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Department Profile
Graduates of this program should possess the skills necessary to support diversity, promote environmental awareness and ethical thinking, and foster healthy communities through comprehensive recreation programs.
In short, when words like "excellence", "quality", "futuristic", "fairness" and "student-oriented" are mentioned in the context of leisure, we want it to be assumed the reference is to the Department of Recreation Administration.
Our strong faculty reputation is built on high-quality professors. According to the university's March 2003 external review report, the department’s faculty are “accessible, available, and committed to the students. Students mentioned a ‘family atmosphere’ between themselves and faculty in the unit.” EIU faculty/evaluation reports of Purdue University core items consistently indicate median scores over 4.5 on a scale of five.
A degree at EIU is not just about mastering theories. It's also about practical, hands-on experiences with real people in real organizations. Work in field-based recreational settings is integral to many recreation courses, giving our graduates a critical head start in the field.
You'll work closely with instructors in your field work and internships, giving you an understanding of the various competencies as identified by certification agents. Through field work and internships, EIU students develop applied skills and understanding that lead to expertise in the field.
The education curriculum at EIU culminates in an entire term devoted to interning at a recreation organization. You will continue to receive support from your professors through assignments and visits to discuss issues you are facing at the site.
The department is fully accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Recreation, Park Resources and Leisure Services.
EIU and Recreation Administration: Doing Great Things
Eastern Illinois University continues drawing praise for the quality of its students, faculty and programs. This also holds true for the Department of Recreation Administration. U.S. News and World Report has given EIU high marks in its "Best Colleges 2010" rankings, a significant recognition for a public university.
Eastern’s attractive 320-acre campus is large enough to offer quality programs, yet small enough to offer personal attention. Nearly 50 percent of the university’s 12,000 students live in on-campus housing. The average class size is 22, with a 1:16 faculty/student ratio. Alumni consistently list small class size as one reason for their satisfaction with EIU.
Non-traditional and part-time students are enrolled in programs at both on-and off-campus sites. Department faculty are involved in a wide range of research and public service activities. Throughout the state and beyond, we continue to hear numerous positive comments about the quality of our students and the graduates of our programs. These are wonderful things to hear about Eastern and our students. It sets a very high bar for us to continue striving to meet.
Goals and Objectives for Recreation Administration
The following goals and objectives can also be viewed as an Excel spreadsheet or as a PDF document.
Recreation Administration Curriculum
Goal 1: To revise curriculum to address current professional development issues and trends.
| Objective | Action | Timeline | Addressed By |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1) Conduct a departmental review of required recreation core courses against COARPT standards. | Faculty review courses and discuss possible action, including (but not limited to): reduction of credit hours in some courses with the increase of credit hours in other course; addition of courses; revisions to current syllabi/course content. | August 2012 | Curriculum Committee Chair Dr. Holmes-Layman |
| 1.2) Investigate the expansion/proposal of new courses (outdoor, advanced technology, online, CTRS prep, tourism, HRM). | Curriculum committee will review proposals for various concentrations. | August 2013 | Curriculum Committee Chair Dr. Holmes-Layman |
| 1.3) Investigate the feasibility for collaboration of course offerings with other departments on campus. | Faculty discuss areas of possible collaboration and generate list of target departments. | August 2013 | Curriculum Committee Chair Dr. Holmes-Layman |
| 1.4) To explore certificate program options. | Meet with appropriate offices and provide information to faculty. | August 2013 | Faculty Meeting Dr. Higelmire |
| 1.5) To promote integrated learning experiences for students. | Ensure that students engage in at least three agency integrated projects. | May 2014 | Curriculum Committee Dr. James Barkley |
| 1.6) To explore the development/acquisition of additional storage space. | Submit a proposal for alternative sites for storage. | January 2012 | Department Chair Dr. Higelmire |
| 1.7) Promote study abroad, study away and national student exchange options. | Through appreciative advising faculty will Share opportunities with students regarding NSE, study abroad and study away. | Annually in August | Faculty Meeting Dr. Holmes Layman |
Recreation Administration Visibility
Goal 2: To enhance the Department of Recreation Administration's visibility and development opportunities.
| Objective | Action | Timeline | Addressed By |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1) Continue and strengthen relationships with recreation agencies. | Faculty will explore ways to serve on recreation related professional committees. | Annually in August | Faculty Meeting Dr. Higelmire |
| 2.2) Maintain an up-to-date mailing and email list of Department of Recreation Administration alumni. | Work with foundation to develop an accurate email list. | Annually in August | Faculty Meeting Dr. Higelmire |
| 2.3) Assist in applying for internal and external grants. | Identify project areas and possible collaboration projects among university faculty (and community). | Annually in April | Faculty Meeting Dr. Higelmire |
| 2.4) To explore the development of a summer fitness camp. | Work with interested parties to establish a summer fitness camp. | January 2013 | Dr. Barkley |
| 2.5) Develop presentations, publications and other creative endeavors. | Faculty will prepare session proposals, manuscripts, report, and engage in other creative activities. | October and April | Department Faculty |
Recreation Administration Assessment
Goal 3) To revise the Department of Recreation Administration's student assessment standards and practices.
| Objective | Action | Timeline | Addressed By |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1) To establish criterion measures for assessment objectives. | Assessment committee will review objectives and make appropriate changes. Committee will review student portfolio process for refinement. | August 2014 | Chair of Assessment Committee: Dr. Holmes-Layman |
| 3.2) To establish mission, vision and TR objectives. | Review current TR objectives and revise and develop as needed for annual assessment report. | August 2012 | Chair of Assessment Committee: Dr. Holmes-Layman |
| 3.3) To establish pre/post measuring tools for student assessment. | Guided by new COAPRT standards, develop pre=post test(s). | August 2014 | Chair of Assessment Committee: Dr. Holmes-Layman |
Recreation Administration Promotion
Goal 4) To enhance the Department of Recreation Administration's promotion and marketing strategies.
| Objective | Action | Timeline | Addressed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.1) To investigate providing undeclared majors with promotion materials. | Meet with admissions advisors to identify promotional possibilities. | Annually in May | Department Chair Dr. Higelmire |
| 4.2) To promote department of recreation opportunities to undeclared majors. | Distribute promotional materials to students. | Annually in May | Department Chair Dr. Higelmire |
| 4.3) To provide promotional materials to internal and external entities. | Determine needs and opportunities. Responding with appropriate level of materials. | Annually in May | Department Chair Dr. Higelmire |
Practical Experience
A degree at EIU is not just about mastering theories. It’s also about practical, hands-on experiences with real people at real organizations. Work in field-based recreation settings is integral to many recreation courses, giving our graduates a critical head start in the field.
You'll work closely with instructors in your field work and internship experiences to understand the various competencies as identified by certification agent(s). Through field work and internship experiences, EIU students develop the applied skills and understandings that lead to expertise in the field.
The education curriculum at EIU culminates in an entire term devoted to interning at a recreation organization. You’ll continue to receive support from your professors through assignments and visits so you can discuss issues you’re facing at the site.
