Program Overview

An event and recreation management degree can be a launchpad for a dynamic career that significantly impacts economies at all levels — including yours! Events are economic powerhouses, transforming communities and boosting tourism. When a city hosts a major concert, festival or sporting event, it attracts thousands of visitors who spend money on hotels, restaurants, entertainment and more. This economic injection revitalizes local businesses, creates jobs and fosters an atmosphere full of energy. Beyond financial gains, events and recreation are platforms for cultural exchange and connection, forging lasting memories and strengthening community bonds.

Event management professionals are the architects of these experiences. By crafting events that engage all human senses, they create powerful connections between brands and consumers. These immersive encounters not only build loyalty and shape consumer preferences, they cultivate community pride and enrich lives.

What sets our event management degree apart?

Our event management degree is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism, and Related Professions (COAPRT), ensuring you receive a high-quality educational foundation within event and recreation management.

Opportunities for meeting, convention and event planners are projected to grow 8 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.1 Central Michigan's event management degree puts you on the path to seize possibilities like this—or to blaze your own path.

An event management degree from CMU prepares you for success in a wide range of roles—like organizing community festivals or planning professional events for corporations. Our graduates have also landed roles in diverse work settings—such as amusement parks, universities, entertainment venues, sports arenas, convention centers, and municipal parks and recreation departments.

Our graduates attribute their event and recreation achievements to our emphasis on providing the practical hands-on experiences employers demand. This includes a 30-week internship, offering unparalleled exposure to real-world, day-to-day event management issues and opportunities.