Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies

John Weber, Assistant Professor and Chair

The Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies offers three majors: outdoor adventure leadership, recreation management, and therapeutic recreation. These majors allow students to specialize in recreation program areas and settings of particular interest and lead to a broad range of careers in the recreation, park, and leisure professions. The program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation sponsored by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). Two minors are also available: one in recreation and one in outdoor pursuits.

Outdoor Adventure Leadership, B.S.
Recreation Management, B.S.
Therapeutic Recreation, B.S.
Recreation Minor
Outdoor Pursuits Minor

B.S. in Outdoor Adventure Leadership

The mission of the outdoor adventure leadership (OAL) major is to develop visionary outdoor educational leaders who are prepared to be agents of change in the world, whether in a wilderness context or a context where these transferable skills are implemented.

The OAL program delivers an innovative, intensive and experiential curriculum that promotes the development of strong leaders capable of effectively managing a variety of outdoor experiences for a wide range of audiences and environments. The program is grounded in the theory and principles of recreation and outdoor leadership strategies and is rich with opportunity for application. Embedded within a liberal arts educational community, the program embraces the many opportunities to enrich each student's experience through interdisciplinary study and fosters in each student qualities of responsibility and independent thought, respect for others, the spirit of collaboration, awareness of our environmental and cultural connections and a commitment to lifelong service and learning.

Special Academic Status Policy for Outdoor Adventure Leadership Majors

1. A student in this major must receive a semester grade of at least C- in all required RLS-prefix courses.
2. A student who fails to complete a required RLS-prefix course with a grade of at least C- must repeat the course. The Ithaca College policies on repeating courses must be followed.
   Repeating a Course
3. A student who receives less than a C- after repeating a required RLS-prefix course will be subject to dismissal from the program. A student dismissed from the program may be eligible to enter other Ithaca College degree programs.
4. A student dismissed from a professional practicum is subject to receiving a failing grade and, in that case, must complete a prescribed program of remediation prior to a second placement. The student must register again for the practicum. A student dismissed from a professional practicum a second time is subject to dismissal from the program.
5. In exceptional cases, a student may be readmitted to the program upon satisfying conditions determined by the faculty.

At least 60 credits of liberal arts are required to graduate with a B.S. degree. All candidates for the B.S. degree in outdoor adventure leadership must complete a minimum of 120 credits in the components described below.

Requirements for the Major in Outdoor Adventure Leadership -- B.S.

General requirements

Liberal arts requirements

BIOL xxxxx	Biology elective	3-4
HIST xxxxx	History elective	3
MATH xxxxx	Mathematics elective	3-4
SPCM xxxxx	Speech communication elective (SPCM 11000, SPCM 11500, SPCM 14000, or SPCM 14900)	3
PSYC 10400	Introduction to Developmental Psychology	3
SOCI xxxxx	Sociology elective	3
WRTG 10600	Academic Writing I or
WRTG 10800	Academic Writing I for H&S or
WRTG 11100	Academic Writing II	3-4
WRTG xxxxx	Applied writing elective
COMP 11000	Computers and Information Technologies or
HLTH 13901	Technology for the Professional Edge	3
	Cultural diversity elective	3
	Total, liberal arts	30-33

Cultural diversity elective

Select one of the following:

POLT 12900	Introduction to Global Studies	3
POLT 14100	Power: Race, Sex, and Class	3
SPCM 34700	Intercultural Communication	3
SOCI 11600	Introduction to Multicultural Studies	3
SOCI 13000	Youth and Youth Cultures	3
SOCI 20700	Race and Ethnicity	3
SOCI 22600	Sociology of Hispanic Americans	3
SOCI 30300	Global Race and Ethnic Relations	3
SOCI 32500	Race, Class, and Gender	3
ANTH 10400	Cultural Anthropology	3
ANTH 12900	Introduction to Global Studies	3
HLTH 11000	War, Hunger, and Genocide	3
HLTH 25000	International Health Issues	3
HPS 12900	Introduction to Global Studies	3
HINT 31200	Health Care and Culture and	2
HINT 31300	Health Care and Culture: International Field Experience	1
	Total, cultural diversity	3

Recreation and leisure studies interdisciplinary core

RLS 10300	History and Philosophy of Leisure	3
RLS 10500	Leadership	3
RLS 12500	Understanding Disability: Characteristics, Causes, Services	3
RLS 23200	Program Planning	3
RLS 23500	Design and Operation of Areas and Facilities	3
RLS 33000	Administration of Recreation	3
RLS 33200	Research Methods	3
RLS 34000	Inclusive Community Leisure Services	3
RLS 45300	Seminar: Professional Development	3
	Total, professional core	27

