Why major in RPTM?
Turn your passion for transforming human health and well-being into a rewarding career at our suburban Philadelphia campus. With easy access to world-class outdoor spaces and public and private recreation, you will have unique opportunities to make career connections through your required internship, industry partnerships, and the engaged Penn State alumni network.
You will gain a broad foundation, and specialized coursework will help you develop managerial, technical, and experiential skills. Through hands-on experience, you will graduate ready to lead programs, create sustainable initiatives, and make a meaningful impact in communities and organizations.
RPTM majors choose from two options
You might thrive in the RPTM major if you...
- Like working with people in a hands-on learning environment
- Enjoy business, management or entrepreneurship focused on the outdoors, entertainment, sports, fitness, or events.
- Like building community
Recreation, Park and Tourism Management Careers
Job Growth*
8 percent job growth through 2034*
Job Titles and Median Salaries*
- Environmental Education Specialist: $80,060
- Entertainment and Recreation Managers: $77,180
- Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners: $59,440
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024
Career and Professional Development: Setting You Up for Success
From your first day at Penn State Abington, you can access tools provided by the Career and Professional Development team to prepare for the future.
- On-campus networking opportunities
- Internships
- Supports such as resume reviews and mock interviews
Coursework
Courses prepare students for supervisory and administrative positions with park systems, environmental systems, commercial recreation, and more with a broad educational foundation spanning topics such as
- Programming in recreation services
- Political and legal aspects of recreation services
- Leadership and group dynamics
- Leisure and human behavior
- Sustainability, society, and well-being
The Student Experience
Elena Piel completed her required RPTM internship at the busy Ambler YMCA, supporting operations and staffing at their summer camps - the largest summer camp program out of the 16 Greater Philadelphia YMCA locations.
