Florida International University

What you'll study

This master's programme combines applied management, technical systems and community-focused programming. Core topics typically include facility planning and design, operations and maintenance, risk and emergency management, budgeting and finance for leisure organisations, sustainable facility practices, legal and ethical issues, and leadership for public and private organisations.

Students also study research methods and programme evaluation to support evidence-based decision-making, and they complete a capstone project or practicum that applies classroom learning to a real-world facility or agency. Typical modules and subject areas you can expect include:

• Facility Planning & Design — site selection, space utilisation, accessibility and capital project planning.
• Operations & Maintenance — asset management, preventive maintenance, grounds and building systems for parks and leisure facilities.
• Risk, Safety & Emergency Management — liability, public safety protocols, crisis response and incident reporting.
• Finance & Business Management — budgeting, revenue generation, contracts, procurement and financial sustainability for leisure organisations.
• Sustainability & Environmental Management — green infrastructure, water and energy efficiency, and landscape stewardship in parks.
• Programming & Community Engagement — designing inclusive leisure programmes, stakeholder engagement and volunteer management.
• Leadership, Policy & Law — governance of public parks, policy development and employment law as it relates to leisure services.
• Research Methods / Applied Project — quantitative and qualitative methods, evaluation techniques, and a practicum or capstone applying research to a facility challenge.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a recognised bachelor's degree in recreation, parks management, sport management, hospitality, urban planning, environmental studies or a related discipline. Those with professional experience in parks, municipal recreation, or facility operations may be considered even if their undergraduate degree is in a different subject.

Typical application materials include a personal statement outlining professional goals, a current CV or résumé, academic transcripts, and two references. Some programmes may request examples of professional work or a portfolio for applicants with relevant experience. Where required by the university, standardised test scores may be submitted to support the application; international applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through an approved test or other university-accepted evidence.

Career prospects

Graduates go on to a range of facility-focused roles across public, nonprofit and private sectors. Common career paths include park and recreation facility manager, municipal parks superintendent or director, operations manager for sports and leisure centres, event and venue operations manager, maintenance or grounds supervisor, and consultant in facility planning and sustainability.

Alumni also pursue roles in asset management, capital project coordination, programme development for community services, and policy or planning positions within local government agencies or regional park systems. The practical skills and applied research element of the programme also prepare graduates for leadership positions and for progression to doctoral study in related fields.

Why study at Florida International University

Florida International University offers the programme from an urban campus in Miami, providing strong advantages for parks and leisure professionals. The region’s subtropical climate, diverse communities and active tourism economy create a living laboratory for studying outdoor recreation, landscape resilience and facility operations in a high-use environment.

Students benefit from FIU’s established partnerships with municipal parks departments, county and regional recreation agencies, and private leisure organisations, which support practicum placements, internships and applied research opportunities. The university’s faculty bring a mix of academic research and practitioner experience, and the curriculum emphasises hands-on learning, community engagement and sustainable facility practices relevant to contemporary challenges in parks and leisure management.