Outdoor adventure leadership core

RLS 15100	Foundations of Outdoor Adventure Pursuits	3
RLS 21600	Outdoor Adventure Skills	3
RLS 21800	Wilderness First Responder	3
RLS 22000	The Wilderness Experience	4
RLS 22300	Wilderness Literacy	2
RLS 35400	Organization and Supervision of Outdoor Pursuits	2
RLS 37000	Recreational Land Use Ethics	3
RLS 42100	Wilderness Expedition Leadership	4
RLS 43000	Outdoor Education Theory and Techniques	3
	Total, outdoor adventure leadership core	27

Outdoor adventure leadership practicum

A minimum of 6 credits must be earned in either RLS 34900 or RLS 44100, both of which can be taken for variable credit. The total number of practicum credits earned for the degree may not exceed 15, including those earned in fieldwork courses outside the major. Practicum credits beyond the 12 required may be counted as free electives.

Internships must be approved by the department chair. To be eligible for an internship (RLS 44100), an outdoor adventure leadership major must meet the following prerequisites:

• GPA of at least 2.50 in Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies courses
• minimum average of 3.00 in RLS 24800 and RLS 34800, Service Learning I and II
• cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 and at least 24 credits earned in the last 12 months
• completion of at least 24 credits of required recreation (RLS xxxxx) courses and at least 6 credits of recreation electives (RLS xxxxx)

RLS 24800	Service Learning I: Programming	3
RLS 34800	Service Learning II: Administration	3
RLS 34900	Advanced Fieldwork or
RLS 44100	Internship in Recreation and Leisure Studies	6-9
	Total, professional practicum	12-15

Liberal arts electives

Total

11-13

Free electives

Total

8-10

Summary

General requirements	30-33
Professional core courses	27
Outdoor adventure leadership core courses	27
Professional practicum	12-15
Liberal arts electives	11-13
Free electives	8-10
Total, B.S. in outdoor adventure leadership	120

B.S. in Recreation Management

Leisure professionals are people who value leisure as a meaningful pursuit across the life span; and who work with others to promote personal growth, fitness, wellness, creativity, healthy leisure choices, and overall quality of life through recreation. Recreation management majors gain knowledge and skills in leadership, recreation program planning, group dynamics, facilitation techniques, cultural competence, research methods, supervision, and administration through a variety of in-class and experiential learning activities. Students may specialize in recreation service delivery areas, such as public parks and recreation, youth services, leadership development, commercial recreation, tourism, or hospitality. Students may also choose to combine the major with a minor in, for example, psychology, business, health, or nutrition promotion.

Careers in recreation management are growing, and opportunities exist in a variety of settings. Leisure professionals are employed in parks and recreation departments, nonprofit agencies, fitness centers, youth-serving agencies, and camps. Graduates may also pursue careers in recreation business enterprises, travel and tourism, hospitality, resorts, theme parks, convention centers, events planning, and visitor bureaus. Graduates of the recreation management program are eligible to apply for certification as a certified park and recreation professional through the National Recreation and Park Association.

Special Academic Status Policy for Recreation Management Majors

1. A student in this major must receive a semester grade of at least C- in all required RLS prefix courses.
2. A student who fails to complete a required RLS-prefix course with a grade of at least C- must repeat the course. The Ithaca College policies on repeating courses must be followed.
   Repeating a Course
3. A student who receives less than a C- after repeating a required RLS course will be subject to dismissal from the program. A student dismissed from the program may be eligible to enter other Ithaca College degree programs.
4. A student dismissed from a professional practicum is subject to receiving a failing grade and, in that case, must complete a prescribed program of remediation prior to a second placement. The student must register again for the practicum. A student dismissed from a professional practicum a second time is subject to dismissal from the program.
5. In exceptional cases, a student may be readmitted to the program upon satisfying conditions determined by the faculty.

At least 60 credits of liberal arts are required to graduate with a B.S. degree. All candidates for the B.S. degree in recreation management must complete a minimum of 120 credits in the components described below.

Requirements for the Major in Recreation Management -- B.S.

