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The Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism (RST) was established at the University of Illinois in 1940. Currently, this program maintains its position as one of the nation's top three in its discipline and boasts a strong track record of developing outstanding industry professionals. Students can earn a Bachelor of Science degree with specialization options in recreation management, sport management, or tourism management. The program equips graduates with skills to create, oversee, and provide RST services across various environments and demographics, while also establishing a solid base for advanced academic pursuits. The RST bachelor's program develops competencies in planning, administering, and promoting leisure, athletic, and travel-related businesses, serving as excellent preparation for professional careers or further education. A comprehensive liberal arts education forms the base, enhanced by specialized coursework. The curriculum incorporates contemporary theories and practical applications, after which students select their focus area in recreation, sports, or tourism. Flexible specialization options enable students to combine these disciplines for comprehensive leadership training. Graduation requires completion of 128 credit hours distributed across five categories: general education (36 credits), core subjects (39 credits), concentration courses (9 credits), electives (32 credits), and a mandatory internship (12 credits).