Recreation, Parks, and Tourism

College of Health and Human Services
Dean: Don Taylor

Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Department
HSS 307
415-338-2030
Web Site: http://recdept.sfsu.edu
Chair: Patrick Tierney

Undergraduate Coordinator: Erik Rosegard
Graduate Coordinator: Patrick Tierney

Faculty

Professor—Tierney
Associate Professor—Rosegard
Assistant Professors—Latkova, Roberts, Suren
Lecturers—Ben-Eliezer, Fabela, Flasher, Goodwin, Heckman, Holland, Jaquith, Lowe, McAdams, Mirviss, Pon, Potter, Schilling, Schwartz, Utsumi

Programs

B.A. in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration
Minor in Recreation
Certificate in Youth and Human Services Nonprofit Agency Administration
M.S. in Recreation

Program Scope

The Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Department at San Francisco State University, in existence since 1946, has established a reputation for excellence. The faculty members represent a broad range of skills, interests, and expertise in the recreation, parks, and tourism profession and discipline. They are well-qualified professors and scholars with many years of practical field experience in diverse leisure service agencies. A Bachelor of Arts in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration is offered through the Department and is accredited by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation (AAPAR) Council on Accreditation. Accreditation provides broader recognition in the academic community and professional field. Employers can be assured that graduates of accredited programs are fully qualified for careers within the profession. Students from accredited programs are immediately eligible to sit for the Certified Park and Recreation Professional Examination (CPRP) certification—an increasingly recognized credential in the field. In addition, students are able to affiliate with professional organizations such as the World Leisure and Recreation Association (WLRA), International Special Event Society (ISES), Meeting Professionals International (MPI), California Park and Recreation Society (CPRS), and other organizations associated with student interests and career aspirations.

The recreation major is designed to provide students with the skills necessary for successful entrance into the recreation, parks, and tourism profession and emphasis area of choice. The major can be supplemented with appropriate electives to prepare students for specialized careers within the leisure service delivery system. Students continue through the curriculum requirements until fully qualified for placement as full-time interns during their last spring semester. Upon successful completion of the internship, students graduate and become employable. The program also includes academic work that centers on the latest marketing, programming, and event planning techniques; leadership, management, and administration competencies; assessment and evaluation methodologies; and sustainable/green practices.

The program's most important resource is the diversity and vitality of the San Francisco Bay Area. Its unduplicated myriad of agencies, institutions, and leisure enterprises makes the region a focal point for international tourism, recreation, parks, and a living laboratory for leisure. Located in this prime area, the program provides opportunities to create professional networks with hundreds of SFSU graduates now in the field, which creates an additional competitive edge in today's job market. The university's extensive library resources also complement the Department's curriculum.

San Francisco State University offers other programs of study within recreation, parks, and tourism. An undergraduate minor program is designed to complement majors in such diverse fields as child and adolescent development, business, education, psychology, theatre arts, environmental studies, urban studies, geography, and biology. A graduate program is available for students with experience who wish to pursue advanced training in the areas of community building, collaborative leadership, tourism, and management. The Department and University recognize their responsibility to provide an opportunity for all students to acquire leisure skills. As a service to the students, the Department offers a variety of courses that provide skill development and instruction activities such as sailing, camping, arts and crafts, staff supervision, planning cooperative games, adventure activities, and other recreation pursuits. The Department also recognizes its responsibility to provide for the general education of the campus community. To that end, it offers several General Education courses in Segment II (Behavioral and Social Sciences Area and Humanities and Creative Arts Area) and Segment III.

The Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Department in the College of Health and Human Services at San Francisco State University envisions a California where all residents are adequately prepared and situated to realize quality in all that comprises their life's pursuits. The Department mission and goals are to:

• Foster an innovative learning community among students, faculty, university, and the recreation, parks, and tourism professions through a foundation of quality education, service, and research.
• Provide students, faculty, and professionals with competencies and theoretically-based instruction through experiential and community service learning.
• Advocate the importance, values, and benefits of recreation, parks, and tourism in society through stewardship, civic engagement, social responsibility, public policy and awareness, and professional participation.
• Develop and strengthen relationships/partnerships with the recreation, parks, and tourism professions through the communication, dissemination, and application of research and best practices.

Students desiring to receive a Master of Science in Recreation, Bachelor of Arts in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration, or Minor in Recreation should review the Department website http://recdept.sfsu.edu and consult with the Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Department where they will be directed to a faculty adviser related to their area of specific interest. Students interested in the nonprofit sector can also obtain a certificate in Youth and Human Services Nonprofit Agency Administration, and should see the American Humanics campus director for advising.

All courses used in the major, minor, or certificate programs must be completed with letter grades (CR/NC option is not allowed). Courses that are required for the major, minor, or certificate programs must be completed with a minimum grade point average of 2.0 and a letter grade of C- or better. In addition, students are required to adhere to all Department and University requirements stated in this Bulletin and in the Department student handbook.

Career Outlook

Every year, millions of people spend an increasing amount of time in pursuit of beneficial leisure and recreation experiences. As the world's leading industry, recreation and leisure/tourism spending accounts for approximately one trillion dollars a year. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the U.S. Department of Labor, the overall employment in the leisure/tourism and hospitality industry will grow by 17.8 percent. The arts, entertainment, and recreation division will grow by 28 percent and add 497,000 new jobs by 2012. Job growth will stem from public participation in arts, entertainment, and recreation activities—reflecting increasing incomes, leisure time, and awareness of physical activity health benefits.

