Recreation, Recreation Therapy Option, B.S.

Program Description

The Department of Hospitality, Recreation and Tourism prepares students to become leaders in the recreation, tourism and hospitality sectors where they work to create opportunities for people to experience the highest quality of life possible. The purpose of the curriculum is to develop understanding of the importance of leisure in today’s fast paced world and how as professionals they can have a positive impact on people, programs and communities. Students are provided educational opportunities which will develop their ability to organize, plan, and manage leisure, hospitality, and tourism service resources in diverse communities.

Leisure is the second largest income-producing sector in the world’s economy and is the world’s largest employer. Students are professionals upon graduation gaining positions where responsibilities are varied and opportunities are endless.

The department’s experiential learning philosophy creates experiences where learning content happens while actually creating programs, events, and experiences for the people they want to serve. Helping people achieve a more satisfying quality of life is the job of all leisure professionals. Managers in recreation and parks, and recreation therapy are just a few of the fields open to our majors.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who graduate with a B.S. in Recreation from Cal State East Bay will be able to:

1. Analyze and generate effective, sustainable solutions based on evidence and technology and provide relevant references.
2. Demonstrate significant knowledge of effective leadership and teamwork strategies, management skills, and evaluation of service quality and consumer needs through investigation and practical experience.
3. Articulate clearly (speak and write) ethical, philosophical, historical, and current practices and administrative foundations of the profession.
4. Demonstrate techniques that contribute to a culture of dignity and respect in the workplace.

Career Possibilities

• After-school Director
• Recreation Program Coordinator
• Recreation Therapist
• Youth Sports Director
• Event Manager
• Teen Coordinator
• Sports Coordinator
• Aquatics Manager
• Senior Center Manager
• Resort Manager
• Retirement Community Program Director
• Camp Director
• Preschool Director
• Country Club Manager

Features

Our student-centered department has programs designed for both on campus and online students. Our courses are offered in three formats: hybrid (one day a week in-class instruction with the remainder online), all instruction online, or in-class instruction on the weekends and between quarters. We are dedicated to helping you realize your dreams. Our friendly, accessible faculty will advise you about meeting all requirements in the most efficient manner. We have excellent industry contacts and can help connect you with professional part-time jobs to build your resume while in school. All our faculty have been Leisure and Hospitality industry professionals.

Major Requirements (B.S.)

Consult an advisor in your major department for clarification and interpretation of your major requirements. Some courses require prerequisites. The major with an option in Recreation Management consists of 102 units; and the major with an option in Recreation Therapy consists of 95 units; the B.S. degree requires a total of 180 units.

Recreation Therapy Option (55 units)

The Recreation Therapy option is designed to prepare students to work as allied health professionals with people who have special needs in clinical, residential, and community-based agencies. This option is specifically designed to meet the standards developed by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) and the California Board of Recreation and Park Certification. Successfully completing this curriculum will provide students with knowledge competencies necessary to qualify for both the National and State Therapeutic Recreation Certification Exams. Our program is accredited by the California Board of Recreation and Park Certification.

Many graduates of this option are leaders in Recreation Therapy in the San Francisco Bay Area. They work in rehabilitation hospitals, drug treatment programs, mental health clinics and inpatient programs, state hospitals, long term care facilities, prisons and schools to name just a few.

Other Degree Requirements

In addition to major requirements, every student must also complete the University requirements for graduation which are described in the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements chapter in the front of this catalog. These include the General Education-Breadth requirements; the second composition (ENGL 1002 ) requirement; the cultural groups/women requirement; the performing arts/activities requirement; the U.S. history, U.S. Constitution, and California state and local government requirement; the University Writing Skills Requirement; and the residence, unit, and grade point average requirements.