the new renovation, including a Sports Science lab and a Recreation and Abilities lab.
We understand college is a big investment. Why not attend a school that is invested in you?