Full-time, trained recreation, park and tourism professionals are needed to develop, organize, and implement programs for the public and nonprofit sector, park districts, municipal recreation agencies, marinas, private camps, event-planning organizations, and theme parks to name a few. Agencies serving people with disabilities and the elderly hire recreation professionals to assist their clients. Boys and Girls Clubs, and YMCA/YWCA are semi-public, nonprofit organizations that account for many of the job opportunities in the field of recreation. Thus, the recreation profession offers diverse employment opportunities for individuals who are enthusiastic, enjoy working with people, and have acquired the necessary professional skills.

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN RECREATION, PARKS, AND TOURISM ADMINISTRATION

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated. On-line course descriptions are available.

MINOR IN RECREATION

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated. On-line course descriptions are available.

CERTIFICATE IN YOUTH AND HUMAN SERVICES NONPROFIT AGENCY ADMINISTRATION

Campus Executive Director—Asuncion Suren

General Information

San Francisco State University is proud to offer a certificate in youth and human services nonprofit administration. Nonprofit agencies play an important role in the development and well-being of individuals and communities. To help meet the growing need for qualified leadership in today's non-profit organizations, the certificate program inspires and prepares undergraduates for entry-level professional positions in the nonprofit sector. Interested students take courses within a broad-based curriculum designed to develop leadership and management skills in nonprofit organizations. Students are required to consult with the certificate campus adviser to determine course work and co-curricular activities.

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated. On-line course descriptions are available.

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN RECREATION

Graduate Advisers—Latkova, Roberts, Rosegard, Suren, Tierney

General Information

The mission of the Master of Science in Recreation is to serve as a catalyst for the development of emerging entrepreneurial leaders who will advance the recreation, parks, and tourism profession and society by providing a foundation of quality education, service, and research that bridges the gap between theory and practice, knowledge and experience, and critical and creative thinking. The program is designed to develop competencies for positions of administrative responsibility in the professional field of recreation, parks, and tourism. Maximum flexibility in choice of course work within the program enables the student both to broaden his/her knowledge of the field and to concentrate on his/her particular area of specialization. A master's degree in recreation provides opportunities in a wide range of career paths such as lifestyle and leisure coaching, adventure therapy, community leadership, parks management, and nonprofit administration. Visit the Recreation, Parks, and Tourism student graduate program web site at www.sfsu.edu/~recdept/html/gradhm.htm for current information.

Students interested in this program ordinarily must have received a baccalaureate degree in recreation, parks, and tourism. However, a degree in a related major (e.g., creative arts, natural science, physical education, psychology, business, special education, public administration, park planning, social welfare, etc.) may be accepted provided such applicants demonstrate knowledge of recreation, parks, and tourism profession through experience and/or training, and the ability to program and organize recreation in a variety of settings.

Applicants lacking successful field experiences, professional preparation, full-time paid experience, and/or a related undergraduate degree may be required to complete indicated undergraduate courses and/or experience requirements to become eligible for consideration.

To be considered for admission, applicants must have a 3.0 GPA for the last 60 units of undergraduate work, and submit the following documents to the Department: three letters of recommendation, résumé, transcripts of all academic work, and a separate departmental application. Students must also apply separately to the University.

Classified Status

Students admitted to the Department under "conditionally classified status" may achieve fully classified status after meeting the conditions set by the Department for admission to classified status. Such conditions vary by student experience and undergraduate degree and may include: (a) prerequisite course requirements, such as RPT 400, RPT 410, RPT 420, RPT 500, and RPT 520, or judged equivalents and/or others deemed necessary; (b) full-time work experience in the field, or judged equivalent, within a specified time frame; and/or (c) a grade of B or better in two graduate courses.

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One: Students must take the Graduate Essay Test (GET) with a passing score of 5 or higher or petition the Department's graduate faculty to approve an equivalent demonstration, during their first year of enrollment. In no case will a student be advanced to candidacy until this requirement is met. Level Two: Assessment of writing proficiency takes place near the end of the student's course of study, and is based on performance on either the written comprehensive examination or the thesis. An independent literacy assessment, separate from other proficiency standards and requirements, is carried out for either culminating experience requirement.

Advancement to Candidacy

In addition to meeting all general requirements, applicants must:

• complete at least 12 units of post-baccalaureate work with a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
• have developed an approved plan and made substantial progress toward meeting work experience requirements as specified by the Department.
• have fulfilled conditions set by the Department for admission to classified status.
• have prepared and filed a Graduate Approved Program (GAP). Students are expected to have the GAP prepared when they have completed approximately 24 units of the program requirements. The GAP is determined in conjunction with the student's graduate adviser, and is subject to approval by the Department Graduate Coordinator.

Upper division courses are acceptable on approval of the graduate adviser.

Examination. Those candidates not completing a thesis or applied project must pass a comprehensive written examination. This written examination broadly assesses the student's integration and synthesis of required foundation and professional core content. The comprehensive written examination may be attempted two times.