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NC State’s Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management (PRTM) Department specializes in educating and producing planning and management professionals in the fields of parks, recreation, tourism, golf and recreational sports. We teach skills that are applicable across a wide range of environments for participants of all ages and lifestyles. PRTM is also a national leader in research and extension activities for these same fields and is expanding knowledge in these areas worldwide.
PRTM was founded in 1947. In 1977, it became the first nationally-accredited degree program of its kind in the U.S. Today, it offers the only graduate tourism management program in North Carolina, as well as the only natural resources recreation program in the state. PRTM’s Geographic Informations Systems Laboratory supports the largest recreation-focused program of its kind in the country. NC State’s PRTM Department is also home to the Alpha Chapter of Rho Phi Lambda, the national honorary fraternity for students majoring in park, recreation and leisure studies.
Faculty Strengths
PRTM’s faculty include nationally-known experts in all areas of study and is particularly well-known for its unique expertise in recreation behavior, planning and resource development, natural resources, tourism planning and development, park management, program marketing and development, sport management, golf management and geographic information systems.
Academic Programs
PRTM offers both undergraduate and advanced degree programs in a variety of specific concentration areas. It has graduated over (2,000) students with baccalaureate degrees since 2000 and more than (500) students with Master’s or other advanced degrees. Coursework is augmented with field work and service learning opportunities that put students on the frontline of their chosen specialty in a varierty of settings with a wide array of audiences. In addition, students are given the chance to participate in national consortiums or learn on-the-job through summer internship with various organizations.
Research
PRTM places a heavy emphasis on faculty research, giving students the opportunity to work with experts in cutting-edge fields of parks, recreation, tourism, sport management and geographic information systems. Two dedicated department resources support these research efforts:
- The Office of Park and Tourism Research, which facilitates interdisciplinary studies related to park and tourism planning and management, including rural economic development through tourism and recreation;
- The Geographic Information System Laboratory, which conducts research on application of GIS technology to park, tourism, and natural resources planning and management. Research partnerships are often conducted with local, state and national agencies devoted to the parks and recreation field, or with forest systems and both public and private recreational organizations.
Extension and Outreach
NC State’s PRTM Department sponsors the largest recreation technical assistance and professional service program in the United States. Its various management schools have certified over (10,000) professionals since 1975. In addition, PRTM’s Recreation Resources Service (RRS) provides technical assistance and offers applied research and training programs to recreation providers across North Carolina. PRTM also provides leadership and thousands of volunteer hours each year for the N.C. Senior Games, and assists a wide variety of local agencies with their park and recreation programs through a thriving Service Learning program.
For More Information
If you can not find the PRTM information you need on this website, please contact:
Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Box 8004, Biltmore Hall
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-8004
Phone: 919-515-3276
Fax: 919-515-3687
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