Leisure Service Management

Current Degree Requirements

How Do I Transfer Into This Major?

The department reviews applications from University of Delaware students who wish to change majors twice a year, with applications being accepted at the end of each Fall and Spring semester. Applications are available 30 days prior to each due date. Students are notified of admission decisions after semester grades are posted. Students not admitted to a major may apply again the following semester.

Leisure Service Management requires a formal application process

A faculty admission committee for Leisure Service Management will make decisions on acceptance based on the following criteria:

• Successful completion (minimum grade C-) of the following courses:
• HESC 155 – Personal Health Management: An Approach for a Lifetime
• HESC 160 – Health Behavior Science First Year Seminar
• ENGL 110 – Critical Reading and Writing
• MATH
• Psychology or Sociology
• Competitive GPA
• Completion of the appropriate application with essay
• Submission of resume

Career Opportunities

Employment opportunities for Leisure Service Management graduates are diverse and rewarding. With increased attention on health and leisure, career possibilities have expanded into new and exciting areas. Some examples of potential careers are:

• Recreational Administration
  Administration in recreation and parks, including legal aspects, principles of planning and operation of parks and recreation facilities, financial and business procedures, public relations, and personnel practices and evaluations.

• Therapeutic Recreation
  Recreation Therapists work with mentally, physically, emotionally, or socially disabled individuals requiring special attention. Through a wide range of activities designed to enhance an independent lifestyle, recreation therapists strive to improve an individual's physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Therapeutic recreation can be used in both a clinical, such as a hospital, or non-clinical, such as an adult day care center, setting. Both have the objective of enhancing an individual's ability to participate in everyday life in a self- satisfying manner. Comprehensive therapeutic recreation services involve a continuum of care as varied as the interests and abilities of the people served, incorporating therapy, leisure education, and recreation participation in order to remediate or rehabilitate functional abilities and assist in diagnosis; acquire skills, knowledge and attitudes that facilitate an independent lifestyle; enhance health, personal growth, and development through intrinsically rewarding leisure behavior.

• Leisure/Tourism/Commercial Recreation
  Careers in the establishment, organization, management, and marketing of various leisure, tourism, and commercial recreation services. Areas include travel and tourism, entertainment services, leisure services in the outdoor environment, hospitality/food services, and retail outlets.

• Recreation Leader
  A leader of recreational programs working with individuals and in group settings.

• Facility/Park Manager
  Planning for parks and recreation resources, land acquisition and utilization, maintenance of park and recreation areas, facilities, and equipment.

• Outdoor Adventure Leadership
  Recreation leadership in outdoor adventure activities. Attention directed toward conceptual and technical aspects of adventure programs.

• Aquatic Management
  Individuals are equipped with the knowledge, techniques, and skills required to operate an aquatic facility as a manager or director.

For further information about the major of Leisure Service Management please contact:
Dr. Roger Spacht at 302-831-8611 or rspacht@udel.edu