PARKS, RECREATION,

& PLANNING

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DESIGN SPACES AND EXPERIENCES THAT INSPIRE

Parks, Recreation, and Planning programs at Northern Arizona University (NAU) prepare you to connect people with the outdoors while building stronger, healthier communities. Courses emphasize recreation leadership, conservation, sustainable tourism, and urban planning through a mix of classroom learning and hands-on fieldwork. Programs give you the chance to focus on natural resource management, tourism, and community design, and more. Internships and outdoor experiences in Arizona’s diverse landscapes give you the practical skills to lead and create spaces that enrich lives.

BACHELOR'S PROGRAMS

BS APPLIED WILDLAND FIRE SCIENCE

Gain a solid understanding of managing wildfires to ensure a sustainable future. With an online BS in Applied Wildland Fire Science, you will be equipped to tackle the escalating challenges of wildland fires. This program provides a comprehensive education that integrates ecological science, management strategies, and policy analysis, preparing you to take on advanced roles in fire management across various sectors. You’ll gain hands-on experience with tools like GIS and remote sensing and participate in fieldwork that enhances your ability to create resilient management plans that account for both ecological and social objectives. With this degree, you’ll be ready to lead in fire management, influence policies, and make a significant impact in addressing the consequences of climate change on wildfire behavior.

BS PARKS & RECREATION MANAGEMENT

Earn powerful management skills—support your community. This program will equip you with the professional skills to succeed in a wide range of parks, recreation, and tourism-related fields. As you earn applied knowledge through your combined core and emphasis or minor coursework, you’ll harness global awareness, service learning, and life-long education mindsets to connect with others and engage with your environment. Take advantage of small class sizes, high student-teacher interaction, on-site field experiences, and experiential learning opportunities to shape and pursue any goal.

UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATES

UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATE – FIRE & FOREST MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL

This degree allows you to apply for wildland firefighting jobs in federal agencies along with other state and federal natural resource-related jobs that don’t require a Bachelor of Science degree. Fulfill continuing education requirements for many natural resource management professions.

GRADUATE CERTIFICATES

GRADUATE CERTIFICATE – COMMUNITY PLANNING

Become a professional rural or urban planner. In this program, you’ll gain knowledge of the major theories, techniques, and trends associated with place and community development. Through geospatial technology analysis, you’ll be able to effectively communicate complex ideas and recommend solutions for community development and geographic inquiry.

GRADUATE CERTIFICATE – GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Turn technical data into maps. Become an expert in geographic information systems in this rigorous certificate program. Through your studies, you’ll become well-versed in cutting-edge computer technologies for map production, multi-layer modeling, and data visualization. Developing working knowledge of spatial analysis and preparing to apply your skills to real-world problems, you will build geodatabases and harness practical tools to respond to the needs of high-level tasks—from government data management and monitoring to data-driven investigation and academic research.

WHY NAU?

#1

BEST RETURN ON INVESTMENT IN ARIZONA

#1

LOWEST AVERAGE DEBT OF ANY ARIZONA PUBLIC UNIVERSITY

100%

ONLINE PROGRAMS BUILT AROUND YOU

125+

ONLINE DEGREES PROGRAMS

Ready to pursue your education online?

Explore a world of exciting programs, opportunities, and support with NAU Online.

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ACCREDITATIONS & AWARDS

Find out why Northern Arizona University has been recognized for excellence in higher education. We are proud of these prestigious awards that showcase our commitment to academic excellence, affordability, and student success.