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 Recreation Administration program.
Our strong faculty reputation is built on high-quality professors. According to the university's March 2003 external review report, the Program’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 Recreation and Therapeutic Recreation programs are fully accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Recreation, Park Resources and Leisure Services.
The following goals and objectives can also be viewed as an Excel spreadsheet or as a PDF document.
Recreation Administration Curriculum
| Objective | Action | Timeline | Outcome | Addressed By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1.1) Continue to 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 |
on-going |
Assessment Committee Chair Dr. James Barkley |
|
|
1.2) Conduct a Programal review of required therapeutic 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 |
on-going |
Program TR Faculty and Chair |
|
|
1.3) Investigate on-line course possibilities |
Review existing courses and content to investigare feasibility of on-line offerings
|
August of 2017 |
Dr. Barkley |
|
|
1.4) Ongoing review of the feasibility for collaboration of course offerings with other Programs on campus |
Faculty continue current collaborations with FCS and KSS and remain open to other possible collaborative efforts. |
Annually in October |
Program Faculty and Chair | |
|
1.5) Investigate an outdoor emphasis area |
Develop a list of courses and certificates that may comprise a formal outdoor emphasis area. |
August of 2017 |
Dr. James Barkley |
|
| 1.6) To promote integrated learning experiences for students | Ensure that students engage in at least 3 agency integrated projects |
Annually in October |
Assessment Committee Chair Dr. Barkley |
|
|
1.7) Complete COAPRT re-accreditation report
|
Complete re-accreditation report for both generalist and TR. |
January of 2017 |
Dr. Barkley |
|
|
1.8) 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 October |
Faculty meeting Dr. Barkley |
Recreation Administration Visibility
| Objective | Action | Timeline | Outcome | Addressed By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1) Continue and strengthen relationships with recreation agencies. | Faculty will explore ways to serve on recreation related professional committees. |
Annually in October |
Faculty meeting Dr. Barkley |
|
| 2.2) Maintain an up-to-date mailing and email list of Program of Recreation Administration alumni. | Work with foundation to develop an accurate email list. |
Annually in October |
Faculty meeting Dr. Barkley |
|
| 2.3) Assist in applying for internal and external grants. | Identify project areas and possible collaboration projects among university faculty (and community). |
Annually in October |
Faculty meeting Dr. Barkley |
|
|
2.4) Continue and strengthen relationships with recreation associations. |
Faculty will explore ways to serve on recreation related professional associations. |
Annually in October |
Program Faculty and Chair | |
| 2.5) Develop presentations, publications and other creative endeavors. | Faculty will prepare session proposals, manuscripts, report, and engage in other creative activities. |
Annually in October |
Program Faculty |
Recreation Administration Assessment
| Objective | Action | Timeline | Outcome | Addressed By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.1) To establish primary measures for outcomes. |
Assessment committee will review objectives and make appropriate changes. Committee prepare on-line portfolio draft |
on-going |
Chair of Assessment Committee: Dr. Barkley | |
|
|
|
Recreation Administration Promotion
| Objective | Action | Timeline | Outcome | Addressed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.1) To investigate providing undeclared majors with promotion materials. | Meet with admissions advisors to identify promotional possibilities. | Annually in May |
Program Chair Dr. Barkley |
|
| 4.2) To promote program of recreation opportunities to undeclared majors. | Distribute promotional materials to students. | Annually in May |
Program Chair Dr. Barkley |
|
| 4.3) To provide promotional materials to internal and external entities. | Determine needs and opportunities. Responding with appropriate level of materials. | Annually in May |
Program Chair Dr. Barkley |
|
|
4.4) To increase number of majors |
The newly established promotions and marketing committee will review draft plan to increase number of majors and subsequently finalize the plan. |
August 2017 |
Program Chair Dr. Barkley |
You can view our 2013-2014 and 2012-2013 Goals and Objectives archive here.
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.
The mission of the Recreation Administration program at Eastern Illinois University is to implement a curriculum, which will prepare highly competent recreation program providers and managers of leisure and recreation experiences as well as highly competent RT/TR professionals through student-faculty scholarship, free and rigorous inquiry, effective coursework and applied learning and field experiences. The program helps students develop an in-depth understanding of recreation and its importance in enhancing the quality of life. Students graduating from this program will possess administrative skills, leadership abilities, and understanding of leisure behavior to promote through comprehensive recreation programs in our communities; health, wellness, inclusion and sustainability. Students in the TR option will additionally develop clinical competencies appropriate for the dynamic health systems climate. Students will also engage in the highest level of strategic thinking, ethical practices, oral and written communication, global understanding, diversity support and numerical literacy.
The Recreation Administration program: Experience a difference…to make a difference!
The faculty of the Recreation Administration program infuses these values in their course work, services and scholarly activities.