The B.S. in Recreation and Leisure Studies prepares students to take on key leadership roles in exciting and meaningful careers in recreational therapy, park and recreation management, and youth development while building valuable management and programming skills that can be applied to this unique field. Internship experiences will put you in touch with professionals in your chosen career path and help to strengthen your commitment to your future profession.
Program Features
- Specialized concentrations that tailor educational interests to career goals
- Skill development in program planning and management
- Embedded practical experiences with our Institute of Adapted Sport and Recreation, and Recreational Therapy Clinic.
- Immersive internship experiences to put learned theories and course concepts into practice
- Professional development through conferences, workshops, seminars, career fairs, and participation in Interprofessional Education events
- Faculty with professional experience in their field
- Tuition break for those who reside in any New England state as well as NY, NJ, and PA pay a reduced out-of-state tuition.
- Lead to Certification/Licensure as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) or Certified Park & Recreation Professional (CPRP).
- An accelerated degree program in Recreation Therapy or Recreation Administration offers the opportunity to complete your B.S./M.S. in five years.
B.S., Recreation and Leisure Studies
Students graduating from the program shall:
- Demonstrate the following entry-level knowledge: a) the nature and scope of the relevant park, recreation, tourism or related professions and their associated industries; b) techniques and processes used by professionals and workers in these industries; and c) the foundation of the profession in history, science, and philosophy.
- Demonstrate the ability to design, implement, and evaluate services that facilitate targeted human experiences and that embrace personal and cultural dimensions of diversity.
- Demonstrate entry-level knowledge about operations and strategic management/administration in parks, recreation, tourism, and/or related professions.
- Demonstrate, through a comprehensive internship of not less than 400 clock hours and no fewer than 10 weeks, the potential to succeed as professionals at supervisory or higher levels in park, recreation, tourism, or related organizations.
- Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills commensurate with professional practice.
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills, enabling students to comprehend and effectively analyze issues, make decisions, and form sound and well-based judgments.
B.S., Recreation & Leisure Studies, Therapeutic Recreation Concentration
Students graduating from the program shall:
- Demonstrate entry-level knowledge of the nature and scope of the therapeutic recreation profession and its associated service delivery systems; demonstrate knowledge of techniques and processes used by professionals and workers in the industry; and, knowledge of the foundation of the profession in history, science, and philosophy.
- Demonstrate the ability to assess, plan, implement, document, and evaluate therapeutic recreation services that facilitate targeted outcomes, and that embrace personal and cultural dimensions of diversity.
- Demonstrate entry-level knowledge about management/administration of therapeutic recreation services.
- Demonstrate the sustained ability to apply the therapeutic recreation process; use diverse, structured ways of thinking to solve problems related to different facets of professional practice; engage in advocacy; and stimulate innovation.
Our Vision
Our vision is to be the preeminent Recreation, Tourism, and Sport Management program in the region.
Our Mission
To facilitate student-centered success through learning and leadership development incorporating innovative teaching strategies that integrate relevant research, community service, and a practitioner perspective gained through experiential learning opportunities and connections leading to careers in recreation, tourism, sport and related professions.
Values
The Department of Recreation, Tourism and Sport Management values:
- Personal and Professional Excellence
- Student-Centered Approach
- Practical Service-Based Learning
- Collaborative Community Relationships
- Inclusive, Diverse Environment
Recreation & Leisure Studies, Therapeutic Recreation
The Recreation & Leisure Studies and Therapeutic Recreation programs at Southern Connecticut State University are accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT). COAPRT recognizes academic programs in colleges and universities that prepare new professionals to enter the parks, recreation, tourism and related professions COAPRT Accreditation is a status granted to an academic program that meets or exceeds stated criteria of educational quality. In the United States, accreditation of professional preparation curricula is conferred by non-governmental bodies, which are often closely associated with professional associations in the field. COAPRT accredits baccalaureate degree programs in this profession. COAPRT is accredited by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Important Information Regarding Degree Mills
Please watch this important video regarding degree and accreditation mills. According to CHEA, "Degree mills and accreditation mills mislead and harm. In the United States, degrees and certificates from mills may not be acknowledged by other institutions when students seek to transfer or go to graduate school. Employers may not acknowledge degrees and certificates from degree mills when providing tuition assistance for continuing education. "Accreditation" from an accreditation mill can mislead students and the public about the quality of an institution. In the presence of degree mills and accreditation mills, students may spend a good deal of money and receive neither an education nor a useable credential." Read more on CHEA's website.
Program Evaluation
COAPRT standard 2.05.05 requires reporting of aggregated results of learning outcomes assessment. Results for the most recent academic year (2022/2023) follow.
Recreation and Leisure Studies
Standard 7.01: During the 2022-2023 academic year, 83% of the students scored an 80% or above on their program/special event portfolio demonstrating entry level knowledge of the techniques and processes used by professionals and workers in recreation and leisure industries.
Standard 7.02: During the 2022-2023 academic year, 90% of students scored an 80% or above on their lab experience journals demonstrating their ability to design and evaluate a recreation program to facilitate targeted human experiences and embrace personal and cultural dimensions of diversity.
Standard 7.03: During the 2022-2023 academic year, 100% of students scored an 80% or above on the Professional Portfolio that includes management philosophy, employee recruitment materials, budget, marketing campaign, and risk management plan.
Therapeutic Recreation
7.01 During the 2022-2023 academic year, 100% of students averaged a 7.5 or above on their medical terminology modules and abbreviations (5) demonstrating entry level knowledge of the scope of the TR profession and its associated delivery systems, and the foundations of the TR profession.
