Program Detail

Kent State University

School of Foundations, Leadership, & Administration

Dr. Mary Parr, Professor
Email
PO Box 5190
Kent, OH  44224
(330) 672-0214

Accredited Program

  • Recreation, Park & Tourism Management
    Initial Accreditation: 4/6/1992
    Next Review: Fall 2026
    Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation
    Program Accreditation Status
    Program Information
    2024 Annual Report
    2023 Annual Report
    2022 Annual Report
    2021 Annual Report




    • Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management The mission of the Recreation, Park and Tourism Management program is to prepare students to be leaders in a variety of leisure service settings, with the purpose of enhancing quality of life among individuals and communities, both locally and globally. Graduates of the program find work opportunities at resorts, recreation centers, youth programs, parks and recreation departments, museums and historic sites, state and national parks, and a wide variety of other fields. We also offer minors in each of these areas as well as a minor in Disability Studies and Community Inclusion.

    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 RPTM program will be able to differentiate the nature and scope of the industry; including critical aspects of program development, service development, management, and the components of leisure service delivery systems and various providers and levels of recreation.
    • Measure Type:
      Direct
    • Assessment Method:
      Evaluation completed by agency supervisors at the completion of RPTM 46192-Internship in Recreation. Students are rated as Expert, Practitioner, Apprentice, Novice, or Pre-Novice. Item: 1. Knowledge of Position: Understanding of the agency’s mission and work, each staff member’s place in the organization, and expectations of staff.
    • Result:
      83.3% were rated Practitioner 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:
      Graduates of this program will be able to: Apply basic principles of the program development cycle for recreation services and modifications for inclusivity.
    • Measure Type:
      Direct
    • Assessment Method:
      Evaluation completed by agency supervisors at the completion of RPTM 46192-Internship in Recreation. Students are rated as Expert, Practitioner, Apprentice, Novice, or Pre-Novice. Items: 1. Can conduct a needs assessment to enhance program development, 2. Develops goals and objectives appropriate to the population and program, 5. Plans, implements, and evaluates a program or activity.
    • Result:
      80% of students were rated practitioner or better on these items, combined.
    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:
      Graduates of this program will be able to: Investigate public relations and marketing strategies, planning and development issues, and fiscal/budgetary management.
    • Measure Type:
      Direct
    • Assessment Method:
      Evaluation completed by agency supervisors at the completion of RPTM 46192-Internship in Recreation. Students are rated as Expert, Practitioner, Apprentice, Novice, or Pre-Novice. Items: 3. Demonstrates an understanding of personnel management related to recruitment, hiring, compensation, performance appraisal, staff development, management style, and employee motivation. 4. Demonstrates an understanding of fiscal management and budgetary skills. 5. Demonstrates an understanding of public relations and marketing concepts related to the delivery of leisure services.
    • Result:
      73% of students were rated practitioner or better on these items, combined.