Learn more about the Recreation
Administration program by watching our video. Adobe Flash Player must be
installed on your computer to view the video.
The
Recreation Administration Program is located in the School of Experiential
Leadership at the George Williams College on Geneva Lake and offers a
bachelors and masters degrees in Recreation Administration. The bachelor's program is nationally accredited by the National
Recreation and Park Association and the American Association of Leisure
and Recreation (NRPA/AALR).
Mission of the program: To prepare individuals to enhance the quality of human life
through effective leadership in recreation and leisure services.
Recreation Administration involves directing and managing the programs
and business operation systems of recreation and leisure settings such
as park districts, outdoor experiential education centers, state and
national parks, community recreation centers, private clubs, resorts
and youth organizations. Recreation Administration graduates manage the
$350 billion annual revenues generated by the leisure services industry
and community recreation organizations.
Recreation Administration includes solid philosophical foundations, creative
methodology, organizational leadership techniques, and effective administration
components. Students are also required to demonstrate competencies in
computer literacy and basic statistics before they complete the program.
Guided by the general mission statement of Aurora University, the Recreation
Administration Program specifically endeavors to assure that its educational
program is permeated by a philosophy that asserts the dignity and worth
of each individual, that emphasizes a trained sensitivity to human potential
and human problems, and that recognizes that effective service requires
knowledge and skill.
Student Outcomes
As a result of completing the Bachelors Degree Program in Recreation
Administration at Aurora University-George Williams College graduates
will have:
Demonstrated a core understanding of the functional skills, leadership
techniques and management styles as a generalist in recreation administration.
Developed basic programming skills in general recreation administration
and have developed a specialization in one of the following areas:
commercial recreation management, outdoor leadership, and program management.
Demonstrated clear competence in written and verbal communication
and presentation.
Demonstrated basic understanding of the major environmental
forces that affect recreation agencies, including: competitive, economic,
social/cultural diversity, technological, governmental/regulatory and
ecological conditions.
Demonstrated education and experience in the
ethical dimensions of recreation program management.
Demonstrated
appreciation of the liberal arts and sciences including the natural/physical
sciences, the humanities and social/behavioral sciences.
Demonstrated
professional and ethical behavior in recreation administration.
Undergraduate Requirements & Professional Core Courses
Undergraduate Degree Requirements for Recreation Administration Majors Total Credits Required for Bachelor of Science Degree: 120 semester hours
Required Professional Core Curriculum (47 semester hours):
REC1750 Practicum in Outdoor Living Skills
REC1760 Leisure & Society
REC2000 Introduction to Inclusive Leisure Services
REC2220 Recreation Leadership
REC2750 Professional Leadership Practicum
REC3330 Recreation Programming & Supervision
REC3750 Professional Program Practicum
REC3990 Issues and Ethics in Recreation Administration
REC4080 Leisure & Aging
REC4340 Political & Policy Implications for Recreation Administration
REC4350 Administration in Recreation & Leisure Services
REC4370 Facilities Management
REC4750 Assessment & Evaluation in Leisure Services
REC4790 Recreation Administration Internship
Support Core Courses(10-13 semester hours):
IDS1600 or a course with a multi-cultural focus with approval
from advisor
PSY3250 Lifespan Development
REC2080 First Aid/CPR/AED
or a current Red Cross Certification card
MTH2320 General Statistics
Bachelor of Science in Recreation Administration (3 Tracks) In addition to the required core curriculum, students choose one of the
specializations listed below:
Track 1: Commercial and Public Recreation Management
The Commercial and Public Recreation Management track combines the recreation
administration major with a business administration minor for the entrepreneur.
The business coursework included in this track provides background to
help create a profitable or non-for-profit enterprise to deliver leisure
services to the public. Career targets for students in this option include
amusement theme parks such as Disney World and Great America, athletic
or private country clubs, and travel and tourism agencies as well as
community park districts and recreation centers.
REC3040 Sport & Event Management
REC4100 Commercial
Recreation Management
Business Administration Minor
ACC2010 Foundations of Financial
Accounting
ACC2020 Foundations of Management Accounting
ECN2010 Foundations
of Microeconomics
ECN2020 Foundations of Macroeconomics
BUS3200 Foundations of
Management
BUS3300 Foundations of Marketing
Track 2: Outdoor Leadership
The Outdoor Leadership track provides broad preparation for outdoor
pursuits – recreation
and educational program leadership in organized camping, outdoor recreation,
outdoor education, and adventure education. Career targets for this area
include positions as national or state park rangers, camp directors,
outdoor adventure program leaders, outdoor education center program
directors, and private wilderness outfitters.
REC1060 Beginning Rock Climbing
REC1070 Elementary Backpacking
REC1080 Bicycle Touring
REC3400 Philosophy & Methods of Outdoor
Education
REC4020 Adventure Education Ethics & Methods
REC4400 Camp & Outdoor Center Administration
One approved recreation elective from the following:
REC3040 Sport & Event Management OR
REC5000 Administrative Practicum in Outdoor Experiences
Track 3: Professional
Golf Management This specialization combines the Recreation Administration
major with a Business minor and golf management leadership practicums
and internships. There is a demand for professional golf course management
professionals who have this multidisciplinary background to manage
golf course operations at park districts, public and private golf
courses, county clubs and resorts. Students will have golf management
experiences on the George Williams College of Aurora University Golf
Course as they complete their degree. The golf course was designed
in 1902 and serves youth, families, seniors and the general public
in the Lake Geneva area.
REC3040 Sport & Event Management
REC4100 Commercial
Recreation Management
Business Administration Minor
ACC2010 Foundations of
Financial Accounting
ACC2020 Foundations of Management Accounting
ECN2010 Foundations
of Microeconomics
ECN2020 Foundations of Macroeconomics
BUS3200 Foundations
of Management
BUS3300 Foundations of Marketing
Golf Management Practicums
and Internship
Available minors in the
Recreation Administration program
Minor in Recreation
Administration (18 semester hours)
Required Minor Core: 10 semester hours
REC1760 Leisure and Society (3)
REC2000 Introduction to Inclusive Leisure Services (3)
REC2220 Recreation Leadership (3)
REC2750 Professional Leadership Practicum (1)
Minor Electives: 8 semester hours
Students select 8 semester hours in Recreation Administration Program electives related to their major interest area and professional career goals with the assistance of a Recreation Administration Program advisor and their major advisor.
Minor in Hospitality
Management (18 semester hours)
Required Minor Courses: 18 semester hours
REC2000 Introduction to Inclusive Leisure Services (3 semester hours)
REC2080 First Aid/CPR (2 semester hours)
REC3330 Recreation Programming and Supervision (3 semester hours)
REC3750 Professional Program Practicum (1 semester hour)
BUS3200 Foundations of Management (3 semester hours)
COM3500 Cross Cultural Communication (3 semester hours)
REC4100 Commercial Recreation Management (3 semester hours)
Professional
Golf Management