Ann Alexander

Academic Advisor IV

Texas A&M University

Department of Recreation,

Park and Tourism Sciences

Office: AGLS 468

2261 TAMU

College Station, TX 77843-2261

Phone: (979) 845-0571

Email: awilliams@tamu.edu

Melyssa-Anne Stricklin

Academic Advisor III

Texas A&M University

Department of Recreation,

Park and Tourism Sciences

Office: AGLS 463

2261 TAMU

College Station, TX 77843-2261

Phone: (979) 458-8515

Email: Melyssa.stricklin@tamu.edu

Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences For Students Entering Under Catalog (Fall 2019)

B.S. degree in Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences

Name: UIN#: Certificates:

Course#/Choices (Hrs) Grade Substitute

Communications (6 hours)

ENGL 103 or 104 (3) _____ _____________

COMM 203 (3) _____ _____________

Mathematics1,2 (Choose 6 hours)

MATH 140, 141 or 166 (3)

MATH 131 or 142 (3) _____ _____________

MATH 167 (3) _____ _____________

PHIL 240 (3)

STAT 201 (3)

Life & Physical Sciences (9 hours)

RENR 205 (3) _____ _____________

RENR 215 (1) _____ _____________

KINE 120 (1) _____ _____________

Core Science (4) _____ _____________

Language, Philosophy & Culture (3 hours) _____ _____________

Creative Arts (3hours) _____ _____________

Social & Behavioral Sciences (3 hours)

_____ _____________

American History & Political Science (12 hours)

HIST 105 (3) _____ _____________

HIST 106 (3) _____ _____________

POLS 206 (3) _____ _____________

POLS 207 (3) _____ _____________

Technical Support (9 hours)

RPTS 230 (3) _____ _____________

ACCT 209 (3) _____ _____________

ENGL 210 or

AGCJ 404 (3) _____ _____________

Course#/Choices (Hrs) Grade Substitute

Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences (25 hours)

RPTS 201 (3) _____ _____________

RPTS 302 (3) _____ _____________

RPTS 311 (3) _____ _____________

RPTS 336 (3) _____ _____________

RPTS 340 (3) _____ _____________

RPTS 481 (1) _____ _____________

RPTS 484 (6) _____ _____________

RPTS Elective (3) _____ _____________

Certificate Courses (19 hours each)

Free Electives (25)

See next page

Total Hours Required: 120

Additional Requirements for all students: (To be met through RPTS requirements or electives)

Designated Writing Intensive or Writing Intensive

and Communications. (Two writing intensive “W”

courses or one writing intensive ‘W” and one

communications “C” course are required)

RPTS 403/401(W) (4) _____ _____________

See Certificate (3) _____ _____________

( C ) or ( W )

International and Cultural Diversity Course: (3 hrs required)

Your choice (3) _____ _____________

icd.tamu.edu

Cultural Discourse Course: (3 hrs required)

Your choice (3) _____ _____________

Foreign Language:

_____ _____________

_____ _____________

A minimum of one year (2 semesters) of foreign

language is required. This degree requirement can be

satisfied by the satisfactory completion in high school

of two full years of the same foreign language or one

year (2 semesters) of the same language at the college

level.

1Only one of the following will satisfy the requirements for a degree: MATH 131, MATH 142, MATH 147, MATH 151, and MATH 171 2Only one of the following will satisfy the requirements for a degree: MATH 140, MATH 141, and MATH 166

Degree Plan for Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences For Students Entering Under the 2018-2019 Catalog

Courses Requirements for Selected Certificates

Course#/Choices (Hrs) Grade Substitute

Community Rec. & Park Administration

Certificate (19 hrs)

RPTS 209 (3) _____ _____________

RPTS 304 or 323 (3) _____ _____________

RPTS 370 (3) _____ _____________

RPTS 402 (3) (C) _____ _____________

RPTS 403 (4) (W) _____ _____________

RPTS Elective (3) _____ _____________

Parks & Conservation

Certificate (19 hours)

RPTS 304 (3) _____ _____________

RPTS 307 (3) _____ _____________

RPTS 316 (3) _____ _____________

RPTS 402 (3) (C) _____ _____________

RPTS 403 (4) (W) _____ _____________

RPTS 460 (3) (W) _____ _____________

Free Electives (25 hours)

[RPTS Majors can use electives to fulfill

additional certificates]

