Program Overview
The Recreation Leadership program at York College of Pennsylvania offers three emphasis areas: Outdoor Leadership, Youth and Family Recreation, and Recreational Therapy. Accredited by COAPRT, the program prepares graduates for entry-level careers in recreation occupations, with a focus on leadership skills and technical proficiency. Graduates are eligible for certification in their emphasis area and have a high employment rate in the field.
Program Outline
- York College of Pennsylvania
Degree Overview
Overview:
The Bachelor of Science Degree in Recreation is accredited by the National Recreation and Park Association Council on Accreditation for Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT). COAPRT is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Program Objectives:
- Graduates will possess the knowledge of recreation leadership needed to successfully pursue graduate education in the field.
- Graduates will possess the technical, conceptual, and interpersonal skills required for entry-level professional careers in recreation occupations.
- Graduates will be able to utilize their degree to obtain the appropriate certification for their emphasis area within the recreation field.
- Graduates will demonstrate leadership skills required for successful career advancement in recreation occupations.
Description:
The Recreation Leadership program offers three areas of emphasis:
- Outdoor Leadership: Prepares students to work in outdoor settings with agencies that offer services including outdoor leadership, adventure programming, and ropes course facilitation.
- Youth and Family Recreation: Prepares students for careers working with youth and families in various settings, including federal, state, and local public recreation and park agencies, private and voluntary agencies, youth development-focused agencies, armed forces, industrial recreation, commercial recreation, church recreation, and travel and tourism.
- Recreational Therapy: Prepares students for careers in healthcare and human service programs that serve individuals with disabilities. Graduates with this emphasis are eligible to take the examination for certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) from the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC).
Outline
Program Content:
The program consists of 120 credits, including:
- Required Major Courses (26 credits): Recreation and Leisure in Modern Society, Leadership and Group Dynamics, Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation, Recreation Programming, Field Experience Preparation and Professional Development, Experiential Learning in Recreation, Community and Therapeutic Recreation Administration, Seminar in Recreation and Leisure, Introduction to Sociology.
- Emphasis Specific Courses (33 credits): Each emphasis has its own set of required courses.
- General Education Requirements (39 credits): First-Year Seminar, Foundations, Disciplinary Perspectives, Constellation.
- Electives (19 credits): Students can choose electives to personalize their program and pursue specific interests.
Program Structure:
The program is typically completed in four years, with eight semesters of coursework. Students typically take 15-16 credits per semester.
Course Schedule:
The program offers a variety of courses, with some offered every semester and others offered on a rotating basis.
Modules:
- Outdoor Leadership: Foundations of Outdoor Leadership, Wilderness First Responder, Outdoor/Adventure Leadership Programming, Ropes Course Facilitation, Outdoor Expedition Leadership, Directed Field Experience in Community Recreation and Leisure.
- Youth and Family Recreation: Applied Youth Development, Organizing Community Recreation, Management of Recreation and Park Facilities, Directed Field Experience in Community Recreation and Leisure.
- Recreational Therapy: Leadership in Therapeutic Recreation, Organizing Therapeutic Recreation, Clinical Applications in Therapeutic Recreation, Medical Conditions and the Impact on Therapeutic Recreation, Therapeutic Recreation and Aging, Directed Field Experience in Therapeutic Recreation and Leisure.
Module Descriptions:
- Outdoor Leadership: These modules provide students with the knowledge and skills to work in outdoor settings, including leading groups, planning and implementing programs, and facilitating ropes courses.
- Youth and Family Recreation: These modules prepare students to work with youth and families in various settings, including developing and implementing programs, managing facilities, and supervising staff.
- Recreational Therapy: These modules focus on the use of recreation to improve the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional well-being of individuals with disabilities.
Assessment
Assessment Methods:
- Coursework: Students are assessed through a variety of methods in their coursework, including exams, quizzes, papers, and presentations.
- Fieldwork: Students complete fieldwork experiences in their chosen emphasis area, which are assessed by faculty supervisors.
- Standardized Tests: Students in the Recreational Therapy emphasis may choose to take the exam for certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS).
Assessment Criteria:
Students are assessed on their knowledge, skills, and abilities in the following areas:
- Content knowledge: Students should demonstrate a strong understanding of the concepts and theories related to recreation and leisure.
- Technical skills: Students should be able to apply their knowledge to real-world situations, such as planning and implementing programs, leading groups, and managing facilities.
- Interpersonal skills: Students should be able to communicate effectively, work collaboratively, and build relationships with others.
- Professionalism: Students should demonstrate professional behavior, including ethical conduct, responsibility, and accountability.
Teaching
Teaching Methods:
The program uses a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, discussions, simulations, case studies, and field experiences.
Faculty:
The program has a dedicated faculty with expertise in recreation and leisure, outdoor leadership, youth development, and therapeutic recreation. The faculty are committed to providing students with a high-quality education and preparing them for successful careers in the field.
Unique Approaches:
The program offers several unique approaches, including:
- Fieldwork experiences: All students complete fieldwork experiences in their chosen emphasis area, which allows them to apply their classroom learning to real-world situations.
- Emphasis options: Students can choose from three different emphasis areas, which allows them to tailor their program to their interests and career goals.
- Accreditation: The program is accredited by the National Recreation and Park Association Council on Accreditation for Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT).
Careers
Career Paths:
Graduates of the Recreation Leadership program can pursue careers in a variety of settings, including:
- Outdoor recreation: Park ranger, camp counselor, outdoor adventure guide, ropes course facilitator.
- Youth and family recreation: Youth program director, after-school program coordinator, camp counselor, recreation therapist.
- Therapeutic recreation: Recreational therapist, activity director, program coordinator, case manager.
- Other: Event planner, sports coach, fitness instructor, health educator.
Career Opportunities:
The program prepares graduates for a wide range of career opportunities in the recreation and leisure field. Graduates are qualified to work in entry-level positions and have the potential to advance to leadership roles.
Career Outcomes:
Graduates of the Recreation Leadership program have a high rate of employment in the field. According to a recent survey, 95% of graduates are employed in recreation and leisure-related jobs within six months of graduation.
Other
Certification:
Graduates of the Recreational Therapy emphasis are eligible to take the exam for certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) from the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC).
Professional Organizations:
Graduates can join professional organizations such as the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA), and the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society (PRPS).
