The purpose of this paper is to give an overview of recreation and parks professional preparation programs in higher education. This paper will (a) help to understand the framework of recreation and parks professional preparation programs, (b) discuss the factors which influence the professional preparation outcomes, and (c) help to identify future research needs. The discussion is based on the framework for studying professional preparation programs by Stack, et al. (1986). The key element of the framework for studying recreation and parks professional preparation programs is the recreation and parks professional preparation environment which was the product of external, internal and intra-organizational influences. The recreation and parks professional preparation environment influences the design of education process. which intends to achieve recreation and parks professional preparation outcomes.