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Course Descriptions — Master of Science in Recreation Administration

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REC5000 Administrative Practicum in Outdoor Experiences (3 semester hours)
A seven-day resident course prior to the beginning of the fall term. Organization and administrative preparation for outdoor and environmental activities and resident experiences will be covered. Students will participate as outdoor instructors in the program in areas where they have developed skills as leaders. Emphasis will be placed upon program planning and facilitation, teaching, leading, supervising, and administering activities.
Prerequisites: Special registration; ability to pass a medical examination. Additional room, board and materials fee is required.

REC5020 Adventure Education Program Administration (3 semester hours)
Students will investigate adventure education program administration. Course includes staff training methods, programming philosophy, program accreditation ethical issues, facilitation techniques, marketing, public relations and risk management.
No prerequisites.

REC5100 Commercial Recreation Management (3 semester hours)
Study of commercial recreation as a major component of the leisure service delivery system. Analysis of development potential of different types of recreation enterprises including resources, location, risks, sources of financing, pricing, managerial requirements, marketing and sources of technical assistance.
No prerequisites.

REC5420 Philosophy and Methods of Outdoor Education Programming (3 semester hours)
An investigation of effective teaching techniques and administrative programming practices for outdoor experiential education. This course will emphasize developing curricula and activities appropriate for use in extending instruction to the outdoors. The content is also beneficial to leisure professionals educating the public about the outdoor environment during their visits to nature centers and forest preserves.
No prerequisites.

REC5810 Selected Topics in Recreation and Leisure Services (3 semester hours)
A workshop or course on a special topic in recreation and leisure services.
Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor and Department Chair.

REC5830 Directed Study in Recreation and Leisure Services (3 semester hours)
Under the direction of a faculty member, the student completes an independent study of a selected topic.
Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor and Department Chair.

REC6000 Research in Recreation Administration (3 semester hours)
Students will review and utilize current research literature, methods, instrumentation, data collection and statistical analysis in Recreation Administration. This course enables students to become skilled consumers of recreation administration research.
No prerequisites.

REC6030 Leisure Philosophy and Behavior in Recreation Services (3 semester hours)
An examination of leisure, recreation, and play from philosophical, psychological, sociological and social psychology perspectives. This course explores leisure behavior utilizing theory and empirical research. Students will formulate or refine their own professional philosophy of leisure service delivery.
No prerequisites.

REC6340 Political and Policy Implications for Recreation Services (3 semester hours)
Legislative and legal aspects of recreation and leisure services. Related governmental processes at the local, state and national levels. Economic factors and forces which influence recreation planning and programming.
No prerequisites.

REC6350 Administration of Recreation and Leisure Services (3 semester hours)
Administration relations, practices, organization, supervision, financing, and budgeting in community recreation, municipal park, and other recreation agency services.
No prerequisites.

REC6370 Facilities Management (3 semester hours)
A systems approach to park and recreation facility management procedures. This approach includes scheduling, prioritizing, routine maintenance, emergency procedures, selection of supplies, equipment and materials, overall control of the maintenance process and evaluative techniques. Special attention is given to surface materials, turf management, aesthetic versus functional aspects, preventative maintenance, selection of materials for the playground equipment, safety and prevention of vandalism.
No prerequisites.

REC6400 Conference Center Administration (3 semester hours)
This online course investigates growth, significance, and current status of resident centers including camps, outdoor experiential education centers, campus recreation and conference centers. Students will investigate mission, operations, organizational systems, accreditation, marketing, staffing, public relations and funding.
Prerequisite: Access to personal computer for Moodle sessions.

REC6670 Strategic Planning for Recreation Services (3 semester hours)
Provides students with an understanding of the strategic planning process and its role in the management and administration of leisure service agencies and businesses. Students will design a strategic planning project during the course.
No prerequisites.

REC6730 Research Project Development (6 semester hours)
Students work on developing a research project. Course involves a significant overview of the research literature and a conceptual plan for a project.
Prerequisites: REC6000, REC6750 and permission of Instructor and Department Chair.

REC6740 Research Project Completion (6 semester hours)
Students implement their research project at an agency or in another setting. Course involves a significant evaluation of the project and recommendations.
Prerequisites: REC6730 and permission of Instructor and Department Chair.

REC6750 Leisure Services Administration Assessment and Evaluation (3 semester hours)
Students will investigate administrative assessment and evaluation techniques used in personnel and program reviews in leisure services. Basic statistics, evaluation tools and analysis of data collected in leisure service agencies case studies will be utilized.
No prerequisites.

REC6780 Recreation Administration Internship (12 semester hours)
Student completes a 400-640 hour internship at a professional agency in leisure and/or environmental resources setting. Consent of supervising instructor and Recreation Department Chairperson required prior to registration.

REC6990 Thesis (12 semester hours)
Students develop and conduct an original research study and complete a written thesis based on the research.
Prerequisites: REC6000, REC6750 and permission of committee and Department Chair.

Academic information on departmental websites reflects the university's most current curriculum. The print version of the catalog, which is also posted online, may differ from this information.