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/Recreational Therapy - For students seeking a career as a recreational therapist or a related profession in the allied health field. 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, 9 credit hours of major core, 51 credit hours of specialization area, and 21 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, and REC 305 more than two times without faculty consent. Majors will take at least 6 credit hours of internship. 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/Equine Studies, Studio Art, Environmental Studies, Healthcare Management, Horticulture, Hospitality Tourism Event Management, Long Term Care Administration, Psychology, and Rehabilitation Services.

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

Degree RequirementsCredit Hours

University Core Curriculum Requirements

1 		39
REC Core Requirements 9

One specialization:

Recreation Management and Outdoor Leadership – OR -

Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy

 51
Electives 21
Total 120

1 To include PSYC 102. AH 241 is required for the Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy specialization.

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

Degree RequirementsCredit Hours
REC 302, REC 303, REC 365, REC 465 12
REC 306 or REC 307 3
REC 491 6
REC Courses with a minimum of 15 credit hours at 300-level or higher 30
Total 51

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

Degree RequirementsCredit Hours
AH 241 (as part of UCC) (3)
REC 404, REC 405, REC 406, REC 407, REC 460, REC 461 18
REC 493 6
AH 105, KIN 313, KIN 321, REHB 205 11
KIN 300 or PTH 207 3
PH 311 or PSYC 250 3
PSYC 331 and one of: PSYC 302, PSYC 309, PSYC 310 6
REC Electives 4
Total 51

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 Professions is open to all majors. With completion of 15 credit hours in approved courses, students earn a minor in Recreation Leadership. The coursework consists of 15 credit hours from a combination of the Recreation Profession core courses and the REC 200-level activity courses. Students will enroll in REC 300 Introduction to Recreation, REC 301 Leadership in Recreation and choose one course from REC 302 Program Design and Evaluation, REC 303 Inclusive Recreation or REC 330 Outdoor Recreation. The remaining six credit hours will be chosen from an area of interest in outdoor recreation, recreational therapy or recreation administration selected from the REC 200-level courses.

Recreation Leadership Minor Course Requirements- 15 credit hours:

REC 300 Introduction to Recreation
REC 301 Leadership in Recreation
REC 302 Program Design and Evaluations, REC 303 Inclusive Recreation or REC 330 Outdoor Recreation
Select 6 credit hours from: REC 200-level courses