3 _____ _____________

3 _____ _____________

3 _____ _____________

3 _____ _____________

3 _____ _____________

3 _____ _____________

3 _____ _____________

3 _____ _____________

1 _____ _____________

Course#/Choices (Hrs) Grade Substitute

Tourism Management

Certificate (19 hours)

RPTS 320 (3) _____ _____________

RPTS 323 (3) _____ _____________

RPTS 331 (3) _____ _____________

RPTS 401 or 403 (4) (W) _____ _____________

RPTS 426 (3) (W) _____ _____________

RPTS Elective (3) _____ _____________

Youth Development

Certificate (19 hours)

RPTS 304 (3) _____ _____________

RPTS 370 (3) _____ _____________

RPTS 371 (3) _____ _____________

RPTS 401 or 403 (4) (W) _____ _____________

RPTS 474 (3) (W) _____ _____________

RPTS 478 (3) _____ _____________

RPTS Majors must complete at least ONE certificate

Each certificate must be a 2.0 GPA at completion

**Students may not pursue more than five (5) curriculum records**

(BS RPTS, certificates across the University, double major, double degree)

RPTS Certificate Descriptions

RPTS Majors must choose at least one

Community Recreation and Park Administration

Management of recreation, park and leisure service agencies that requires expertise in problem-solving,

computer-based decision making, assessment of social and environmental impacts, personnel, public

relations, volunteer management, financing and fund-raising, marketing of services, and needs

assessments. Skills in working with people in the legal and political environment are necessary, as well as

the ability to assess and work with other organizations for cooperative developments in recreation and

tourism. Students in this emphasis prepare for managerial careers with public recreation and park

agencies, youth agencies, not-for-profit recreation agencies, and commercial recreation enterprises.

Director of Parks and Recreation · Community Sports Manager · Golf Course Manager · Aquatics

Manager · Park Planner · Event Manager

Parks and Conservation

Management of natural and cultural resources associated with conserving parks and other protected areas.

Land managers and related professionals integrate concepts in the bio-environmental sciences, social and

behavioral sciences, and policy and administrative decision-making. Necessary skills include geographic

information systems, impact assessment methodology, and heritage and natural resources planning

techniques. Students with an emphasis in this field look forward to careers with both public and private

employers in the recreation, park, and tourism fields, including state and federal agencies and private

enterprises, non-profit organizations, youth camps, and environmental education programs.

Manager · Ranger · Interpreter in National Park Service, USDA Forest Service,

Bureau of Land Management, US Army Corps of Engineers, State Park System

Tourism Management

Tourism is one of the world’s largest and most diverse industries. This option focuses on the planning,

management, development, and promotion of places and events as tourism attractions. Courses in tourism

are designed to collectively build understanding about the linkages that exist between local places and

cultures, host populations, and various public, private, and special interest groups. Students in this

emphasis can pursue careers in private sector enterprises, government agencies, convention and visitor

bureaus, and other tourism related service organizations.

Resort Manager · Cruise Director · Airline Marketing Professional · Hotel Manager ·

Travel Business Entrepreneur · Tour Guide Operator · Event Manager ·

Convention and Business Bureau Manager · Theme Park Manager

Youth Development

Programs and services that contribute to the development of young people’s personal, physical, social and

educational abilities. Youth workers are program developers, leaders and managers who need to be able

to work with youth, families, organizations and communities. Coursework in this option focuses on

positive youth development, program planning and evaluation, and methods for working with young

people.

Camps · Advocates for Youth · After School Programs · Mentors for Youth ·

Park and Recreation Programs · Youth Programming · Youth Ministry · Youth at Risk

Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences Professional Event Manager Certificate Program

Name: UIN#:

The Professional Event Management Certificate

(PEMC ), offered by the Department of Recreation,

Park and Tourism Sciences (RPTS), has been

developed to accustom students with the various

components of planning, managing, implementing

and evaluating meetings and special events.

Applicants must be enrolled in a degree program at

Texas A&M and, if required, have permission from

their departmental advisor to apply for the program.

We will only accept applications for the Fall and

Spring semesters.

All TAMU students may apply. A GPA of 2.0 or

higher is required for acceptance into the PEMC

program. Once accepted, students must earn a grade

of “C” or better in each PEMC applicable course,

must complete all requirements, must maintain a 3.0

GPA in the required courses. Participating

departments reserve the right to limit the number of

applicants to the program.

