What’s it like to be
a PRM major?
To get a taste of life as a PRM major, view our photo gallery (PowerPoint), check out our student-produced publication The Tent Peg (Word), or learn about the PRM Club.
Photo credit for this site's Tetons photographs to Todd Murdock.
Your Learning Environment
Promoting resourcefulness, independent thinking, and service both in- and outside the classroom, our program prepares leaders for professions in recreation and outdoor education. You’ll learn from our accomplished faculty in an intellectual and caring environment in which hands-on experiences complement classroom theory.
Your Physical Environment
The location of the university between the Blue Ridge and the Great Smoky Mountains is a draw for students interested in outdoor recreation. You’ll enjoy many chances to enjoy outdoor pursuits such as rock climbing, whitewater kayaking and canoeing, rafting, caving, mountain bike riding, backpacking, skiing, and wilderness travel.
Career Options & Preparation
The field of parks and recreation offers graduates a wide range of career options in community recreation, outdoor leadership and instruction, commercial and resort recreation, and recreation resource management.
For this reason, we encourage you to gain experience in your chosen area through coursework, internships, and summer employment. You’ll gain leadership and participatory experience through volunteer work at the University Center's Last Minute Productions where a range of activities—from concerts to outdoor pursuits—is planned for the on- and off-campus community.
Internship Opportunities
Excellent internship opportunities, including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Lake Hartwell, Nantahala Outdoor Center, Project SOAR, and several camps, surround the WCU campus. The strongest industry in the region is tourism, so our students enjoy internships at attractions and resorts in Western North Carolina and in the coastal areas of both North and South Carolina at places like Wilmington, Hilton Head Island, Myrtle Beach, and Charleston. Community parks and recreation agencies abound in the region.
Want to Know More?
Read our mission statement, learn about declaring and planning your major, or contact us with your questions. We look forward to hearing from you.