Program Detail

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

Recreation Management & Therapeutic Recreation

Dr. Laurie Harmon, Department Chair
Email
1725 State St
2051 Health Science Center
La Crosse, WI  54601-3374
(608) 785-8213

Accredited Programs




Recreation Management Program The Recreation Management Program at University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is the only nationally accredited recreation management program in the University of Wisconsin system. The mission is to train students in the skills of the recreation profession and instill an appreciation of the vital role of leisure in people's lives. An experiential approach to our teaching makes students uniquely competitive in the recreation job market and proves an excellent transition into the recreation profession. The program services students interested in a range of professional careers. Four emphasis areas (tourism, community-based recreation, outdoor recreation, and generalist) provide the opportunity to create a personalized program of study. Graduates find employment in government agencies, YMCAs, Boys and Girls Clubs, campus, environmental education, military bases, tourism enterprises, resorts, and other for-profit recreation organizations ranging from retail to direct service providers.

COAPRT Standard 7.01. - Students graduating from the program shall demonstrate the following entry-level knowledge: a) the nature and scope of the relevant park, recreation, tourism or related professions and their associated industries; b) techniques and processes used by professionals and workers in these industries; and c) the foundation of the profession in history, science and philosophy.
  • Outcome:
    We conceive of this competency as developing foundational knowledge about history, civic engagement, management, legalities, the environment, and diversity, equity, and inclusion as they inform recreation, park, and tourism related practices. Data are provided in the following courses (though additional data are collected as well). REC 325 (Leisure in a Diverse Society). This course requires students to demonstrate an understanding of ability to recognize stereotypes and prejudice affecting leisure experiences and leisure services delivery (7.01a) REC 351 (Civic Engagement in the Recreation Profession). This course requires students to demonstrate an understanding of techniques that may be used to effectively involve the public in recreation issues and decision making (7.01b) REC 150 (Foundations of Recreation). This course includes a stand alone unit where students learn the philosophical foundations of leisure and the history and development of recreation (7.01c)
  • Measure Type:
    Direct
  • Assessment Method:
    REC 325: Students complete an External Agency Assessment project which includes illustrating understanding of 7.01a. REC 351: Unit B from a summative exam is given which includes a series of questions assessing students' understanding of 7.01b techniques. REC 150: The summative unit exam is used to assess student learning specific to 7.01c.
  • Result:
    REC 325: Spring 2023 - 100% of students achieved 70% or better on the External Agency Assessment. REC 351: Spring 2023 - 93.8% of students achieved 70% or better on the summative exam. REC 150: Fall 2022 - 99.3% of students achieved 70% or better on the summative unit exam. Spring 2023 - 97.1% of students achieved 70% or better on the summative unit exam.
COAPRT Standard 7.02. - Students graduating from the program shall be able to demonstrate the ability to design, implement, and evaluate services that facilitate targeted human experiences and that embrace personal and cultural dimensions of diversity.
  • Outcome:
    Provision of services and experiences includes recreation programming, environmental education, site planning and design, and experience evaluation. We further acknowledge that to best serve our clientele, we must provide solutions to overcome stereotypes and prejudice in the leisure field. Data are presented in the following courses (though additional data are collected as well): REC 301 (Recreation Programming). This course assesses students' abilities to: a) articulate a process for developing appropriate, purposeful, and meaningful goals and objects for recreation programs and events; b) critically discuss and describe fundamental components of program/event design, implementation, and evaluation; c) identify trends pertinent to the development innovate programs and events; and, d) design & implement a recreation program/event in conjunction with a community partner to meet programmatic goals, objectives, and outcomes. (7.02a & 7.02d) REC 340 (Evaluation Methods and Practices). This course assesses students' abilities to a) write properly worded mail and phone survey question; b) describe the proper steps used to complete surveys; c) use basic statistical applications to interpret data; and, d) write a survey report with findings and recommendations (7.02a, 7.02b, & 7.02c)
  • Measure Type:
    Direct
  • Assessment Method:
    REC 301: These outcomes are assessed through the Individual Program Plan Project. REC 340: These outcomes are assessed through the summative Final Research Project.
  • Result:
    REC 301: Fall 2022 - 100% of students achieved 75% or better on the Individual Program Plan Project Spring 2023 - 100% of students achieved 75% or better on the Individual Program Plan Project REC 340: Fall 2022 - 100% of students achieved 70% or better on the Final Research Report. Spring 2023 - 100% of students achieved 70% or better on the Final Research Report.
COAPRT Standard 7.03. - Students graduating from the program shall be able to demonstrate entry-level knowledge about operations and strategic management/administration in parks, recreation, tourism and/or related professions..
  • Outcome:
    Management/Administration includes civic engagement, leading, planning, and organization. Data are presented in the following course (though additional data are collected as well): REC 400 (Planning for Park and Recreation Facilities). Students successfully completing this course will have the following competencies: 1. Understand the various components of a park and recreation comprehensive plan; 2. Assess and implement relevant federal, state, and local statutes specific to a park and recreation comprehensive plan; 3. Engage citizenry in the park and recreation planning process; 4. Analyze park and recreation facility plans for effectiveness;
  • Measure Type:
    Direct
  • Assessment Method:
    REC 400: These outcomes are assessed by the summative scores on a semester long planning project and through the formative score on the sub-component of the project called Inventory & Analysis.
  • Result:
    REC400: Fall 2022 - 95% achieved 70% or better on the semester long planning project and 90.1% of students achieved 70% or better on the Inventory & Analysis sub-component of the semester long planning project.

