GUIDE TO MAJORS AND PROGRAMS
College of Agriculture
Park Management and Conservation
Overview
“The management of natural resources for
leisure requires professionals to delicately
balance the life-enriching outdoor experiences
of the recreation user with adequate protection
of some of our nation’s most exquisite lands and
waters. We appreciate these special places for
the rich diversity of people, stories and traditions
that have become associated with them over
the course of our history. Our interaction with
these elements has helped define who we are as
a people and as a nation.”
— Excerpts from “America’s Great Outdoors”
The park management and conservation
curriculum at Kansas State University
combines the study of the natural sciences
with communications, management and social
sciences to direct the understanding of the
social, political and biological factors that impact
the use and protection of recreation lands and
waters. The challenges are great, but so are the
benefits.
Professional options
Careers
The park management and conservation
curriculum prepares students for supervisory
and managerial careers in both public and
private sector parks and recreation and
conservation agencies. Graduates work as:
n Park rangers
n Naturalists
n Outdoor recreation planners
n Concession specialists
n Activity program specialists
n Agency and unit directors at federal, state
and local levels of government
Employers
Potential employers include:
n Youth agencies
n National Park Service
n U.S. Forest Service
n U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
n State and county park agencies
n Public recreation and parks departments
n Resorts
n Commercial recreation enterprises
Kansas State University graduates from the
park management and conservation program
are well prepared to address recreational
and political issues and assist the public in
protecting the places and experiences people
cherish.
Preparation
We recommend high school courses in biology,
chemistry and algebra. We also recommend
coursework in writing, public speaking,
sociology and computer applications.
Park professionals must understand the
relationship between the natural environment
and human activities. They must also have an
understanding of the social, economic and
political factors influencing the use of natural
resources.
Surveys show that our most successful
graduates posses the following characteristics:
n Love of the outdoors
n Strong sense of purpose
n Deep concern for the environment
n Desire to serve people
n Leadership abilities
n Excellent communication skills
Degree options
Suggested coursework
Academics
Students will develop skills to educate and
inspire visitors at parks, zoos, historic sites and
museums by helping them understand and
experience the cultural and natural resources
of the site. Additionally, we prepares students
to manage visitors and natural resources while
focusing on the impact that outdoor recreation
has on those resources.
There also is a focus on law enforcement, in
which students develop the skills and abilities
to operate as a law enforcement officer in
outdoor recreation settings. This could include
ranger duty or enforcement of wildlife hunting
and fishing regulations. Students also will learn
the necessary skills to manage the business or
administrative aspects of park and recreation
agencies primarily at the municipal or county
level. A strong emphasis is placed on business,
personnel management budgeting and
program development.
Advising
Points of pride
Advisors not only guide academics and assist
with career planning, but they also are an
excellent resource for assisting a student with
employment and other personal concerns.
One of the department’s greatest strengths is its
faculty members, who are genuinely committed
to teaching and serving as great advisors.
They make it a point to get to know students,
and there is a strong emphasis on individual
attention.
k-state.edu/admissions/academics
Bachelor of Science (130 semester hours)
Communications
Hrs.Courses
3
COMM 106
3
COMM 311
3
ENGL 100
3
ENGL 200
Public Speaking I
Business and Professional Speaking
Expository Writing I
Expository Writing II
Natural Sciences
Hrs.Courses
4
AGRON 305
4
BIOL 198
3
CHM 110
1
CHM 111
3
GEOL 100
Soils
Principles of Biology
General Chemistry
General Chemistry Lab
Earth in Action
Social Sciences
Hrs.Courses
3
ANTH 200
3
ECON 110
or
3
ECON 120
3
PSYCH 110
3
SOCIO 211
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
Principles of Macroeconomics
