Six Flags Resort and Attraction Management
BGSU has partnered with Six Flags Entertainment Corporation to offer the only Bachelor of Science in resort and attraction management (RAAM). This innovative partnership provides graduates with leadership opportunities in the resort and attraction management industry.
Junior and senior classes are taught at an academic facility near Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio. The RAAM program can also be completed fully online.
To learn more, contact the Professor and Founding Director, Dr. Swathi Ravichandran at 419-372-0733 or rswathi@bgsu.edu.
Why study Resort and Attraction Management at BGSU in Ohio?
- Get ready for hands-on learning with guaranteed, paid and customizable co-ops in more than 20 different departments at Six Flags parks.
- Take advantage of nearly $170,000 in annual scholarships exclusively for RAAM students from BGSU and Six Flags.
- Your dream degree, your way, study in-person or online, and enjoy the flexibility to balance your academic and professional commitments.
- Immerse yourself in a unique academic calendar that allows you to spend six months in the field and six months in the classroom.
- Join a close-knit cohort of like-minded students and enjoy pre-scheduled course offerings that help you build a strong peer network.
- Prepare for your future with extensive certification, professional development and networking opportunities with resort and attraction industry leaders.
- Take your studies overseas with a study abroad program in England and France, where you will explore iconic attractions, meet industry leaders and broaden your horizons
- With the BGSU RAAM program, this is your chance to make memories that will last a lifetime!
Scholarships
Let us help finance the ride of your life! Students enrolling in the RAAM program can earn a full-tuition, two-year scholarship (general fees and nonresident fees excluded) with a 2.5 college GPA.
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation scholarships for RAAM students
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation offers annual scholarships for RAAM students, amounting to $45,000 in total. To be eligible for these scholarships, students must be currently enrolled in the RAAM program. Preference will be given to those who have worked at a Six Flags Entertainment Corporation park within the last 12 months. There are thirty scholarships available, each valued at $1,500. The Erie County Community Foundation is responsible for administering these scholarships. Eligible students are encouraged to apply each year. Deadline to apply is September 30.
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation Resort and Attraction Management Scholarship
Let us help finance the ride of your life! Full-time students enrolling in the in-person RAAM program are eligible to apply for a two-year scholarship (general fees and nonresident fees excluded) with a 2.5 college GPA. There is no financial need requirement. Apply for the RAAM scholarship online annually. Deadline to apply is May 15.
More Scholarship Opportunities
While housed near Cedar Point, America's Roller Coast, in Sandusky, Ohio, the RAAM program is a degree program of the BGSU Main Campus with Firelands College as its academic home. Tuition and fees are therefore based on Main Campus rates. Students have the flexibility to complete the general education requirements during the first two years at either the main or Huron campus. Please visit the Bursar’s website for information about tuition and fees for the RAAM program, for both the in-person and distance learning options.
The Falcon Tuition Guarantee for the in-person degree
With the Falcon Tuition Guarantee, you know from the start how much your education will cost. Your tuition rate will stay the same from your first year to graduation.*
We know paying for college is a big investment. That is why BGSU is offering tuition protection with the Falcon Tuition Guarantee. It’s just another way we’re keeping costs down and quality high so you’ll have access to a life-changing education.
*Maximum four-academic year period is guaranteed.
Enroll in courses like
- Lodging Operations for Resorts and Attractions
- Marketing, Advertising, and Social Media
- Merchandise and Gaming Management
- Entertainment and Event Management
- Leadership and Strategic Management
- Human Resources Management
- Risk Management and Safety
We are excited to announce that the RAAM program is now available fully online in addition to our in-person offering, giving students the freedom and flexibility to design their educational experience.
Whether you are place-bound for personal or professional reasons and are interested in pursuing a degree in resort and attraction management, the online RAAM degree is for you! The fully online RAAM program is designed for those who have worked or are currently working in the resort or attraction (or related) industry. All courses required for the RAAM program can be completed fully online, regardless of where you are. The online program adopts BGSU’s distance learning tuition and fee structure making the RAAM program not just accessible but also affordable.
For more information on tuition and fees associated with completing the program fully online, please refer to the distance/eCampus and Firelands distance/eCampus tuition and fees.
The business of fun
The Six Flags resort and attraction management program includes four, 10-week semesters of classroom instruction in amusement park management and two full-time guaranteed, paid co-op experiences at one of Six Flags themed parks in North America or a similar establishment.
Coursework focuses on preparing students for management careers in the resort and attraction management industry. Whatever your interest in theme park management, you will have a chance to learn from leading industry professionals and put your learning to use in the field.
Students are required to complete two paid customizable co-ops at one of the Six Flags parks or another similar establishment, a key element in developing career-ready graduates. These co-ops can be completed in various areas of amusement park management, including park operations, resort management, food and beverage management, merchandising, safety, security and product development. Support functions including marketing, finance, information technology and human resources may also be incorporated into the experience.
This pioneering partnership prepares students to graduate with relevant professional experience, strong theoretical knowledge and practical knowledge of the resort and attraction management industry.
BGSU and Six Flags Partnership
Bowling Green State University is your classroom and Six Flags Parks are your laboratory. Guaranteed paid co-ops (in-the-field experiences) opportunities are included in this degree. Six Flags – the parent company of Cedar Point – is widely recognized as an industry leader in a sector set for rapid growth.