The Recreational Therapy Program at UW-La Crosse prepares majors eligible to become Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRS) who improve functioning, facilitate leisure education, and promote inclusive recreation participation for people of all abilities and their families and caregivers. We advocate a strengths-approach to helping people reach dreams and goals for healthy functioning, well-being, and satisfying leisure. This health and human service profession is designated as "recreational therapy" in the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. Students learn to assess, plan, implement, evaluate, and document therapeutic recreation programs using recreation interventions such as physical activity, expressive arts, horticulture, games, music, animal-assisted therapy, nature-based activities, adventure, stress management, and play. These goal-directed programs help vulnerable individuals and groups with disabling conditions, and acute and chronic health conditions to learn, adapt, and grow through engaging in meaningful recreation and leisure pursuits.

COAPRT Standard 7.01. - Students graduating from the program shall demonstrate the following entry-level knowledge: a) the nature and scope of the relevant park, recreation, tourism or related professions and their associated industries; b) techniques and processes used by professionals and workers in these industries; and c) the foundation of the profession in history, science and philosophy.
  • Outcome:
    7.01 A - RTH 493 (Trends & Issues) - The student graduating from the program shall demonstrate entry-level knowledge of the scope and practice of therapeutic recreation.7.01 B - RTH 470 (Facilitation Techniques) - Students graduating from the program shall demonstrate entry-level knowledge of the techniques and processes. (Use best professional practices based on theoretical, philosophical, and scientific foundations of the field of the therapeutic recreation profession in decision-making).7.01 C- RTH 250 (Introduction to TR) - Student graduating from the program shall demonstrate entry-level knowledge of the historical, philosophical, theoretical and scientific foundation of the therapeutic recreation profession.
  • Measure Type:
    Direct
  • Assessment Method:
    7.01a - RTH 493 - Direct measure is student success in completing Code of Ethics Assignment. 7.01b - RTH 470 - Direct measure is student success in completing content quiz for Chapter 3 in Austin’s text. 7.01c - RTH 250 - Direct measure is student success in completing summative final exam.
  • Result:
    7.01a - RTH 493 FA22: 100% achieved 80% "B" or better SP23: 100% achieved 80% "B" or better 7.01b - RTH 470 FA22: 100% achieved 80% "B" or better SP23: 100% achieved 80% "B" or better 7.01c - RTH 250 FA22: 87.5% achieved 80% "B" or better SP23: 94.5% achieved 80% "B" or better
COAPRT Standard 7.02. - Students graduating from the program shall be able to demonstrate the ability to design, implement, and evaluate services that facilitate targeted human experiences and that embrace personal and cultural dimensions of diversity.
  • Outcome:
    Assessment is our first component of providing target outcomes relative to recreational therapy and includes the following: 1. Ability to explain the purpose, nature, and scope of assessments. 2. Ability to identify & implement multiple assessment types in therapeutic recreation. 3. Ability to engage in appropriate procedural assessment steps. 4. Ability to apply regulatory standards to assessments. 5. Ability to administer, score, and interpret therapeutic recreation assessments. 6. Ability to use, score, and interpret FIM and MDS 3.0 assessments. Planning & documentation of TR interventions is our second component of providing target outcomes relative to recreational therapy and includes the following: 1. Ability to apply principles of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy as part of facilitating leisure education interventions. Developing, implementing, and evaluating program designs for diverse clientele, settings, cultures, and contexts is our third component of providing target outcomes relative to recreational therapy and includes the following: 1. Ability to understand principles and procedures associated with Therapeutic Recreation program design. 2. Ability to apply knowledge of comprehensive and specific program planning by designing and presenting programs. 3. Ability to formulate goals and objectives that target needs and strengths of potential clients. 4. Ability to evaluate programs to improve services/programs and show accountability.
