Overview

While pursuing your Ph.D. in Recreation, Park and Tourism Management at Pennsylvania State University, you’ll have access to a variety of unique collaborative research, theory, and practice opportunities related to leisure and recreation experienced at the individual, societal, and cross-cultural levels, with concentrated studies in:

Park and Protected Area Management
Experiential Education
Sport Participation
Travel and Tourism
Community Recreation, Health and Well-Being
Environmental Education

These include disciplinary areas, such as the psychological, social, and cultural aspects of leisure and recreation; and applied areas, including recreation management, tourism, and outdoor resource-based recreation.

Outcomes

Upon completion of the degree requirements — including a research-based thesis — you will be thoroughly prepared to take on research, academic, and upper-level administrative positions in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Tourism Behavior: An interdisciplinary Approach
Behavioral Patterns of the Outdoor Recreationist
Social Psychology of Leisure
Leisure Studies, Surveys, and Appraisals
Collection and Analysis of Qualitative Data
Scholarly Development in Recreation, Park and Tourism Management
Public and Private Recreation Lands and Waters

Key information

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-01-11 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-10-01 00:00:00
Starting 2027-08-24 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-15 00:00:00

Language

English

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Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

University Park, United States

Disciplines

Tourism & Leisure View 13 other PhDs in Tourism & Leisure in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

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Other requirements

General requirements

For admission to the graduate program, an applicant must hold either (1) a bachelor's degree from a U.S. regionally accredited institution or (2) a postsecondary degree that is equivalent to a U.S. baccalaureate degree earned from an officially recognized degree-granting international institution.
Applicants from majors other than recreation and parks are welcome to apply; however, additional course work is required. Students with a 3.00 junior/senior average (on a 4.00 scale) and with appropriate course backgrounds will be considered for admission.

Tuition Fees

Living costs

University Park

United States

1000 - 1500 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Recreation, Park and Tourism Management.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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