Program Detail

Ohio University

Department of Recreation and Sport Pedagogy

Dr. Bruce Martin, Professor & Program Coordinator
Email
Grover Center E160
Athens, OH  45701
(740) 597-1757

Accredited Program

  • Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies
    Initial Accreditation: 10/8/2000
    Next Review: 2029
    Accreditation Status: Continued Accreditation
    Program Accreditation Status
    Program Information
    2024 Annual Report
    2023 Annual Report
    2022 Annual Report
    2021 Annual Report




    • Housed within the Department of Recreation, Sport Pedagogy, and Consumer Sciences at Ohio University, the Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies program provides students with the opportunity to pursue careers in a variety of areas within the parks, recreation, and leisure service field. The program offers two distinct majors for students to pursue: Recreation Management and Outdoor Recreation and Education. In addition, the program sponsors two academic certificates focused in Ecotourism and Festivals, Events, and Entertainment Management.

    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 will be able to identify and apply procedures and techniques commonly utilized for assessment of leisure needs.
    • Measure Type:
      Direct
    • Assessment Method:
      As a culmination to students’ efforts in REC 4450: Research and Evaluation, students submit a comprehensive program evaluation plan. Students partner with a local recreation agency to develop an evaluation plan for one of the programs offered by their partnering agency. Development of the evaluation plan includes collecting background information on the agency, identifying program objectives, establishing clear methods for data collection and data analysis, and designing an evaluation tool that targets programmatic outcomes. The program evaluation plan serves as one indicator of students’ comprehension of the stated learning outcome.
    • Result:
      In AY2022-2023, 100% of students scored a 73% or higher on the assignment. The overall mean grade earned by students for the assignment was an 78%.
    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 will be able to understand and apply inclusive practices to the design and operation of recreation programs, services and facilities.
    • Measure Type:
      Direct
    • Assessment Method:
      Working in small groups or as an individual, students create a program plan for an inclusive recreation activity program/session/series highlighting the needs of a particular identity marker that has been discussed in the course (age, race, ability, gender, sexual orientation, religion etc.). Regardless of their selection, all activity plans must include adaptations and plans for those individuals with physical disabilities and accessibility needs.
    • Result:
      In AY2022-2023, 85% of the students scored at or above 73% on the assignment. The overall mean grade for the assignment was an 85.65%.
    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 will be able to apply skills and practices critical to the strategic planning process, including the development of mission, vision, values, goals, action plans, and evaluation.
    • Measure Type:
      Direct
    • Assessment Method:
      To meet the following learning outcome, students develop a comprehensive programming plan. For the following project, students create 11 weeks of programming including a week for set up and a week for clean-up in one of three areas: 1) a summer camp 2) a regional sports facility or 3) community recreation center. Final projects are pitched to a panel of professionals and assessed a proportion of available points in rank order.
    • Result:
      In AY2022-2023, 96.4% of students scored at or above 73% on the assignment. The overall mean grade for the assignment was a 90.3%.