Recreation Management & Recreational Therapy

As part of our national accreditation with COAPRT, we assess learning outcomes on four primary standards, identified as the “7.0 Series Standards”.  Below are the details of each standard along with the methods by which we assess the standards and current result.

 Outdoor, Recreation, Tourism and Event Management

7.01  Students graduating from the program shall demonstrate the following entry-level knowledge:  a) the nature and scope of the relevant park, recreation, tourism or related professions and their associated industries; b) techniques and processes used by professionals and workers in these industries; and c) the foundation of the profession in history, science and philosophy.

1) REC 325 (Leisure in a Diverse Society). This course requires students to demonstrate an understanding of ability to recognize stereotypes and prejudice affecting leisure experiences and leisure services delivery (7.01a). The summative exam is used as a direct measure of student learning and the goal is for 90% of students to achieve 70% or better on the exam.
SP24   100% achieved 70% or better

2) REC 390 (Principles of Management in Recreation). This course requires students to demonstrate an understanding of techniques used in managing human resources (7.01b). Students complete a summative project illustrating how to implement 7.01b techniques in the context of a leisure related agency. The goal is for 90% of students to achieve 70% or better on the project.
FA23  76% of students achieved 70% or better on the project
SP24  80% of students achieved 70% or better on the project

3)  REC 150 (Leisure, Quality of Life, and Well-Being).  This course includes a stand-alone unit where students learn the philosophical foundations of leisure and the history and development of recreation [7.01(c)].  The summative unit exam is used as a direct measure of student learning and the goal is for 80% of students to achieve a 70% or better on the exam.
FA23:  99.5% of students achieved 70% or better
SP20  98.9% of students achieved 70% or better

Standard 7.02  Students graduating from the program shall be able to demonstrate the ability to a) design, b) implement, and c) evaluate services that facilitate targeted human experiences and that embrace personal and cultural dimensions of diversity.

1)  REC 301 (Recreation Programming). This course assesses students' abilities to: a) articulate a process for developing appropriate, purposeful, and meaningful goals and objects for recreation programs and events; b) critically discuss and describe fundamental components of program/event design, implementation, and evaluation; c) identify trends pertinent to the development of innovative programs and events; and d) design & implement a recreation program/event in conjunction with a community partner to meet programmatic goals, objectives, and outcomes. (7.02a & 7.02d) The goal is for 95% of students to achieve 70% or better on the Individual Program Plan Project.
FA23 100% of students achieved 70% or better on the Individual Program Plan Project
SP24 100% of students achieved 70% or better on the Individual Program Plan Project

2)  REC 340 (Evaluation Methods & Practices) This course assesses students’ abilities to: 1) write properly worded mail & phone survey questions; b) describe the proper steps used to complete surveys; c) use basic statistical applications to interpret data; and d) write a survey report with findings & recommendations [7.02(a), 7.02(b), & 7.02(c)].  The summative Final Research Presentation is the direct measure with a goal of 90% of students achieving 70% or better.
FA23  100% of students achieved 70% or better Final Research Report
SP24  66.7% of students achieved 70% or better

7.03  Students graduating from the program shall be able to demonstrate entry-level knowledge about operations and strategic management/administration in parks, recreation, tourism and/or related professions.

REC 400 (Planning for Park and Recreation Facilities). Students successfully completing this course will have the following competencies:
1. Assess and implement relevant federal, state and local statutes specific to a park and recreation comprehensive plan;
2. Organize and engage citizenry in the park and recreation planning process; and,
3. Analyze par and recreation facility plans for effectiveness.
These outcomes are assessed by the summative scores on a semester long planning project and through the formative score on the sub-component of the project called Inventory & Analysis (Direct Measure). The goal is for 80% of students to achieve 70% or better on the final semester project.
FA23    100% of students achieved 70% or better

REC 317 (Experiential Facilitation in Recreation). Students successfully completing this course will have the following competencies:
1. Be able to facilitate recreation programs following industry-based best practices.
2.  Effectively sequence group work experiences including choosing appropriate icebreakers and initiatives that effectively meet the goals of the experience;
3. Demonstrate knowledge of group processing theories, models and techniques;
4. Identify and effectively manage various stages of group development; and
5. Manage the unique dynamics of the groups the facilitate.
These outcomes are assessed by the Facilitation Self Evaluation (Indirect Measure). The goal is for 90% of students to achieve 75% or better on the Facilitation Self Evaluation.
FA23  100% of students achieved 75% or better
SP24  92% of students achieved 75% or better

7.04  Students graduating from the program shall demonstrate, through a comprehensive internship of not less than 400 clock hours and no fewer than 10 weeks, the potential to succeed as professionals at supervisory or higher levels in park, recreation, tourism, or related organizations. 

