Both the lower division core courses and the upper division requirements for the major vary with the emphasis selected. Several courses are required of students in all areas of emphasis such as: Introduction to Recreation Systems, Recreation Planning and Leadership, Challenges of Leisure, Wilderness and the Leisure Experience, Supervised Field Work, Recreation for Special Populations, Supervision of Recreation and Park Agencies, Designing Recreation and Park Areas and Facilities, Internship in Recreation Systems, and Administration of Recreation Systems. Students take various other courses in recreation, tourism, and in related fields, which are directed toward developing competence in the specific emphasis.

The Outdoor Resource Management emphasis includes courses in recreation, biology, geography, geological sciences, psychology, history, and political science. Students who select the Recreation Management emphasis will learn budgeting techniques and procedures, personnel management, communication skills and facility design. Other requirements are psychology, information systems, sociology, counseling and school psychology, marketing, and public administration.

The Sustainable Tourism Management emphasis prepares students to work in tourism, recreation, cultural, natural resource, and sports settings. It stresses the cultural and ecological tourism leadership needs of new tourism professionals by emphasizing the linkages between the economic, environmental, and social (including cultural and political) spheres and involves an interdisciplinary approach. Students learn about assessment, programming, and evaluation for planning and management of sustainable tourism businesses. Students take courses in anthropology, art, biology, economics, geography, international security and conflict resolution, oceanography, physics, professional studies and fine arts, public affairs, and recreation and tourism management.