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 Professors—Roberts, Rosegard
Assistant Professors—Latkova, Suren, Wilson
Lecturers—Ben-Eliezer, Flasher, Holland, Lowe, McAdams, Metcalf-Tobin, Mirviss, 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 are well-qualified instructors that represent a broad range of skills, interests, and expertise within the profession and the discipline. The department offers a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration that is accredited by the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA). Accreditation provides credibility and broader recognition within the academic and professional community. Employers can be assured that graduates from our department are fully qualified to enter the profession and have the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to become community leaders, advocates, and social change agents.

In developing the above competencies, the program delivers academic content that centers on the latest marketing, programming, and event planning techniques; leadership, management, and administration strategies; assessment and evaluation methodologies; and sustainable/green practices. Students continue through the curriculum until fully qualified for placement as full-time paid interns during their last spring semester.

The department also offers three additional programs: (1) an undergraduate minor 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, (2) a graduate program designed for students with experience who wish to pursue advanced training in the areas of community building, collaborative leadership, tourism, and management, and (3) a certificate for students interested in the nonprofit sector can also obtain a certificate in Youth and Human Services Nonprofit Agency Administration; and courses intended to fulfill general education requirements.

One of the program's most important resources is the diversity and vitality of the San Francisco Bay Area. The number of agencies, institutions, and leisure enterprises makes the region a focal point and living laboratory for local, state, and national parks, international tourism, and commercial, municipal, and nonprofit recreation.

Vision

The Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Department in the College of Health and Human Services at San Francisco State 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 profession through a foundation of quality education, service, and research.
• provide students, faculty, and professionals with competencies and theoretically-based instruction by way of experiential and community service learning opportunities.
• 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 profession through the communication, dissemination, and application of research and best practices.

Students wanting to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration, Minor in Recreation, or a Master of Science in Recreation should review the department website: www.recdept.sfsu.edu and consult with the 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 Administration, and should also see the department 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 [A grade of C or better is required in the department’s Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) course – RPT 660]. 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 recreation, leisure, and touristic experiences. As the world's leading industry, recreation and leisure/tourism spending accounts for approximately one trillion dollars a year – a third of all consumer spending. 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%. The arts, entertainment, and recreation division will grow by 28% and add 497,000 new jobs by 2012.

This demand for full-time, trained recreation, park, and tourism professionals are needed to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate programs and services in community recreation centers, after school programs, youth organizations (e.g., YMCA), private camps, marinas, theme parks, visitor bureaus, event planning organizations, national and state parks, and other areas within the leisure service delivery system. Thus, the recreation profession offers diverse employment opportunities for individuals who are enthusiastic, enjoy working with people, and have acquired the necessary professional skills.

Careers in the recreation, parks, and tourism profession include:

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN RECREATION, PARKS, AND TOURISM ADMINISTRATION

Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration majors who successfully complete RPT 660 GW in fall 2010 or thereafter will have satisfied the uiniversity Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR).

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 ADMINISTRATION

Campus Director—Asuncion T. Suren, Ed.D.

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.

On-line course descriptions

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN RECREATION

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

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 one or more undergraduate courses and/or experience requirements to become eligible for consideration.

To be considered for admission, applicants must have a 3.0 GPA in a baccalaureate degree or for the last 60 units (90 quarter units) of undergraduate work, or submit Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score of 4.0 or above on the Analytical Writing portion. With a GPA above 3.0 an applicant does not need to take the GRE. Applicants must also submit the following documents to the department: three letters of recommendation, a statement of career goals and statement of purpose, a 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 have two options to satisfy Level One of the Written English Proficiency Requirement.

1. Submit a score of 4 or above on the Analytical Writing portion of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).
2. In addition to the Statement of Purpose on the Recreation Graduate Admission application, submit a writing sample and receive a score of 4 or above on a 6-point holistic grading scale. Upon receipt of an applicant’s admission materials, the department will email them two issues in the recreation, parks and tourism field of study and they will be required to describe arguments related to one issue and support their views in a written essay (writing sample). The writing sample will consist of a 750 to 1250-word response and will be evaluated by department faculty.

Students accepted without satisfying Level One of the Written English Proficiency Requirement will be admitted as conditionally classified, and will be required to obtain a B or better in RPT 700 – a writing-intensive course that all new students must take within their first two semesters after admission.

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, applied research project, or the thesis. An independent literacy assessment, separate from other proficiency standards and requirements, is carried out for any of the culminating experience alternatives.

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 an Advancement to Candidacy (ATC). Students are expected to have the ATC prepared when they have completed approximately 24 units of the program requirements. The ATC 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.