PhD in Community Sustainability- Tourism and Recreation Systems in East Lansing United States | Michigan State University

Graduate studies in this field explore recreation and tourism as essential components of communities, economies, and ecosystems. The curriculum, research, and extension activities examine tourist behaviors and preferences, the functions of various organizations within tourism systems, tourism's impact on local and global community growth, and how recreational activities interact with a community's environmental, agricultural, historical, and cultural assets.
The PhD in Community Sustainability equips students to create innovative solutions addressing evolving challenges in natural ecosystems and farming practices. This program caters to students passionate about sustainability issues, whether locally or globally. Faculty, researchers, and students typically concentrate on areas like food systems, environmental conservation, tourism dynamics, educational outreach, and global development initiatives. These interconnected themes often intersect with sustainable tourism and conservation management, which are central to other graduate programs within the department. Our research spans both domestic and international contexts, with many scholars focusing on global development projects.