Event and Recreation Management
Major
Drive growth with an event management degree
AT A GLANCE
What sets our event management degree apart?
Our event management degree is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism, and Related Professions (COAPRT), ensuring you receive a high-quality educational foundation within event and recreation management.
Opportunities for meeting, convention and event planners are projected to grow 8 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.1 Central Michigan's event management degree puts you on the path to seize possibilities like this—or to blaze your own path.
An event management degree from CMU prepares you for success in a wide range of roles—like organizing community festivals or planning professional events for corporations. Our graduates have also landed roles in diverse work settings—such as amusement parks, universities, entertainment venues, sports arenas, convention centers, and municipal parks and recreation departments.
Our graduates attribute their event and recreation achievements to our emphasis on providing the practical hands-on experiences employers demand. This includes a 30-week internship, offering unparalleled exposure to real-world, day-to-day event management issues and opportunities.
If you need help finding the right experience, Meg Hofer is dedicated to matching you with the ideal opportunity that aligns with your interests. Her title is Coordinator of Internships, Fieldwork and Disney Programs. That's right! You could find yourself in the Disney College Program, getting world-class event management experience at Disney World!
Highlights of our event and recreation management program
- #1 event planning program: We have earned the Gold Pinnacle Award every year since 2019 as the "Best Event Management Bachelor's Degree" by the International Festivals and Events Association.
- Real-world experts: Get instruction and insights from professors who've actually worked in the exciting world of events and recreation. They'll share their insider tips!
- Hands-on learning that matters: Dive into service-learning projects and assignments that make a difference in your community while you gain practical skills for your future career.
- The ultimate internship: Finish strong with a six-month, professional internship in the field. You'll take two pre-internship classes that help you with the internship search and placement process, ensuring you make the most of this amazing opportunity!
- A proven track record: Our event management program has been accredited since 1982 by the Council of Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism or Related Professions (COAPRT). You're in great hands!
Careers in event and recreation management
Our event and recreation management graduates work in many types of organizations and settings, including amusement and theme parks, community centers and festivals, non-profit organizations, university recreation and activities, sports and entertainment venues, and more.
| Career | Projected Salary |
|---|---|
| Entertainment and Recreation Manager | $73,460 |
| Event Marketing Manager | $62,608 |
| Meeting, Convention and Event (i.e. Wedding) Planner | $56,920 |
The Education and Human Services Residential College
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