Parks, Recreation and Sports Administration, B.S.

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Department: Health Education, Physical Education, and Recreation

Chairperson: Mark Kutame

Recreation Areas Of Concentration

Parks, Recreation and Sports Administration (PRSA)
Therapeutic Recreation (TR)
20 Hours Certificate in Recreation

The Recreation Program at Chicago State University serves an urban community traditionally underrepresented in parks, recreation, and the leisure profession. The Recreation Program provides quality undergraduate education and collaborates with a wide variety of recreation and leisure providers within the Chicago Metropolitan Area. The Recreation Program curriculum follows the Academic Curriculum Standards as created by the Council on Accreditation, Professions and Related Tourism (COAPRT). COAPRT accredits baccalaureate programs in parks, recreation, tourism, sport management, event management, therapeutic recreation, and leisure studies offered at regionally accredited instituions within the United States and its territories, and at nationally accredited institutions in Canada and Mexico.

Content Designations: REC

PRSA

The PRSA emphasis area prepares students for multiple opportunities in the recreation field. PRSA prepares graduates for leadership in supervisory and administrative positions in park and recreation departments, youth and community agencies, commercial recreation, fitness and health facilities, resort areas, campus recreation, and armed forces/military. Upon completion of a recreation degree from the CSU accredited program, students qualify to pursue certification as a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP) via a national examination by the National Parks and Recreation Association (www.nrpa.org).

TR

The TR emphasis area prepares students to deliver therapeutic recreation services. Services include assessing individuals, planning, implementing, and evaluating recreation programs for people with disabilities, illnesses, and special needs, many of whom may need assistance in developing skills for leisure involvement. An individual pursuing a career in Therapeutic Recreation is involved in using recreation as a tool to work with people with physical disabilities, developmental disabilities, mental illness, limitations due to aging, dependency on alcohol or other drugs, or work with youth considered at-risk. Graduates may work in rehabilitation centers, hospitals, nursing homes, childcare agencies, correctional facilities, schools, parks and recreation agencies, and other health and human service agencies.

Upon completion of the degree from the CSU accredited program students qualify to pursue certification as Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (www.nctrc.org) and/or Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP) via a national examination by the National Parks and Recreation Association (www.nrpa.org).

NOTE: Candidates must abide by all College policies stated in this catalog, unless exceptions or adherence to higher expectations are noted in program documentation.