The Recreation and Tourism Studies (RTS) Program believes that significant individual and societal benefits are derived from tourism and recreation. Thus, the mission of the RTS Program is to promote enhanced quality of life through recreation and tourism for the people of North Dakota and beyond. The RTS Program works toward its mission through the professional preparation of students for careers in recreation tourism; developing students' theoretical bases of knowledge and analytical skills; contributing to society and the profession through research and other scholarly activity; providing leadership and technical assistance to local and regional organizations; and being actively involved in community and professional organizations on the state, regional, and national levels.

The recreation and tourism industry is a growing and dynamic segment of society with lots of people-centered job opportunities. Tourism is the largest industry in the world and the second largest in both North Dakota and Minnesota. Nationwide, the U.S. Department of Labor has predicted 500,000 new jobs in the recreation industry in this decade. The RTS program prepares students for the recreation and tourism industry in our region, nationwide, or wherever in the world their interests take them.