The following links provide information pertaining to the COAPRT Standards.
Programs may choose to either switch to the new standards if they are mid-cycle or wait until their next cycle.
COAPRT New Standards Revised October 2025 Revisions Table
COAPRT Standards Revised November 2021
Therapeutic Recreation Guidelines
Park and Recreation Administration Learning Outcomes
Accreditation is a process that involves the use of standards. Standards are criteria for evaluating the quality of a Program. They define Program characteristics as well as student outcomes of the Program that are related directly and indirectly to student acquisition of knowledge, skills, and the ability to apply concepts fundamental to the profession, and that result from effective instruction. Programs seeking accreditation must demonstrate compliance with each of the standards.
The standards and evaluative criteria are concerned with the following topics, organized as shown below. 1.00 Eligibility Criteria 2.00 Mission, Vision, Values and Planning 3.00 Administration 4.00 Faculty 5.00 Students 6.00 Instructional Resources 7.00 Learning Outcomes The 7.0 series standards are distinctly different from the Standards in the 1.0-6.0 series. In contrast to the facts about the program embedded in the 1.0-6.0 series standards, the 7.0 standards address the Program's learning outcomes. Learning outcomes are the goals of student learning for professional preparation in parks, recreation, tourism and related professions.