Department Overview

“The Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism, formerly Department of Leisure Studies, was one of the first to offer a degree in park and recreation and is currently ranked among the best in the nation.”
- Cary McDonald, Department Head

Leisure services generates more than $350 billion in expenditures by visitors and participants nationwide and is currently one of the top three industries in almost every state.

For more than 50 years, the University of Illinois has been a leader in preparing students for emerging careers generated by this growing industry. We offer programs of study at the undergraduate and graduate levels leading to Bachelor's, Master's and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Graduates from the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism are well-placed throughout our nation’s park districts, forest preserves, amateur and professional sports industries, resorts, bureaus of tourism, educational institutions, and universities. Research by faculty scholars study the changing leisure needs of our society.

The Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism is dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities through learning, discovery, and engagement. As you explore our website, you will learn more about our students, faculty, instructional programs, research laboratories, and alumni.

Student of the Month

Hayfa Aboukier is adventurous, active, and dedicated. Read more about Hayfa.

Sapora Symposium Addresses Community Tourism Development

The 2008 Sapora Symposium featured speakers who explored how global tourism connects to local tourism through urban, rural, cultural, and historical perspectives. See more about the symposium.

Trail Use Varies by Culture

Professors Kim Shinew and Monika Stodolska seek to understand how minority populations use recreational trails. Read more about recreation research.

Residents, Volunteers Reclaim Neighborhood

Volunteer students and faculty cooperate with residents to improve community neighborhoods in the East St. Louis Action Research Project (ESLARP). Professor in the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism and current director of ESLARP, Bruce Wicks notes, "That's the whole point—it's a partnership." Read more about ESLARP.

Our location

We're located in room 104 of Huff Hall on the University of Illinois campus.

Campus Maps

• Campus Map
• Huff Hall Access map
• Campus Access maps