Principles of Microeconomics
General Psychology
Introduction to Sociology
Mathematics and Statistics
Hrs.Courses
3
MATH 100
College Algebra
3
STAT 325
Introduction to Statistics
Professional Core
Hrs.Courses
1
PMC 110
3
PMC 210
3
PMC 275
3
PMC 330
1-2 PMC 350
3
PMC 475
3
PMC 489
6
PMC 492
3
PMC 510
4
PMC 580
3
PMC 620
3
PMC 635
3
PMC 690
3
PMC 710
Environmental Education and Leadership
Introduction to Outdoor Recreation
Introduction to Natural Resource Management
Dendrology
Parks and Outdoor Recreation Practicum
Natural History for Park Professionals
Outdoor Recreation Program and Event Development
Internship in Parks and Recreation
Forestry for Park Professionals
Park Operations and Maintenance Management
Park Planning and Design
Methods of Environmental Interpretation
Parks and Recreation Administration
Natural Resource Based Tourism
Choose 2 credit hours from the following:
1
PMC 112
Boat Safety & Navigation
1
PMC 113
Shooting Sports Certification
1
PMC 114
Kansas Park and Wildlife Regulations
1
PMC 115
Adventure Challenge Certification
1
PMC 116
Certified Interpretive Guide
1
PMC 120
Outdoor Recreation Certification
Specialized Courses
Choose 27 or more hours from the following:
Business (minor in business)
Hrs.Courses
3
ACCTG 231
Accounting for Business Operations
3
ACCTG 241
Accounting for Investing and Financing
3
FINAN 450
Principles of Finance
3
MANGT 420 Management Concepts
3
MKTG 400
Introduction to Marketing
3
STAT 350
Business and Economic Statistics
Communications
Hrs.Courses
3
AGCOM 712 Environmental Communications
3
COMM 320
Theories of Human Communication
3
COMM 526
Persuasion
3
ENGL 465
Introduction to Creative Nonfiction
3
MC 110
Mass Communication in Society
3
PMC 740
Advanced Environmental Interpretation
Any one modern language course
Any one theatre course
Law Enforcement Ranger
Hrs.Courses
12 PMC 441
Topics/NPS Law Enforcement Academy
3
PMC 441
Topics/NPS Police Officers Standards Training
Resource Management
Hrs.Courses
3
AGEC 525
Natural Resources and Environmental Economics
1
BIOL 222
Field Ornithology
3
BIOL 303
Ecology of Environmental Problems
3
BIOL 504
Plant Ecology
3
ENTOM 312 General Entomology
4
GEOG 221
Introductory Physical Geography
3
GEOG 340
4
GEOG 508
3
GEOG 605
2
HORT 508
2
HORT 515
3
HORT 585
3
PLPTH 500
3
PMC 575
Geography of Natural Resources
Geographic Information Systems
Remote Sensing of the Environment
Landscape Maintenance
Basic Turfgrass Culture
Arboriculture
Principles of Plant Pathology
Water Management for Natural Resource Managers
Social Sciences
Hrs.Courses
3
GEOG 300
3
HIST 511
3
HMD 230
3
MANGT 390
3
PLAN 315
3
POLSC 507
3
PSYCH 535
3
SOCIO 361
3
SOCIO 362
3
SOCIO 460
3
SOCIO 561
3
SOCIO 570
Geography of Tourism
Environmental History
Issues in Tourism
Business Law I
Introduction to City Planning
Introduction to Public Administration
Social Psychology
Criminal Justice Systems
Police and Society
Youth and Crime
Criminology
Race and Ethnic Relations in the USA
7 hours of free electives
For more information about park
management and conservation,
contact:
Department of Horticulture, Forestry
and Recreation Resources
Kansas State University
2021 Throckmorton Hall
Plant Sciences Center
1712 Claflin Road
Manhattan, KS 66506-5506
785-532-6923
Fax: 785-532-5894
hfrr.ksu.edu
For more information about
Kansas State University, contact:
Office of Admissions
Kansas State University
119 Anderson Hall
919 Mid-Campus Drive North
Manhattan, KS 66506-0102
1-800-432-8270 (toll free) or
785-532-6250
k-state@k-state.edu
k-state.edu/admissions
Notice of nondiscrimination
Kansas State University prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color,
ethnicity, national origin, sex (including sexual harassment and sexual violence),
sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, ancestry, disability, genetic
information, military status, or veteran status, in the University’s programs and
activities as required by applicable laws and regulations. The person designated
with responsibility for coordination of compliance efforts and receipt of inquiries
concerning nondiscrimination policies is the University’s Title IX Coordinator: the
Director of the Office of Institutional Equity, equity@k-state.edu, 103 Edwards Hall,
Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, (785) 532-6220. The campus
ADA Coordinator is the Director of Employee Relations, charlott@k-state.edu, who
may be reached at 103 Edwards Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas
66506, (785) 532-6277.
2016