7.02 During the 2022-2023 academic year, 92% of students scored 80 or above for case studies (5) assignment demonstrating the ability to design, implement, and evaluate services that facilitate targeted human experiences and that embrace personal and cultural dimensions of diversity.
7.03 During the 2022-2023 academic year, 83% of students scored 80 or above on program development assignment demonstrating entry-level knowledge about the management and administration of TR services.
Concentrations
Recreation and Leisure, B.S. - Recreational Therapy
In the Recreational Therapy concentration, students acquire the skills necessary to help improve the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities by using recreational activities and leisure experiences to reach client goals. Graduates of the program will be prepared for careers in a variety of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, community agencies, and mental health centers. They will be equipped to work with diverse populations, including children, adolescents, adults, and older adults, addressing a range of physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral challenges. In addition, students are prepared to take the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) exam to become a nationally Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). In addition, students can take courses that meet the State of Connecticut Public Health Code to be a Therapeutic Recreation Director.
Recreation and Leisure, B.S. - Rehabilitation (RT-OT)
The Rehabilitation (RT – OT) concentration is designed to provide students with a comprehensive foundation in recreation therapy preparing them for careers in recreational therapy while simultaneously fulfilling prerequisite coursework for advanced study in occupational therapy at the graduate level.
Recreation and Leisure, B.S. - Parks and Recreation Management
The concentration in Park and Recreation Management will prepare students for careers in parks, recreation, non-profit agencies, and commercial recreation businesses. Leadership, programming, and managing leisure experiences for participants of all abilities is a significant emphasis in this area. Students graduating with a concentration in Park and Recreation Management might find careers in municipal park and recreation departments, state and federal parks, community centers, non-profit youth-serving agencies, campus/university recreation, and military settings.
Recreation and Leisure, B.S. - Youth Development and Leadership
In the Recreation and Youth Development program, students acquire leadership, programming, and management skills for careers in community and youth-based recreation service agencies and facilities that are focused on enhancing the livability of communities, improving the quality of life for all people, and promoting positive youth development.
Recreation and Leisure, B.S. - Child Life Specialist
Children today confront various stressful and potentially traumatic events that may overwhelm their natural ability to cope and heal. Child Life Specialists are trained professionals with expertise in helping children and their families overcome life's most challenging moments. Armed with a strong background in child development and family systems, Child Life Specialists promote effective coping through play, preparation, education, and self-expression activities. They provide emotional support for families and encourage the optimum development of children facing a broad range of challenging experiences, particularly those related to healthcare and hospitalization. The Child Life Specialist concentration introduces the history, philosophy, theories, and concepts relating to child life services. The role of a child life specialist as a member of the healthcare team is examined.
Careers
Professionals trained in these fields work in a variety of settings: Hospitals and rehabilitation settings; Local, state, and federal parks and recreation agencies; private commercial enterprises; campus recreation, community sport organizations; youth development; and not-for-profit agencies.
Recreational Therapy / Rehabilitation (RT to OT) Concentrations
Students graduating from the Recreational Therapy program have obtained positions as recreation therapists at the West Haven V.A., Hospital for Special Care, Gaylord Hospital, Guilford House, Department of Mental Health and Addictions, Department of Family and Children, and Yale New Haven Hospital. Other locations include:
- Acute Care Hospitals
- Psychiatric and Rehabilitation Hospitals
- Residential Facilities
- Long-Term Care, Skilled Nursing Facilities
- Adult Day Care Facilities
- Non-Profit and Municipal Agencies
- Wilderness Adventure Programs
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of recreational therapists is projected to grow 4 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 1,300 openings for recreational therapists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. According to the Economic Development Employer Planning System report, there is an average of 20 new TR jobs each year in Connecticut.
Park & Recreation Management (PRM) / Youth Development & Leadership Concentrations
Students graduating from these concentrations have obtained positions including Park Supervisor with CT State Park and the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and Energy, Recreation Supervisors and Coordinators in New Britain Parks, Rocky Hill, Meriden, New Haven, and many more. Other areas include:
- Nonprofit Youth-Serving Agencies (Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA, YWCA, 4-H, Boy & Girl Scouts, Girls INC.)
- Public Entities (Municipal Park & Recreation Departments, Community Centers, Senior Centers, After School Programs, Community Youth Services).
- Juvenile Justice Systems
- Special Events Management
- Military Recreation
- Campus Recreation
Employment of entertainment and recreation managers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. About 3,100 openings for entertainment and recreation managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment growth will stem from public interest in recreational activities, such as golf and tennis. In addition, an increased emphasis on the importance of lifelong well-being is expected to create demand for entertainment and recreation managers in a variety of settings, including country clubs, fitness centers, and parks.
Typical Job Titles
Recreational Therapy
- Recreational Therapist
- Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
- Therapeutic Recreation Director
- Activity Therapist
- Rehabilitation Therapist
Park & Recreation Management/Youth Development & Leadership
- Recreation Coordinator/Supervisor
- Park Ranger
- Park Supervisor
- Aquatics Director
- Program Manager
- Camp Director
Institute for Adapted Sports and Recreation
The Institute for Adapted Sports and Recreation provides programs for individuals with various disabilities. Through the institute, we also offer recreational therapy to individuals with disabilities living in the community. We have partnered with local organizations, where graduate students facilitate leisure activities as a way for clients to develop social skills.
School / College
College of Health & Human Services
Department
Recreation, Tourism and Sport Management
Contact
Dr. Mary Jo Archambault (Recreational Therapy, Rehabilitation RT to OT, Child Life Specialist)
Dr. Joe Milone (Park & Recreation Management, Youth Development & Leadership)