Love the outdoors? Passionate about people, places and protecting the planet? A degree in Parks, Tourism and Recreation Management (PTRM) might be your calling—and your ticket to a purpose-driven career rooted in environmental science, leadership and real-world experience. At the University of Montana, we blend classroom learning with outdoor adventure and meaningful connections to Montana’s thriving recreation economy.
Learn more about the PTRM degree at the University of Montana
Let’s dig into what makes this degree so valuable—and so fun.
What is Parks, Tourism and Recreation Management?
PTRM is where environmental science, people skills and strategic planning meet. Students in the UM PTRM program study the environment and how to create meaningful, sustainable experiences for others in the outdoors. The degree equips you to manage recreation areas, design tourism experiences and work on pressing environmental and social challenges—from managing visitor impact to supporting sustainable tourism economies.
With a curriculum rooted in place-based learning, this program is about so much more than textbooks. It’s an immersive, real-world education that sets you up to make an impact in parks, tourism and recreation management—locally and globally.
Real-World Experience is Built In
One of the biggest strengths of UM’s PTRM program? We don’t just talk about career prep—we make it happen. All students complete a professional internship and a Capstone project, working directly with professionals in land management, tourism and conservation.
We take multi-day excursions to Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, working with agency partners to solve real problems. You’ll gain hands-on experience managing visitor flow, studying resource impacts and developing solutions—all while surrounded by the mountains of Montana.
This is experiential, outdoor adventure-based education that’s designed to prepare you for job placement from the start.
Is a PTRM Degree Worth It?
Yes! Longer answer: the PTRM degree at the University of Montana gives you the practical skills, professional network and leadership experience that employers in the outdoor recreation and tourism industry are actively looking for.
You’ll graduate with:
- A resume full of real-world experience
- Personalized support from faculty mentors
- Exposure to top employers and organizations in the field
- A track record of teamwork, fieldwork and strategic thinking
And Montana is the perfect place for it. Outdoor recreation is the second-largest sector in Montana’s economy, and the national demand is growing—$1.2 trillion in economic output from the outdoor industry in 2023, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
When it comes to the cost of education, UM’s tuition is competitive, and financial aid and scholarships are widely available through the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation. That means you can earn a degree that pays off—without drowning in debt.
A Personalized, Career-Focused Education
One thing that sets UM apart? Personalized support. Our faculty know your name—and your goals. You’ll be part of a tight-knit, supportive learning community, with one-on-one mentorship and career guidance from day one.
PTRM faculty are more than professors—they’re connectors. They bring in real-world experience and professional contacts to help you navigate your career path. They’ll also help you find your niche, whether that’s in tourism development, public lands management, sustainable business or environmental advocacy.
Best of all? The curriculum is constantly updated in collaboration with outdoor industry professionals and resource managers. So what you’re learning is current, applicable and deeply tied to the environment and its evolving challenges.
Careers You Can Pursue with a PTRM Degree
Graduates from the UM PTRM program go on to do everything from managing state parks to launching their own tourism businesses. You’ll build a career that makes a difference—whether that’s improving public access to the outdoors, protecting natural resources or developing sustainable tourism programs.
Popular Career Paths
- Park Ranger
- Public Lands Manager
- Tourism Planner
- Recreation Manager
- Wilderness Trip Leader
- Environmental Educator
- Outdoor Program Coordinator
Creative or Entrepreneurial Roles
- Adventure Travel Guide
- Ecotourism Business Owner
- Environmental Consultant
- Nonprofit Leader
- Trail Steward
- Adaptive Recreation Specialist
- Sustainability Coordinator
Whether you’re working in public lands, nature-based tourism or community recreation, a PTRM degree gives you the flexibility and skills to chart your own path.
Earn Your Parks, Tourism, and Recreation Management Degree at the University of Montana
If you’re passionate about the outdoors, the environment and building a career that blends leadership with outdoor adventure, UM’s PTRM program is for you. Our students don’t just study the issues—they solve them, working directly with partners across the outdoor recreation and tourism industries.
With a powerful mix of mentorship, experiential learning and career prep, this degree delivers. And with scholarships, financial aid and a location in the heart of Montana’s mountains, you’ll get one of the most rewarding educations available—without the high cost.