General requirements

Liberal arts requirements

BIOL xxxxx	Biology elective or
EXSS 12000	Anatomy and Physiology I (4)	3-4
HIST xxxxx	History elective	3
MATH xxxxx	Mathematics elective	3-4
SPCM xxxxx	Speech communication elective (SPCM 11000, SPCM 11500, SPCM 14000, or SPCM 14900)	3
PSYC 10400	Introduction to Developmental Psychology	3
SOCI xxxxx	Sociology elective	3
WRTG 10600	Academic Writing I or
WRTG 11100	Academic Writing II	3
WRTG xxxxx	Applied writing elective (not WRTG 10100)	3
	Total, liberal arts	24-26

Cultural diversity elective

Select 3 credits from the following:

POLT 12900	Introduction to Global Studies	3
POLT 14100	Power: Race, Sex, and Class	3
SPCM 34700	Intercultural Communication	3
SOCI 11600	Introduction to Multicultural Studies	3
SOCI 13000	Youth and Youth Cultures	3
SOCI 20700	Race and Ethnicity	3
SOCI 22600	Sociology of Hispanic Americans	3
SOCI 30300	Global Race and Ethnic Relations	3
SOCI 32500	Race, Class, and Gender	3
ANTH 10400	Cultural Anthropology	3
ANTH 12900	Introduction to Global Studies	3
HPS 12900	Introduction to Global Studies	3
HPS 25000	International Health Issues	3
HINT 31200	Health Care and Culture and	2
HINT 31300	Health Care and Culture: International Field Experience	1
	Total, cultural diversity	3

Fine arts elective

Fine arts elective	3
Total, general requirements	30-32

Recreation and leisure studies interdisciplinary core

RLS 10300	History and Philosophy of Leisure	3
RLS 10500	Leadership	3
RLS 12500	Understanding Disability: Characteristics, Causes, Services	3
COMP 11000	Computers and Information Technologies or	3
HLTH 13901	Technology for the Professional Edge	3
RLS 23200	Program Planning	3
RLS 23500	Design and Operation of Areas and Facilities	3
RLS 33000	Administration of Recreation	3
RLS 33200	Research Methods	3
RLS 34000	Inclusive Community Leisure Services	3
RLS 45300	Seminar: Professional Development	3
HLTH 12200	Emergency Health Care	1
	Total, professional core	31

Recreation management core

GBUS 20300	Legal Environment of Business I	3
RLS 33100	Supervision of Recreation Personnel	3
RLS 33600	Commercial Recreation	3
	Total, recreation management core	9

Recreation management electives

A minimum of 6 credits is required. Three credits must have a liberal arts (LA) designation. The courses listed below meet the LA requirement. The remaining 3 credits may be selected from any RLS-prefix courses.

RLS 15100	Foundations of Outdoor Adventure Pursuits	3
RLS 21500	Youth at Risk	3
RLS 23800	Leisure and Aging	3
RLS 27700	Ecotourism and Natural Resource Management	3
RLS 33400	Leisure Education	3
RLS 36600	Social and Cultural Aspects of Play	3
RLS 45000	Independent Study	3
	Total, recreation management electives	6

Recreation management practicum

A minimum of 6 credits must be earned in either RLS 34900 or RLS 44100, both of which can be taken for variable credit. The total number of practicum credits earned for the degree may not exceed 15, including those earned in service learning courses outside the major. Practicum credits beyond the 12 required may be counted as free electives.

Internships must be approved by the department chair. To be eligible for an internship (RLS 44100), a recreation management major must meet the following prerequisites:

• GPA of at least 2.50 in Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies courses
• minimum average of 3.00 in RLS 24800 and RLS 34800, Service Learning I and II
• cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 and at least 24 credits earned in the last 12 months
• completion of at least 24 credits of required recreation courses (RLS xxxxx) and at least 6 credits of recreation electives (RLS xxxxx)

RLS 24800	Service Learning I: Programming	3
RLS 34800	Service Learning II: Administration	3
RLS 34900	Advanced Fieldwork or
RLS 44100	Internship in Recreation and Leisure Studies	6-9
	Total, professional practicum	12-15

Liberal arts electives

Liberal arts electives

16-18

Free electives

Free electives

11-14

Summary

General requirements	30-32
Professional core	31
Recreation management core	9
Recreation management electives	6
Professional practicum	12-15
Liberal arts electives	16-18
Free electives	11-14
Total, B.S. in recreation management	120

B.S. in Therapeutic Recreation

Therapeutic recreation offers career opportunities for those who are interested in working with individuals with disabilities and other health conditions by using recreation as an intervention to promote functional independence and quality of life. Therapeutic recreation specialists assess physical, social, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive functioning to determine the individual's needs, interests, abilities, and goals. With this information, they develop individualized treatment plans and intervention strategies to address functional limitations and support the individual's goals toward health and wellness.