Method by which the learning outcomes for Standard 7.04 are assessed:

1)      Each intern receives a final evaluation from his/her internship supervisor.  The intern is evaluated on performance, knowledge, attitude, and behavior based, plus a composite final evaluation score from one to five is given based on the overall qualitative and quantitative feedback provided throughout the evaluation. The evaluation is shared with the intern along with an in-depth discussion as to how the intern may improve his/her performance.

FA23  100% achieved 70% or better on Internship Supervisor Evaluation
SP24 100% achieved 70% or better on Internship Supervisor Evaluation

Recreational Therapy

COAPRT 7.01 Students graduating from the program shall demonstrate the following entry-level knowledge: a) the nature and scope of the relevant park, recreation, tourism or related professions and their associated industries; b) techniques and processes used by professionals and workers in these industries; and c) the foundation of the profession in history, science, and philosophy.

7.01 A The student graduating from the program shall demonstrate entry-level knowledge of the scope and practice of therapeutic recreation.

7.01 B Students graduating from the program shall demonstrate entry-level knowledge of the techniques and processes. (Use best professional practices based on theoretical, philosophical, and scientific foundations of the field of the therapeutic recreation profession in decision-making).

7.01 C Student graduating from the program shall demonstrate entry-level knowledge of the historical, philosophical, theoretical and scientific foundation of the therapeutic recreation profession.

 COAPRT 7.02 Students graduating from the program shall demonstrate the ability to design, implement, and evaluate services that facilitate targeted human experiences and that embrace personal and cultural dimensions of diversity.            

Assessment is our first component of providing target outcomes relative to recreational therapy and includes the following:
1.Ability to explain the purpose, nature, and scope of assessments,
2. Ability to identify & implement multiple assessment types in therapeutic recreation,
3. Ability to engage in appropriate procedural assessment steps,
4. Ability to apply regulatory standards to assessments,
5. Ability to administer score, and interpret therapeutic recreation assessments,
6. Ability to use, score, and interpret FIM and MDS 3.0 assessments.

Planning & documentation of TR interventions is our second component of providing target outcomes relative to recreational therapy and includes the following:
1. Ability to apply principles of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy as part of facilitating leisure education interventions.

Developing, implementing, and evaluating program designs for divers clientele, settings, cultures, and contexts is our third component of providing designs for diverse clientele, settings, cultures, and contexts is our third component of providing target outcomes relative to recreational therapy and includes the following:
1. Ability to understand principles and procedures associated with Therapeutic Recreation program design,
2. Ability to apply knowledge of comprehensive and specific program planning by designing and presenting programs,
3. Ability to formulate goals and objectives that target needs and strengths of potential clients,
4. Ability to evaluate programs to improve services/programs and show accountability.

7.02 Assessment

7.02 B  Planning and Documentation.

 7.02 C  Developing, Implementing, & Evaluating Program Designs

COAPRT 7.03 Students graduating from the program shall be able to demonstrate entry-level knowledge about operations and strategic management/administration in parks, recreation, tourism and/or related professions.

Human resources supervision is our first component of management and administration and includes the following:
1. Ability to understand and comply with the health and human service standards and regulations,
2. Ability to write operational and program plans consistent with the agency mission,
3. Ability to recruit, train, educate, clinically supervise, and evaluate staff,
4. Ability to provide staff development and mentorship,
5. Ability to develop, implement, and maintain an internship program including intern supervision

Fiscal management is our second component of management and administration and includes the following:
1. Ability to identify and accurately determine relevant project costs connected to inclusive recreation programming,
2. Ability to synthesize, analyze, and evaluate grant proposals through written communication.

Leadership is our third component of management and administration and includes the following:
1. Knowledge of the basic principles of leadership and group dynamics, and helping/counseling used in therapeutic recreation including theoretical approaches,
2. Skills in designing facilitating, and processing (debriefing for insight) a modality or facilitation technique for a designated group of participants with a particular disabling condition (i.e. adventure therapy as intervention for people with brain injury),
3. Knowledge of the basic principles of leadership and group

7.03 A Human Resources

7.03 B  Fiscal Management

COAPRT  7.04   Students graduating from the program shall demonstrate, through a comprehensive internship of not less than 400 clock hours, the ability to use diverse, structured ways of thinking to solve problems related to different facets of professional practice, engage in advocacy, and stimulate innovation.

7.04 A Students graduating from the program shall demonstrate a readiness for the internship as determine by meeting criteria set by the program (e.g. field work, competency testing, GPA in core coursework, basic certification in first aid/CPR, other dispositions or candidacy).

7.04 B Students graduating from the program shall demonstrate, through a comprehensive and culminating internship, the ability to apply the TR process, use diverse, structured ways of thinking to solve problems related to different facets of professional practice, engage in advocacy, and stimulate innovation. The internship must meeting current professional standards for credentialing with the state, national/ International credentialing bodies.