Certificate in Leadership and Recreation Studies
with Academic Training at Walt Disney World Resort
Emporia State University (ESU) welcomes international students to the Certificate in Leadership and Recreation Studies. The Certificate combines coursework with academic training at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Orlando, Florida. The Certificate is oriented to undergraduate students from partner universities who wish to apply leadership and recreation theories and principles in an internationally-focused work environment.
About Emporia State University
Emporia State University is located in Emporia, Kansas, between three major cities: Kansas City, Topeka, and Wichita. Emporia is a friendly campus community and enjoys four colorful seasons. The city of Emporia is an industrial, educational, commercial, and medical center serving more than 65,000 people. Students find it easy to walk or bike around the city. Downtown is within a short walk from campus with convenient shopping, banking, and dining opportunities. Emporia offers cultural, educational, and recreational facilities including two libraries, museums, a community recreation center, sports fields, golf courses and a zoo. There are scenic drives, lakes and national parks within an hour drive from the campus.
Certificate in Leadership and Recreation Studies
The Certificate in Leadership and Recreation Studies is a six-month program exclusively designed for international students from partner universities, who seek careers in the fields of tourism, hospitality management, leadership, and business. The Certificate offers a unique opportunity to learn about theory in recreational leadership and hands-on experience in one of the most famous resorts in the world. Students will be at Emporia State University for two weeks completing 3 academic credits. Students then travel to Orlando, Florida to continue with online courses taught by ESU faculty members. Simultaneously, students will start their academic training at any of the Walt Disney World resorts.
Program Dates:
July 7, 2012 to January 18, 2013
- Campus portion: July 7 - July 22
- Disney portion: July 22, 2012 - January 18, 2013
Academic Component
The program is comprised of 12 academic credits (equivalent to 24 ECTS), distributed in four courses:
- Foundations of recreational activities and outdoor pursuits (3 credits) - On campus - face-to-face instruction at Emporia State University.
- Leadership and Management of Personnel in Leisure Studies (3 credits) - At Disney - online instruction.
- Academic Training at Walt Disney World (3 credits) - supervised academic training at Disney.
- Current Development in Recreation - In collaboration with Disney (3 credits) - students choose one out of eight possible courses.
Academic Training at Disney
The six-month academic training is intended to expand students' professional skills and gain experience in one of the most visited resorts in the world. To fulfill the academic training, students will be assigned "roles." Roles are entry-level positions assigned to students enrolled in undergraduate studies. Below is a list of possible roles as part of the academic training at Disney:
- Resort Hospitality/Front-Desk
- Concierge
- Character Performance (must audition for role)
- Costuming
- Culinary
- Lifeguard
- Merchandise
- Quick-Service and Beverage
- Attraction Operation
- Main Entrance Operation
Hourly Wage &Work Schedule
Students enrolled the Certificate will earn an hourly rate of pay ranging from $7.31 - $8.55 USD, depending on the assigned role. Students will work between 30 and 37.5 hours per week with the exception of peak periods, when participants may be required to work additional hours.
Living Arrangements
During the time at Emporia State University, students will live on campus, just like any other Emporia State University student.
At Disney, students will live in apartment complexes featuring two to four bedroom apartments. All bedrooms are shared between two and six students. Housing assignments depend on a number of factors such as arrival and departure dates, gender, and age (over or under 21). There is no co-ed housing.
At Disney, students will pay for housing through payroll deduction (from your weekly check). The weekly cost, which includes all amenities (swimming pool, laundry room, gym, library, etc.), varies depending on the size and location of the apartment, and the amenities offered at the complex. Housing costs range from $82-108 USD per week.
Students must pay a non-refundable $100 Program Assessment fee (to help support the events and activities scheduled in the housing complexes throughout the program), and a minimal non-refundable processing fee to secure housing.
Program Requirements
For admission to the Certificate, students must be able to demonstrate the following qualifications:
- Successful completion of 1st (freshman) year of university or higher
- Be enrolled at an ESU partner university approved by Disney
- Home university recommendation, indicating the student is in good academic and disciplinary standing
- Be enrolled in any of the following majors: tourism, recreation, hospitality, business, management or related field of study, as approved
- Proficiency in English including reading, writing, and speaking
- Be admitted by ESU and by Disney for this program
Program Cost
The program fee of $3,800 includes the following:
- Room and board while studying at Emporia State University (two weeks)
- Academic transcript from Emporia State University for all courses completed and approved
- Textbooks and materials for ESU courses
- ESU Hospitality Program Handbook
- ESU Polo Shirt
- ESU identification card
- Air transportation to Orlando from Emporia (one-way)
- Faculty visits for ongoing academic support during the academic training
The program fee does not include the following:
- Round trip from the home country to the U.S.A
- SEVIS fee for J-1 visa ($180) and J-1 visa fee ($140)
- Mandatory health insurance ($500 app. for six months)
- $100 accommodation fee to Walt Disney Resorts
Remember: while working at Disney, you will get paid on weekly basis, which will help you cover most of your living expenses during a complete semester.
Click here to complete the application form.
For more information, please contact:
Office of International Education
Emporia State University
1200 Commercial St. Campus Box 4041
Emporia, KS 66801 USA
(620) 341-5374 Phone
(620) 341-5918 Fax
E-mail