Therapeutic recreation specialists utilize a wide variety of recreational activities to rehabilitate, maintain, or enhance their clients' functional abilities. These activities -- arts, crafts, music, dance, drama, horticulture, adventure programs, interaction with pets, sports, games, and community-based outings -- help individuals build self-esteem, interact effectively with others, develop physical and cognitive abilities, and learn new skills.

Career placements in therapeutic recreation are on the rise, and opportunities are best for individuals with a bachelor's degree. Therapeutic recreation specialists work in a variety of settings. In clinical settings, such as hospitals and rehabilitation centers, they treat or rehabilitate individuals with specific medical problems in cooperation with an interdisciplinary team of physicians, social workers, occupational therapists, and physical therapists, among others. In nursing homes and residential facilities, therapeutic recreation specialists utilize activities to enhance general health and quality of life. In the community, therapeutic recreation specialists work with recreation department agencies, special education programs, correctional facilities, youth-at-risk agencies, and programs for older adults. In these settings, therapeutic recreation specialists develop interventions that promote self-efficacy, community inclusion, fitness, healthy leisure behaviors, and overall quality of life.

Graduates of the therapeutic recreation program are eligible to apply for certification through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification.
Since 2006, 89 percent of the graduates from the therapeutic recreation major have passed the certification exam, compared to a national average of 72 percent.

Special Academic Status Policy for Therapeutic Recreation Majors

1. A student in the therapeutic recreation major must receive a semester grade of at least C- in all required RLS-prefix courses.
2. A student who fails to complete a required RLS-prefix course with at least a C- grade must repeat the course. The Ithaca College policies on repeating courses must be followed.
   Repeating a Course
3. A student who receives less than a C- after repeating a required RLS-prefix course will be subject to dismissal from the program. A student dismissed from the program may be eligible to enter other Ithaca College degree programs.
4. A student dismissed from a professional practicum is subject to receiving a failing grade and, in that case, must complete a prescribed program of remediation prior to a second placement. The student must register again for the practicum. A student dismissed from a professional practicum a second time is subject to dismissal from the program.
5. In an exceptional case, a student may be readmitted to this program upon satisfying conditions determined by the faculty.

Requirements for the Major in Therapeutic Recreation -- B.S.

At least 60 credits of liberal arts courses are required to graduate with a B.S. degree. All candidates for the B.S. degree in therapeutic recreation must complete a minimum of 120 credits in the various components described below.

General requirements

Liberal arts requirements

HIST xxxxx	History elective	3
MATH xxxxx	Math elective	3-4
PHIL 23000	Bioethics	3
SPCM xxxxx	Speech communication (SPCM 11000, SPCM 11500, SPCM 14000, or SPCM 14900)	3
PSYC 10400	Introduction to Developmental Psychology	3
PSYC 32100	Abnormal Psychology	3
SOCI xxxxx	Sociology elective	3
WRTG 10600	Academic Writing I or
WRTG 11100	Academic Writing II (by placement)	3
WRTG xxxxx	Writing elective (not WRTG 10100)	3
	Total, liberal arts	27-28

Cultural diversity elective

Select at least 3 credits from the following:

POLT 12900	Introduction to Global Studies	3
POLT 14100	Power: Race, Sex, and Class	3
SPCM 34700	Intercultural Communication	3
SOCI 11600	Introduction to Multicultural Studies	3
SOCI 13000	Youth and Youth Cultures	3
SOCI 20700	Race and Ethnicity	3
SOCI 22600	Sociology of Hispanic Americans	3
SOCI 30300	Global Race and Ethnic Relations	3
SOCI 32500	Race, Class, and Gender	3
ANTH 10400	Cultural Anthropology	3
ANTH 12900	Introduction to Global Studies	3
HPS 11000	War, Hunger, and Genocide	3
HPS 12900	Introduction to Global Studies	3
HPS 25000	International Health Issues	3
HINT 31200	Health Care and Culture and	3
HINT 31300	Health Care and Culture: International Field Experience	1
	Total, general requirements	30-31

Required health science courses

HPS 10200	Medical Terminology	3
HPS 20500	Critical Health Issues	3
HLTH 12200	Emergency Health Care	1
EXSS 12000	Anatomy and Physiology I	4
EXSS 12100	Anatomy and Physiology II	4
	Total, required health science courses	15