General Requirements

Core Courses (9 hours)

RPTS 311 (3) _____ ____ ____________

RPTS 320 (3) _____ ____ ____________

RPTS 321 (3) _____ ____ ____________

RPTS 324 (0) _____ ____ ____________

Administration Course (3 hours)

RPTS 304 (3) _____ ____ ____________

OR

RPTS 423 (3) _____ ____ ____________

OR

RPTS 444 (3) _____ ____ ____________

Specialized Elective (3 hours)

[choose 3 credit hours of the following]

AGCJ 306 (3) _____ ____ ____________

AGCJ 380 (3) _____ ____ ____________

HORT 203 (3) _____ ____ ____________

HORT 454 (2) _____ ____ ____________

RPTS 308 (3) _____ ____ ____________

RPTS 331 (3) _____ ____ ____________

RPTS 444 (3) _____ ____ ____________

Total Hours Required: 15

A recommended elective for all PEMC program

participants is an internship (paid or unpaid) with a

company, organization, or agency involved in event

management responsibilities. Suitable courses

include RPTS 484 (3) or an internship class in the

student’s major field.

Students are required to complete the required

courses in sequence (RPTS 311, RPTS 320, and

RPTS 321), and enrollment preferences will be

assigned to those in the proper sequence.

The PEMC program will require a minimum of

forty (40) hours of service in the conduct of event

planning and execution. Appropriate

documentation guidelines are given by the PEMC

Program Advisor. Service hour requirements from

RPTS 311, RPTS 320 and RPTS 321 may apply.

Prior approval and post documentation verification

will be granted by the PEMC Program Advisor.

These hours will be performed after the student is

admitted to the PEMC program.

Students are required to complete a portfolio and

submit for approval prior to graduation.

Students are required to pass an exit exam based on

RPTS 311, RPTS 320 and RPTS 321.

Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences

Online Hospitality Management Certificate Program

Name: UIN#:

The Online Hospitality Management Certificate (HMC), is designed to provide students with an

understanding of the planning, analysis, and decision-making techniques needed for management

positions in the hospitality industry. Students will study and develop skills related to principles

of management, sustainability, development, cultural tolerance, marketing, finance, and service

quality as they apply to the hospitality industry.

Applicants must be enrolled in a degree program at Texas A&M and, if required, have

permission from their departmental advisor to apply for the program.

All TAMU students may apply. A GPA of 2.0 or higher is required for acceptance into the HMC

program. To apply, students must complete the HMC application and essay. Once accepted,

students must earn a grade of “C” or better in each HMC applicable course, must complete all

requirements, must maintain a 2.5 GPA in the required courses.

Participating departments reserve the right to limit the number of applicants to the program.

General Requirements

Required Courses (15 hours)

RPTS 302 (3) _____ ____ ____________

RPTS 331 (3) _____ ____ ____________

RPTS 423 (3) _____ ____ ____________

RPTS 421 (3) _____ ____ ____________

RPTS 444 (4) _____ ____ ____________

Total Hours Required: 15

Required GPA

Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in each HMC applicable course

The requirements for GPA are 2.0 for admissions and 2.5 in the 15 HMC credits for graduation.

http://rpts.tamu.edu/online-tourism-and-hospitality-management-certificate/

How Many Certificates Can You Pursue?!

“Students may pursue multiple certificate programs concurrently. However, including a student’s degree program(s), a

student may not pursue more than five programs of any kind concurrently.”

Curriculum Record ONE

Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences

Curriculum Record TWO

All Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences undergraduate students must choose one certificate from the following:

Community Recreation and Park Administration Tourism Management

Parks and Conservation Youth Development

Curriculum Record THREE

All Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences undergraduate students may choose to pursue a second RPTS certificate, a

non-RPTS certificate program, a Double Degree, or a Double Major.

RPTS Certificate Programs:

Community Recreation and Park Administration Tourism Management

Parks and Conservation Youth Development

Professional Event Manager (must apply) Online Hospitality Management (must apply)

TAMU Certificate Programs: http://registrar.tamu.edu/Our-Services/Curricular-Services/Curricular-

Approvals/Program-Approvals/Approved-Certificate-Programs

Double Degree Information: http://registrar.tamu.edu/Graduation-Degree-Programs/Double-Degrees-

Majors/Double-Degree-Information

Double Major Information: http://registrar.tamu.edu/Graduation-Degree-Programs/Double-Degrees-

Majors/Double-Major-Information

Curriculum Record FOUR

All Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences undergraduate students may choose to pursue a third RPTS certificate or a

non-RPTS certificate program.

