News
The Master of Arts in Sustainability and Innovation in Leisure, to be offered through the VIU World Leisure Centre of Excellence, and the Department of Recreation and Tourism Management is currently under review by the Province of British Columbia. More details expected in the upcoming months. Check back here.
We are now accepting applications for both our diploma and degree programs in Recreation and Tourism. Students now have the option of applying to either the diploma or to year one of our degree.
Updates
Cleo Corbett, one of our Tourism Management graduates, recently was a recipent of the UBCM small community award for Leadership and Innovation for her community development work in Golden, BC. Read her Bio.
Department of Recreation & Tourism Management
The Vancouver Island University region is fortunate in being situated in one of the best environments for recreation and tourism activities in the world.
The opportunities for outstanding recreation, sport and tourism experiences that await just outside our campuses are too numerous to mention individually. The highlights include: wildlife viewing on land and ocean as well as water-based activity on and in our rivers, lakes and oceans. The BC coast is world famous as one of the best cold-water scuba diving areas. We have some of the best sport facilities and tournaments in the country, fantastic festivals and cultural events and integrated recreational programs for all ages. Add to that outstanding skiing resorts as well as some highly regarded food and wine regions.
VIU is also on the cutting edge of recreation and tourism education. The faculty team places student success as a key priority and retains a strong connection to alumni. Members of the faculty take teaching seriously and also engage numerous students in their research work.
The faculty work together to engage students in applied experiences that connect their classroom learning to the real world. Students in the program are well known for their contributions to the region and are actively recruited in positions from a regional to international level.
Our faculty and staff have a strong interest in student success, not only as it relates to academic studies, but also as it relates to the fit between courses and professional preparation for practice in the field. Our faculty are open, responsive and student-centered. Our graduates are the final measure of our program's effectiveness and you will find VIU's graduates working throughout the province, the nation and the world.
Both the Diploma and the Degree are offered in a Co-operative Education format. In the diploma program, students will spend four academic semesters with us and fulfill the requirements of two paid Co-op placements. After successfully completing either the Recreation and Sport or the Tourism diploma, students can then apply to continue their studies in the Tourism Management degree. The degree program consists of four academic semesters and one semester of paid co-operative education work experience or the option of one internship. Other programs offered through our department include a Certificate in Event Management, and Aboriginal Sport.
Career Opportunities in the field are available in both Recreation and Tourism non-profit organizations, public recreation, outdoor recreation, commercial enterprises,hospitality, therapeutic recreation and sport.