The curriculum includes courses selected to provide an understanding of the role leisure plays in people's lives, leisure service management, and a variety of specialty areas within leisure services.
The undergraduate degree in Recreation includes:
The undergraduate curriculum is designed to prepare men and women for positions of supervision and administration in public recreation and parks, therapeutic recreation, outdoor education, camp administration, voluntary youth and adult services, travel and tourism, and commercial recreation. See Career Choices for more information on career opportunities in leisure services.
The Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies offers a program of graduate studies leading to the Master of Science degree in Recreation Administration. The program helps prepare professional personnel who can contribute to the development of a philosophy of leisure, are competent managers of private and public agencies and programs, and can accomplish the field research necessary to support current and future operations. Unusually fine opportunities exist in this area for interaction with recreation agencies of all kinds. The graduate degree, Master of Science in Recreation Administration, is 30-36 units.
The Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies offers certificate programs to enable students to focus their talents and resources on specific leisure field. Certificate programs are open to both undergraduate and graduate students.
Therapeutic recreation has been identified as one of the fastest growing fields of employment. Recreational therapists work in clinical and community settings using recreation as a tool to assist in post injury rehabilitation and to improve quality of life for people with disabilities. State and National Certification in therapeutic recreation is often required for employment in this field; the curriculum of this certificate program prepares students for the California Board of Recreation and Park Certification exam and for the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification exam. A baccalaureate degree, which may be awarded concurrently, is required for completion of this certificate program.
Nonprofit organizations require trained professionals to meet the demands of managing and administrating effective organization and programs. The Volunteer Manager must be prepared to meet the requirements of an agency, its staff and its volunteers. These create dynamic administrative challenges. This certificate program provides instruction in the staff and volunteer management, finance, legal issues, and administration. Elective courses in Business Management, Communications, Family and Consumer Sciences, Health Science, Journalism, Political Science, Social Work, and Sociology, may be applied to this certificate with apporoval by the certificate advisor. The certificate may be earned through continuing education by students not regularly enrolled at the University.
Outdoor recreation includes both the provision of recreation programs in the outdoors and the management of the parks and public lands that serve as the settings for these recreation experiences. Recreation program management and land management are distinct fields that must work cooperatively. This certificate program prepares students for careers in these interrelated fields. The curriculum includes courses selected to provide an understanding of outdoor recreation behavior, outdoor education, resource management policies, and an introductory understanding of natural science.
Travel and tourism is a very large and growing field in which there are usually many opportunities for well-trained individuals. This certificate program provides instruction in the history and theoretical bases of tourism, including its economics, psychology, and sociology as well as the political and legal aspects. The fundamentals of business, food and food service technology, the performing arts, and resource management are themes throughout the program.
Campus Recreation and Student Services are growing fields in elementary, secondary and higher education, supporting co-curricualr programs in both public and private institutions. There are numerous entry-level positions in thousands of educational institutions throughout the United States. Millions of students, faculty and staff are served in these Recreational Sport Programs nationwide.
Leisure and recreation experiences add quality and enjoyment to life. When individuals experience significant changes in their lives, often through retirement or disabling injuries, they may need counseling to identify and develop leisure skills appropriate to their new life situations. This certificate program prepares students to use counseling techniques to enhance quality of life through leisure.
Students desiring information on undergraduate or graduate degrees or certificate programs in Therapeutic Recreation, Administration of Volunteer Services, Administration of Outdoor Recreation, and Travel and Tourism should contact the department office for referral to one of the faculty advisors.