This one-of-a-kind partnership provides a leadership path in the resort and attraction management industry with skills guaranteed to be career-relevant. In this innovative public-private partnership, theory and practice are integrated into a curriculum co-designed by faculty and industry leaders to deliver a program that combines teaching, research, scholarship and industry experience.
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Guaranteed paid co-ops (in-the-field experiences)
As a key part of the BGSU Six Flags resort and attraction management degree program, students will be required to complete two guaranteed paid co-ops at one of the Six Flags amusement and theme parks across the U.S. and abroad or another similar establishment.
- California’s Great America, Santa Clara, California
- Canada’s Wonderland, Vaughan, Ontario
- Carowinds, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio
- Dorney Park, Allentown, Pennsylvania
- Kings Dominion, Doswell, Virgnia
- Kings Island, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park, California
- Michigan’s Adventure, Muskegon, Michigan
- Schlitterbahn, Galveston, Texas
- Schlitterbahn, New Braunfels, Texas
- Valleyfair, Shakopee, Minnesota
- Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun, Kansas City, Missouri
Career - what can you do with a resort and attraction management degree?
Exploring the exciting possibilities of your future career is a thrilling and rewarding adventure. As a BGSU RAAM alumnus, you have access to a vast network of successful professionals who are making a difference in the world. It's inspiring to know that many of our alumni are working for top-tier companies, using their skills and knowledge to excel in a variety of exciting roles.
You will find BGSU RAAM alumni working at the following companies and more:
Career paths
- Theme park leadership
- Resort management
- Food and beverage management
- Guest service management
- Human resources management
- Marketing and social media
- Event management and group sales
- Safety and security management
- Theme park and rides maintenance
- Live entertainment and attractions technology
Quick Facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
BGSU is the only university in Ohio and one of just nine in the nation to earn the Quality Matters Online Learner Support certificate for all of our seven-week online programs. The certificate recognizes that our programs provide the critical services needed for student success and that we use student feedback to continuously improve those services.
Living in Sandusky
Falcon Point Lofts occupies the four upper floors of the academic facility in downtown Sandusky, offers off-campus housing not affiliated with BGSU. For leasing information, call 419-366-1316. Downtown Sandusky offers a variety of entertainment and recreation venues along the shores of Lake Erie. Whether you’re interested in lake activities, sporting events, fine dining or shopping. Students can also enjoy free transportation through the City of Sandusky Transit System (STS), with a bus stop conveniently located just outside the academic space.
Photo by Joey Cassel via New Departure Films
Study abroad with RAAM
The RAAM program offers a spring study abroad opportunity for all BGSU undergraduate majors who want to analyze global, real-world business challenges and opportunities of resort and attraction venues. Students can immerse themselves in cultural experiences throughout England (Birmingham and London) and France (Paris).
This exciting experience will involve evaluating the complex interrelationships and functional areas of operating resort and attraction enterprises. Students will apply strategic thinking and problem-solving skills while developing industry expertise in the context of the global arena.
Bowling Green State University is one of the most transfer-friendly universities in Ohio.
The BGSU Six Flags resort and attraction management program continually seeks aspiring leaders, with transfer students being an integral part of our campus community. If you have 12 or more credit hours from a two- or four-year college or university, we encourage you to begin your application for admission to this unique amusement park-based degree program and discover what credits will transfer.
BGSU is committed to helping you every step of the way through the transfer process. We prioritize developing clear pathways that facilitate a smooth transfer to the BGSU Six Flags resort and attraction management.
We also have academic program partnerships that will provide additional transfer options:
GSU's transfer credit agreements with Lorain County Community College, Tri-C Community College and Columbus State Community College provide you with a map to your future.
Imagine the academic program partnership agreements as your GPS. They provide you with the fastest and best route to reach the end of your educational destination. No detours, obstacles or delays, just smooth sailing, taking only the courses that satisfy the Cedar Fair resort and attraction management degree requirements from beginning to end.
Current Transfer Agreements for the BGSU Resort and Attraction Management program
Begin your Bachelor’s of Science in resort and attraction management at any one of the following schools and know your credits will transfer. Review the transfer agreements for Lorain County Community College, Tri-C Community College and Columbus State Community College.
Resort and Attraction Industry Leaders
The mission of RAIL is to enrich the learning experience and lives of students through travel, professional development, networking and educational experiences for those interested in theme park, resort and attraction management.
President, Evan Ponstingle
efponst@bgsu.edu
Co-Faculty Advisors:
Jared Hillman, Jhillma@bgsu.edu
Mary Wisnom, mwisnom@bgsu.edu
News
More news:
- BGSU RAAM hosts visit day for prospective students | Sandusky Register
- BGSU RAAM hosts job fair | Norwalk Reflector
- $45K scholarship program for BGSU resort and attraction management students | Sandusky Register
- A more powerful RAAM: BGSU program gets ready to accept international students | The Helm
- A joyful job fair | Sandusky Register
- Careers forged for BGSU RAAM students | Funworld
- IAAPA Foundation Scholarships Support Students’ Career Goals
- American Coaster Enthusiasts featuring Swathi Ravichandran | ACE
- BGSU students decorate for fine dining | Sandusky Register
- Career fair draws more than 100 at BGSU | Norwalk Reflector
- LA Times. The up-and-down story of trampoline parks
- Attractions leaders share their experiences collaborating with students and universities
- Việt Nam turns attention to training human resources for tourism
- BGSU partners for degree opportunity
Updated: 10/29/2024 09:06PM