The early recreation program at Arizona State University was developed and housed in the Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. In 1979, the program was invited to join the new College of Public Programs, where it became the Department of Leisure Studies. During the 1980s, both the tourism and nonprofit management academic areas were added to the department's traditional focus on parks and recreation. The department changed its name to the Department of Recreation Management and Tourism in 1994. In July 2004, the department was elevated to school status and renamed the School of Community Resources and Development.