Program Detail

Northern Arizona University

Department of Geography, Planning, and Recreation

Dr. Susan Purrington, PRM Program Coordinator
Email
Geography, Planning, and Recreation Department
PO Box 15016
Flagstaff, AZ  86011-5016
(928) 523-2650

Accredited Program

  • Parks and Recreation Management Program
    Initial Accreditation: 10/19/1999
    Next Review: 2028
    Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation
    Program Accreditation Status
    Program Information
    2024 Annual Report
    2023 Annual Report
    2022 Annual Report
    2021 Annual Report




    • Northern Arizona University has been offering Bachelor of Science degrees in Recreation since 1961. We offered our online Parks and Recreation Management (PRM) Certificate in 2001 and the first accredited online Bachelor of Science degree in Parks and Recreation Management in 2003. We offer fully online and in-person courses for the degree program. The PRM faculty have continually demonstrated a commitment to providing a unique, diverse, and innovative student-centered educational experience. The Parks and Recreation Management Program is in the Geography, Planning and Recreation Department, a unit within the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

    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:
      1. 7.01a: Students will be able to identify the nature and scope of relevant park, recreation, tourism or related professions and their associated industries. 2. 7.01b: Students will demonstrate a familiarity of varied professional communication styles and approaches. 3. 7.01b: Students will demonstrate a familiarity with varied applicable technologies related to the recreation profession. 4. 7.01b: Students will be able to identify, translate, interpret, and apply evidence-informed research into professional practice and techniques. 5. 7.01b/c: Students will demonstrate competence in research and evaluation skills in Parks and Recreation Management. 6. 7.01c: Students will demonstrate critical thought on the history of Parks and Recreation Management. 7. 7.01c: Students will be able to articulate the values found in core philosophical concepts as they relate to Parks and Recreation Management.
    • Measure Type:
      Direct
    • Assessment Method:
      1. PRM 220 Employment Opportunity Review Assignment, Direct Measure. 2. PRM 360 Personal Web Page, Direct Measure. 3. PRM 360 Audio/Visual Program assignment, Direct Measure 4. PRM 447 Research Article Review, Direct Measure 5. PRM 447 Research Proposal assignment, Direct Measure 6. PRM 220 Historical Figure Profile, Direct Measure 7. PRM 220 Personal Philosophy Paper, Direct Measure
    • Result:
      1. PRM 220: 178/205 = 87% Changes Made: No changes have been made 2. PRM 360: 50/60=83% Changes Made: No changes have been made 3. PRM 360: 47/60 = 78% Changes Made: No changes have been made 4. PRM 447: 21/39 = 54% Changes Made: During AY21/22, the instructor amended the assignment and scores improved from FA21 (29%) to SP22 (61%), with a reported overall of 46%. With a high rate of non-submissions considered (17/72 = 24%), an adjusted AY21/22 standard was 60%. Even though the overall assessment improved year over year, for AY22/23, there was still a high rate of non-submission (9/39 = 23%). Of those that submitted the assignment, 70% met the standard. The instructor is continuing to amend the assignment to address the high rate of non-submissions and student understanding of the instructions. 5. PRM 447: 20/39= 51% Changes Made: During AY21/22, the instructor amended the assignment and scores improved from FA21 (29%) to SP22 (84%), with a reported overall of 58%. With a high rate of non-submissions considered (12/72 = 17%), an adjusted AY21/22 standard was 70%. For AY22/23, there was still a high rate of non-submission (6/39 = 15%). Of those that submitted the assignment, 60% met the standard. The instructor is continuing to amend the assignment to address the high rate of non-submissions and student understanding of the instructions. 6. PRM 220: 179/205 = 87% Changes Made: No changes have been made 7. PRM 220: 182/205 = 89% Changes Made: No changes have been made
    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:
      1. 7.02 Students will be able to assess need and develop targeted recreation and leisure experiences. 2. 7.02 Students will practice leadership and facilitation skills. 3. 7.02 Students will demonstrate and apply knowledge of human rights in recreation and leisure design. 4. 7.02 Students will develop and practice cultural humility in recreation and leisure services in communities. 5. 7.02 Students will demonstrate an understanding of how culture influences recreation and leisure services in communities. 6. 7.02 Students will assess the importance of ethics in recreation leadership.
    • Measure Type:
      Direct
    • Assessment Method:
      1. PRM 275 Recreational Program Plan (Final), Direct Measure 2. PRM 252 Peer Leadership Lab, Direct Measure 3. PRM 326 Inclusion Policy, Direct Measures 4. PRM 326 Practical Wisdom #1 assignment, Direct Measure 5. PRM 350 Implicit Bias Test Discussions, Direct Measure 6. PRM 252 Leadership and Ethics Learning Module, Direct Measure
    • Result:
      1. PRM 275: 58/73= 79% Changes Made: No changes made 2. PRM 252: 28/30=93% Changes Made: No changes made 3. PRM 326: 109/120=91% Changes Made: No changes made 4. PRM 326: 111/120 = 93%. Changes Made: New assignment to align with the new curriculum map and assessment plan. 5. PRM 350: 88/107 = 82%. Changes Made: New assignment to align with the new curriculum map and assessment plan. 6. PRM 252: 62/74 = 84%. Changes Made: New outcome to align with the new general studies program requirements for an ethics course outcome in program core curriculum.
    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:
      1. 7.03 Students will learn and apply a variety of strategic management techniques as related to human resources and administration of recreation service sectors. 2. 7.03 Students will learn the differences and organizational structures among recreation service sectors. 3. 7.03 Students will learn funding structures, financing, and budgeting systems common to recreation service sectors. 4. 7.03 Students will develop a functional knowledge of basic facilities and operations among recreation service sectors. 5. 7.03 Students will learn and apply various approaches to supervision of people, spaces, and places in recreation service sectors. 6. 7.03 Students will demonstrate techniques for community engagement and public relations.
    • Measure Type:
      Direct
    • Assessment Method:
      1. PRM 426 Staffing and Job Descriptions Assignment, Direct measure 2. PRM 220 Employment opportunities assignment, Direct Measure 3. PRM 383 Calculating Demand, Direct Measure 4. PRM 326 Practical Wisdom #3, Direct Measure 5. PRM 252 Volunteer Assessment Interview, Direct Measure 6. PRM 252 Group Dynamics Report, Direct Measure
    • Result:
      1. PRM 426: 42/45=93% Changes Made: No changes have been made 2. PRM 220: 178/205 = 87% Changes Made: No changes have been made 3. PRM 383 55/62=89% Changes Made: No changes have been made. 4. PRM 326: 103/120=86% Changes Made: Practical Wisdom 3 is the same ADA assessment as the one provided by the Inclusion U training. The Practical Wisdom 3 was tailored specific to NAU students rather than the Inclusion U training from the Inclusive Recreation Resource Center. 5. PRM 252: 52/74 = 70% Changes Made: No changes made. The current assignment and structure improved the scores from 68% in AY21/22 to 70% in AY22/23. 6. PRM 252: 48/74 = 65% Changes Made: There was a high rate of non-submission (14/74 = 19%). Of those that submitted the assignment, 80% met the standard. There will be more direction added to aid in observation opportunities to increase submission rates. Beginning Fall 2024, students will be given even more direction on appropriate organizations and groups to interview and observe, which should improve scores.