Program Detail





The BS program in parks, recreation and sport management provides a transdisciplinary education in the management of parks, protected areas, community-based recreation services, sport and special event management. The parks and recreation field emerged from the youth development, recreation and park movements of the late 19th century. Students in the program learn about wilderness, environmental communication, parks and recreation management and policy, assessment and evaluation, and sport and recreation planning and programming. Students learn through classroom instruction and field experiences to integrate the natural, social and managerial sciences to make informed decisions for recreation services, both natural resource based and community-based. The required internship component of the program allows students to gain practical experience in the parks and recreation professions.

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:
    CRD 210 - Students will be able to analyze the interrelationships among the parks and recreation, nonprofit, tourism and community sports sectors and the types of resources that are needed to develop community and communities. CRD 403 - Students will be able to develop critical thinking and effective communication in a professional environment. PRM 120 - Students will demonstrate their understanding of the conceptual foundations of play, recreation and leisure from a historical, psychological, sociological, physiological, cultural and philosophical perspective.
  • Measure Type:
    Direct
  • Assessment Method:
    CRD 210 - Students in CRD 210 will demonstrate their knowledge of the interrelationship of the programs in our School through the Trends and Issues Buffet Assignment. CRD 403 - Students will develop their critical thinking and professional communication skills through the following assignments: 1. Attend a Conference or Professional Development Event 2. Ethical Dilemmas + Conflict PRM 120 - Students will demonstrate their knowledge of classical and modern leisure theories through a review quiz at the end of Week 3.
  • Result:
    CRD 210: 90% of the students scored at least a 75% on the Trends and Issues Buffet Assignment. CRD 403: 100% of students scored at least 75% on the Ethical Dilemmas + Conflict assessment PRM 120: 96% of students scored at least a 75% on the Week 3 Quiz.
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:
    CRD 402 - By the end of this course, students will be able to apply the goal-attainment model to determine the effectiveness of a program or service.
  • Measure Type:
    Direct
  • Assessment Method:
    CRD 402 - Students will complete an Application Exercise that focuses on writing a questionnaire to evaluate specific goals and objectives. Students will collect primary data, analyze the data and complete an evaluation report based on the data.
  • Result:
    CRD 402: 93% of students scored 75% or better on the Application assignment 82% of students scored 75% or better on the evaluation 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:
    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 profession. Students will demonstrate their knowledge of many aspects of facility management through the Comprehensive Facility Plan assignment.
  • Measure Type:
    Direct
  • Assessment Method:
    PRM 304 - Students will be able to construct recommendations and improvements for operational aspects of a recreational facility based on data, interviews and analysis. Students will demonstrate their knowledge of many aspects of facility management through the Comprehensive Facility Plan assignment.
  • Result:
    PRM 304: 73% of the students earned a 75% or better on the comprehensive facility plan assignment.

The BS program in recreation therapy prepares students to apply for national professional certification through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification through completion of the degree program, completion of the required supervised internship and sitting for the NCTRC exam. https://www.nctrc.org/about- certification/ctrs-the-qualified-provider The program prepares students to become competent, entry-level recreational therapists with the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities needed to improve functional outcomes and increase participation in life activities for individuals experiencing health conditions. Through the curriculum, students learn to conduct assessments, develop service plans, implement therapeutic interventions, and evaluate and document outcomes of care. They gain skills to effectively provide comprehensive therapeutic recreation services that include program design and evaluation, individual and group service provision, and advocacy. The required fieldwork component of the program facilitates the development of competencies to provide quality recreation therapy services. Students who choose this degree program are committed to improving people's lives and contributing to their communities. This degree program is one of two such programs in Arizona, both offered by the School of Community Resources and Development. This program has a heavier emphasis on health care settings such as hospitals and human service agencies while the Bachelor of Science in parks and recreation with a concentration in therapeutic recreation prepares students to provide recreational therapy services in community settings such as youth programs, adaptive sports, or parks and recreation.

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:
    CRD 210 - Students will be able to analyze the interrelationships among the parks and recreation, nonprofit, tourism and community sports sectors and they types of resources that are needed to develop community and communities. RTH 413 - Students will be able to develop critical thinking and effective communication in a professional environment. PRM 120 - Students will demonstrate their understanding of the conceptual foundations of play, recreation and leisure from a historical, psychological, sociological, physiological, cultural and philosophical perspective.
  • Measure Type:
    Direct
  • Assessment Method:
    CRD 210 - Students will demonstrate their knowledge of the programs in our school through the Trends and Issues Buffet Assignment. RTH 413 - Students will develop their critical thinking and professional communication skills through the following assignments: 1. Attend a conference or professional development event 2. Ethical Dilemmas + Conflict assignment PRM 120 - Students will demonstrate their knowledge of classical and modern leisure theories through a review quiz at the end of Week 3.
  • Result:
    CRD 210 - 90% of the students scored at least a 75% on the Trends and Issues Buffet Assignment RTH 413 - 83% of students scored at least 75% on the Ethical Dilemmas + Conflict assignment PRM 120 - 96% of students scored at least 80% on the week 3 quiz
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:
    CRD 402 - By the end of this course, students will be able to apply the goal-attainment model to determine the effectiveness of a program or service.
  • Measure Type:
    Direct
  • Assessment Method:
    CRD 402 - Students will complete an Application Exercise that focuses on writing a questionnaire to evaluate specific goals and objectives. Students will collect primary data, analyze the data and complete an evaluation report based on the data.
  • Result:
    CRD 402: 93% of students scored 75% or better on the Application assignment. 82% of students scored 75% or better on the evaluation 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:
    PRM 304 or PRM 401 and, PRM 406 - 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 profession.
  • Measure Type:
    Direct
  • Assessment Method:
    PRM 304 or PRM 401 - Students will be able to construct recommendations and improvements for operational aspects of a recreational programs based on data, interviews and analysis. Students will demonstrate their knowledge of many aspects of management practices through the Comprehensive Facility Plan or Management Strategy Plan assignment. PRM 406 - Students will be able to create a program plan/written plan of operation using facts, concepts, principles and procedures of management and administration of therapeutic recreation services. Students will create a written program plan that explains the standards of practice in therapeutic services.
  • Result:
    PRM 304: 73% of students earned a 75% or better on the comprehensive facility plan assignment or management strategy plan. PRM 401: 100% of the students earned a 75% or better on the comprehensive facility plan assignment or management strategy plan. PRM 406: 85% of students earned a 75% or better on the written program plan.