  • Measure Type:
    Direct
  • Assessment Method:
    RTH 476 (Assessment & Documentation) Assessment tool: Final Test Planning & documentation of TR interventions assessments: RTH 480 (Leisure Education) Assessment tools: Developing Leisure Education Program Plan Developing, implementing, and evaluating program designs assessments: RTH 456 (Program Design) Assessment tool: Final Program
  • Result:
    RTH 476 (Assessment & Documentation) Fall 2022: 100% of students achieved 80% or better Spring 2023: 100% of student achieved 80% or better Planning & documentation of TR interventions assessments: RTH 480 (Leisure Education) Fall 2022: 100% of students achieved 80% or better Spring 2023: 100% of students achieved 80% or better Developing, implementing, and evaluating program designs assessments: RTH 456 (Program Design) Fall 2022: 100% of students achieved 80% or better Spring 2023: 67% of students achieved 80% or better
COAPRT Standard 7.03. - Students graduating from the program shall be able to demonstrate entry-level knowledge about operations and strategic management/administration in parks, recreation, tourism and/or related professions..
  • Outcome:
    Human resources supervision is our first component of management and administration and includes the following: 1. Ability to understand and comply with the health and human service standards and regulations 2. Ability to write operational and program plans consistent with the agency mission 3. Ability to recruit, train, educate, clinically supervise, and evaluate staff 4. Ability to provide staff development and mentorship 5. Ability to develop, implement, and maintain an internship program including intern supervision Fiscal management is our second component of management and administration and includes the following: 1. Ability to identify and accurately determine relevant project costs connected to inclusive recreation programming. 2. Ability to synthesize, analyze, and evaluate grant proposals through written communication. Leadership is our fourth component of management and administration and includes the following: 1. Knowledge of the basic principles of leadership and group dynamics, and helping/counseling used in therapeutic recreation including theoretical approaches. 2. Skills in designing, facilitating, and processing (debriefing for insight) a modality or facilitation technique for a designated group of participants with a particular disabling condition (i.e. adventure therapy as intervention for people with brain injury) 3. Knowledge of the basic principles of leadership and group dynamics, and helping/counseling used in therapeutic recreation using theoretical approaches
  • Measure Type:
    Direct
  • Assessment Method:
    Human resources supervision assessment: RTH 319 (Management Functions in Therapeutic Recreation) Assessment tool: Management Concept/Leadership Concept Paper Fiscal management assessment: RTH 462 (Inclusive Recreation Program Administration) Assessment tool: Budget Assignment within Grant Proposal Leadership assessment: RTH 462 (Inclusive Recreation Program Administration) Assessment tool: Specialist Training Brochure
  • Result:
    RTH 319 Fall 2022: 95% of students achieved 80% or better Spring 2023: 90% of students achieved 80% or better RTH 462 (Budget Assignment) Fall 2022: 100% of students achieved 80% or better Spring 2023: 100% of students achieved 80% or better RTH 462 (Specialist Training Brochure) Fall 2022: 100% of students achieved 80% or better Spring 2023: 100% of students achieved 80% or better