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Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management

Experience PRTM

PRTM is committed to providing impactful experiential learning opportunities for our students.

In our courses, you'll embark on a journey to discover your professional identity while exploring a variety of career paths in the field. From your initial classes as a PRTM major to your final capstone internship, our curriculum is centered around experiential learning. This approach allows students to apply classroom concepts and skills to real-world challenges in the community and industry. We provide information, resources, and support to help you navigate every step of your student experience. Whether you’re starting out or transferring into PRTM, you’ll have access to advising support, internships, work experience, student associations, and study abroad opportunities. 

Experience PRTM in the Classroom

PRTM students on trail.

We are committed to an educational philosophy that prioritizes experiential learning as a cornerstone of academic excellence.

Our curriculum is designed to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical application, ensuring that students actively participate in their learning processes. Through collaborative projects, industry partnerships, and immersive experiences, our courses foster a deep understanding of the parks, recreation, and tourism management field. See example courses below where you can anticipate participating in hands-on, experiential learning.

  • PRTM 4230: Adaptive Sports and Recreation

    Unlock a unique learning adventure at Clemson University with our hands-on Adaptive Sports and Recreation course, where you’ll dive into real-world activities that prepare you for a career in adaptive sports. Whether you’re guiding a wheelchair basketball team, organizing inclusive community events, or helping individuals with disabilities explore new recreational activities, this course equips you with essential skills and the Certified Adaptive Recreation and Sport Specialist (CARSS-I) certification from Blaze Sports America. Ideal for those eager to go beyond conventional classrooms, you’ll gain extensive practical experience, ensuring you’re job-ready with the CARSS-I designation by the end of the course, showcasing your expertise in the field.

    PRTM students playing adaptive basketball.

  • PRTM 4030: Elements of Recreation and Park Planning

    PRTM 4030 provides a dynamic approach to recreation and park planning by merging theoretical principles with hands-on experience through real-world projects, engaging students with clients like the SC State Park Service. Throughout the semester, students form consulting teams to address specific issues, culminating in comprehensive planning proposals that include detailed designs and budgets. This immersive experience not only enhances their planning skills but also builds confidence as they learn to navigate the complexities of real-world projects.

    PRTM students in 4030

  • PRTM 2220: Program and Event Planning in Parks, Recreation and Tourism

    PRTM 2220 is a dynamic course designed to equip students with the essential skills for planning, implementing, and evaluating programs and events within the parks and recreation field. Throughout the semester, students will explore theoretical concepts, strategies, and best practices, culminating in a hands-on project. In collaboration with a local community organization, students will have the unique opportunity to apply their classroom learning in a real-world context, fostering both practical experience and community engagement.

    PRTM students at Nettles park.

Experience PRTM in the Field

In our program, you will be able to integrate the knowledge gained throughout the program in two 90-hour practicum experiences and a 400-hour internship; students in Recreational Therapy also have preceptorship hours that help prepare them for clinical settings. All of these experiences are resume-builders as much as they are confidence-builders, and we have dedicated staff to help you explore the possibilities of this experience. 

PRTM Study Abroad

Paralympic Experiences in Paris

Paris, France

Clemson students have been attending the Paralympic Games since 2010, visiting places such as Sochi, Russia, London, United Kingdom, and Pyeongchang, South Korea. This year, they are attending the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, France and will see over 4,400 athletes compete in 23 different sports. Students will earn credit while learning about sport and culture, hearing from sport designers and organizers to learn how the games are put on, and the importance of disability awareness in France and around the world. Through this international sporting events stage, students will also get a chance to understand the planning, details, and logistics that go into a large-scale sporting event. In addition to being in-person to experience the games, students will also have a chance to volunteer to help check-in athletes at the Olympic and Paralympic Village.

prtm3500
prtm3500

Global Challenges: Climate Change, Human Communities and Marine Environments

Eleuthera, Bahamas

Established in 2012, the One Eleuthera Foundation (OEF) is a non-profit organization based in Rock Sound, Eleuthera, dedicated to fostering sustainable development and environmental stewardship. Under the leadership of Lane Glaze, a distinguished Professor of Practice in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management (PRTM), OEF offers an enriching program for students through three distinct cohorts and specialized courses. This course immerses students in park management principles, explores climate change impacts, and offers a chance to experience Eleuthera's stunning landscapes, combining academic learning with real-world insights.

Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management | 170 Sirrine Hall