Learning Outcomes

Undergraduate Programs

B.S., Recreation and Leisure Studies
B.S., Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management

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.

Students graduating from the program shall be able to demonstrate the ability to design, implement, and evaluate services that facilitate targeted human experiences and that embrace personal and cultural dimensions of diversity.

Students graduating from the program shall be able to demonstrate entry-level knowledge about operations and strategic management/administration in parks, recreation, tourism, and/or related professions.  

Students graduating from the program shall 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.

Students will demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills commensurate with professional practice.

Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills, enabling students to comprehend and effectively analyze issues, make decisions, and form sound and well-based judgments.

B.S., Therapeutic Recreation

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.

Students graduating from the program shall 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.

Students graduating from the program shall be able to demonstrate entry-level knowledge about management/administration of therapeutic recreation services.

Students graduating from the program shall 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.

B.S., Sport Management

Upon completion of the Bachelor's degree program in SMT, graduates will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a working knowledge of the foundations of the field of sport management, including the historical, sociological, and psychological underpinnings of the discipline.
2. Incorporate an understanding of the foundations of sport management into their decision-making and problem-solving, including essential sport management concepts, sport governance and policy, and how these elements may vary according to the sport setting.
3. Employ the essential functions of sport managers, including being able to operate sport facilities and events, develop sport marketing and promotional campaigns, communicate with internal and external stakeholders, and be able to practice effective budgeting and financial management practices in sport settings.
4. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the sport management environment, including the ability to explain legal concepts relevant to the sport industry, analyze situations through an ethical lens, understand the benefits of diversity and inclusion for sport organizations, and be able to assess and implement continually advancing technologies in sport settings. 
5. Effectively integrate concepts derived from sport management coursework in culminating learning experiences through which students will demonstrate skills applicable to a variety of sport industry segments via professional internships with local, regional, and national sport organizations. 
6. Students will demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills commensurate with professional practice.
     

Graduate Core Learning Outcomes

•  Students will demonstrate knowledge of a) the nature & scope of the recreation professional, b) techniques and processes used by professional workers in these industries, and c) the foundation of the profession in history, science, and philosophy. 
• Students will demonstrate knowledge of operations and strategic management/administration in recreational services.
• Students will demonstrate knowledge of and ability to a) apply research and evaluation methods and practices, and b) utilize the results of research and evaluation to improve practice/services. 
• Students will demonstrate through a practicum experience the potential to succeed as professionals at an administrative or supervisory level in recreational services. 
• Students will demonstrate the ability to design, implement, and evaluate services that facilitate targeted human experiences and that embrace personal and cultural dimensions of diversity. 
     

M.S., Sport Management

• Incorporate an understanding of ethical, legal, and socio-cultural issues in leadership, decision making and policy determinations in sport management and athletics administration
• Employ sound principles of financial, risk, and human resource management, and strategic planning in sport management and athletics administration.
• Apply a fundamental knowledge and practical understanding of sport and athletics marketing, sport and athletics media and communications, and sport and athletics event management principles
• Utilize critical thinking and abstract reasoning skills in analyzing sport and athletics leadership and management issues and in planning and decision making
• Communicate effectively to diverse audiences, purposes and situations in a variety of contexts within sport and athletics organizations
• Through a culminating capstone experience students will develop research skills in sport management and athletics administration and integrate and apply their various learning experiences in sport, and athletics administration
    

M.S., Recreation and Leisure Studies

Recreation Administration

• Students graduating from the program will demonstrate an ability to incorporate research and evaluation methods and practices to improve recreation & leisure practice/services.
• Students graduating from the program shall be able to demonstrate an advanced knowledge of the cultural, economic, social, environmental and physiological aspects of the profession, and how these issues impact the provision of experiences which may include but is not limited to: leisure behavior, societal issues and trends, philosophy, social equity, diversity, conservation, public policy/governance.
• Students graduating from the program will demonstrate advanced knowledge of supervision, leadership, and management philosophies, communication, and administrative practices associated with strategic planning and decision-making in the delivery of services.
• Students graduating from the program shall demonstrate, the ability to integrate their education into professional practice (research and/or applied) through one of the following methods:  A thesis/special project per the institution’s requirements; and/or, Comprehensive internship experience.
• Students graduating from the program shall be able to demonstrate an advanced knowledge operations management/administration which may include but is not limited to: master/comprehensive planning, marketing, finance, law, risk management, technology, policy development, facility, and human resource management.
      

Recreation Therapy

• Students graduating from the program will demonstrate an ability to incorporate research and evaluation methods and practices to improve recreation & leisure practice/services.
• Students graduating from the program shall be able to demonstrate an advanced knowledge of the cultural, economic, social, environmental and physiological aspects of the profession, and how these issues impact the provision of experiences which may include but is not limited to: leisure behavior, societal issues and trends, philosophy, social equity, diversity, conservation, public policy/governance.
• Students graduating from the program will demonstrate advanced knowledge of supervision, leadership, and management philosophies, communication, and administrative practices associated with strategic planning and decision-making in the delivery of services.
• Students graduating from the program shall demonstrate, the ability to integrate their education into professional practice (research and/or applied) through one of the following methods:  A thesis/special project per the institution’s requirements; and/or, Comprehensive internship experience.
• Demonstrate an advanced ability to assess, plan, implement, document, and evaluate therapeutic recreation services that facilitate targeted outcomes in an ethical manner for both individuals and groups.