Bachelor of Science in Recreation Administration - Recreation Therapy Emphasis California State University, Fresno

Recreation Administration is an academic program for students who want to prepare for a career in the "Recreation and Leisure Industry." Overall, the Recreation Industry, including tourism, is a huge and diverse industry with over $1 trillion of spending within the U.S. each year.

The department offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation Administration for individuals who are committed to the recreation and leisure services profession. The major in Recreation Administration prepares students with the knowledge, understanding, ability, and skill necessary to successfully function in professional positions related to the major.

What You Can Learn

• Fundamental skills and knowledge for traveling outdoors by map and compass, and by knowledge of natural features
• Leisure as related to the individual and society
• Knowledge of the conference, convention, and meeting industry, inclusive of the design, budgeting, and programming principles used within the industry
• The development of budgets and data analysis methods for the park, recreation, and tourism agencies through the use of a variety of computer programs

Students in the recreation administration major complete a core of courses. These courses are designed to assist students in acquiring competencies related to the principles of recreation, leadership, group dynamics, and leisure behavior. Courses also cover legal and financial aspects of recreation services, advanced program planning, organization and administration of leisure services, evaluation, and professionalism.

Students develop specific skills in the areas of communication, human behavior, youth services, entrepreneurism, adventure-based recreation and tourism, finance, management, marketing, funding, resources, program planning and supervision, and facility management.

Under the guidance of a practitioner, students in recreation administration are encouraged to acquire 1,000 hours of paid or voluntary hands-on experience in a variety of recreation, clinical, or leisure services agencies. In addition, they complete full-time internships with commercial recreation and tourism enterprises, public recreation agencies, nonprofit organizations, park-oriented agencies, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and other service organizations.

Students may apply for an out-of-state internship if they achieve a major GPA of 3.3 and a cumulative GPA of 3.0. Additional requirements must also be met.

1. Major requirements (68 units)
The following core program courses are required of all candidates for this degree. Additional required courses dependent upon the selected emphasis area.

Core Courses (27 units)
RA 55, RA 60, RA 73S, RA 77S, RA 80, RA 101, RA 125, RA 128, RA 179, RA 180

Recreation Therapy Emphasis Area (41 units)
RA 142, RA 144A, RA 144B, RA 148, RA 149, RA 184, BIOL 33, PSYCH 66, CFS 38 (38 units)
Select from the following: PSYCH 101, PSYCH 102, COUN 174, CFS 131, CFS 136, CRIM 100, CRIM 120, SOC 143, SOC 147, SOC 168, GERON 103, GERON 132, GERON 161, PHTH 105 (3 units)

2. General Education requirements (48 units)

3. Other requirements (9 units)
American Government and Institutions (PLSI 2), Multicultural and International (MI), and Upper-division writing

4. Sufficient elective units to meet required total units (varies)

5. Total units (120)*

* G.E. and MI courses can be double-counted with major requirements. Consult the department chair or faculty advisor for additional details.

We manage facilities, programs, and services that help people have a higher quality of life through positive, enjoyable, and enriching recreation and leisure experiences. That's what recreation and leisure professionals do, and our curriculum helps students learn the necessary skills to facilitate such experiences.