Curriculum Record FIVE

All Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences undergraduate students may choose to pursue a fourth RPTS certificate or a

non-RPTS certificate program.

**Minors do not count towards curriculum records**

RPTS Internships An internship of 400 or more hours is required in the RPTS degree plan; students register for 6 credits of RPTS 484.

Pre-Requisites:

RPTS 311, 340 & 481

Completion of a minimum of 15 hours of RPTS courses & 80 hours total

A GPA of 2.25 or above in RPTS courses; overall GPA of 2.0 or above

Grading and Evaluations

Four reports @ 10 points 40

Website 10

Hour Logs signed by supervisor 5

Evaluations (done by supervisor & self) 45

What must employers provide?

A minimum of 400 hours of work experience (includes training and work)

A clear description of internship tasks/roles

Training and orientation; availability to answer questions related to internship reports written by the intern

On-going mentorship and guidance, including written evaluation forms mid-way through and at the

completion the internship (evaluations are web-based and each one takes about 10 minutes to complete;

employers are not required to submit any other paperwork)

Note: Internships may be paid or unpaid. Many job titles are acceptable for internship credit; you don’t have to be

called an “intern” by your employer. You may work 40+ hours per week, or take a part-time position and spread it

out over 2 semesters. eCampus is used for assignments; no in-class meetings are required.

Where can you find a position?

Job listings sent to RPTS department: https://agrilife.org/rptsjobs/

Web pages made by past RPTS interns: http://rptsintern.tamu.edu/home/2011-intern-experiences/

Internship sites and links on RPTS website: http://rptsintern.tamu.edu/home/internship-sites-and-links/

TAMU Career Center: http://careercenter.tamu.edu/

Other websites & networking

Paperwork & actions required by RPTS Department (Forms & info: rptsintern.tamu.edu)

Form A – submit when you know the semester you will intern but you do not have a position yet

Form B –submit when you have a position lined up

Register for 6 credits of RPTS 484

Questions? Contact Mrs. Susan Scott at sgscott@tamu.edu to ask questions via e-mail or to set up an appointment

Résumé Assistance – E-mail Mrs. Scott for samples, or e-mail her your updated résumé for review. Please note

what types of positions you’re seeking. Tourism, event and other business-related positions require a one-page

résumé, while many youth and park positions will accept a longer résumé.

Job Fairs & Professional Conferences - learn about the field and network for internships & jobs:

Camp Day – Fall semester

RPTS Career & Internship Fair – Spring Semester

Undergraduate Academic Probation & Dismissal Policy

According to student rule 12.1 (http://student-rules.tamu.edu/rule12/), a student is scholastically deficient when:

1.1 His or her semester grade point ratio is less than 2.00; or

1.2 His or her cumulative grade point ratio is less than 2.00; or

1.3 The cumulative grade point ratio in his or her major field of study is below a 2.00; or

1.4 He or she is not meeting college and/or major course of study grade point requirements.

Disclaimer: The below College of Agriculture and Life Sciences policies are supplementary to any policy set forth

by Texas A&M University, the Texas A&M System, or state or federal statutes. Departments within the College of

Agriculture and Life Sciences are permitted to have more stringent requirements to determine scholastic

deficiency within their majors.

PROCEDURES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences policy defines scholastic deficiency as a term or cumulative GPA below

a 2.0. Students who are scholastically deficient are either placed on probation, dismissed from their major, or

suspended by the university.

Cumulative GPA below 2.0

1st Semester < 2.0:

o Student is placed on academic probation

o Blocked from course registration until meeting, or other requirement is met with department

(i.e. probation contract/acknowledgement is signed).

o If requirement is not met by the add/drop deadline of the term, student’s schedule will be

dropped and/or blocked from continuous registration

2nd Semester < 2.0 and previous academic probation terms are NOT met:

o Student is dismissed from major with the option to appeal for continued enrollment

o If appeal is granted, student is placed on final probation and will NOT be allowed to pre-register

for following term until the terms of probation have been met

2nd Semester < 2.0 and previous academic probation terms ARE met:

o Student will continue with final academic probation

3rd Semester < 2.0:

o Student will be dismissed from major with no option to appeal

o Dismissed students will be eligible to apply for readmission at a date to be determined by the

department

If a student meets terms of probation and falls below a 2.0 overall GPA in a subsequent semester, the

student will be dismissed from the major with the option to appeal.