Recreation and leisure studies interdisciplinary core

RLS 10300	History and Philosophy of Leisure	3
RLS 10500	Leadership	3
RLS 12500	Understanding Disability: Characteristics, Causes, Services	3
COMP 11000	Computers and Information Technologies or	3
HLTH 13901	Technology for the Professional Edge	3
RLS 23200	Program Planning	3
RLS 23500	Design and Operation of Areas and Facilities	3
RLS 33000	Administration of Recreation	3
RLS 33200	Research Methods	3
RLS xxxxx	Recreation elective (any recreation course not required in the major)	3
	Total, general recreation courses	27

Therapeutic recreation core courses

RLS 13300	Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation	3
RLS 24300	Interventions and Protocols in Therapeutic Recreation	3
RLS 33400	Leisure Education	3
RLS 34000	Inclusive Community Leisure Services	3
RLS 35000	Therapeutic Recreation Process I	3
RLS 35300	Clinical Applications in Therapeutic Recreation	1
RLS 36000	Therapeutic Recreation Process II	3
RLS 43300	Administration of Therapeutic Recreation	3
RLS 45300	Seminar: Professional Development	3
	Total, therapeutic recreation professional core courses	25

Therapeutic recreation practicum

A minimum of 6 credits must be earned in either RLS 34900 or RLS 44100, both of which can be taken for variable credit. The total number of practicum credits earned for the degree may not exceed 15, including those credits earned in fieldwork courses outside the major. Practicum credits beyond the 12 required credits may be counted as free electives. Students must complete a minimum of 480 hours over a period of no fewer than 12 consecutive weeks. No fewer than 20 hours can be completed in any week.

Internships must be approved by the department chair. To be eligible for an internship (RLS 44100), a therapeutic recreation major must meet the following prerequisites:

• GPA of at least 2.50 in Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies (RLS xxxxx) courses
• minimum average of 3.00 in RLS 24800 and RLS 34800, Service Learning I and II
• cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 and at least 24 credits earned in the last 12 months
• completion of a majority of the therapeutic recreation professional core

RLS 24800	Service Learning I: Programming	3
RLS 34800	Service Learning II: Administration	3
RLS 34900	Advanced Fieldwork or
RLS 44100	Internship in Recreation and Leisure Studies	6-9
	Total, professional practicum	12-15

Liberal arts electives

Total

3-7

Free electives

Total

2-4

Summary

General requirements	30-31
Required health science courses	15
General recreation courses	27
Therapeutic recreation professional core courses	25
Professional practicum	12-15
Liberal arts electives	3-7
Free electives	2-4
Total, B.S. in therapeutic recreation	120

Minors

Recreation Minor

Open to students majoring in all disciplines except recreation management, outdoor adventure leadership, and therapeutic recreation.

The academic minor in recreation is designed to increase the student's awareness of the importance and extent of leisure and recreation in modern society and to prepare the student to plan, organize, and lead a recreation program of limited scope in a variety of settings.

In addition to the minimum credit requirements for this minor, students must either provide documented evidence that they have had at least 200 hours of work or volunteer experience in the areas of recreation programming or leadership with a leisure service agency, or complete the course RLS 24800 Fieldwork I. Experience from other course requirements or before admission to the minor program will not satisfy the experiential requirement.

Requirements

RLS 10100	Leisure and Society  or
RLS 10300	History and Philosophy of Leisure	3
RLS 10500	Leadership	3
RLS 23200	Program Planning	3
HLTH 12200	Emergency Health Care	1
RLS xxxxx	Recreation electives	6
	Total, recreation minor	16

Outdoor Pursuits Minor

The outdoor pursuits minor is open to all students majoring in all disciplines except outdoor adventure leadership.

Outdoor pursuits are used in many settings. Businesses are using "outward-bound" type programs with their executives. Social service agencies offer camping and outdoor adventure programs for clients. Schools are using outdoor education and camping programs as part of their curriculum. This academic minor program prepares students to plan, organize, and lead outdoor leadership programs of limited scope.

Requirements

RLS 15100

Foundations of Outdoor Adventure Pursuits

3

Recreation electives

Select at least 12 credits from the following:

RLS 180xx	ST: Adventure Skill	1
RLS 190xx	ST: Adventure Skill Fieldwork	2
RLS 21600	Outdoor Adventure Skills	3
RLS 21800	Wilderness First Responder	3
RLS 22000	The Wilderness Experience	4
RLS 22300	Wilderness Literacy	2
RLS 280xx	ST: Adventure Skill Management	2
RLS 35400	Org & Suprvsn of Out Advent Pursuits	2
RLS 37000	Recreational Land Use Ethics	3
RLS 42100	Wilderness Expedition Leadership	4
RLS 43000	Outdoor Edu Theory & Techniques	3
	Total, outdoor recreation minor	15-21