University of Northern Iowa
School of Health, Physical Education and Leisure Services
Dr. Rod Dieser, Professor
Email
203 Wellness and Recreation Center
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0241
(319) 273-3613
The Recreation, Tourism, and Nonprofit Leadership program is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to create and manage programs that fulfill human, community, and social needs in public, governmental, and nonprofit community organizations. Graduates of this program may pursue employment in various agencies that serve diverse populations of all ages. These agencies may include municipal parks and recreation, commercial recreation, tourism, outdoor recreation, therapeutic recreation (in clinical and community settings), nonprofit and youth-serving organizations, armed forces recreation, campus recreation, and other leisure service delivery sectors. The curriculum places a strong emphasis on direct service programming, with a focus on supervisory and managerial skills.
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:
RTNL 2110 - Foundations of Community Recreation - To articulate the conceptual foundations of the Community Park and Recreation profession by illustrating modern professional practices. The oral final should include modern practices but also tie in the historical and philosophical foundations of the park and recreation field. Demonstration of one’s knowledge of resources and services and professional career opportunities is required. RTNL 2120 - Foundations of Tourism SLOs: 1. Describe the history and significance of travel & tourism 2. Understand the differences between small and large markets and corporate tourism 3. Understand the differences between local, regional, national, and international travel & tourism 4. Describe the organization of the travel and tourism industry 5. Describe various tourism services and the impact and importance of those services 6. Describe the factors that influence the supply and demand of travel & tourism 7. Describe the different types of travel 8. Describe marketing processes and strategies of the tourism industry 9. Describe the importance of travel research, its methods, uses, and benefits 10. Describe the issues and concerns of travel & tourism development 11. Understand and describe sustainable tourism. RTNL 2130 - Foundations of the Nonprofit Sector SLOs: 1. Compare and contrast the for-profit, nonprofit, and government sectors, explaining the unique aspects of the nonprofit sector. 2. Identify the nonprofit sector's significant historical and philosophical fundamentals; 3. Explain nonprofit organizations' best practices of key functional areas (strategic planning, human resources, fundraising & other income strategies, lobbying, collaboration); 4. Discuss the importance of professional associations and how to become a Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) through the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance; 5. Reflect on several nonprofit agencies' programs and missions and dive deep into one organization's mission and programs; 6. Justify the importance of social responsibility and connections between short-term volunteerism and greater long-term societal well-being. RTNL 2160 - Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation SLO - 1. Understand the profession of therapeutic recreation and inclusive practice in recreation, tourism, and nonprofit practice. 2. Identify knowledge of the historical roots of the therapeutic recreation profession. 3. Explain the nature and etiology of illness and disability and the implications of therapeutic recreation. 4. Articulate leisure barriers and constraints that people with illness or disabilities experience and the role of therapeutic recreation in relation to these barriers/constraints. 5. Verbalize the therapeutic recreation process 6. Understand basic health, medical, and rehabilitation terminology. 7. Understand the therapeutic recreation specialist as a member of an interdisciplinary/transdisciplinary team operating within a continuum of health care and human services. 8. Develop basic modification techniques to increase the participation of individuals with disabilities. 9. Understand the credentialing process within the therapeutic recreation profession.
- Measure Type:
Direct
- Assessment Method:
RTNL 2110 - Foundations of Community Recreation - Final Exam: PowerPoint Presentation on Community Park and Recreation RTNL 2120 - Foundations of Tourism - Midterm and Final exams
RTNL 2130 - Foundations of the Nonprofit Sector - Quizzes 1-4 and Midterm exam RTNL 2160 - Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation - Final exam
- Result:
RTNL 2110 - Foundations of Community Recreation - Final Exam Assignment - 100% of students scored 70% or better on the Final Assessment for Community Park and Recreation RTNL 2120 - Foundations of Tourism - Midterm Exam - 92% (23 of 25 students) received 70% or higher; Final Exam - 96% (24 of 25 students) received 70% or higher RTNL 2130 - Foundations of the Nonprofit Sector - Quiz 1 - 31/32 (96.8%) received 70% or better Quiz 2 - 100% received 70% or better Quiz 3 - 100% received 70% or better Quiz 4 - 21/26 (80.7%) received 70% or better RTNL 2160 - Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation - Final Exam - (100%) 24 out of 24 students received a C grade or higher on the final 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:
RTNL4330 - Research and Evaluation in Recreation, Tourism & Nonprofit Leadership
1. Understand the logical processes behind data collection and be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of research design critically;
2. Develop techniques for evaluating recreation and leisure programs and services; and
3. Understand the role of research in recreation and leisure service administration, including but not limited to the evaluation of
programs and personnel.
- Measure Type:
Direct
- Assessment Method:
RTNL4330 - Research and Evaluation in RTNL Comprehensive Final Exam
- Result:
RTNL 4330 Research & Evaluation in RTNL Comprehensive Final Exam: (100%) 26 out of 26 students received a C grade or higher.
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:
RTNL 3110: Management and Human Resources (a) to understand ethical principles and professionalism (b) to understand the fundamental principles and procedures of management (c) to understand the principles and procedures of human resource management (d) to understand the principles and procedure of supervisory leadership and programming (e) to understand the principles of risk management, liability, regulatory acts, contracts, and the law (f) to understand the principles and procedures of budgeting and financial management (g) to understand how to utilize the tools of professional communication (h) to understand how to apply current technology to professional practice (i) to gain knowledge of facilities and areas, including assessment, planning and operation, and maintenance (j) to understand contracts, regulatory agents, and methods of compliance (k) to understand current issues and trends in the profession.
- Measure Type:
Direct
- Assessment Method:
RTNL 3110: Management and Human Resources Final Exam
- Result:
RTNL 3110 Management & HR in RTNL Final Exam: (76.5%) 26 out of 34 students received a C grade or higher.
COAPRT Standard 2.05.05
The program annually posts 7.0 series aggregated data and additional evidence reflecting program academic quality and student achievement on their program and/or departmental website. Such information shall be consistent with The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requirements.
COAPRT Standard 3.06
The program has a practice of informing the public about the harm of degree mills and accreditation mills.
COAPRT Standard 3.07
The program has a practice of informing the public about their COAPRT accredited programs.