Recreation Professions Requirements

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Students majoring in Recreation Professions will choose one of the following specializations:

  • Recreation Management & Outdoor Leadership - For students seeking a career in outdoor education, municipal parks and recreation, commercial recreation and tourism, campus recreation, community or nonprofit recreation agencies, camp management, and expedition/trip-based programs.
  • Therapeutic Recreation/Recreation Therapy - For students seeking a career as a recreational therapist or a related profession in the allied health field. This specialization is also suitable for students seeking graduate degrees in related fields such as occupational therapy and rehabilitation. Recreation therapy employment settings include adaptive sports centers, behavioral health centers, geriatric services, physical medicine/rehab, and community special recreation. Students are eligible to apply for the Recreational Therapist/CTRS exam from NCTRC upon completion of the degree requirements.

Students majoring in recreation professions are required to complete 39 credit hours of University Core Curriculum courses, 65 credit hours of one REC Specialization Area listed above, and 16 credit hours of electives. A grade of ‘C’ or better is required in all Recreation prefix required courses. Students may not enroll in REC 300, REC 301, REC 303, REC 304, REC 305, REC 306, and REC 330 more than two times without faculty consent. Majors will take 12 credit hours of internship upon the completion of all other coursework. The internship can be completed in fall, spring, or summer semesters. In order to be admitted to internship courses, students must have a grade point average of 2.50 and the consent of the instructor.

Students majoring in recreation professions can use their elective hours to complete a minor. Suggested minors include, but are not limited to: Animal Science, Studio Art, Environmental Studies, Healthcare Management, Horticulture, Hospitality Tourism, & Event Management, Long Term Care Administration, and Psychology.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Recreation Professions Degree Requirements

Degree RequirementsCredit Hours
University Core Curriculum Requirements 39
REC Core Requirements 1 9

One specialization:

Recreation Management and Outdoor Leadership – OR - Therapeutic Recreation/Recreation Therapy

 65
Electives 16
Total 120

1 Therapeutic Recreation/Recreation Therapy specialization

B.S. Recreation Professions - Recreation Management and Outdoor Leadership Specialization Degree Requirements

Degree RequirementsCredit Hours

Foundational Classes: REC 300, REC 301, REC 303, REC 304, REC 305, REC 306, REC 330

 21

REC 302, REC 307, REC 365, REC 425, REC 465, REC 491

 27

At least 1 of the following: REC 332, REC 401, REC 432, REC 433, or REC 445

 3

Other courses with a REC prefix, KIN prefix, or FOR prefix at 300-level or higher

Recommended courses include: REC 404, REC 431, REC 466, REC 467, REC 468, FOR 423, KIN 260, KIN 367, KIN 416

 14
Total 65

B.S. Recreation Professions - Therapeutic Recreation/Recreation Therapy Specialization Degree Requirements

Degree RequirementsCredit Hours

Foundational Classes: REC 300, REC 301, REC 303, REC 304, REC 305, REC 306, REC 330

 21

Recreation Therapy Courses:

REC 404, REC 405, REC 406, REC 407, REC 460, REC 461, REC 493

 30

Additional Requirements:

AH 105, AH 241, KIN 402, PSYC 331, PH 311 or PSYC 250

 14
Total 65

Recreation Leadership Minor

The Recreation Leadership Minor is designed to provide knowledge in the core competencies of Recreation Professions. The coursework develops students’ understanding of the basic concepts, theories and fundamentals in the Recreation Profession and have the ability to demonstrate basic skill level in selected recreation activities. Students earning the minor will be competent in implementing programming of recreational programs for various populations.

The minor in Recreation Leadership is open to all majors. A minor is earned upon completion of 15 credit hours in approved courses. Students will enroll in REC 300 Recreation in Society, REC 301 Leadership in Recreation, REC 302 Program Design and Evaluation and choose one course from REC 303 Inclusive Recreation, REC 304 Therapeutic Recreation or REC 330 Outdoor Recreation. The remaining three credit hours consist of experiential field-based activities. Students may choose to take multiple REC 200-level activity courses or the requirement may be fulfilled by taking REC 306 Fieldwork or REC 332 Introduction to Outdoor Leadership.

Recreation Leadership Minor Course Requirements- 15 credit hours:

  • REC 300 Recreation in Society
  • REC 301 Leadership in Recreation
  • REC 302 Program Design and Evaluation
  • One of the following: REC 303 Inclusive Recreation, REC 304 Therapeutic Recreation or REC 330 Outdoor Recreation
  • REC 332 OR Rec 306 OR 3 Credit Hours of REC 200-level courses