Lead, Inspire, and Create Community Through Recreation
Recreation enriches the way we live, work, and play—building connections among individuals, communities, and the natural world. At Mason, you will turn your passion for people, wellness, and the outdoors into a purpose-driven professional career.
Located in Northern Virginia, right outside of our nation's capital, our accredited Recreation Management program connects you to a wide network of parks, policy institutions, and recreation organizations and agencies. Here, learning goes beyond the classroom into public spaces, camps, clinical settings, community centers, and global settings where recreation makes a real impact.
Whether you are earning your Bachelor of Science in one of the Recreation Management concentrations of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, Therapeutic Recreation, or an Individualized Concentration; or pursuing graduate studies in Sport and Recreation Studies with a concentration in Recreation Administration; or accelerating your path with a Bachelor's-to-Master's (BAM), Mason prepares you to lead. You will graduate ready to plan, manage, assess, and innovate experiences that promote health, inclusion, and sustainability—skills in high demand across public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
Why Choose George Mason CEHD
An Ideal Location for Opportunity. Study, minutes from Washington, DC, one of the most connected regions for recreation, clinical, and environmental policy. Gain hands-on experience through internships or employment with federal agencies, national parks, hospital settings and industry leaders while you earn your degree.
Professional Accreditation. The Recreation Management program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT), a nationally recognized mark of academic and professional excellence.
Learning by Doing. From outdoor leadership challenges at The EDGE, Mason's experiential learning center, to required internships across regional and international sites, you will build real-world skills that translate directly into your career.
Faculty Who Know the Field. Learn from accomplished educators and practitioners with decades of experience in recreation management, therapeutic recreation and natural resources.
Commitment to Community & Sustainability. Our programs emphasize inclusive recreation, stewardship of natural spaces, and sustainable practices that make a lasting impact locally and globally.
Prepared to Lead. Mason graduates enter the workforce ready to organize programs, manage facilities, evaluate outcomes, and guide teams in a wide range of recreation and tourism careers.
What Sets Us Apart?
At Mason, your education is not confined to a classroom—it is an active experience shaped by collaboration, creativity, and purpose. You will work alongside peers and faculty who share your drive to improve quality of life through recreation, wellness, and engagement.
Our flexible degree pathways let you customize your experience, whether you want to specialize in parks and outdoor recreation, therapeutic recreation, or an individualized concentration, or fast-track your education through the Accelerated Bachelor's-to-Master's pathway. You will also have the opportunity to conduct research, lead service projects, experience two field experiences, and build a professional network that extends far beyond graduation.
With Mason's focus on real-world experience, leadership development, and sustainable impact, you will not just be ready for your next step. You will be ready to lead it.