Term GPA below 2.0

1st Term GPA < 2.0:

o Student will be placed on term academic probation and will receive a letter and/or email

notifying them of this status

o Student will be blocked from registration until meeting, or other requirement is met with

department (i.e. probation contract/acknowledgement is signed). Student could

be recommended to utilize various student services on campus. These services can include, but

are not limited to: Academic Success Center, Student Counseling Services, Student Disability

Services, Writing Center, Veteran Resource and Support Center, Student Athlete Services, etc.

2nd Term GPA < 2.0:

o Student will be dismissed from major with an option to appeal

o If appeal is granted, student will be placed on final academic probation

o Student will be required to utilize various student services on campus. These services can

include, but are not limited to: Academic Success Center, Student Counseling Services, Student

Disability Services, Writing Center, Veteran Resource and Support Center, Student Athlete

Services, etc.

3rd Term GPA < 2.0:

o Student will be dismissed from their major with no option to appeal

o Dismissed students will be eligible to apply for readmission at a date to be determined by the

department

Term GPA’s do not need to be consecutive to determine probation and/or dismissal.

RELATED STATUTES, POLICIES, OR REQUIREMENTS

Student Rule 12. Scholastic Deficiency/Probation

University Suspension by the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Studies

AGLS CONTACT OFFICE

Questions regarding this guideline should be referred to the Associate Dean for Academic Operations at

979-845-3712.

Policy revised: August 21, 2018 | Approved on October 1, 2018 | Next Scheduled Review: August 21, 2023.

Miscellaneous

TAMU Email

It is your responsibility to read your TAMU email daily! Please use your TAMU email when contacting

us so that we can verify that it is you. Read all emails we send you completely and carefully. We know

that you receive numerous emails daily from different sources, but you are responsible for reading

everything sent from us. We will send out emails regarding registration, job fairs, RPTS merchandise,

special events, etc.

Force Requests

You can submit a force request for any RPTS course if it is closed when you are registering. You will not

here back from us because we get 200+ requests. You will either see the course show up on your account

or you will not. We go over requests the moth before classes begin. We cannot force students into non-

RPTS courses. You will have to contact those departments about their force request policies.

http://rpts.tamu.edu/current-students/force-request-form/

Pre-Registration

We put a registration block on all RPTS students every semester. This requires you to meet with us during

a specific period of time to go over classes. You will receive an email from us mid-semester, every

semester telling you when to start your required advising appoints.

Degree Planner

The Undergraduate Degree Planner is a course planning tool designed to facilitate the timely

completion of your degree at Texas A&M University and to assist in planning the courses required to

fulfill your degree program requirements. To start using the Degree Planner, log into Howdy, click on the

My Record tab, and find the Undergraduate Degree Planner channel on the right column.

You must submit your degree planner by every September 30th until graduation.

https://newhowdy.tamu.edu/Inside/Guides/DegPlan.pdf

Title IX Training Required

As we find ourselves settling in for another semester of classes and university life, we continue to bring to

your attention an issue that persists in capturing the attention and concern of college campus communities

across the nation—Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence. Haven (undergraduate students) and Haven+

(graduate/professional students), the EverFi internet modules focused on sexual violence, dating violence,

domestic violence, and stalking are currently required for all Texas A&M University students. Part of

being able and ready to assist a fellow Aggie comes from an understanding of the issues surrounding

behaviors associated with sexual harassment and sexual violence. As a result of this need for education,

and a desire to work towards a safer community for all members, TAMU is requiring all incoming

students to engage in our online education program called Haven. You are asked to complete this

education in two parts: pre- and post-education. After an intersession of 30 days, you will receive an

email notification to complete Part 2.

You must complete this before preregistration in your first semester at TAMU.

https://studentlife.tamu.edu/havenhold/

http://rpts.tamu.edu/ https://www.instagram.com/rpts_tamu/?hl=en

https://twitter.com/RPTS_TAMU

https://www.facebook.com/rpts.tamu

https://www.facebook.com/melyssaanne.stricklin.advisor

https://www.facebook.com/TAMUPEMC

https://www.facebook.com/hospitalitymanagementcertificate/

https://www.pinterest.com/rpts/