Program Detail

Illinois State University

Department of Recreation and Park Administration

Dr. Tracy Mainieri, Program Director & Associate Professor
Email
CAMPUS BOX 5120
Normal, IL  61761
(309) 438-5753

Accredited Programs




The Recreation and Park Administration program at Illinois State University includes two undergraduate sequences: Recreation Management and Therapeutic Recreation. The program has been accredited since 1985. The program's mission reads "The Recreation and Park Administration program is a diverse community of scholars and learners that prepares students to work in a variety of public, private and nonprofit organizations through student-centered instruction, high-impact research, and meaningful community engagement."

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:
    Students graduating from the program shall demonstrate the following foundational 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.
  • Measure Type:
    Indirect
  • Assessment Method:
    Assessed using a confidence scale, included in the Value Added Assessment instruments that students complete in week 10 of the senior internship (Rec Management students) and week 12 (TR students). Four items were developed to measure students’ self-confidence in applying the content withing the 7.01 learning outcome: interpreting the history of the profession; explaining the importance of play; leisure, recreation and sport to individual and community development; explaining the different sectors and career areas available in the field, and; describing current trends and issues impacting the field.
  • Result:
    100% of students scored 70% or better on the four items of the confidence scale. It was determined that student scores indicated that students are successfully demonstrating entry-level knowledge of the nature of our field to the extent that no changes were needed to the learning opportunities or measurement.
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:
    Students graduating from the program shall demonstrate the ability to design recreation and related experiences clearly reflecting application of knowledge from relevant facets of contemporary professional practice, science, and philosophy.
  • Measure Type:
    Indirect
  • Assessment Method:
    Assessed using the Program Blueprint project in KNR 271, which has students design a 10-hour program of their choosing to be sponsored by an existing agency.
  • Result:
    89.74% of students scored 70% or better on the Program Blueprint project. It was determined that student scores indicated that students are successfully demonstrating the ability to design recreation and related experiences to the extent that no changes were needed to the learning opportunities or measurement.
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 professions.
  • Measure Type:
    Direct
  • Assessment Method:
    Assessed using the Budget Assignment Grade project in KNR 370 (Administration of Leisure Services), which has students develop a line item budget and then demonstrate how they would cut the budget 10%, if necessary, while maintaining some profit.
  • Result:
    92.59% of students scored 70% or better on the budget assignment. It was determined that student scores indicated that students are successfully demonstrating abilities related to management to the extent that no changes were needed to the learning opportunities or measurement.

The Recreation and Park Administration program at Illinois State University includes two undergraduate sequences: Recreation Management and Therapeutic Recreation. The program has been accredited since 1985. The program's mission reads "The Recreation and Park Administration program is a diverse community of scholars and learners that prepares students to work in a variety of public, private and nonprofit organizations through student-centered instruction, high-impact research, and meaningful community engagement."

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:
    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
  • Measure Type:
    Direct
  • Assessment Method:
    Assessed using the TR Agency Reports project in KNR 273 (Intro to TR), which has students complete three Agency Reports from information given by guest speakers who represent different settings in the field of recreation therapy to increase knowledge of the role and function of therapeutic recreation professionals.
  • Result:
    95.65% of students scored 70% or better on the TR Agency Reports. It was determined that student scores indicated that students are successfully demonstrating entry-;eve; knowledge about the nature and scope of the field to the extent that no changes were needed to the learning opportunities or measurement.
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:
    (from COAPRT’s Guidelines for Learning Outcomes for Therapeutic Recreation Education): Students graduating from the program shall demonstrate the ability to evaluate recreation therapy services at the participant and program level and to use evaluation data to improve the quality of services.
  • Measure Type:
    Direct
  • Assessment Method:
    Assessed using the Agency Evaluation project in KNR 376 (Evaluation of Agency Services), which has students complete an assignment that simulates data collection, data entry, data analysis, and interpretation in the form of conclusions and recommendations. This assignment has students use Microsoft Excel to calculate the appropriate measures of central tendency and variability for four recreation-related evaluation scenarios, then make conclusions and recommendations based on the findings.
  • Result:
    100% of students scored 70% or better on the Program Blueprint project. It was determined that student scores indicated that students are successfully demonstrating the ability to evaluate services to the extent that no changes were needed to the learning opportunities or measurement.
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 and competence of the theories, principles, and practices of management/administration of therapeutic recreation services
  • Measure Type:
    Indirect
  • Assessment Method:
    Assessed using a confidence scale, included in the Value Added Assessment instruments that students complete in week 12 of the senior internship. Two items were developed to measure students’ self-confidence in applying the content withing the 7.03 learning outcome: utilizing evaluation results to improve future delivery of TR interventions and services and; preparing/updating written plans of operation, summary reports, quality improvement plans and similar departmental documents.
  • Result:
    100% of students scored 70% or better on the two items of the confidence scale. It was determined that student scores indicated that students are successfully demonstrating entry-level knowledge and competence in 7.03 to the extent that no changes were needed to the learning opportunities or measurement.