As we celebrate the momentous occasion of the 50th Anniversary of NRPA and the upcoming Annual Conference this September, the Young Professional Network has organized a virtual “road trip” out West, making “stops” at COAPRT accredited schools along the way.
We’ve made stops at Ole Miss and the University of Missouri but today we’ll be in the great state of Texas learning about Texas State University’s Bachelor of Science in Recreational Administration and Master of Science in Recreation and Leisure Services programs!
The mission of the nationally-accredited Bachelor of Science in Recreational Administration at Texas State University is to prepare students for many different careers within the recreation profession, including but not limited to programming, leadership, management, inclusion, and therapeutic interventions in private, public, and not-for-profit agencies. The recreational administration division is a close-knit group where students’ professional preparation is the focus.
Through participation in this curriculum students learn how to design, implement, and evaluate recreation programs, build networks with professionals working in this field, and engage in hands-on-service learning opportunities in collaboration with area leisure service agencies. We currently have two career paths or concentration areas: recreation administration and therapeutic recreation, both offered at undergraduate and graduate levels.
All students have the opportunity to join the Association of Recreation Enthusiasts (A.R.E.) which was developed to provide a welcoming cohesive student based organization where members can enjoy and participate in all forms of recreation while also focusing on professional development. Students actively attend and volunteer at regional and state professional workshops and conferences as well as providing volunteers for multiple regional and state events. Annually, students plan and implement the Texas State Turkey Adventure Race, The Larry Turner Classic Wheelchair Basketball Tournament and an Alumni and Friends function. Outstanding students are eligible to apply for membership in The Beta Epsilon Chapter of Rho Phi Lambda which was chartered in April 2014.
Over the past several years students in both the graduate and undergraduate programs have partnered with the Texas Ski Ranch in New Braunfels, TX to either help host, coordinate or provide volunteers for adapted events (i.e. skateboarding and wakesurfing) for people with disabilities. On April 18, 2015 students in the graduate program assisted at an Adaptive Wakesurfing event. Check out this video from the event. Pictured to the left, from left to right, is participant Kevin Krogh and Dr. Lyn Litchke who supervised students working at the event.
Frequently the program at Texas State University hosts activities both on and off campus for wounded warriors from Center for the Intrepid at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX. In the picture to the right, from left to right, is Texas State alumni Heather Miller, CTRS, Recreation Therapist at Center for the Intrepid with Verbena, a service dog also known as ‘Beans’ and Alex Guerra, who were participating in yoga on standup paddle boards on the San Marcos River in San Marcos, TX.
The undergraduate program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT), which itself is accredited by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Graduates of this program are eligible to apply for the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (CTRS) and/or the National Recreation and Park Association’s Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) examinations.
Undergraduate Student Demographics:
Total enrollment: 276
• 56 percent are in the therapeutic recreation concentration, 43 percent in the administration concentration
• 59 percent are females, 41 percent males
• Ethnic diversity: we believe we are one of the more diverse programs in the country with 6.9 percent African-American; 31.9 percent Hispanic; 53.3 percent White, non-Hispanic; 5.8 percent other minority or unknown backgrounds; and 0.4 percent non-resident International students.
The Master of Science in Recreation and Leisure Services (M.S.R.L.S.) program prepares professionals such as administrators, supervisors, and consultants to assist people toward richer lives through leisure experiences. M.S.R.L.S. students may pursue a thesis (30 hours) or non-thesis (36 hours) option. The program offers professional preparation in two distinct specialization areas:
• Recreational management encompasses the administration and supervision of recreation and leisure services.
• Therapeutic recreation uses recreational activities as a treatment and education modality. Services provided serve to enhance opportunities for persons with disabilities to pursue their desired quality of life.
Graduate Student Demographics:
Total Enrollment: 69
• 55 percent are in the therapeutic recreation concentration, 45 percent in the administration concentration
• 57 percent are females, 43 percent males
• Ethnic diversity: 10.1 percent African-American; 23.1 percent Hispanic; 60.8 percent White, non-Hispanic; 4.4 percent other minority or unknown backgrounds; and 4.3 percent non-resident International students
Check out the photos below to see more students in action!
Texas State Turkey Adventure Race, November 15, 2014. Check out this video from the race!
Recreation majors getting into character for Ranch Days for students with disabilities at San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District, April 17, 2015.
Rho Phi Lambda Induction, April 24, 2015
Larry Turner Classic Wheelchair Basketball Tournament, 3 day event held in November every year. Larry Turner, wearing #24 above, was the one who started the tournament almost 15 years ago! The tournament was named after him after he unexpectedly passed away in January 2014.
Alumni and Friends Award Dinner, April 24, 2015
Texas Recreation and Park Society Annual Institute, March 1-3, 2015 in Abilene, TX. 39 students, combination of undergrad and grad, and 6 faculty in attendance.
Let us know what you think about the road trip in the comments below.