Do you have passion for healthy, active lifestyles, and a desire to shape those interests into a rewarding career? VIU’s Recreation and Sport Management program can help you launch a career in the growing sport, recreation, health and wellness industries.

In the program, your learning will benefit from hands-on exploration under the guidance of instructor who care about your success. Take your learning deeper with paid internships and small classes, where you will work closely with other students and your instructors on meaningful community projects.

Graduates find a wide variety of careers focused on building positivity and confidence around sport and community for people of all ages. Explore the Recreation and Sport Management Program Website (link above) to learn more about careers.

The Recreation and Sport Management Diploma Program
This program is offered as a mandatory Co-operative Education format with four academic semesters and two paid Co-op placements.

The focus of this diploma program is on the provision of recreation and sport services and products in public, private, and not-for-profit sectors within communities. The program assesses the impact of recreation and sport and the environment in order to plan and develop healthy communities. Features of the program include the provision of applied skills and knowledge, direct leadership experience, a co-operative education model (paid employment), and small class sizes.

The program prepares students for career entry; however, students interested in further studies can apply to the third year of VIU’s Bachelor of Tourism Management, Major in Recreation.

The administration of recreation and sport services is a challenging career in this increasingly leisure-oriented society. Dynamic and innovative people are needed to plan, organize, and supervise recreation experiences in a variety of settings. Graduates have found employment in the following areas:

Agencies, such as the Boys’ and Girls’ Club and the YM/YWCA, Sport B.C.
Public Recreation and Sport Management, including parks and recreation departments in municipalities and regional districts, community schools, recreation associations, and public recreation and sport facilities.
Outdoor Recreation, providing camping, wilderness experiences, risk recreation and sport, and environmental education. Parks involvement is also possible.
Commercial Enterprises, such as fitness centres, racquetball complexes, and retail outlets.
Inclusive Leisure, involving the provision of recreation to those with special needs, such as individuals who are disabled and disadvantaged in institutions or in the community.
Tourism, including destination resorts, theme parks, tourist bureaus, and special events and festivals.
Co-operative Education
Under the Co-operative Education format, formal supervised work terms are integrated into the total curriculum on a paid basis. Students will benefit from the experience by:

relating academic study more effectively to the field of practice;
developing a clearer career focus;
gaining valuable practical experience;
being able to finance a larger portion of their education.
Access to Co-operative Education placements is based on students’ GPA (minimum of 2.33 (“C+”) is required) and their willingness to work as a team member with faculty and Co-operative Education staff to find appropriate placements.

Students in Co-operative Education work terms pay a fee, which is due during the second month of each work term.