RTNL Programs
Helping people live healthy and meaningful lives
The Department of Health, Recreation & Community Services offers an undergraduate major and minor in recreation, tourism and nonprofit leadership (RTNL). This program prepares you to meet human, community and social needs in public and nonprofit agencies.
Our department also offer two graduate degrees:
- Recreation, Tourism and Nonprofit Leadership, MA
- Philanthropy/Nonprofit Development, MA (interdisciplinary)
In addition, RTNL offers four certificates and contributes to an interdisciplinary BA in environmental resource management.
Both the MA in philanthropy/nonprofit development and the EdD program are offered online through Online & Distance Education.
Recreation, Tourism & Nonprofit Leadership
Become an effective leader in various community and nonprofit settings. The RTNL degree gives you many career options. Through hands-on learning, practical skill development, and extra-curricular activities, you will be prepared to lead in community recreation, nonprofit administration, tourism, or youth development.
Master's Programs
Recreation, Tourism and Nonprofit Leadership MA
This program prepares you for leadership roles in various settings, including youth services, campus or community recreation, outdoor leadership, tourism and nonprofit management. Take an active role in determining your personal learning objectives and develop your programs of study to take your career to the next level. Coordinator: Chris Kowalski
Philanthropy/Nonprofit Development MA (Online)
As a nonprofit professional with three to five years of experience, this flexible, online program lets you develop your professional skills and knowledge in areas such as ethical policy and scholarly research, theories and models related to the nonprofit world--such as grant writing, donor relations, advocacy and accountability. Coordinator: Julianne Gassman
Renowned Facilities
A fit environment to grow
As a recreational, tourism and nonprofit leadership student, you will spend much of your time in the nationally award-winning Wellness and Recreation Center (WRC). The multi-purpose space includes:
- Dance and movement studios, racquetball courts, jogging track, fitness area, climbing wall
- Leisure and instructional pools
- Seminar/classroom space; computer instructional laboratory, student computer center
- Wellness resources laboratory
- Elinor A. Crawford and William R. Thrall Hall of Excellence
The WRC also provides easy access to the UNI-Dome and other athletic facilities and fields nearby.
On campus and beyond
Extending education and activity outdoors is part of the world of a recreation, tourism and nonprofit leadership major. At UNI, you have access to:
- UNI athletic fields (football, softball, rugby, ultimate frisbee, soccer)
- Trails – on and off campus
- An on-campus pond for kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding – with trails weaving through the surrounding prairie
- Tallgrass Prairie Center
- Community facilities and parks, including the new whitewater park on the Cedar River in downtown Cedar Falls
In addition, through RTNL Outdoor Adventures, you can participate in – or help lead – trips regionally and beyond. Recent ventures: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Lake Superior and the Grand Canyon!
A fit environment to grow
As a recreational, tourism and nonprofit leadership student, you will spend much of your time in the nationally award-winning Wellness and Recreation Center (WRC). The multi-purpose space includes:
- Dance and movement studios, racquetball courts, jogging track, fitness area, climbing wall
- Leisure and instructional pools
- Seminar/classroom space; computer instructional laboratory, student computer center
- Wellness resources laboratory
- Elinor A. Crawford and William R. Thrall Hall of Excellence
The WRC also provides easy access to the UNI-Dome and other athletic facilities and fields nearby.
On campus and beyond
Extending education and activity outdoors is part of the world of a recreation, tourism and nonprofit leadership major. At UNI, you have access to:
- UNI athletic fields (football, softball, rugby, ultimate frisbee, soccer)
- Trails – on and off campus
- An on-campus pond for kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding – with trails weaving through the surrounding prairie
- Tallgrass Prairie Center
- Community facilities and parks, including the new whitewater park on the Cedar River in downtown Cedar Falls
In addition, through RTNL Outdoor Adventures, you can participate in – or help lead – trips regionally and beyond. Recent ventures: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Lake Superior and the Grand Canyon!